title: The Stoichiometry of Gbeta gamma binding to G-protein-regulated inwardly rectifying K+ channels (GIRKs).
abstract: G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K(+) (GIRK; Kir3.x) channels are the primary effectors of numerous G-protein-coupled receptors. GIRK channels decrease cellular excitability by hyperpolarizing the membrane potential in cardiac cells, neurons, and secretory cells. Although direct regulation of GIRKs by the heterotrimeric G-protein subunit Gbetagamma has been extensively studied, little is known about the number of Gbetagamma binding sites per channel. Here we demonstrate that purified GIRK (Kir 3.x) tetramers can be chemically cross-linked to exogenously purified Gbetagamma subunits. The observed laddering pattern of Gbetagamma attachment to GIRK4 homotetramers was consistent with the binding of one, two, three, or four Gbetagamma molecules per channel tetramer. The fraction of channels chemically cross-linked to four Gbetagamma molecules increased with increasing Gbetagamma concentrations and approached saturation. These results suggest that GIRK tetrameric channels have four Gbetagamma binding sites. Thus, GIRK (Kir 3.x) channels, like the distantly related cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, are tetramers and exhibit a 1:1 subunit/ligand binding stoichiometry.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corey
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Clapham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D019556:COS Cells; D002417:Cattle; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins