Expression of truncated Kir6.2 promotes insertion of functionally inverted ATP-sensitive K+ channels

B Heitz, R Branstrom, W Yang, Y Huang, T Moede, I Leibiger, B Leibiger, L Chen, J Yu, S Yang, O Larsson, S Saavedra, Per-Olof Berggren, C Aspinwall

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Abstract

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels couple cellular metabolism to electrical activity in many cell types. Wild-type KATP channels are comprised of four pore forming (Kir6.x) and four regulatory (sulfonylurea receptor, SURx) subunits that each contain RKR endoplasmic reticulum retention sequences that serve to properly translocate the channel to the plasma membrane. Truncated Kir6.x variants lacking RKR sequences facilitate plasma membrane expression of functional Kir6.x in the absence of SURx; however, the effects of channel truncation on plasma membrane orientation have not been explored. To investigate the role of truncation on plasma membrane orientation of ATP sensitive K+ channels, three truncated variants of Kir6.2 were used (Kir6.2ΔC26, 6xHis-Kir6.2ΔC26, and 6xHis-EGFP-Kir6.2ΔC26). Oocyte expression of Kir6.2ΔC26 shows the presence of a population of inverted inserted channels in the plasma membrane, which is not present when co-expressed with SUR1. Immunocytochemical staining of intact and permeabilized HEK293 cells revealed that the N-terminus of 6xHis-Kir6.2ΔC26 was accessible on both sides of the plasma membrane at roughly equivalent ratios, whereas the N-terminus of 6xHis-EGFP-Kir6.2Δ26 was only accessible on the intracellular face. In HEK293 cells, whole-cell electrophysiological recordings showed a ca. 50% reduction in K+ current upon addition of ATP to the extracellular solution for 6xHis-Kir6.2ΔC26, though sensitivity to extracellular ATP was not observed in 6xHis-EGFP-Kir6.2ΔC26. Importantly, the population of channels that is inverted exhibited similar function to properly inserted channels within the plasma membrane. Taken together, these data suggest that in the absence of SURx, inverted channels can be formed from truncated Kir6.x subunits that are functionally active which may provide a new model for testing pharmacological modulators of Kir6.x, but also indicates the need for added caution when using truncated Kir6.2 mutants.
Original languageEnglish
Article number21539 (2021)
Number of pages11
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
Early online date2 Nov 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health under Award Nos. EB007047 and EB022297 and the National Science Foundation (0548167, 2003297). Financial support was also provided through the regional agreement on medical training and clinical research (ALF) between the Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet; Swedish Society of Medicine (Bengt Ihre grant); the Swedish Research Council; the Novo Nordisk Foundation; the Swedish Diabetes Association; the Family Erling-Persson Foundation; the Skandia Insurance Company Ltd; Strategic Research Program in Diabetes at Karolinska Institutet; the Berth von Kantzow’s Foundation; the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Funds of Karolinska Institutet; Diabetes and Wellness Foundation; the Stichting af Jochnick Foundation; ERC-2018-AdG 834860 EYELETS.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

© 2021. The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Adenosine Diphosphate/metabolism
  • Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane/metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating
  • Oocytes/cytology
  • Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying/genetics
  • Sulfonylurea Receptors/genetics
  • Xenopus laevis

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