Molecular Mechanism of Depolarization-Dependent Inactivation in W366F Mutant of Kv1.2

J Phys Chem B. 2018 Dec 6;122(48):10825-10833. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b09446. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Abstract

Voltage-gated potassium channels play crucial roles in regulating membrane potential. They are activated by membrane depolarization, allowing the selective permeation of K+ ions across the plasma membrane, and enter a nonconducting state after lasting depolarization, a process known as inactivation. Inactivation in voltage-activated potassium channels occurs through two distinct mechanisms, N-type and C-type inactivation. C-type inactivation is caused by conformational changes in the extracellular mouth of the channel, whereas N-type inactivation is elicited by changes in the cytoplasmic mouth of the protein. The W434F-mutated Shaker channel is known as a nonconducting mutant and is in a C-type inactivation state at a depolarizing membrane potential. To clarify the structural properties of C-type inactivated protein, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of the wild-type and W366F (corresponding to W434F in Shaker) mutant of the Kv1.2-2.1 chimera channel. The W366F mutant was in a nearly nonconducting state with a depolarizing voltage and recovered from inactivation with a reverse voltage. Our simulations and three-dimensional reference interaction site model analysis suggested that structural changes in the selectivity filter upon membrane depolarization trap K+ ions around the inner mouth of the selectivity filter and prevent ion permeation. This pore restriction is involved in the molecular mechanism of C-type inactivation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Kv1.2 Potassium Channel / chemistry
  • Kv1.2 Potassium Channel / genetics
  • Kv1.2 Potassium Channel / metabolism*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Mutation
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / chemistry
  • Potassium / chemistry
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rats
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Kv1.2 Potassium Channel
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines
  • Water
  • 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine
  • Potassium