Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated (HCN) channels are important for timing biological processes like heartbeat and neuronal firing. Their weak cation selectivity is determined by a filter domain with only two binding sites for K+ and one for Na+. The latter acts as a weak blocker, which is released in combination with a dynamic widening of the filter by K+ ions, giving rise to a mixed K+/Na+ current. Here, we apply molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the interactions of five alkali metal cations with the filter of the open HCN4 pore. Simulations recapitulate experimental data like a low Li+ permeability, considerable Rb+ conductance, a block by Cs+ as well as a punch through of Cs+ ions at high negative voltages. Differential binding of the cation species in specific filter sites is associated with structural adaptations of filter residues. This gives rise to ion coordination by a cation-characteristic number of oxygen atoms from the filter backbone and solvent. This ion/protein interplay prevents Li+, but not Na+, from entry into and further passage through the filter. The site equivalent to S3 in K+ channels emerges as a preferential binding and presumably blocking site for Cs+. Collectively, the data suggest that the weak cation selectivity of HCN channels and their block by Cs+ are determined by restrained cation-generated rearrangements of flexible filter residues.

Alkali metal cations modulate the geometry of different binding sites in HCN4 selectivity filter for permeation or block / J. Krumbach, D. Bauer, A.S. Sharifzadeh, A. Saponaro, R. Lautenschläger, K. Lange, O. Rauh, D. Difrancesco, A. Moroni, G. Thiel, K. Hamacher. - In: JOURNAL OF GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY. - ISSN 0022-1295. - 155:10(2023), pp. e202313364.1-e202313364.22. [10.1085/jgp.202313364]

Alkali metal cations modulate the geometry of different binding sites in HCN4 selectivity filter for permeation or block

A. Saponaro
Methodology
;
A. Moroni;
2023

Abstract

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated (HCN) channels are important for timing biological processes like heartbeat and neuronal firing. Their weak cation selectivity is determined by a filter domain with only two binding sites for K+ and one for Na+. The latter acts as a weak blocker, which is released in combination with a dynamic widening of the filter by K+ ions, giving rise to a mixed K+/Na+ current. Here, we apply molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the interactions of five alkali metal cations with the filter of the open HCN4 pore. Simulations recapitulate experimental data like a low Li+ permeability, considerable Rb+ conductance, a block by Cs+ as well as a punch through of Cs+ ions at high negative voltages. Differential binding of the cation species in specific filter sites is associated with structural adaptations of filter residues. This gives rise to ion coordination by a cation-characteristic number of oxygen atoms from the filter backbone and solvent. This ion/protein interplay prevents Li+, but not Na+, from entry into and further passage through the filter. The site equivalent to S3 in K+ channels emerges as a preferential binding and presumably blocking site for Cs+. Collectively, the data suggest that the weak cation selectivity of HCN channels and their block by Cs+ are determined by restrained cation-generated rearrangements of flexible filter residues.
Biophysics; Computational Biology; Molecular Physiology
Settore BIO/09 - Fisiologia
2023
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1026633
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