Molecular cloning and functional expression of the K+ channel KV7.1 and the regulatory subunit KCNE1 from equine myocardium.

BACKGROUND: The voltage-gated K+-channel KV7.1 and the subunit KCNE1, encoded by the KCNQ1 and KCNE1 genes, respectively, are responsible for termination of the cardiac action potential. In humans, mutations in these genes can predispose patients to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). AIM: To characterize equine KV7.1/KCNE1 currents and compare them to human KV7.1/KCNE1 currents to determine whether KV7.1/KCNE1 plays a similar role in equine and human hearts. METHODS: mRNA encoding KV7.1 and KCNE1 was isolated from equine hearts, sequenced, and cloned into expression vectors. The channel subunits were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes or CHO-K1 cells and characterized using voltage-clamp techniques. RESULTS: Equine KV7.1/KCNE1 expressed in CHO-K1 cells exhibited electrophysiological properties that are overall similar to the human orthologs; however, a slower deactivation was found which could result in more open channels at fast rates. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the equine KV7.1/KCNE1 channel may be important for cardiac repolarization and this could indicate that horses are susceptible to SCD caused by mutations in KCNQ1 and KCNE1.

Heteromeric Slick/Slack K+ channels show graded sensitivity to cell volume changes.

Slick and Slack high-conductance K+ channels are found in the CNS, kidneys, pancreas, among other organs, where they play an important role in cell excitability as well as in ion transport processes. They are both activated by Na+ and Cl- but show a differential regulation by cell volume changes. Slick has been shown to be regulated by cell volume changes, whereas Slack is insensitive. α-subunits of these channels form homomeric as well as heteromeric channels. It is the aim of this work to explore whether the subunit composition of the Slick/Slack heteromeric channel affects the response to osmotic challenges. In order to provide with the adequate water permeability to the cell membrane of Xenopus laevis oocytes, mRNA of aquaporin 1 was co-expressed with homomeric or heteromeric Slick and Slack α-subunits. Oocytes were superfused with hypotonic or hypertonic buffers and changes in currents were measured by two-electrode voltage clamp. This work presents the first heteromeric K+ channel with a characteristic graded sensitivity to small and fast changes in cell volume. Our results show that the cell volume sensitivity of Slick/Slack heteromeric channels is dependent on the number of volume sensitive Slick α-subunits in the tetrameric channels, giving rise to graded cell volume sensitivity. Regulation of the subunit composition of a channel may constitute a novel mechanism to determine volume sensitivity of cells.

The Mutation P.T613a in the Pore Helix of the Kv 11.1 Potassium Channel is Associated with Long QT Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations in the voltage gated potassium channel Kv 11.1 have been associated with the Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) type 2. We identified the p.T613A mutation in Kv 11.1 in a family with LQTS. T613A is located in the outer part of the pore helix, a structure that is involved in C-type inactivation. Here we characterize the effect of p.T613A on the functional properties of KV 11.1. METHODS: The p.T613A mutation was introduced into KV 11.1 (T613A). Wild-type KV 11.1 (WT) and T613A were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and characterized by two-electrode-voltage-clamp. RESULTS: T613A currents were reduced to <20% of WT currents and T613A induced a minor negative shift in half maximal rectification, indicating that the voltage-dependent onset on inactivation occurred at more negative voltages compared to WT. Co-expression of T613A with WT revealed intermediate phenotype and there was no dominant negative effect of T613A. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that p.T613A causes a loss-of-function of Kv 11.1. This results in a reduced repolarizing reserve which may result in LQTS2 and sudden cardiac death.

Cell volume changes regulate slick (Slo2.1), but not slack (Slo2.2) K+ channels.

Slick (Slo2.1) and Slack (Slo2.2) channels belong to the family of high-conductance K+ channels and have been found widely distributed in the CNS. Both channels are activated by Na+ and Cl- and, in addition, Slick channels are regulated by ATP. Therefore, the roles of these channels in regulation of cell excitability as well as ion transport processes, like regulation of cell volume, have been hypothesized. It is the aim of this work to evaluate the sensitivity of Slick and Slack channels to small, fast changes in cell volume and to explore mechanisms, which may explain this type of regulation. For this purpose Slick and Slack channels were co-expressed with aquaporin 1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes and cell volume changes of around 5% were induced by exposure to hypotonic or hypertonic media. Whole-cell currents were measured by two electrode voltage clamp. Our results show that Slick channels are dramatically stimulated (196% of control) by cell swelling and inhibited (57% of control) by a decrease in cell volume. In contrast, Slack channels are totally insensitive to similar cell volume changes. The mechanism underlining the strong volume sensitivity of Slick channels needs to be further explored, however we were able to show that it does not depend on an intact actin cytoskeleton, ATP release or vesicle fusion. In conclusion, Slick channels, in contrast to the similar Slack channels, are the only high-conductance K+ channels strongly sensitive to small changes in cell volume.