Molecular overlap in the regulation of SK channels by small molecules and phosphoinositides.

Zhang, Miao; Meng, Xuan-Yu; Zhang, Ji-Fang; Cui, Meng; Logothetis, Diomedes E · Sci Adv · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP<sub>2</sub>) directly interacts with the small-conductance Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated K<sup>+</sup> 2-a (SK2-a) channel/calmodulin complex, serving as a critical element in the regulation of channel activity. We report that changes of protein conformation in close proximity to the PIP<sub>2</sub> binding site induced by a small-molecule SK channel modulator, NS309, can effectively enhance the interaction between the protein and PIP<sub>2</sub> to potentiate channel activity. This novel modulation of PIP<sub>2</sub> sensitivity by small-molecule drugs is likely not to be limited in its application to SK channels, representing an intriguing strategy to develop drugs controlling the activity of the large number of PIP<sub>2</sub>-dependent proteins.