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Published on: April 24, 2012
Phosphatidylinositol4-phosphate 5-kinase prevents the decrease in the HERG potassium current induced by Gq
Taeko Kubo1, Wei-Guang Ding2, Futoshi Toyoda2
1Department of Physiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; Preclinical Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd, Osaka 554-0022, Japan.
Gq protein-coupled receptors reduce human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium current (IHERG) by decreasing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). Replenishing PI(4,5)P2 with PI(4)P5-K recovers IHERG function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) potassium channel activity is modulated by Gq protein-coupled receptors (GqRs).
- GqR activation reduces HERG current (IHERG) amplitude, partly by depleting membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PI(4,5)P2 and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PI(4)P5-K) in regulating HERG channel activity.
- To determine if PI(4)P5-K can counteract GqR-mediated inhibition of IHERG.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells expressing HERG channels.
- Stimulation of α1-adrenergic receptors (α1R) and M1-muscarinic receptors (M1R) using phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively.
- Coexpression of wild-type PI(4)P5-K and a kinase-deficient mutant (PI(4)P5-K-K138A).
Main Results:
- GqR stimulation decreased IHERG amplitude and accelerated deactivation kinetics.
- Coexpression of PI(4)P5-K attenuated the GqR-induced effects on IHERG.
- Overexpression of PI(4)P5-K increased IHERG density in GqR-expressing cells, independent of voltage-dependent kinetics.
- The kinase-deficient mutant PI(4)P5-K-K138A did not counteract M1R-induced IHERG changes.
Conclusions:
- HERG channel current density is critically dependent on membrane PI(4,5)P2 levels.
- PI(4)P5-K regulates PI(4,5)P2 levels, influencing IHERG.
- Restoration of PI(4,5)P2 levels by PI(4)P5-K can recover GqR-inhibited HERG channel function.
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