C-type inactivation of K+ channels is a molecular process of great physiological significance. In the central nervous system, it affects the firing patterns of neurons on the time-scale of seconds, and impaired/altered inactivation leads to a variety of neurological disorders. In neurons the onset and duration of the conductive state of voltage-gated K+ channels, which are directly modulated by the interplay of activation and inactivation, underlie the action-potential firing rates. In the heart, the extremely fast C-type inactivation of the hERG channel plays an important role in the repolarization of cardiac cells. Thus, understanding the molecular basis of inactivation has a direct impact on human health. The pH-activated bacterial KcsA channel is a critically important prototypical model system; there is strong evidence that the C-type inactivated state of this channel is caused by a constriction of the selectivity filter. Our overarching hypothesis is that C-type inactivation is a conformational change of the selectivity filter controlled by competing factors: local packing and hydrogen bonding interactions establish the inherent thermodynamic stability of the conductive filter, while further stabilization/destabilization is communicated via the allosteric coupling with the intracellular gate, or through- space interactions of the pore domain with the voltage sensor in the case of voltage-activated channels. The goal of the proposed research is to test our hypothesis and delineate the conformational plasticity of the selectivity filter of K+ channels in molecular terms. This will be achieved by relying on a multidisciplinary strategy that combines computational and experimental approaches.
In aim 1, we will study the molecular determinants of the activation/inactivation allosteric coupling in the KcsA channel. We will generate an extensive Markov State Model (MSM) encompassing all the microscopic events of opening the intracellular gate, ion conduction, and entry into inactivation on the basis of aggregate data from a large number of unbiased MD trajectories in order to provide a complete computational paradigm of the activation/inactivation gating process in KcsA. We will determine the X-ray structure of KcsA with engineered Shaker-like mutations known to affect C-type inactivation and characterize these systems with MD.
In aim 2, we will investigate the structural polymorphism of the selectivity filter in chimeric bacterial channels built from the cationic NaK channel and the calcium-activated cationic channel NaKTs channel. Finally, in aim 3, we will investigate the molecular determinants of activation/inactivation in the voltage-gated K+ channels Shaker, Kv1.2 and hERG using X-ray crystallography, functional measurements, and MD simulations.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this research project is to expand our understanding of K+ channels inactivation at the molecular level by relying on X-ray crystallography, functional experiments, and computer simulations based on atomic models. Malfunctions of K+ channels have a broad impact on human health, including neurological disorders, epilepsy, heart arrhythmia, immune response, and cellular secretion. The fundamental knowledge gained by the proposed studies is expected to make it easier to develop molecular therapies targeting these channels.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM062342-20
Application #
10113630
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Lyster, Peter
Project Start
2001-01-01
Project End
2023-02-28
Budget Start
2021-03-01
Budget End
2022-02-28
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Li, Jing; Ostmeyer, Jared; Cuello, Luis G et al. (2018) Rapid constriction of the selectivity filter underlies C-type inactivation in the KcsA potassium channel. J Gen Physiol 150:1408-1420
Roux, Benoît (2017) Ion channels and ion selectivity. Essays Biochem 61:201-209
Kratochvil, Huong T; Maj, Micha?; Matulef, Kimberly et al. (2017) Probing the Effects of Gating on the Ion Occupancy of the K+ Channel Selectivity Filter Using Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy. J Am Chem Soc 139:8837-8845
Li, Jing; Ostmeyer, Jared; Boulanger, Eliot et al. (2017) Chemical substitutions in the selectivity filter of potassium channels do not rule out constricted-like conformations for C-type inactivation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:11145-11150
Medovoy, David; Perozo, Eduardo; Roux, Benoît (2016) Multi-ion free energy landscapes underscore the microscopic mechanism of ion selectivity in the KcsA channel. Biochim Biophys Acta 1858:1722-32
Lueck, John D; Mackey, Adam L; Infield, Daniel T et al. (2016) Atomic mutagenesis in ion channels with engineered stoichiometry. Elife 5:
Dhakshnamoorthy, Balasundaresan; Rohaim, Ahmed; Rui, Huan et al. (2016) Structural and functional characterization of a calcium-activated cation channel from Tsukamurella paurometabola. Nat Commun 7:12753
Kratochvil, Huong T; Carr, Joshua K; Matulef, Kimberly et al. (2016) Instantaneous ion configurations in the K+ ion channel selectivity filter revealed by 2D IR spectroscopy. Science 353:1040-1044
Gaudet, Rachelle; Roux, Benoit; Minor Jr, Daniel L (2015) Insights into the molecular foundations of electrical excitation. J Mol Biol 427:1-2
Castillo, Juan P; Rui, Huan; Basilio, Daniel et al. (2015) Mechanism of potassium ion uptake by the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Nat Commun 6:7622

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