The long-term objectives of this research project are to provide information on the molecular basis for the heterogeneity of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels in normal and in diseased hearts, and the mechanisms/sites of actions of currently available Kv channel modulators that may provide therapeutic benefits for problems in the heart and elsewhere. Our focus here is the slow delayed rectifier (IKs) channel, an important determinant of action potential duration in human heart. The IKs channel consists of at least two components: KCNQ1 channel and KCNE1 auxiliary subunit. Mutations in kcnq1 &kcne1 genes have been linked to abnormalities in cardiac repolarization and increased risk for arrhythmias (long &short QT syndromes, LQT &SQT, and familial atrial fibrillation, fAF). Recent data from our lab and from others have suggested that the subunit composition of cardiac IKs channels may be more complex than previously believed. Transcripts of other members of the KCNE family (KCNE2 - KCNE5) have been detected in human heart, and in heterologous expression systems these KCNE subunits can all associate with the KCNQ1 channel to confer distinct channel phenotypes. We are particularly interested in KCNE2, because we have confirmed the presence of KCNE2 protein in human heart, and mutations in the kcne2 gene have been linked to LQT6 or fAF. We have shown that in heterologous expression systems KCNE2 can associate with the IKs (KCNQ1/KCNE1) channel complex to reduce its current amplitude without changing its gating kinetics. Furthermore, our preliminary pulse-chase experiments suggest that the partnership between KCNQ1 and KCNE subunits is not permanent: KCNE subunits can dissociate from KCNQ1/KCNE complexes to be replaced by new ones. These observations suggest the intriguing possibility that the subunit composition of cardiac IKs channels is dynamic: KCNE1 functions as the major auxiliary subunit to set the IKs gating kinetics, while KCNE2 functions as a dynamic regulator to fine tune the IKs current amplitude. In this proposal, we will seek direct evidence for the role of native KCNE2 in cardiac IKs channel function. We also want to quantify the relationship between KCNE1 &KCNE2 expression levels, their KCNQ1 binding affinity, and the IKs subunit composition (Aim 1), to apply the above information to the study of mechanisms for IKs remodeling in aging hearts (Aim 2), and to determine the structural basis for the dynamic interactions between KCNQ1 and the two KCNE subunits (Aim 3). To achieve these Aims, we will use a multidisciplinary approach of electrophysiology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, confocal microscopy and molecular modeling. Importantly, we will study not only channels expressed in heterologous systems but also native channels in cardiac myocytes.

Public Health Relevance

Our data will provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of cardiac IKs channel subunit composition. We believe this is one of the mechanisms by which cardiac myocytes fine tune the IKs amplitude in response to stress. We will apply this knowledge to the study of IKs remodeling during physiological and pathological aging. Finally, we will obtain structural information on IKs channel subunit interactions, and use this information to refine 3-D models of the IKs channel in different gating states. These models will be useful in structure-based design of IKs activators that can combat acquired &congenital LQT syndromes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HL067840-05A2
Application #
7651761
Study Section
Electrical Signaling, Ion Transport, and Arrhythmias Study Section (ESTA)
Program Officer
Lathrop, David A
Project Start
2001-09-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$470,828
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Commonwealth University
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
105300446
City
Richmond
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
23298
Wang, Yuhong; Zhang, Mei; Xu, Yu et al. (2012) Probing the structural basis for differential KCNQ1 modulation by KCNE1 and KCNE2. J Gen Physiol 140:653-69
Zhang, Mei; Wang, Yuhong; Jiang, Min et al. (2012) KCNE2 protein is more abundant in ventricles than in atria and can accelerate hERG protein degradation in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 302:H910-22
Wang, Yu Hong; Jiang, Min; Xu, Xu Lin et al. (2011) Gating-related molecular motions in the extracellular domain of the IKs channel: implications for IKs channelopathy. J Membr Biol 239:137-56
Lundby, Alicia; Tseng, Gea-Ny; Schmitt, Nicole (2010) Structural basis for K(V)7.1-KCNE(x) interactions in the I(Ks) channel complex. Heart Rhythm 7:708-13
Xu, Xulin; Jiang, Min; Wang, Yuhong et al. (2010) Long-term fish oil supplementation induces cardiac electrical remodeling by changing channel protein expression in the rabbit model. PLoS One 5:e10140
Tseng, Gea-Ny (2010) Can biologic pacemakers respond to physiologic emotional arousal? Heart Rhythm 7:1841-2
Xu, Xulin; Jiang, Min; Hsu, Kai-Ling et al. (2008) KCNQ1 and KCNE1 in the IKs channel complex make state-dependent contacts in their extracellular domains. J Gen Physiol 131:589-603
Xu, Xulin; Recanatini, Maurizio; Roberti, Marinella et al. (2008) Probing the binding sites and mechanisms of action of two human ether-a-go-go-related gene channel activators, 1,3-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea (NS1643) and 2-[2-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-5-ylamino]-nicotinic acid (PD3 Mol Pharmacol 73:1709-21
Tseng, Gea-Ny; Sonawane, Kailas D; Korolkova, Yuliya V et al. (2007) Probing the outer mouth structure of the HERG channel with peptide toxin footprinting and molecular modeling. Biophys J 92:3524-40
Liu, Xian-Sheng; Zhang, Mei; Jiang, Min et al. (2007) Probing the interaction between KCNE2 and KCNQ1 in their transmembrane regions. J Membr Biol 216:117-27

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