The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) regulates insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells. Loss of functional K(ATP) channels because of mutations in either the SUR1 or Kir6.2 channel subunit causes persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI). We investigated the molecular mechanism by which a single phenylalanine deletion in SUR1 (DeltaF1388) causes PHHI. Previous studies have shown that coexpression of DeltaF1388 SUR1 with Kir6.2 results in no channel activity. We demonstrate here that the lack of functional expression is due to failure of the mutant channel to traffic to the cell surface. Trafficking of K(ATP) channels requires that the endoplasmic reticulum-retention signal, RKR, present in both SUR1 and Kir6.2, be shielded during channel assembly. To ask whether DeltaF1388 SUR1 forms functional channels with Kir6.2, we inactivated the RKR signal in DeltaF1388 SUR1 by mutation to AAA (DeltaF1388 SUR1(AAA)). Inactivation of similar endoplasmic reticulum-retention signals in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator has been shown to partially overcome the trafficking defect of a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutation, DeltaF508. We found that coexpression of DeltaF1388 SUR1(AAA) with Kir6.2 led to partial surface expression of the mutant channel. Moreover, mutant channels were active. Compared with wild-type channels, the mutant channels have reduced ATP sensitivity and do not respond to stimulation by MgADP or diazoxide. The RKR --> AAA mutation alone has no effect on channel properties. Our results establish defective trafficking of K(ATP) channels as a molecular basis of PHHI and show that F1388 in SUR1 is critical for normal trafficking and function of K(ATP) channels.

The pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channel, a complex of four sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and four potassium channel Kir6.2 subunits, regulates insulin secretion by linking metabolic changes to ␤-cell membrane potential. Sulfonylureas inhibit K ATP channel activities by binding to SUR1 and are widely used to treat type II diabetes. We report here that sulfonylureas also function as chemical chaperones to rescue K ATP channel trafficking defects caused by two SUR1 mutations, A116P and V187D, identified in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism. Sulfonylureas markedly increased cell surface expression of the A116P and V187D mutants by stabilizing the mutant SUR1 proteins and promoting their maturation. By contrast, diazoxide, a potassium channel opener that also binds SUR1, had no effect on surface expression of either mutant. Importantly, both mutant channels rescued to the cell surface have normal ATP, MgADP, and diazoxide sensitivities, demonstrating that SUR1 harboring either the A116P or the V187D mutation is capable of associating with Kir6.2 to form functional K ATP channels. Thus, sulfonylureas may be used to treat congenital hyperinsulinism caused by certain K ATP channel trafficking mutations. ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP )1 channels present in the plasma membrane of pancreatic ␤-cells play a central role in mediating glucose-induced insulin secretion (1-4). The activity of K ATP channels, which regulates ␤-cell membrane potential, is determined by the relative concentrations of intracellular ATP and ADP. When the blood glucose level rises, the increased intracellular [ATP/ADP] ratio favors K ATP channel closure, resulting in membrane depolarization, Ca 2ϩ influx, and insulin secretion. When the blood glucose level falls, the above molecular events reverse, and insulin release is stopped. In the event where K ATP channels fail to open during glucose starvation, ␤-cell membrane potential remains depolarized, and insulin secretion persists, leading to severe hypoglycemia. These symptoms are found in patients suffering from congenital hyperinsulinism (5), also known as persistent hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI) (6). Indeed, mutations in the K ATP channel genes, sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and the inward rectifier potassium channel Kir6.2, that lead to a loss of channel function have been shown to be major causes of PHHI (4, 6).The pancreatic K ATP channel complex consists of four poreforming Kir6.2 subunits and four regulatory SUR1 subunits (7-10). Gating of K ATP channels occurs as a result of the interplay between both channel subunits and intracellular ATP and ADP. Binding of ATP to the Kir6.2 subunit inhibits channel activity, whereas binding of Mg 2ϩ -complexed ATP or ADP to the SUR1 subunit stimulates channel activity (11)(12)(13)(14). SUR1 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter family; it has three transmembrane domains: TM0, TM1, and TM2, and two large cytoplasmic nucleotide binding domains: NBD1 and NBD2 (15,16). Structure-function studies sugges...

