TY - JOUR
T1 - Pathogenic point mutations in a transmembrane domain of the ε subunit increase the Ca2+ permeability of the human endplate ACh receptor
AU - Di Castro, Amalia
AU - Martinello, Katiuscia
AU - Grassi, Francesca
AU - Eusebi, Fabrizio
AU - Engel, Andrew G.
PY - 2007/3/15
Y1 - 2007/3/15
N2 - The ε subunit of the human endplate ACh receptor (AChR) is a key determinant of the large fraction of the ACh-evoked current carried by Ca2+ ions (Pf). Consequently, missense mutations in the ε subunit are potential targets for altering the Pf of human AChR. In this paper we investigate the effects of two pathogenic point mutations in the M2 transmembrane segment AChR ε subunit, εT264P and εV259F, that cause slow-channel syndromes (SCS). When expressed in GH4C1 cells, the mutant receptors subunits raise Ca2+ permeability of the receptors ∼1.5 and ∼2-fold above that of wild-type, to attain P f values of 11.8% (εT264P) and 15.4% (εV259F). The latter value exceeds most Pf values reported to date for ligand-gated ion channels. Consistent with these findings, the biionic Ca2+ permeability ratio (PCa/PCs) of the mutant AChRs is also increased. Upon repetitive stimulation with ACh, the mutant receptors show an enhanced current run-down compared with wild-type, leading to a strong reduction of their function. We propose that the enhanced Ca2+ permeability of the mutant receptors overrides the protective effect of desensitization and, together with the prolonged opening events of the AChR channel, is an important determinant of the excitotoxic endplate damage in the SCS.
AB - The ε subunit of the human endplate ACh receptor (AChR) is a key determinant of the large fraction of the ACh-evoked current carried by Ca2+ ions (Pf). Consequently, missense mutations in the ε subunit are potential targets for altering the Pf of human AChR. In this paper we investigate the effects of two pathogenic point mutations in the M2 transmembrane segment AChR ε subunit, εT264P and εV259F, that cause slow-channel syndromes (SCS). When expressed in GH4C1 cells, the mutant receptors subunits raise Ca2+ permeability of the receptors ∼1.5 and ∼2-fold above that of wild-type, to attain P f values of 11.8% (εT264P) and 15.4% (εV259F). The latter value exceeds most Pf values reported to date for ligand-gated ion channels. Consistent with these findings, the biionic Ca2+ permeability ratio (PCa/PCs) of the mutant AChRs is also increased. Upon repetitive stimulation with ACh, the mutant receptors show an enhanced current run-down compared with wild-type, leading to a strong reduction of their function. We propose that the enhanced Ca2+ permeability of the mutant receptors overrides the protective effect of desensitization and, together with the prolonged opening events of the AChR channel, is an important determinant of the excitotoxic endplate damage in the SCS.
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U2 - 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.127977
DO - 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.127977
M3 - Article
C2 - 17272341
AN - SCOPUS:33947152965
SN - 0022-3751
VL - 579
SP - 671
EP - 677
JO - Journal of Physiology
JF - Journal of Physiology
IS - 3
ER -