Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating symptom characterized by spontaneous pain and mechanical allodynia. It occurs in distinct forms, including brushevoked dynamic and filament-evoked punctate mechanical allodyn...Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating symptom characterized by spontaneous pain and mechanical allodynia. It occurs in distinct forms, including brushevoked dynamic and filament-evoked punctate mechanical allodynia. Potassium channel 2.1(Kir2.1), which exhibits strong inward rectification, is and regulates the activity of lamina I projection neurons. However, the relationship between Kir2.1 channels and mechanical allodynia is still unclear. In this study, we first found that pretreatment with ML133, a selective Kir2.1 inhibitor, by intrathecal administration, preferentially inhibited dynamic, but not punctate, allodynia in mice with spared nerve injury(SNI).Intrathecal injection of low doses of strychnine, a glycine receptor inhibitor, selectively induced dynamic, but not punctate allodynia, not only in na¨?ve but also in ML133-pretreated mice. In contrast, bicuculline, a GABAAreceptor antagonist, induced only punctate, but not dynamic,allodynia. These results indicated the involvement of glycinergic transmission in the development of dynamic allodynia. We further found that SNI significantly suppressed the frequency, but not the amplitude, of the glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents(gly-sIPSCs) in neurons on the lamina II-III border of the spinal dorsal horn, and pretreatment with ML133 prevented the SNI-induced gly-sIPSC reduction. Furthermore, 5 days after SNI, ML133, either by intrathecal administration oracute bath perfusion, and strychnine sensitively reversed the SNI-induced dynamic, but not punctate, allodynia and the gly-sIPSC reduction in lamina IIi neurons, respectively.In conclusion, our results suggest that blockade of Kir2.1 channels in the spinal dorsal horn selectively inhibits dynamic, but not punctate, mechanical allodynia by enhancing glycinergic inhibitory transmission.展开更多
As a member of the inwardly rectifying channel (Kir) family, Kir2.1 allows to influx the cell more easily than to efflux, a biophysical phenomenon named inward rectification. The function of Kir2.1 is to set the resti...As a member of the inwardly rectifying channel (Kir) family, Kir2.1 allows to influx the cell more easily than to efflux, a biophysical phenomenon named inward rectification. The function of Kir2.1 is to set the resting membrane potential and modulate membrane excitability. It has been reported that residue E224 plays a key role in regulating inward rectification. The mutant Kir2.1 (E224G) displays weaker inward rectification than the WT channel. Gating of Kir2.1 depends on the membrane lipid, PIP<sub>2</sub>, such that the channel gates are closed in the absence of PIP<sub>2</sub>. Here we perform electrophysiological and computational approaches, and demonstrate that E224 also plays an important role in the PIP<sub>2</sub>-dependent activation of Kir2.1 in addition to its influence on inward rectification. The E224G mutant takes 4.5 times longer to be activated by PIP<sub>2</sub>. To probe the mechanism by which E224G slows the channel opening kinetics, we perform targeted molecular dynamics simulations and find that the mutant weakens the interactions between CD-loop and C-linker (H221-R189) and the adjacent G-loops (R312-E303) which are thought to stabilize the open state of the channel in our previous work. These data provide new insights into the regulation of Kir2.1 channel activity and suggest that a common mechanism may be involved in the distinct biophysical processes, such as inward rectification and PIP<sub>2</sub>-induced gating.展开更多
We find that a conserved mutation residue Glu to residue Asp （E303D）, which both have the same polar and charged properties, makes Kit2.1 protein lose its function. To understand the mechanism, we identify three int...We find that a conserved mutation residue Glu to residue Asp （E303D）, which both have the same polar and charged properties, makes Kit2.1 protein lose its function. To understand the mechanism, we identify three interactions which control the conformation change and maintain the function of the Kit2.1 protein by combining homology modeling and molecular dynamics with targeted molecular dynamics. We find that the E303D mutation weakens these interactions and results in the loss of the related function. Our data indicate that not only the amino residues but also the interactions determine the function of proteins.展开更多
A family of inwardly-rectifying potassium(Kir)channels plays a key role in the regulation of cellular potassium(K+)balance,affecting muscle,nerve and immune function.Kir channels are comprised of either homologous or ...A family of inwardly-rectifying potassium(Kir)channels plays a key role in the regulation of cellular potassium(K+)balance,affecting muscle,nerve and immune function.Kir channels are comprised of either homologous or heterologous tetramer of Kir subunits,each of which contains two-transmembrane domains.The challenges associated with the precise biophysical characterization of Kir channels have limited our understanding of this important class of molecules.Moreover,the complex multi-transmembrane domains inherent to Kir channels present significant obstacles in producing sufficient quantities for accurate characterization,further