The KCNE family of accessory channel subunits associate with a variety of voltage gated channels to regulate their assembly and function. Mutations in KCNEs have been linked to hereditary arrhythmias of the Long QT syndrome (LQTS), atrial fibrillation, and polymorphisms may contribute to drug-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Moreover, the KCNEs are increasingly found to regulate the activity of numerous channels in systems beyond the heart. Progress in the study of these proteins has revealed much regarding their function, expression and genetics. Nevertheless many unresolved issues remain. Among these are the precise mechanisms of regulation of channel gating, their assembly with K channels, molecular basis for pro-arrhythmic mutations, relative preference for specific channels and stoichiometry. Our previous work has shown that portions of the KCNEs separate from those that govern activation may influence regulation of channel deactivation. Our preliminary studies indicate that C-termini of KCNEs and KCNQ1 channels physically and functionally interact to alter channel deactivation rates and voltage-dependence of activation. Here we propose to address several of the unresolved issues concerning control of channel deactivation rates and several newer questions pertaining to the broader KCNE family that may influence cardiac arrhythmia risks. Our approach will use biochemical, functional and structural methodology. We propose more advanced structural analyses on KCNE regulation of KCNQ1 channels and how LQT mutations alter this process.

Public Health Relevance

Cardiac arrhythmias are responsible for 300,000 to 400,000 cases of sudden death per year in the USA. Although the Long QT syndrome is not common identification of the genes involved and exploration of LQT mutations has greatly enriched our understanding of molecular mechanisms human cardiac electrical activity. Further study of these proteins is likely to contribute to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in arrhythmia management in more common acquired heart disease. We believe that it is fundamentally important to investigate the dynamic regulation and crosstalk among protein-protein interactions for these channels and accessory subunits.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL093440-02
Application #
8040965
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CVRS-E (02))
Program Officer
Wang, Lan-Hsiang
Project Start
2010-03-15
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-16
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$415,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
110521739
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461
Chen, Jerri; Angeletti, Ruth; McDonald, Thomas V et al. (2012) Binding interface of cardiac potassium channel proteins identified by hydrogen deuterium exchange of synthetic peptides. Anal Bioanal Chem 403:1303-9
Krishnan, Yamini; Li, Yan; Zheng, Renjian et al. (2012) Mechanisms underlying the protein-kinase mediated regulation of the HERG potassium channel synthesis. Biochim Biophys Acta 1823:1273-84
Krishnan, Yamini; Zheng, Renjian; Walsh, Christine et al. (2012) Partially dominant mutant channel defect corresponding with intermediate LQT2 phenotype. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 35:3-16
Sroubek, Jakub; Krishnan, Yamini; Chinai, Jordan et al. (2012) The use of Bcl-2 over-expression to stabilize hybridomas specific to the HERG potassium channel. J Immunol Methods 375:215-22
Chen, Jerri; Weber, Michael; Um, Sung Yon et al. (2011) A dual mechanism for I(Ks) current reduction by the pathogenic mutation KCNQ1-S277L. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 34:1652-64
Ren, Xiao-Qin; Liu, Gong Xin; Organ-Darling, Louise E et al. (2010) Pore mutants of HERG and KvLQT1 downregulate the reciprocal currents in stable cell lines. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 299:H1525-34
Zheng, Renjian; Thompson, Keith; Obeng-Gyimah, Edmond et al. (2010) Analysis of the interactions between the C-terminal cytoplasmic domains of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 channel subunits. Biochem J 428:75-84
Chen, Jerri; Zheng, Renjian; Melman, Yonathan F et al. (2009) Functional interactions between KCNE1 C-terminus and the KCNQ1 channel. PLoS One 4:e5143