Table of Contents

Volume 6, Issue 1

  January/February 2012

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REVIEW

KCNE2 and the K⁺ channel: The tail wagging the dog

Geoffrey W. Abbott
Abstract | Full Text | PDF

KCNE2, originally designated MinK-related peptide 1 (MiRP1), belongs to a five-strong family of potassium channel ancillary (β) subunits that, despite the diminutive size of the family and its members, has loomed large in the field of ion channel physiology. KCNE2 dictates K⁺ channel gating, conductance, α subunit composition, trafficking and pharmacology, and also modifies functional properties of monovalent cation-nonselective HCN channels. The Kcne2^−/− mouse exhibits cardiac arrhythmia and hypertrophy, achlorhydria, gastric neoplasia, hypothyroidism, alopecia, stunted growth and choroid plexus epithelial dysfunction; illustrating the breadth and depth of the influence of KCNE2, mutations in which are also associated with human cardiac arrhythmias. Here, the modus operandi and physiological roles of this potent regulator of membrane excitability and ion secretion are reviewed with particular emphasis on the ability of KCNE2 to shape the electrophysiological landscape of both excitable and non-excitable cells.




SHORT COMMUNICATION

Ca_v1.3 L-type Ca²⁺ channels mediate long-term adaptation in dopamine D2L-mediated GluA1 trafficking in the dorsal striatum following cocaine exposure

Kathryn Schierberl, Thomas Giordano, Shirish Satpute, Jin Hao, Gagandeep Kaur, Franz Hofmann, Sven Moosmang, Joerg Striessnig and Anjali Rajadhyaksha
Abstract | Full Text | PDF

AMPA receptor (AMPAR) plasticity at glutamatergic synapses in the mesostriatal dopaminergic pathway has been implicated in persistent cocaine-induced behavioral responses; however, the precise mechanism underlying these changes remains unknown. Utilizing cocaine psychomotor sensitization in mice we find that repeated cocaine results in a basal reduction of Ser 845 GluA1 and cell surface GluA1 levels in the dorsal striatum (dStr) following a protracted withdrawal period, an adaptation that is dependent on Ca_v1.3 channels but not those expressed in the VTA. We find that the basally-induced decrease in this phosphoprotein is the result of recruitment of the striatal dopamine D2 pathway, as evidenced by enhanced levels of D2 receptor (D2R) mRNA expression and D2R function as examined using the D2R antagonist, eticlopride, as well as alterations in the phosphorylation status of several downstream molecular targets of D2R’s, including CREB, DARPP-32, Akt and GSK3β. Taken together with our recently published findings examining similar phenomena in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), these results underscore the utilization of divergent molecular mechanisms in the dStr, in mediating cocaine-induced persistent behavioral changes.




RESEARCH PAPERS

Changes in inhibitory CA1 network in dual pathology model of epilepsy

Mohamed Ouardouz and Lionel Carmant
Abstract | PDF

The combination of two precipitating factors appears to be more and more recognized in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Using a two-hit rat model, with a neonatal freeze lesion mimicking a focal cortical malformation combined with hyperthermia-induced seizure mimicking a febrile seizure, we have previously reported an increase of inhibition in CA1 pyramidal cells at P20. Here we investigated the changes affecting excitatory and inhibitory drive onto CA1 interneurons to better define the changes in CA1 inhibitory networks and their paradoxical role in epileptogenesis, using electrophysiological recordings in CA1 hippocampus from rat pups (16–20 d old). We investigated interneurons in CA1 hippocampal area located in stratum oriens (Or) and at the border of strata lacunosum and moleculare (L-M). Our results revealed an increase of the excitatory drive to both types of interneurons with no change in the inhibitory drive. The mechanisms underlying the increase of excitatory synaptic currents (EPSCs) in both types of interneurons are different. In Or interneurons, the amplitude of spontaneous and miniature EPSCs increased, while their frequency was not affected suggesting changes at the post-synaptic level. In L-M interneurons, the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs increases, but the amplitude is not affected. Analyses of miniature EPSCs showed no changes in both their frequency and amplitude. We concluded that L-M interneurons increase in excitatory drive is due to a change in Shaffer collateral axon excitability. The changes described here in CA1 inhibitory network may actually contribute to the epileptogenicity observed in this dual pathology model by increasing pyramidal cell synchronization.

Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and targeted biotinylation provide insight into the topology of the skeletal muscle Ca2+ channel β1a subunit

David C. Sheridan, Ong Moua, Nancy M. Lorenzon and Kurt G. Beam
Abstract | PDF

In skeletal muscle, L-type calcium channels (DHPRs), localized to plasma membrane / sarcoplasmic reticulum junctions, are tightly packed into groups of four, termed tetrads. Here we have used bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and targeted biotinylation to probe the structure and organization of β1a subunits associated with native CaV1.1 in DHPRs of myotubes. The construct YN-β1a-YC, in which the non-fluorescent fragments of YFP ("YN" corresponding to YFP residues 1-158, and "YC" corresponding to YFP residues 159-238) were fused, respectively, to the N- and C-termini of β1a, was fully functional and displayed yellow fluorescence within DHPR tetrads after expression in β1-knockout (β1KO) myotubes; this yellow fluorescence demonstrated the occurrence of BiFC of YFP on the β1a N- and C-termini. In these experiments we avoided over-expression because control experiments in non-muscle cells indicated that this could result in non-specific BiFC. BiFC of YN-β1a-YC in DHPR tetrads appeared to be intramolecular between N- and C-termini of individual β1a subunits rather than between adjacent DHPRs because BiFC (i) was observed for YN-β1a-YC co-expressed with CaV1.2 (which does not form tetrads) and (ii) was not observed after co-expression of YN-β1a-YN plus YC-β1a-YC in β1KO myotubes. Thus, β1a function is compatible with N- and C-termini being close enough together to allow BiFC. However, both termini appeared to have positional freedom and not to be closely apposed by other junctional proteins since both were accessible to gold-streptavidin conjugates. Based on these results, a model is proposed for the arrangement of β1a subunits in DHPR tetrads.

Sensitivity of cloned muscle, heart and neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels to block by polyamines: A possible basis for modulation of excitability in vivo

Li-Ying Fu, Theodore R. Cummins and Edward G. Moczydlowski
Abstract | PDF

Spermidine and spermine, are endogenous polyamines (PAs) that regulate cell growth and modulate the activity of numerous ion channel proteins. In particular, intracellular PAs are potent blockers of many different cation channels and are responsible for strong suppression of outward K+ current, a phenomenon known as inward rectification characteristic of a major class of KIR K+ channels. We previously described block of heterologously expressed voltage-gated Na+ channels (NaV) of rat muscle by intracellular PAs and PAs have recently been found to modulate excitability of brain neocortical neurons by blocking neuronal NaV channels. In this study, we compared the sensitivity of four different cloned mammalian NaV isoforms to PAs to investigate whether PA block is a common feature of NaV channel pharmacology. We find that outward Na+ current of muscle (NaV1.4), heart (NaV1.5), and neuronal (NaV1.2, NaV1.7) NaV isoforms is blocked by PAs, suggesting that PA metabolism may be linked to modulation of action potential firing in numerous excitable tissues. Interestingly, the cardiac NaV1.5 channel is more sensitive to PA block than other isoforms. Our results also indicate that rapid binding of PAs to blocking sites in the NaV1.4 channel is restricted to access from the cytoplasmic side of the channel, but plasma membrane transport pathways for PA uptake may contribute to long-term NaV channel modulation. PAs may also play a role in drug interactions since spermine attenuates the use-dependent effect of the lidocaine, a typical local anesthetic and anti-arrhythmic drug.




COMMENTARY

Structural remodeling of the N-terminus tunes TRPA1 channel activation and regulates behavioral responses in Drosophila

Andrew P. Braun
Abstract | Full Text | PDF

Our bodies are constantly bombarded by a diversity of environmental stimuli, such as touch, taste, sound, smell, light, etc. To detect and process this broad array of signals, nature has evolved a variety of cellular sensory mechanisms and pathways that interface with the environment and transmit neural signals back to the CNS where they are translated into behavioral decisions. Transient Response Potential (TRP) cation channels were first identified in invertebrates (i.e., Drosophila) and represent a sizeable receptor/channel family in mammals, consisting of 28 individual members grouped into subclasses denoted TRPC, TRPV, TRPM, TRPML, TRPP and TRPA (for a recent review, see ref. 1). Although originally described as ion channels, we now know that many members of the TRP family also function as receptors for a range of stimuli, including temperature, pH, chemical compounds and membrane voltage. In fact, several TRP isoforms display multimodal sensitivity, meaning that they can respond to more than one stimulus. For example, TRPV1, or the capcaisin receptor, displays both thermal and chemical sensitivity, and the two stimuli may act synergistically to increase channel activity. Physiologically, TRP family members are expressed in a variety of sensory afferent nerves that feed environmental information to the CNS, and also in smaller C-type afferent fibers responsible for peripheral pain sensation and transmission. Therapeutically, manipulation of TRP channel activity may represent an effective strategy to treat peripheral pain associated with inflammation and chronic tissue injury.