BackgroundSyntaxin 1 (STX1) is a presynaptic plasma membrane protein that coordinates synaptic vesicle fusion. STX1 also regulates the function of neurotransmitter transporters, including the dopamine (DA) transporter (DAT). The DAT is a membrane protein that controls DA homeostasis through the high-affinity re-uptake of synaptically released DA.MethodsWe adopt newly developed animal models and state-of-the-art biophysical techniques to determine the contribution of the identified gene variants to impairments in DA neurotransmission observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).OutcomesHere, we characterize two independent autism-associated variants in the genes that encode STX1 and the DAT. We demonstrate that each variant dramatically alters DAT function. We identify molecular mechanisms that converge to inhibit reverse transport of DA and DA-associated behaviors. These mechanisms involve decreased phosphorylation of STX1 at Ser14 mediated by casein kinase 2 as well as a reduction in STX1/DAT interaction. These findings point to STX1/DAT interactions and STX1 phosphorylation as key regulators of DA homeostasis.InterpretationWe determine the molecular identity and the impact of these variants with the intent of defining DA dysfunction and associated behaviors as possible complications of ASD.

Synaptic transmission depends on neurotransmitter pools stored within vesicles that undergo regulated exocytosis. In the brain, the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT 2 ) is responsible for the loading of dopamine (DA) and other monoamines into synaptic vesicles. Prior to storage within vesicles, DA synthesis occurs at the synaptic terminal in a two-step enzymatic process. First, the rate-limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) converts tyrosine to di-OH-phenylalanine. Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) then converts di-OH-phenylalanine into DA. Here, we provide evidence that VMAT 2 physically and functionally interacts with the enzymes responsible for DA synthesis. In rat striata, TH and AADC co-immunoprecipitate with VMAT 2 , whereas in PC 12 cells, TH co-immunoprecipitates with the closely related VMAT 1 and with overexpressed VMAT 2 . GST pull-down assays further identified three cytosolic domains of VMAT 2 involved in the interaction with TH and AADC. Furthermore, in vitro binding assays demonstrated that TH directly interacts with VMAT 2 . Additionally, using fractionation and immunoisolation approaches, we demonstrate that TH and AADC associate with VMAT 2 -containing synaptic vesicles from rat brain. These vesicles exhibited specific TH activity. Finally, the coupling between synthesis and transport of DA into vesicles was impaired in the presence of fragments involved in the VMAT 2 /TH/AADC interaction. Taken together, our results indicate that DA synthesis can occur at the synaptic vesicle membrane, where it is physically and functionally coupled to VMAT 2 -mediated transport into vesicles.Monoamines, including dopamine (DA), 3 norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT), are neurotransmitters that play major roles in a variety of brain functions, including emotion, reward, cognition, memory, attention, locomotion, and stress control (1-6). In neurons and neuroendocrine cells, monoamines are stored in large dense core vesicles (LDCVs) and small synaptic vesicles (SVs) (7-11) that undergo regulated exocytosis through a complex network of protein-protein interactions (12). Loading of monoamines into LDCVs and SVs of neurons and neuroendocrine cells is mediated by two vesicular monoamine transporter isoforms: VMAT 1 (13) and VMAT 2 (14). These transporters contain 12 putative transmembrane domains with both the N and C termini facing the cytosolic side of the vesicle membrane. VMAT 1 is mostly present in LDCVs of neuroendocrine cells, including chromaffin and PC12 cells, whereas VMAT 2 is primarily expressed by monoaminergic neurons of the central nervous system (15). In midbrain DA neurons, VMAT 2 is sorted to LDCVs and SVs in axon terminals and to LDCVs and tubulo-vesicular structures in the somatodendritic compartment (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)15).It is generally accepted that VMAT 2 transports DA that has been previously synthesized in the cytosolic compartment of the presynaptic terminal (16). DA synthesis requires two enzymatic reactions. First, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) converts tyrosine into DOP...

ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels of pancreatic beta-cells mediate glucose-induced insulin secretion by linking glucose metabolism to membrane excitability. The number of plasma membrane K(ATP) channels determines the sensitivity of beta-cells to glucose stimulation. The K(ATP) channel is formed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) on coassembly of four inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir6.2 subunits and four sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) subunits. Little is known about the cellular events that govern the channel's biogenesis efficiency and expression. Recent studies have implicated the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in modulating surface expression of several ion channels. In this work, we investigated whether the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a role in the biogenesis efficiency and surface expression of K(ATP) channels. We provide evidence that, when expressed in COS cells, both Kir6.2 and SUR1 undergo ER-associated degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Moreover, treatment of cells with proteasome inhibitors MG132 or lactacystin leads to increased surface expression of K(ATP) channels by increasing the efficiency of channel biogenesis. Importantly, inhibition of proteasome function in a pancreatic beta-cell line, INS-1, that express endogenous K(ATP) channels also results in increased channel number at the cell surface, as assessed by surface biotinylation and whole cell patch-clamp recordings. Our results support a role of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the biogenesis efficiency and surface expression of beta-cell K(ATP) channels.