All animal cells require maintenance of transmembrane gradients for Na+ and K+ ions by the Na/K pump, a plasma membrane P-type ATPase. Pathophysiologically, the Na/K pump is the target specifically inhibited by cardiotonic steroids, drugs traditionally used for the treatment of heart failure. Also, mutations in the genes encoding for two Na/K pump isoforms have been linked to migraine and Parkinsonism. The long-term goal of our laboratory is to understand the relationship between the Na/K pump structure, its function, and its multiple roles in cardiovascular and neurological diseases. All P-type ATPases alternate between two major conformers E1 and E2. The molecular forces that stabilize intermediate states in the cycle must arise as a consequence of a set of state-specific residue-residue and residue-ligand interactions. The main research goal of this AREA project is to identify and characterize energetically and mechanistically relevant interactions between pairs of residues and between residues and ions within the Na/K pump. To address this problem we use mutagenesis, heterologous expression of Na/K pumps in Xenopus oocytes, voltage clamp (two electrode voltage clamp, cut-open oocyte and patch clamp), chemical modification of engineered cysteine residues and computational chemistry to address two independent and interrelated aims, which we propose on the basis of extensive preliminary work: 1) To identify and characterize critical conformation-specific interactions that stabilize Na/K pump conformations, 2) to elucidate the mechanisms of ion-induced conformational changes. Considering the overwhelming evidence that the rate of E1 - E2 conversion underlies the molecular mechanism of this critical transporter, the work proposed here will be crucial to understanding and resolving the etiology of clinically relevant problems. Specifically, dysfunction of the Na,K-ATPase has been attributed to hypertension, congestive heart failure, familial hemiplegic migraine, and polycystic kidney disease.

Public Health Relevance

This project addresses the mechanism of function of a membrane protein, the sodium/potassium pump, which is essential for heart, muscle and brain functions, as well as for the life of all animal cells. The results from our research will show how mutation of the genes encoding for sodium/potassium pumps located in the brain are linked to debilitating forms of migraines. In addition, our studies will help elucidate how drugs used for th treatment of congestive heart failure and certain forms of arrhythmias interact with their receptors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
1R15NS081570-01A1
Application #
8574225
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-A (96))
Program Officer
Stewart, Randall R
Project Start
2013-09-01
Project End
2016-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2016-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$452,588
Indirect Cost
$152,861
Name
Texas Tech University
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
609980727
City
Lubbock
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
79430
Holm, Rikke; Khandelwal, Jaanki; Einholm, Anja P et al. (2017) Arginine substitution of a cysteine in transmembrane helix M8 converts Na+,K+-ATPase to an electroneutral pump similar to H+,K+-ATPase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:316-321
Rui, Huan; Artigas, Pablo; Roux, Benoît (2016) The selectivity of the Na(+)/K(+)-pump is controlled by binding site protonation and self-correcting occlusion. Elife 5:
Stanley, Christopher M; Gagnon, Dominique G; Bernal, Adam et al. (2015) Importance of the Voltage Dependence of Cardiac Na/K ATPase Isozymes. Biophys J 109:1852-62