ARTICLE ADDENDA

Disruption of NMDAR–CRMP-2 signaling protects against focal cerebral ischemic damage in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model

Joel M. Brittain, Rui Pan, Haitao You, Tatiana Brustovetsky, Nikolay Brustovetsky, Gerald W. Zamponi, Wei-Hua Lee and Rajesh Khanna
Abstract | PDF

Collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP-2), traditionally viewed as an axon/dendrite specification and axonal growth protein, has emerged as a master regulator of both pre- and post-synaptic Ca2+ channels. Building on our discovery of the interaction and regulation of Ca2+ channels by CRMP-2, we recently identified a short sequence in CRMP-2 which, when appended to the transduction domain of HIV TAT protein, suppressed acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain in vivo by functionally uncoupling CRMP-2 from the Ca2+ channel. Remarkably, we also found that this region attenuated Ca2+ influx via N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and reduced neuronal death in a moderate controlled cortical impact model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, we sought to extend these findings by examining additional neuroprotective effects of this peptide (TAT-CBD3) and exploring the biochemical mechanisms by which TAT-CBD3 targets NMDARs. We observed that an intraperitoneal injection of TAT-CBD3 peptide significantly reduced infarct volume in an animal model of focal cerebral ischemia. Neuroprotection was observed when TAT-CBD3 peptide was given either prior to or after occlusion but just prior to reperfusion. Surprisingly, a direct biochemical complex was not resolvable between the NMDAR subunit NR2B and CRMP-2. Intracellular application of TAT-CBD3 failed to inhibit NMDAR current. NR2B interactions with the post synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) remained intact and were not disrupted by TAT-CBD3. Peptide tiling of intracellular regions of NR2B revealed two 15-mer sequences, in the carboxyl-terminus of NR2B, that likely confer binding between NR2B and CRMP-2 to achieve neuroprotection.

PKC phosphorylates GluA1-Ser831 to enhance AMPA receptor conductance

Meagan A. Jenkins and Stephen F. Traynelis
Abstract | PDF

AMPA receptors mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain, and are dynamically regulated by phosphorylation of multiple residues within the C-terminal domain. CaMKII phosphorylates Ser831 within the AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit to increase single channel conductance, and biochemical studies show that PKC can also phosphorylate this residue. In light of the discovery of additional PKC phosphorylation sites within the GluA1 C-terminus, it remains unclear whether PKC phosphorylation of Ser831 increases GluA1 conductance in intact receptors. Here we report that the purified, catalytic subunit of PKC significantly increases the conductance of wild type GluA1 AMPA receptors expressed in the presence of stargazin in HEK293T cells. Furthermore, the mutation GluA1-S831A blocks the functional effect of PKC. These findings suggest that GluA1 AMPA receptor conductance can be increased by activated CaMKII or PKC, and that phosphorylation at this site provides a mechanism for channel modulation via a variety of protein signaling cascades.

Further evidence for the role of IP₃R₁ in regulating subsynaptic gene expression and neuromuscular transmission

Haipeng Zhu and Christopher M. Gomez
Abstract | Full Text | PDF

The inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate IP₃R channel is highly expressed on specialized ER membrane, where it initiates a slow wave of Ca²⁺ release from internal stores, allowing subcellular compartmentalization of Ca²⁺ signals. In skeletal muscle, IP₃R₁ is also highly concentrated at some myonuclei, particularly near the NMJ. We have reported that in fully developed adult muscle, IP₃R₁ knockdown by siRNA increases synaptic strength at both pre- and post-synaptic sites of neuromuscular transmission, increasing both the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous quantal events and quantal content, as well as expression of AChR subunits and other NMJ-specific genes. Here, we demonstrate that reducing IP₃R₁ activity in mouse TA muscle by promoting hydrolysis locally of IP₃R₁ also amplifies expression of subsynaptic genes and transcription factors. Furthermore, using a retrograde tracer, cholera toxin B subunit, we find that siRNA-mediated silencing of IP₃R₁ in TA muscle increases vesicle trafficking. These studies suggest that postsynaptic IP₃R₁ activity regulates synaptic gene expression and neuromuscular transmission.