Potassium channels are tetrameric membrane proteins that provide a highly selective conduit for potassium ions to diffuse across the hydrophobic barrier of cell membranes. As such, their formation and biophysical properties are critical for processes like neuronal excitability, secretion of hormones, and muscle contraction. The formation of ion channels includes biogenesis of monomeric channel subunits, assembly of subunits into the tetrameric channel, and trafficking of the channel to the appropriate cellular membrane where it performs its functional role. Although the structure and function of mature potassium channels have been studied extensively, little is known about the early folding events in channel biogenesis. Defects in translation and folding have downstream consequences for assembly, trafficking, and function of potassium channels, and underlie pathology. The long-term goal of our research program is to elucidate basic principles of translation and protein folding in the biogenesis of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, including folding events in the ribosome-nascent peptide complex. This proposal is divided into four interrelated Projects, each having several Aims. Project I is devoted to understanding how the T1 domain, critical for assembly and targeting of Kv channels, moves through the tunnel and is persuaded to fold during biogenesis. No models of this progression exist. The expected outcomes of our studies will fill this gap. Project II maps the events and location of voltage- sensor (VS) formation. Thes findings bear on all voltage-gated channels and mechanisms for VS folding defects. Project III defines prerequisites for pore formation and the defects in pore architecture that underlie the impaired trafficking responsible for channel diseases, e.g., Long QT2 Syndrome. Project IV will generate new paradigms for allosteric communication in the ribosome-nascent peptide complex, challenge existing paradigms that refute the important role of peptide-tunnel dynamics. Our results will advance a new technology for determining rates of peptide movement in the tunnel during peptide elongation. The results of our studies bear not only on Kv channel formation and cellular levels of Kv protein, but also on broader issues in biogenesis and folding of proteins, and will provide a paradigm for rational design of therapeutics for Kv folding defects. Many of the methods and strategies used in these proposed studies (e.g., pegylation, intramolecular crosslinking assays of a nascent peptide attached to a ribosomal tunnel) were introduced and developed in my laboratory to assay secondary, tertiary, and quaternary folding events. The proposed experiments will use a range of techniques including novel biochemical micro-assays of Kv biogenic intermediates, electrophysiology of Xenopus oocytes, and computational analysis.

Public Health Relevance

Formation of voltage-gated potassium channels includes synthesis of the channel protein, assembly of these proteins into multimeric channels, and delivery of these channels to the plasma membrane. Defects in any of these steps will result in altered expression of the channels at the cell surface, with pathological and often lethal consequences. Our studies of ion channel folding bear on basic principles of protein folding and pave the way for understanding the molecular basis of protein misfolding, a fundamental cause of many diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM052302-17
Application #
8293519
Study Section
Biophysics of Neural Systems Study Section (BPNS)
Program Officer
Deatherage, James F
Project Start
1995-05-01
Project End
2016-02-29
Budget Start
2012-05-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$564,000
Indirect Cost
$211,500
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Fritch, Benjamin; Kosolapov, Andrey; Hudson, Phillip et al. (2018) Origins of the Mechanochemical Coupling of Peptide Bond Formation to Protein Synthesis. J Am Chem Soc 140:5077-5087
Tu, LiWei; Deutsch, Carol (2017) Determinants of Helix Formation for a Kv1.3 Transmembrane Segment inside the Ribosome Exit Tunnel. J Mol Biol 429:1722-1732
Po, Pengse; Delaney, Erin; Gamper, Howard et al. (2017) Effect of Nascent Peptide Steric Bulk on Elongation Kinetics in the Ribosome Exit Tunnel. J Mol Biol 429:1873-1888
Lu, Jianli; Deutsch, Carol (2014) Regional discrimination and propagation of local rearrangements along the ribosomal exit tunnel. J Mol Biol 426:4061-4073
Delaney, Erin; Khanna, Pooja; Tu, LiWei et al. (2014) Determinants of pore folding in potassium channel biogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 111:4620-5
Tu, Liwei; Khanna, Pooja; Deutsch, Carol (2014) Transmembrane segments form tertiary hairpins in the folding vestibule of the ribosome. J Mol Biol 426:185-98
Wu, Cheng; Wei, Jiajie; Lin, Pen-Jen et al. (2012) Arginine changes the conformation of the arginine attenuator peptide relative to the ribosome tunnel. J Mol Biol 416:518-33
Gajewski, Christine; Dagcan, Alper; Roux, Benoit et al. (2011) Biogenesis of the pore architecture of a voltage-gated potassium channel. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:3240-5
Lu, Jianli; Hua, Zhengmao; Kobertz, William R et al. (2011) Nascent peptide side chains induce rearrangements in distinct locations of the ribosomal tunnel. J Mol Biol 411:499-510
Tu, Li Wei; Deutsch, Carol (2010) A folding zone in the ribosomal exit tunnel for Kv1.3 helix formation. J Mol Biol 396:1346-60

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