Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv11.1 , Kv7.1

Title: A dual mechanism for I(Ks) current reduction by the pathogenic mutation KCNQ1-S277L.

Authors: Jerri Chen, Michael Weber, Sung Yon Um, Christine A Walsh, Yingying Tang, Thomas V McDonald

Journal, date & volume: Pacing Clin Electrophysiol, 2011 Dec , 34, 1652-64

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21895724

Abstract
The hereditary long QT syndrome is characterized by prolonged ventricular repolarization that can be caused by mutations to the KCNQ1 gene, which encodes the α subunits of the cardiac potassium channel complex that carries the I(Ks) current (the β subunits are encoded by KCNE1). In this study, we characterized a deleterious variant, KCNQ1-S277L, found in a patient who presented with sudden cardiac death in the presence of cocaine use.The KCNQ1-S277L mutation was analyzed via whole-cell patch clamp, confocal imaging, surface biotinylation assays, and computer modeling.Homomeric mutant KCNQ1-S277L channels were unable to carry current, either alone or with KCNE1. When co-expressed in a 50/50 ratio with WT KCNQ1, current density was reduced in a dominant-negative manner, with the residual current predominantly wild type. There was no change in the activation rate and minimal changes to voltage-dependent activation for both KCNQ1 current and I(Ks) current. Immunofluorescence confocal imaging revealed reduced surface expression of mutant KCNQ1-S277L, which was biochemically confirmed by surface biotinylation showing a 44% decrease in mutant surface expression. Expression of KCNQ1-S277L with human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) did not significantly affect HERG protein or current density compared to KCNQ1-WT co-expression.The KCNQ1-S277L mutation causes biophysical defects that result in dominant-negative reduction in KCNQ1 and I(Ks) current density, and a trafficking defect that results in reduced surface expression, both without affecting HERG/I(Kr) . KCNQ1-S277L mutation in the proband resulted in defective channels that compromised repolarization reserve, thereby enhancing the arrhythmic susceptibility to pharmacological blockage of I(Kr) current.