developing-drosophila-melanogaster-models-for-imaging-optogenetic

Developing <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> Models for Imaging and Optogenetic Control of Cardiac Function

Using Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as a model organism has ensured significant progress in many areas of biological science, from cellular ...

Washington University in St. Louis

Voltage-gated ion channels generate dynamic ionic currents that are vital to the physiological functions of many tissues. These proteins contain separate voltage-sensing domains, which detect changes in transmembrane voltage, and pore domains, which conduct ions. Coupling of voltage sensing and pore opening is critical to the channel function and has been modeled as a protein-protein interaction between the two domains. Here, we show that coupling in Kv7.1 channels requires the lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). We found that voltage-sensing domain activation failed to open the pore in the absence of PIP2. This result is due to loss of coupling because PIP2 was also required for pore opening to affect voltage-sensing domain activation. We identified a critical site for PIP2-dependent coupling at the interface between the voltage-sensing domain and the pore domain. This site is actually a conserved lipid-binding site among different K(+) channels, suggesting that lipids play an important role in coupling in many ion channels.

Kv7.1 ion channels require a lipid to couple voltage sensing to pore opening.

Voltage-gated ion channels generate electrical currents that control muscle contraction, encode neuronal information, and trigger hormonal release. Tissue-specific expression of accessory (β) subunits causes these channels to generate currents with distinct properties. In the heart, KCNQ1 voltage-gated potassium channels coassemble with KCNE1 β-subunits to generate the IKs current (Barhanin et al., 1996; Sanguinetti et al., 1996), an important current for maintenance of stable heart rhythms. KCNE1 significantly modulates the gating, permeation, and pharmacology of KCNQ1 (Wrobel et al., 2012; Sun et al., 2012; Abbott, 2014). These changes are essential for the physiological role of IKs (Silva and Rudy, 2005); however, after 18 years of study, no coherent mechanism explaining how KCNE1 affects KCNQ1 has emerged. Here we provide evidence of such a mechanism, whereby, KCNE1 alters the state-dependent interactions that functionally couple the voltage-sensing domains (VSDs) to the pore. 

Domain-domain interactions determine the gating, permeation, pharmacology, and subunit modulation of the IKs ion channel.

Gain-of-function mutations in the pore-forming subunit of I channels, KCNQ1, lead to short QT syndrome (SQTS) and lethal arrhythmias. However, how mutant I channels cause SQTS and the possibility of I-specific pharmacological treatment remain unclear. V141M KCNQ1 is a SQTS associated mutation. We studied its effect on I gating properties and changes in the action potentials (AP) of human ventricular myocytes.  oocytes were used to study the gating mechanisms of expressed V141M KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels. Computational models were used to simulate human APs in endocardial, mid-myocardial, and epicardial ventricular myocytes with and without β-adrenergic stimulation. V141M KCNQ1 caused a gain-of-function in I characterized by increased current density, faster activation, and slower deactivation leading to I accumulation. V141M KCNQ1 also caused a leftward shift of the conductance-voltage curve compared to wild type (WT) I (V = 33.6 ± 4.0 mV for WT, and 24.0 ± 1.3 mV for heterozygous V141M). A Markov model of heterozygous V141M mutant I was developed and incorporated into the O'Hara-Rudy model. Compared to the WT, AP simulations demonstrated marked rate-dependent shortening of AP duration (APD) for V141M, predicting a SQTS phenotype. Transmural electrical heterogeneity was enhanced in heterozygous V141M AP simulations, especially under β-adrenergic stimulation. Computational simulations identified specific I blockade as a beneficial pharmacologic target for reducing the transmural APD heterogeneity associated with V141M KCNQ1 mutation. V141M KCNQ1 mutation shortens ventricular APs and enhances transmural APD heterogeneity under β-adrenergic stimulation. Computational simulations identified I blockers as a potential antiarrhythmic drug of choice for SQTS.

Hongwu Liang

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Washington University in St. Louis

Developing Drosophila melanogaster Models for Imaging and Optogenetic Control of Cardiac Function

Hongwu Liang

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Biomedical Engineering

Washington University in St. Louis

Developing Drosophila melanogaster Models for Imaging and Optogenetic Control of Cardiac Function

Department of Biomedical Engineering