skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Inverse agonist-like action of cadmium on G-protein-gated inward-rectifier K{sup +} channels

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1]
  1. Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka (Japan)
  2. Laboratory of Protein Informatics, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka (Japan)
  3. Laboratory of Supramolecular Crystallography, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka (Japan)

Highlights: {yields} We examined allosteric control of K{sup +} channel gating. {yields} We identified a high-affinity site for Cd{sup 2+} to inhibit Kir3.2 activity. {yields} The 6-coordination geometry supports the binding. {yields} Cd{sup 2+} inhibits Kir3.2 by trapping the conformation in the closed state. -- Abstract: The gate at the pore-forming domain of potassium channels is allosterically controlled by a stimulus-sensing domain. Using Cd{sup 2+} as a probe, we examined the structural elements responsible for gating in an inward-rectifier K{sup +} channel (Kir3.2). One of four endogenous cysteines facing the cytoplasm contributes to a high-affinity site for inhibition by internal Cd{sup 2+}. Crystal structure of its cytoplasmic domain in complex with Cd{sup 2+} reveals that octahedral coordination geometry supports the high-affinity binding. This mode of action causes the tethering of the N-terminus to CD loop in the stimulus-sensing domain, suggesting that their conformational changes participate in gating and Cd{sup 2+} inhibits Kir3.2 by trapping the conformation in the closed state like 'inverse agonist'.

OSTI ID:
22204877
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 407, Issue 2; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English