Individual IKs channels at the surface of mammalian cells contain two KCNE1 accessory subunits Journal Article

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Authors: Plant, L. D.; Xiong, D.; Dai, H.; Goldstein, S. A.
Article Title: Individual IKs channels at the surface of mammalian cells contain two KCNE1 accessory subunits
Abstract: KCNE1 (E1) beta-subunits assemble with KCNQ1 (Q1) voltage-gated K(+) channel alpha-subunits to form IKslow (IKs) channels in the heart and ear. The number of E1 subunits in IKs channels has been an issue of ongoing debate. Here, we use single-molecule spectroscopy to demonstrate that surface IKs channels with human subunits contain two E1 and four Q1 subunits. This stoichiometry does not vary. Thus, IKs channels in cells with elevated levels of E1 carry no more than two E1 subunits. Cells with low levels of E1 produce IKs channels with two E1 subunits and Q1 channels with no E1 subunits--channels with one E1 do not appear to form or are restricted from surface expression. The plethora of models of cardiac function, transgenic animals, and drug screens based on variable E1 stoichiometry do not reflect physiology.
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume: 111
Issue: 14
ISSN: 1091-6490; 0027-8424
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2014
Start Page: E1438
End Page: 46
Language: eng
DOI/URL:

10.1073/pnas.1323548111
Notes: LR: 20161019; GR: R01 HL105949/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01HL105959/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States; JID: 7505876; 0 (KCNE1 protein, human); 0 (Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated); CIN: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Apr 8;111(14):5065-6. PMID: 24706929; OID: NLM: PMC3986162; OTO: NOTNLM; ppublish