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Epilepsia Open
2020 Dec 01;54:562-573. doi: 10.1002/epi4.12438.
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Familial neonatal seizures caused by the Kv7.3 selectivity filter mutation T313I.
Maghera J, Li J, Lamothe SM, Braun M, Appendino JP, Au PYB, Kurata HT.
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OBJECTIVE: A spectrum of seizure disorders is linked to mutations in Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channels. Linking functional effects of identified mutations to their clinical presentation requires ongoing characterization of newly identified variants. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized a previously unreported mutation in the selectivity filter of Kv7.3.
METHODS: Next-generation sequencing was used to identify the Kv7.3[T313I] mutation in a family affected by neonatal seizures. Electrophysiological approaches were used to characterize the functional effects of this mutation on ion channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes.
RESULTS: Substitution of residue 313 from threonine to isoleucine (Kv7.3[T313I]) likely disrupts a critical intersubunit hydrogen bond. Characterization of the mutation in homomeric Kv7.3 channels demonstrated a total loss of channel function. Assembly in heteromeric channels (with Kv7.2) leads to modest suppression of total current when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Using a Kv7 activator with distinct effects on homomeric Kv7.2 vs heteromeric Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels, we demonstrated that assembly of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3[T313I] generates functional channels.
SIGNIFICANCE: Biophysical and clinical effects of the T313I mutation are consistent with Kv7.3 mutations previously identified in cases of pharmacoresponsive self-limiting neonatal epilepsy. These findings expand our description of functionally characterized Kv7 channel variants and report new methods to distinguish molecular mechanisms of channel mutations.
Figure 1. Inheritance of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 mutations associated with epilepsy. A, Mutations in Kv7.2 or Kv7.3 associated with a documented case of epilepsy (compiled from ClinVar or RIKEE databases) are highlighted on molecular models of each channel. Mutations are color coded based on severity (green = BFNE, red = epileptic encephalopathy or other severe outcomes). Mutations that do not map to structural elements defined in the KCNQ1 cryoâEM structure have been omitted (VSD, voltageâsensing domain, SF, selectivity filter, CaM, Calmodulin). B, Pattern of inheritance of a neonatal seizure phenotype in a family carrying the Kv7.3[T313I] mutation. Upper, sequence alignment of the reference KCNQ3 gene and Kv7.3 protein in relation to the proband. The identified mutation [T313I] is highlighted in bold type. Lower, pedigree for the family characterized in our study with filled symbols indicating affected individuals
Figure 2. v7.3[T313I] abolishes Kv7.3 function. A, Molecular model of essential intersubunit hydrogen bond between conserved residues T313 and Y319 located in the selectivity signature sequence. B, Two‐electrode voltage‐clamp recordings from Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing Kv7.3[A315T] and Kv7.3[A315T][T313I]. Oocytes were held at −80 mV and depolarized for 1.5s to voltages between −140 mV and +40 mV (in 10‐mV steps) followed by repolarization to −20 mV test pulse. Current amplitudes at +20 mV of Kv7.3 [A315T] and Kv7.3[A315T] [T313I] were compared using a student’s t test (* indicates P<0.05 relative to A315T alone)
Figure 3. Coâexpression with Kv7.2 and Kv7.3[T313I] reduces heteromeric channel function with no effect on gating. A, Twoâelectrode voltageâclamp sample traces from oocytes expressing various combinations of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 (injected with a total of 50 ng of mRNA per group). The voltage step protocol is the same as Figure 2B. B, Current amplitudes after a 1.5 s + 20 mV voltage step. Current magnitudes were compared using oneâway ANOVA, followed by Tukeyâs post hoc test (* indicates P < 0.05). C, Conductanceâvoltage relationships were collected using the protocol in panel (A), using tail current magnitudes (â20 mV) to assess the extent of channel opening during the conditioning step. Fitted gating parameters were (mean ± S.E.M.): for Kv7.2 + Kv7.3 +[T313I], k = 9.4 ± 0.3 mV, V1/2 = â30 ± 1 mV; for Kv7.2 + [T313I], k = 9.1 ± 0.3 mV, V1/2 = â35.1 ± 0.5 mV; for Kv7.2 + Kv7.3, k = 10.2 ± 0.3 mV, V1/2 = â34.2 ± 0.3 mV; for Kv7.2 homomers, k = 9.2 ± 0.2 mV, V1/2 = â34.2 ± 0.6 mV. No significant differences in gating parameters were detected
Figure 4. Reduced ICAâ069673 sensitivity of Kv7.2/Kv7.3[T313I] heteromeric channels. A, Example currents of twoâelectrode voltageâclamp recordings. Oocytes were depolarized to +20 mV and repolarized for 12 s in a stepâdown manner (â20 mV per sweep), followed by another +20 mV depolarizing pulse to determine instantaneous current at â100 mV. Currents within the dashed box are illustrated on an expanded time scale in the right panels, showing the assessment of instantaneous current levels in different experimental conditions. B, Fractional instantaneous current after incubation with 100 μmol/L ICAâ069673 was measured as indicated by the arrows in panel (A), data are shown as mean ± SEM. C, Fractional instantaneous current (repolarization voltage of â100 mV) for various combinations of Kv7.2, Kv7.3, and Kv7.3[T313I], shown on a cellâbyâcell basis (KruskalâWallis oneâway ANOVA on ranks, * indicates P < 0.05 relative to Kv7.2 homomeric channels)
Figure 5. Variable outcomes of homologous selectivity filter mutations in Kv7.2 and Kv7.3. A, Current magnitude was measured at +20 mV in Xenopus oocytes injected with Kv7.2 + Kv7.3, or various combinations of channel mutants and their wildâtype counterpart, as indicated. Currents were recording 48â56 h after injection (n = 10 per condition, oneâway ANOVA on ranks and Tukey post hoc test, # indicates P < 0.05 relative to Kv7.2/Kv7.3, * indicates P < 0.05 relative to Kv7.2/Kv7.3[T313I]). B, Instantaneous tail current magnitudes were recorded as described in Figure 4 in the presence of 100 μmol/L ICAâ069673, for all possible combinations of injected channels (note that Kv7.3 + Kv7.2[T274I] did not yield current sizes that could be confidently assessed or analyzed)
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