Different roles for the cyclic nucleotide binding domain and amino terminus in assembly and expression of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated channels.
In mammalian heart and brain, pacemaker currents are produced by hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which probably exist as heteromeric assemblies of different subunit isoforms. To investigate the molecular domains that participate in assembly and membrane trafficking of HCN channels, we have used the yeast two-hybrid system, patch clamp electrophysiology, and confocal microscopy. We show here that the N termini of the HCN1 and HCN2 isoforms interacted and were essential for expression of functional homo- or heteromeric channels on the plasma membrane of Chinese hamster ovary cells. We also show that the cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD) of HCN2 was required for the expression of functional homomeric channels. This expression was dependent on a 12-amino acid domain corresponding to the B-helix in the CNBD of the catabolite activator protein. However, co-expression with HCN1 of an HCN2 deletion mutant lacking the CNBD rescued surface immunofluorescence and currents, indicating that a CNBD need not be present in each subunit of a heteromeric HCN channel. Furthermore, neither CNBDs nor other COOH-terminal domains of HCN1 and HCN2 interacted in yeast two-hybrid assays. Thus, interaction between NH(2)-terminal domains is important for HCN subunit assembly, whereas the CNBD is important for functional expression, but its absence from some subunits will still allow for the assembly of functional channels.
Proenza
Catherine
C
Ion Channel Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6 Canada.
Tran
Neil
N
Angoli
Damiano
D
Zahynacz
Kristin
K
Balcar
Petr
P
Accili
Eric A
EA
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D054815:Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels; D005453:Fluorescence; D064428:Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels; D013499:Surface Properties; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
D054815:Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels; D064428:Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009711:Nucleotides; D015221:Potassium Channels