Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-21-2015
Abstract
A-type K+ channels open on membrane depolarization and undergo subsequent rapid inactivation such that they are ideally suited for fine-tuning the electrical signaling in neurons and muscle cells. Channel inactivation mostly follows the so-called ball-and-chain mechanism, in which the N-terminal structures of either the K+ channel’s α or β subunits occlude the channel pore entry facing the cytosol. Inactivation of Kv1.1 and Kv1.4 channels induced by Kvβ1.1 subunits is profoundly decelerated in response to a rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, thus making the affected channel complexes negative feedback regulators to limit neuronal overexcitation. With electrophysiological and biochemical experiments we show that the Ca2+ dependence is gained by binding of calmodulin to the “chain” segment of Kvβ1.1 thereby compromising the mobility of the inactivation particle. Furthermore, inactivation regulation via Ca2+/calmodulin does not interfere with the β subunit’s enzymatic activity as an NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase, thus rendering the Kvβ1.1 subunit a multifunctional receptor that integrates cytosolic signals to be transduced to altered electrical cellular activity.
Recommended Citation
Swain, S., Sahoo, N., Dennhardt, S. et al. Ca2+/calmodulin regulates Kvβ1.1-mediated inactivation of voltage-gated K+ channels. Sci Rep 5, 15509 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15509
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
Scientific Reports
DOI
10.1038/srep15509
Comments
Copyright © 2015, The Author(s)