SUMOylation of Na<sub>V</sub>1.2 channels mediates the early response to acute hypoxia in central neurons.

Plant, Leigh D; Marks, Jeremy D; Goldstein, Steve An · Elife · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The mechanism for the earliest response of central neurons to hypoxia-an increase in voltage-gated sodium current (<i>I<sub>Na</sub></i>)-has been unknown. Here, we show that hypoxia activates the Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) pathway in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) and that SUMOylation of Na<sub>V</sub>1.2 channels increases <i>I<sub>Na</sub></i>. The time-course for SUMOylation of single Na<sub>V</sub>1.2 channels at the cell surface and changes in <i>I<sub>Na</sub></i> coincide, and both are prevented by mutation of Na<sub>V</sub>1.2-Lys38 or application of a deSUMOylating enzyme. Within 40 s, hypoxia-induced linkage of SUMO1 to the channels is complete, shifting the voltage-dependence of channel activation so that depolarizing steps evoke larger sodium currents. Given the recognized role of <i>I<sub>Na</sub></i> in hypoxic brain damage, the SUMO pathway and Na<sub>V</sub>1.2 are identified as potential targets for neuroprotective interventions.

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