Abstract

Kv4 potassium channels regulate action potentials in neurons and cardiac myocytes. Co-expression of EF hand-containing Ca2+-binding proteins termed KChIPs with pore-forming Kv4 alpha subunits causes changes in the gating and amplitude of Kv4 currents (An, W. F., Bowlby, M. R., Betty, M., Cao, J., Ling, H. P., Mendoza, G., Hinson, J. W., Mattsson, K. I., Strassle, B. W., Trimmer, J. S., and Rhodes, K. J. (2000) Nature 403, 553-556). Here we show that KChIPs profoundly affect the intracellular trafficking and molecular properties of Kv4.2 alpha subunits. Co-expression of KChIPs1-3 causes a dramatic redistribution of Kv4.2, releasing intrinsic endoplasmic reticulum retention and allowing for trafficking to the cell surface. KChIP co-expression also causes fundamental changes in Kv4.2 steady-state expression levels, phosphorylation, detergent solubility, and stability that reconstitute the molecular properties of Kv4.2 in native cells. Interestingly, the KChIP4a isoform, which exhibits unique effects on Kv4 channel gating, does not exert these effects on Kv4.2 and negatively influences the impact of other KChIPs. We provide evidence that these KChIP effects occur through the masking of an N-terminal Kv4.2 hydrophobic domain. These studies point to an essential role for KChIPs in determining both the biophysical and molecular characteristics of Kv4 channels and provide a molecular basis for the dramatic phenotype of KChIP knockout mice.

Highlights

  • Kv4 potassium channels regulate action potentials in neurons and cardiac myocytes

  • We found that co-expression of KChIP1, 1 The abbreviations used are: PKA, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase; AP, alkaline phosphatase; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; EGFP, enhanced green fluorescent protein

  • KChIP Co-expression Leads to Changes in the Intracellular Trafficking of Kv4.2—To begin to address the effects of KChIP co-expression on Kv4 channels, we analyzed the immunofluorescence staining pattern of COS-1 cells expressing either Kv4.2 alone or Kv4.2 plus KChIP1, KChIP2, KChIP3, or KChIP4a

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Summary

Introduction

Kv4 potassium channels regulate action potentials in neurons and cardiac myocytes. Co-expression of EF hand-containing Ca2؉-binding proteins termed KChIPs with pore-forming Kv4 ␣ subunits causes changes in the gating and amplitude of Kv4 currents KChIP Co-expression Leads to Changes in the Intracellular Trafficking of Kv4.2—To begin to address the effects of KChIP co-expression on Kv4 channels, we analyzed the immunofluorescence staining pattern of COS-1 cells expressing either Kv4.2 alone or Kv4.2 plus KChIP1, KChIP2, KChIP3, or KChIP4a.

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