A heme-binding domain controls regulation of ATP-dependent potassium channels

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Apr 5;113(14):3785-90. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1600211113. Epub 2016 Mar 22.

Abstract

Heme iron has many and varied roles in biology. Most commonly it binds as a prosthetic group to proteins, and it has been widely supposed and amply demonstrated that subtle variations in the protein structure around the heme, including the heme ligands, are used to control the reactivity of the metal ion. However, the role of heme in biology now appears to also include a regulatory responsibility in the cell; this includes regulation of ion channel function. In this work, we show that cardiac KATP channels are regulated by heme. We identify a cytoplasmic heme-binding CXXHX16H motif on the sulphonylurea receptor subunit of the channel, and mutagenesis together with quantitative and spectroscopic analyses of heme-binding and single channel experiments identified Cys628 and His648 as important for heme binding. We discuss the wider implications of these findings and we use the information to present hypotheses for mechanisms of heme-dependent regulation across other ion channels.

Keywords: KATP channel; SUR2A; heme; heme regulation; potassium channel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heme / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • KATP Channels / genetics
  • KATP Channels / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sulfonylurea Receptors / chemistry*
  • Sulfonylurea Receptors / genetics

Substances

  • KATP Channels
  • Sulfonylurea Receptors
  • Heme