Abstract |
The second tryptophan (W) residue of the conserved WW motif in the pore helix of many K+ channel subunit is thought to interact with the tyrosine (Y) residues of the selectivity filter. A missense mutation causing the replacement of the corresponding residues with an arginine (W309R) occurs in KCNQ3 subunits forming part of M-channels. In this study, we examined the functional consequences of the W309R mutation in heterogously expressed KCNQ channels. Homomeric KCNQ3W309R channels lacked KCNQ currents. Heteromeric KCNQ2/KCNQ3W309R channels displayed a dominant-negative suppression of current and a significant modification in gating properties when compared with heteromeric KCNQ3/KCNQ2 channels mimicking the M-channels. A three-dimensional homology model in the W309R mutant indicated that the R side chain of pore helices is too far from the Y side chain of the selectivity filter to interact via hydrogen bonds with each other and stabilize the pore structure. Collectively, the present results suggest that the second W residues of pore helices and their chemical interaction with the Y residues of the selectivity filter are essential for normal K+ channel function. This pore-helix mutation, if occurs in the brain M channels, could thus lead to a channel dysfunction sufficient to trigger epileptic hyperexcitability.
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Authors | Akira Uehara, Yuki Nakamura, Takao Shioya, Shinichi Hirose, Midori Yasukochi, Kiyoko Uehara |
Journal | The Journal of membrane biology
(J Membr Biol)
Vol. 222
Issue 2
Pg. 55-63
(Mar 2008)
ISSN: 0022-2631 [Print] United States |
PMID | 18425618
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- KCNQ3 Potassium Channel
- KCNQ3 protein, human
- Recombinant Proteins
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Topics |
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Binding Sites
- Brain
(physiopathology)
- Cell Line
- Electrophysiology
- Epilepsy
(genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
- Heterozygote
- Humans
- Hydrogen Bonding
- Ion Channel Gating
- KCNQ3 Potassium Channel
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutation, Missense
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Recombinant Proteins
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
- Transfection
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