Transmembrane determinants of voltage-gating differences between BK (Slo1) and Slo3 channels

Qin Li; Guanxing Chen; Jiusheng Yan

doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2024.04.016

Transmembrane determinants of voltage-gating differences between BK (Slo1) and Slo3 channels

Biophys J. 2024 Apr 18:S0006-3495(24)00278-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.04.016. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Qin Li¹, Guanxing Chen¹, Jiusheng Yan²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Molecular & Translational Biology and Neuroscience Programs, MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.
² Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Molecular & Translational Biology and Neuroscience Programs, MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: jyan1@mdanderson.org.

PMID: 38637987
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.04.016

Abstract

Voltage-gated potassium channels are critical in modulating cellular excitability, with Slo (slowpoke) channels forming a unique family characterized by their large conductance and dual regulation by electrical signals and intracellular messengers. Despite their structural and evolutionary similarities, Slo1 and Slo3 channels exhibit significant differences in their voltage-gating properties. This study investigates the molecular determinants that differentiate the voltage-gating properties of human Slo1 and mouse Slo3 channels. Utilizing Slo1/Slo3 chimeras, we pinpointed the selectivity filter region as a key factor in the Slo3 channel's reduced conductance at negative voltages. The S6 transmembrane (TM) segment was identified as pivotal for the Slo3 channel's biphasic deactivation kinetics at these voltages. Additionally, the S4 and S6 TM segments were found to be responsible for the gradual slope in the Slo3 channel's conductance-voltage relationship, while multiple TM regions appear to be involved in the Slo3 channel's requirement of strong depolarization for activation. Mutations in the Slo1's S5 and S6 TM segments revealed three residues (I233, L302, and M304) that likely play a crucial role in the allosteric coupling between the voltage sensors and the pore gate.