Molecular impact of MinK on the enantiospecific block of I(Ks) by chromanols

Br J Pharmacol. 2000 Dec;131(8):1503-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0703734.

Abstract

Slowly activating I:(Ks) (KCNQ1/MinK) channels were expressed in Xenopous: oocytes and their sensitivity to chromanols was compared to homomeric KCNQ1 channels. To elucidate the contribution of the ss-subunit MinK on chromanol block, a formerly described chromanol HMR 1556 and its enantiomer S5557 were tested for enantio-specificity in blocking I:(Ks) and KCNQ1 as shown for the single enantiomers of chromanol 293B. Both enantiomers blocked homomeric KCNQ1 channels to a lesser extent than heteromeric I:(Ks) channels. Furthermore, we expressed both WT and mutant MinK subunits to examine the involvement of particular MinK protein regions in channel block by chromanols. Through a broad variety of MinK deletion and point mutants, we could not identify amino acids or regions where sensitivity was abolished or strikingly diminished (>2.5 fold). This could indicate that MinK does not directly take part in chromanol binding but acts allosterically to facilitate drug binding to the principal subunit KCNQ1.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromans / chemistry
  • Chromans / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • KCNQ Potassium Channels
  • KCNQ1 Potassium Channel
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Mutation
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Potassium Channels / drug effects*
  • Potassium Channels / genetics
  • Potassium Channels / physiology
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated*
  • RNA, Complementary / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Chromans
  • KCNQ Potassium Channels
  • KCNQ1 Potassium Channel
  • Potassium Channels
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • RNA, Complementary
  • potassium channel protein I(sk)
  • 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-1-hydroxychroman