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Direct neurotransmitter activation of voltage-gated potassium channels

Author

Listed:
  • Rían W. Manville

    (ZOT 4560, School of Medicine, University of California)

  • Maria Papanikolaou

    (ZOT 4560, School of Medicine, University of California)

  • Geoffrey W. Abbott

    (ZOT 4560, School of Medicine, University of California)

Abstract

Voltage-gated potassium channels KCNQ2–5 generate the M-current, which controls neuronal excitability. KCNQ2–5 subunits each harbor a high-affinity anticonvulsant drug-binding pocket containing an essential tryptophan (W265 in human KCNQ3) conserved for >500 million years, yet lacking a known physiological function. Here, phylogenetic analysis, electrostatic potential mapping, in silico docking, electrophysiology, and radioligand binding assays reveal that the anticonvulsant binding pocket evolved to accommodate endogenous neurotransmitters including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which directly activates KCNQ5 and KCNQ3 via W265. GABA, and endogenous metabolites β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and γ-amino-β-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB), competitively and differentially shift the voltage dependence of KCNQ3 activation. Our results uncover a novel paradigm: direct neurotransmitter activation of voltage-gated ion channels, enabling chemosensing of the neurotransmitter/metabolite landscape to regulate channel activity and cellular excitability.

Suggested Citation

  • Rían W. Manville & Maria Papanikolaou & Geoffrey W. Abbott, 2018. "Direct neurotransmitter activation of voltage-gated potassium channels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04266-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04266-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Chaitali Chakraborty & Itzel Nissen & Craig A. Vincent & Anna-Carin Hägglund & Andreas Hörnblad & Silvia Remeseiro, 2023. "Rewiring of the promoter-enhancer interactome and regulatory landscape in glioblastoma orchestrates gene expression underlying neurogliomal synaptic communication," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.

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