The pore structure and gating mechanism of K2P channelsK2P potassium channels are important regulators of cellular excitability. This study reveals that in contrast to most other K+ channels the primary gating mechanism in the K2P channel TREK-1 does not involve opening and closure of the cytoplasmic bundle crossing, but takes place close to or within the selectivity filter.

Phosphatidylinositol polyphosphates (PIPs) are potent modulators of Kir channels. Previous studies have implicated basic residues in the C terminus of Kir6.2 channels as interaction sites for the PIPs. Here we examined the role of the N terminus and identified an arginine (Arg-54) as a major determinant for PIP 2 modulation of ATP sensitivity in K ATP channels. Mutation of Arg-54 to the neutral glutamine (R54Q) and, in particular, to the negatively charged glutamate (R54E) impaired PIP 2 modulation of ATP inhibition, while mutation to lysine (R54K) had no effect. These data suggest that electrostatic interactions between PIP 2 and Arg-54 are an essential step for the modulation of ATP sensitivity. This N-terminal PIP 2 site is highly conserved in Kir channels with the exception of the pH-gated channels Kir1.1, Kir4.1, and Kir5.1 that contain a neutral residue at the corresponding positions. Introduction of an arginine at this position in Kir1.1 channels rendered the N-terminal PIP 2 site functional largely increasing the PIP 2 affinity. Moreover, Kir1.1 channels lose the ability to respond to physiological changes of the intracellular pH. These results explain the need of a silent N-terminal PIP 2 site in pH-gated channels and highlight the N terminus as an important region for PIP 2 modulation of Kir channel gating.Kir channels are a superfamily of eukaryotic channel proteins that are expressed in many tissues and responsible for important physiological processes such as cell excitability, insulin secretion, K ϩ homeostasis, vascular tone, and regulation of the heart rate. Four subunits assemble to a channel. Each subunit contains two transmembrane segments with cytoplasmic N-and C-terminal domains and a connecting loop forming the pore (1). Some members of the Kir channel family are endowed with gating mechanisms such as ATP gating (K ATP channels) (2) and pH gating (Kir1.1 and Kir4.1 channels) (3). These gating mechanisms are central for the diverse functions of Kir channels in physiology and the understanding of the related pathophysiology. Kir1, Kir4, and Kir5 channels, that are predominantly expressed in epithelia, are exquisitely sensitive to changes in intracellular pH in the physiological range (3-5). This pH sensitivity is mediated by the protonation of a lysine in the N terminus (Lys-80 in Kir1.1) that induces closure of the channel's pore by an allosteric mechanism (pH gating) (3, 6). Even small changes in the pH sensitivity can cause severe kidney defects such as the Bartter syndrome (3), highlighting the physiological importance of proper pH gating in Kir1.1 channels. Kir6 channels display a very ubiquitous expression pattern and, in coassembly with the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), 1 represent the ATP-sensitive K ϩ channels (K ATP channels) (7). Intracellular ATP closes K ATP channels by binding to the Kir6.2 subunits (ATP gating), whereas the SURs act as regulatory subunits endowing the channel with sensitivity to MgADP and pharmacological compounds. The ATP/ADP dependence of K ATP channels couple...

Polyamines cause inward rectification of (Kir) K+ channels, but the mechanism is controversial. We employed scanning mutagenesis of Kir6.2, and a structural series of blocking diamines, to combinatorially examine the role of both channel and blocker charges. We find that introduced glutamates at any pore-facing residue in the inner cavity, up to and including the entrance to the selectivity filter, can confer strong rectification. As these negative charges are moved higher (toward the selectivity filter), or lower (toward the cytoplasm), they preferentially enhance the potency of block by shorter, or longer, diamines, respectively. MTSEA+ modification of engineered cysteines in the inner cavity reduces rectification, but modification below the inner cavity slows spermine entry and exit, without changing steady-state rectification. The data provide a coherent explanation of classical strong rectification as the result of polyamine block in the inner cavity and selectivity filter.

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