Disruption of KV2.1 somato-dendritic clusters prevents the apoptogenic increase of potassium currents

Abstract

As the predominant mediator of the delayed rectifier current, KV2.1 is an important regulator of neuronal excitability. KV2.1, however, also plays a well-established role in apoptotic cell death. Apoptogenic stimuli induce syntaxin-dependent trafficking of KV2.1, resulting in an augmented delayed rectifier current that acts as a conduit for K+ efflux required for pro-apoptotic protease/nuclease activation. Recent evidence suggests that KV2.1 somato-dendritic clusters regulate the formation of endoplasmic reticulum–plasma membrane junctions that function as scaffolding sites for plasma membrane trafficking of ion channels, including KV2.1. However, it is unknown whether KV2.1 somato-dendritic clusters are required for apoptogenic trafficking of KV2.1. By overexpression of a protein derived from the C-terminus of the cognate channel KV2.2 (KV2.2CT), we induced calcineurin-independent disruption of KV2.1 somato-dendritic clusters in rat cortical neurons, without altering the electrophysiological properties of the channel. We observed that KV2.2CT-expressing neurons are less susceptible to oxidative stress-induced cell death. Critically, expression of KV2.2CT effectively blocked the increased current density of the delayed rectifier current associated with oxidative injury, supporting a vital role of KV2.1-somato-dendritic clusters in apoptogenic increases in KV2.1-mediated currents.