KV4.3 expression and gating: S2 and S3 acidic and S4 innermost basic residues

Effects of neutralizing individual negatively charged (acidic [E,D]) and innermost positively charged (basic [K,R]) residues in transmembrane segments S2 (D230Q, E240Q), S3 (D263Q) and S4 (K299A/Q, R302A/Q) of the K(V)4.3 putative voltage sensing domain (VSD) were determined. S2 D230Q generated large macroscopic currents, depolarized steady-state activation ("a(4)") and isochronal (1 sec) inactivation ("i") relationships, and significantly accelerated kinetics of deactivation and recovery (from both macroscopic and closed state inactivation [CSI]). D230Q thus stabilized non-inactivated closed states. These effects were attributable to structural perturbations, and indicated D230 is not primarily involved in voltage sensing. Both S2 E240Q and S3 D263Q failed to generate measurable ionic currents, suggesting deletion of negative charges at these putatively more intracellular acidic positions were functionally "lethal" to macroscopic K(V)4.3 function. S4 innermost positive charge deletion mutants K299A/Q and R032A/Q generated functional currents with reduced peak amplitudes. While reduced K299A/Q and R302A/Q currents prevented accurate determination of "a(4)" and estimates of potential electrostatic perturbations, both sets of mutants: (i) depolarized potentials at which currents could be macroscopically detected, consistent with stabilization of closed states (structural perturbations); and (ii) accelerated macroscopic recovery. These results provide further evidence that: (i) basic residues in S4 are involved not only in regulating K(V)4.3 activation and deactivation, but also CSI and recovery; and (ii) suggest putative electrostatic interactions between acidic S2/S3 and basic S4 residues may be different in K(V)4.3 from those proposed to exist in Shaker. Functional implications are discussed.