Heteromeric hERG 1a/1b currents conduct 80% more charge than hERG 1a currents, and a 1b-specific A8V mutation found in 1 of 269 LQTS patients dramatically reduced 1b protein levels.
hERG 1b subunits significantly alter the physiological and pharmacological properties of I Kr currents, and mutations disrupting hERG 1b function represent a potential mechanism for Long-QT syndrome.
Cardiac I Kr is a critical repolarizing current in the heart and a target for inherited and acquired long-QT syndrome (LQTS). Biochemical and functional studies have demonstrated that I Kr channels are heteromers composed of both hERG 1a and 1b subunits, yet our current understanding of I Kr functional properties derives primarily from studies of homooligomers of the original hERG 1a isolate. Here, we examine currents produced by hERG 1a and 1a/1b channels expressed in HEK-293 cells at near-physiological temperatures. We find that heteromeric hERG 1a/1b currents are much larger than hERG 1a currents and conduct 80% more charge during an action potential. This surprising difference corresponds to a 2-fold increase in the apparent rates of activation and recovery from inactivation, thus reducing rectification and facilitating current rebound during repolarization. Kinetic modeling shows these gating differences account quantitatively for the differences in current amplitude between the 2 channel types. Drug sensitivity was also different. Compared to homomeric 1a channels, heteromeric 1a/1b channels were inhibited by E-4031 with a slower time course and a corresponding 4-fold shift in the IC50. The importance of hERG 1b in vivo is supported by the identification of a 1b-specific A8V missense mutation in 1/269 unrelated genotype-negative LQTS patients that was absent in 400 control alleles. Mutant 1bA8V expressed alone or with hERG 1a in HEK-293 cells dramatically reduced 1b protein levels. Thus, mutations specifically disrupting hERG 1b function are expected to reduce cardiac I Kr and enhance drug sensitivity, and represent a potential mechanism underlying inherited or acquired LQTS.
Sale et al. (Fri,) conducted a other in Long-QT syndrome (n=269). hERG 1a/1b heteromeric channels and 1b-specific A8V mutation vs. hERG 1a homomeric channels and control alleles was evaluated on Electrophysiological properties (current amplitude, charge conduction) and mutation frequency. Heteromeric hERG 1a/1b currents conduct 80% more charge than hERG 1a currents, and a 1b-specific A8V mutation found in 1 of 269 LQTS patients dramatically reduced 1b protein levels.