title: Apoptotic surge of potassium currents is mediated by p38 phosphorylation of Kv2.1.
abstract: Kv2.1, the primary delayed rectifying potassium channel in neurons, is extensively regulated by phosphorylation. Previous reports have described Kv2.1 phosphorylation events affecting channel gating and the impact of this process on cellular excitability. Kv2.1, however, also provides the critical exit route for potassium ions during neuronal apoptosis via p38 MAPK-dependent membrane insertion, resulting in a pronounced enhancement of K(+) currents. Here, electrophysiological and viability studies using Kv2.1 channel mutants identify a p38 phosphorylation site at Ser-800 (S800) that is required for Kv2.1 membrane insertion, K(+) current surge, and cell death. In addition, a phospho-specific antibody for S800 detects a p38-dependent increase in Kv2.1 phosphorylation in apoptotic neurons and reveals phosphorylation of S800 in immunopurified channels incubated with active p38. Consequently, phosphorylation of Kv2.1 residue S800 by p38 leads to trafficking and membrane insertion during apoptosis, and remarkably, the absence of S800 phosphorylation is sufficient to prevent completion of the cell death program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hartnett
authors.forename: Bahiyya S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Edwin S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Levitan
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aizenman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004594:Electrophysiology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D051669:Shab Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051669:Shab Potassium Channels; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D011188:Potassium