constraining our knowledge about these channels.In this study,we selected Kir2.1 as a model molecule and utilized an Escherichia coli cell-free protein expression system(CFPS)to synthesize Kir2.1 in the presence of peptide sur-factant A6K,which aids in promoting the soluble production,achievingα-helical conformations,and stabilizing membrane proteins(MPs).Ni-NTA affinity chromatography column was employed to purify Kir2.1,achieving a yield of approximately 1.5 mg/mL.Circular dichroism spectroscopy(CD)measurements confirmed that the purified Kir2.1 exhibited typicalα-helix structures.Microscale thermophoresis(MST)assays demonstrated the binding capability of Kir2.1 with Hydrocinnamic Acid and ML133 hydrochloride,Kir2 channel selection inhibitory.Recombinant Kir2.1-liposomes exhibited specific channel activity to K+using the voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye Oxonol VI to monitor the concentration gradient-driven potassium influx.This work contrib-utes to enhancing both the efficiency of preparation,characterization and drug high-throughput screening of ion channels.展开更多
Medulloblastoma(MB)is one of the most common childhood malignant brain tumors(WHO grade IV),traditionally divided into WNT,SHH,Group 3,and Group 4 subgroups based on the transcription profiles,somatic DNA alterations,...Medulloblastoma(MB)is one of the most common childhood malignant brain tumors(WHO grade IV),traditionally divided into WNT,SHH,Group 3,and Group 4 subgroups based on the transcription profiles,somatic DNA alterations,and clinical outcomes.Unlike WNT and SHH subgroup MBs,Group 3 and Group 4 MBs have similar transcriptomes and lack clearly specific drivers and targeted therapeutic options.The recently revised WHO Classification of CNS Tumors has assigned Group 3 and 4 to a provisional non-WNT/SHH entity.In the present study,we demonstrate that Kir2.1,an inwardly-rectifying potassium channel,is highly expressed in non-WNT/SHH MBs,which promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis by recruiting Adam10 to enhance S2 cleavage of Notch2 thereby activating the Notch2 signaling pathway.Disruption of the Notch2 pathway markedly inhibited the growth and metastasis of Kir2.1-overexpressing MB cell-derived xenograft tumors in mice.Moreover,Kir2.1^(high)/nuclear N2ICD^(high)MBs are associated with the significantly shorter lifespan of the patients.Thus,Kir2.1^(high)/nuclear N2ICD^(high)can be used as a biomarker to define a novel subtype of non-WNT/SHH MBs.Our findings are important for the modification of treatment regimens and the development of novel-targeted therapies for non-WNT/SHH MBs.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31771188 and 31471027)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, China (13DJ1400302)
文摘Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating symptom characterized by spontaneous pain and mechanical allodynia. It occurs in distinct forms, including brushevoked dynamic and filament-evoked punctate mechanical allodynia. Potassium channel 2.1(Kir2.1), which exhibits strong inward rectification, is and regulates the activity of lamina I projection neurons. However, the relationship between Kir2.1 channels and mechanical allodynia is still unclear. In this study, we first found that pretreatment with ML133, a selective Kir2.1 inhibitor, by intrathecal administration, preferentially inhibited dynamic, but not punctate, allodynia in mice with spared nerve injury(SNI).Intrathecal injection of low doses of strychnine, a glycine receptor inhibitor, selectively induced dynamic, but not punctate allodynia, not only in na¨?ve but also in ML133-pretreated mice. In contrast, bicuculline, a GABAAreceptor antagonist, induced only punctate, but not dynamic,allodynia. These results indicated the involvement of glycinergic transmission in the development of dynamic allodynia. We further found that SNI significantly suppressed the frequency, but not the amplitude, of the glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents(gly-sIPSCs) in neurons on the lamina II-III border of the spinal dorsal horn, and pretreatment with ML133 prevented the SNI-induced gly-sIPSC reduction. Furthermore, 5 days after SNI, ML133, either by intrathecal administration oracute bath perfusion, and strychnine sensitively reversed the SNI-induced dynamic, but not punctate, allodynia and the gly-sIPSC reduction in lamina IIi neurons, respectively.In conclusion, our results suggest that blockade of Kir2.1 channels in the spinal dorsal horn selectively inhibits dynamic, but not punctate, mechanical allodynia by enhancing glycinergic inhibitory transmission.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Hebei Province under Grant Nos C2015202340 and C2013202244the Foundation for Outstanding Talents of Hebei Province under Grant No C201400305+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 11247010,11175055,11475053,11347017,31400711 and 11647121the NIH R01 under Grant No HL059949-18the Foundation for the Science and Technology Program of Higher Education Institutions of Hebei Province under Grant No QN2016113the Scientific Innovation Fund for Excellent Young Scientists of Hebei University of Technology under Grant No 2015010
文摘As a member of the inwardly rectifying channel (Kir) family, Kir2.1 allows to influx the cell more easily than to efflux, a biophysical phenomenon named inward rectification. The function of Kir2.1 is to set the resting membrane potential and modulate membrane excitability. It has been reported that residue E224 plays a key role in regulating inward rectification. The mutant Kir2.1 (E224G) displays weaker inward rectification than the WT channel. Gating of Kir2.1 depends on the membrane lipid, PIP<sub>2</sub>, such that the channel gates are closed in the absence of PIP<sub>2</sub>. Here we perform electrophysiological and computational approaches, and demonstrate that E224 also plays an important role in the PIP<sub>2</sub>-dependent activation of Kir2.1 in addition to its influence on inward rectification. The E224G mutant takes 4.5 times longer to be activated by PIP<sub>2</sub>. To probe the mechanism by which E224G slows the channel opening kinetics, we perform targeted molecular dynamics simulations and find that the mutant weakens the interactions between CD-loop and C-linker (H221-R189) and the adjacent G-loops (R312-E303) which are thought to stabilize the open state of the channel in our previous work. These data provide new insights into the regulation of Kir2.1 channel activity and suggest that a common mechanism may be involved in the distinct biophysical processes, such as inward rectification and PIP<sub>2</sub>-induced gating.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 11247010,11175055,11475053 and 11347017the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province under Grant Nos C2012202079 and C201400305
文摘We find that a conserved mutation residue Glu to residue Asp （E303D）, which both have the same polar and charged properties, makes Kit2.1 protein lose its function. To understand the mechanism, we identify three interactions which control the conformation change and maintain the function of the Kit2.1 protein by combining homology modeling and molecular dynamics with targeted molecular dynamics. We find that the E303D mutation weakens these interactions and results in the loss of the related function. Our data indicate that not only the amino residues but also the interactions determine the function of proteins.
基金supported by State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian.
文摘A family of inwardly-rectifying potassium(Kir)channels plays a key role in the regulation of cellular potassium(K+)balance,affecting muscle,nerve and immune function.Kir channels are comprised of either homologous or heterologous tetramer of Kir subunits,each of which contains two-transmembrane domains.The challenges associated with the precise biophysical characterization of Kir channels have limited our understanding of this important class of molecules.Moreover,the complex multi-transmembrane domains inherent to Kir channels present significant obstacles in producing sufficient quantities for accurate characterization,further constraining our knowledge about these channels.In this study,we selected Kir2.1 as a model molecule and utilized an Escherichia coli cell-free protein expression system(CFPS)to synthesize Kir2.1 in the presence of peptide sur-factant A6K,which aids in promoting the soluble production,achievingα-helical conformations,and stabilizing membrane proteins(MPs).Ni-NTA affinity chromatography column was employed to purify Kir2.1,achieving a yield of approximately 1.5 mg/mL.Circular dichroism spectroscopy(CD)measurements confirmed that the purified Kir2.1 exhibited typicalα-helix structures.Microscale thermophoresis(MST)assays demonstrated the binding capability of Kir2.1 with Hydrocinnamic Acid and ML133 hydrochloride,Kir2 channel selection inhibitory.Recombinant Kir2.1-liposomes exhibited specific channel activity to K+using the voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye Oxonol VI to monitor the concentration gradient-driven potassium influx.This work contrib-utes to enhancing both the efficiency of preparation,characterization and drug high-throughput screening of ion channels.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFA0101203 to XW Bian and 2017YFC1309004 to Y Wang)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31991172,81821003 to X.-W.Bian,81402080 to Y.-X.Wang)Chongqing Basic and Frontier Research Project(cstc2018jcyjAX0406 to Y.-X.Wang and cstc2018jcyjAX0168 to S.-Q.Lv).
文摘Medulloblastoma(MB)is one of the most common childhood malignant brain tumors(WHO grade IV),traditionally divided into WNT,SHH,Group 3,and Group 4 subgroups based on the transcription profiles,somatic DNA alterations,and clinical outcomes.Unlike WNT and SHH subgroup MBs,Group 3 and Group 4 MBs have similar transcriptomes and lack clearly specific drivers and targeted therapeutic options.The recently revised WHO Classification of CNS Tumors has assigned Group 3 and 4 to a provisional non-WNT/SHH entity.In the present study,we demonstrate that Kir2.1,an inwardly-rectifying potassium channel,is highly expressed in non-WNT/SHH MBs,which promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis by recruiting Adam10 to enhance S2 cleavage of Notch2 thereby activating the Notch2 signaling pathway.Disruption of the Notch2 pathway markedly inhibited the growth and metastasis of Kir2.1-overexpressing MB cell-derived xenograft tumors in mice.Moreover,Kir2.1^(high)/nuclear N2ICD^(high)MBs are associated with the significantly shorter lifespan of the patients.Thus,Kir2.1^(high)/nuclear N2ICD^(high)can be used as a biomarker to define a novel subtype of non-WNT/SHH MBs.Our findings are important for the modification of treatment regimens and the development of novel-targeted therapies for non-WNT/SHH MBs.
