title: Review. SUR1: a unique ATP-binding cassette protein that functions as an ion channel regulator.
abstract: SUR1 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter with a novel function. In contrast to other ABC proteins, it serves as the regulatory subunit of an ion channel. The ATP-sensitive (KATP) channel is an octameric complex of four pore-forming Kir6.2 subunits and four regulatory SUR1 subunits, and it links cell metabolism to electrical activity in many cell types. ATPase activity at the nucleotide-binding domains of SUR results in an increase in KATP channel open probability. Conversely, ATP binding to Kir6.2 closes the channel. Metabolic regulation is achieved by the balance between these two opposing effects. Precisely how SUR1 talks to Kir6.2 remains unclear, but recent studies have identified some residues and domains that are involved in both physical and functional interactions between the two proteins. The importance of these interactions is exemplified by the fact that impaired regulation of Kir6.2 by SUR1 results in human disease, with loss-of-function SUR1 mutations causing congenital hyperinsulinism and gain-of-function SUR1 mutations leading to neonatal diabetes. This paper reviews recent data on the regulation of Kir6.2 by SUR1 and considers the molecular mechanisms by which SUR1 mutations produce disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Henry Wellcome Centre for Gene Function, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aittoniemi
authors.forename: Constantina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fotinou
authors.forename: Tim J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Wet
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Proks
authors.forename: Frances M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ashcroft
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009154:Mutation; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D000099161:Kcnj11 Channel
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D000099161:Kcnj11 Channel; C577507:ABCC8 protein, human