BK potassium channel modulation by leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 May 15;109(20):7917-22. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1205435109. Epub 2012 Apr 30.

Abstract

Molecular diversity of ion channel structure and function underlies variability in electrical signaling in nerve, muscle, and nonexcitable cells. Regulation by variable auxiliary subunits is a major mechanism to generate tissue- or cell-specific diversity of ion channel function. Mammalian large-conductance, voltage- and calcium-activated potassium channels (BK, K(Ca)1.1) are ubiquitously expressed with diverse functions in different tissues or cell types, consisting of the pore-forming, voltage- and Ca(2+)-sensing α-subunits (BKα), either alone or together with the tissue-specific auxiliary β-subunits (β1-β4). We recently identified a leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing membrane protein, LRRC26, as a BK channel auxiliary subunit, which causes an unprecedented large negative shift (∼140 mV) in voltage dependence of channel activation. Here we report a group of LRRC26 paralogous proteins, LRRC52, LRRC55, and LRRC38 that potentially function as LRRC26-type auxiliary subunits of BK channels. LRRC52, LRRC55, and LRRC38 produce a marked shift in the BK channel's voltage dependence of activation in the hyperpolarizing direction by ∼100 mV, 50 mV, and 20 mV, respectively, in the absence of calcium. They along with LRRC26 show distinct expression in different human tissues: LRRC26 and LRRC38 mainly in secretory glands, LRRC52 in testis, and LRRC55 in brain. LRRC26 and its paralogs are structurally and functionally distinct from the β-subunits and we designate them as a γ family of the BK channel auxiliary proteins, which potentially regulate the channel's gating properties over a spectrum of different tissues or cell types.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Brain / metabolism
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • LRRC26 protein, human
  • LRRC38 protein, human
  • LRRC52 protein, human
  • LRRC55 protein, human
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins