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Circulation Research. 2004;94:1418-1428
doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000128561.28701.ea
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(Circulation Research. 2004;94:1418.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.

Reviews

Biology of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Ion Channel Protein Trafficking

Brian P. Delisle*, Blake D. Anson*, Sridharan Rajamani, Craig T. January

From the Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Correspondence to Dr Craig T. January, Room H6/354 Box 3248, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, CSC, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792. E-mail ctj{at}medicine.wisc.edu

This Review is part of a thematic series on the Biology of Cardiac Arrhythmias, which includes the following articles:

Antiarrhythmic Drug Target Choices and Screening

Inherited Arrhythmogenic Diseases: The Complexity Beyond Monogenic Disorders

Genomics in Sudden Cardiac Death

Regulation of Ion Channel Expression

Biology of Cardiac Arrhythmias: Ion Channel Protein Trafficking

Computational Insights: Chaos and Wave Theory

Gene Therapy and Cell Therapy of Cardiac Arrhythmias

This series is in honor of Harry A. Fozzard, 8th Editor of Circulation Research.
Gordon Tomaselli Editors


*    Abstract
up arrowTop
 *Abstract
down arrowIntroduction
 down arrowProtein Processing in Cells
 down arrowIon Channels in Human...
 down arrowDefective Protein Trafficking in...
 down arrowSummary: Genomics and Proteomics
 down arrowReferences
 
The mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms are complex and incompletely understood. Through the study of uncommon inheritable arrhythmia syndromes, including the long QT and Brugada syndromes, new insights are emerging. At the cellular and tissue levels, we now recognize that ion channel current is the sum of biophysical (gating, permeation), biochemical (phosphorylation, etc), and biogenic (biosynthesis, processing, trafficking, and degradation) properties. This review focuses on how heart cells process ion channel proteins and how this protein trafficking may be altered in some cardiac arrhythmia diseases. In this review, we honor Dr Harry A. Fozzard, a modern pioneer in cardiac arrhythmias, cell biology, and molecular electrophysiology. As a scientist and physician, his writings and mentorship have served to foster a generation of investigators who continue to bring this complex field toward greater scientific understanding and impact on humankind.


Key Words: arrhythmia • ion channels • protein trafficking • cell biology


*    Introduction
up arrowTop
 up arrowAbstract
 *Introduction
down arrowProtein Processing in Cells
 down arrowIon Channels in Human...
 down arrowDefective Protein Trafficking in...
 down arrowSummary: Genomics and Proteomics
 down arrowReferences
 
It is well understood that cardiac arrhythmias are a common and sometimes lethal manifestation of many acquired and inherited diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. Electrophysiologists have long sought to understand and treat the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of these diseases to sustain life and improve its quality. Beginning in 1949 with the first reports of cardiac action potential recordings,1,2 including normal3,4 and diseased5 human heart, extraordinary progress has been achieved in understanding mechanisms of normal and abnormal cell electrophysiology and heart rhythm generation. The reductionist approach has resulted in the identification of multiple families of ionic currents, their associated channel and transporter proteins, and the genes encoding their multiple subunit structures. Similarly, evolution of knowledge about the complex cellular processes that modulate ion channel function, govern cell-to-cell communication, and generate different mechanisms of arrhythmias have added to our understanding of normal and abnormal electrophysiological properties. From these findings emerged the concept that abnormalities in surface membrane ion channel function are central to arrhythmogenesis. More recent observations that mutated ion channels identified in patients and studied in experimental models undergo altered expression or are incorrectly processed within cells have broadened our view of the potential mechanisms underlying changes in ion channel currents. Thus, it is now recognized that the macroscopic current in heart and other excitable tissues is the sum of 2 processes: (1) biophysical (gating, ion permeation) and biochemical (phosphorylation, etc) modulation of surface membrane ion channels and (2) biogenic modulation (biosynthesis, processing, trafficking, and degradation) of channel protein. Incorrect processing of mutant proteins within cells, in fact, has become an increasingly important mechanism causing many diseases, and the potential for correcting defective protein processing offers novel therapeutic approaches.


*    Protein Processing in Cells
up arrowTop
 up arrowAbstract
 up arrowIntroduction
 *Protein Processing in Cells
down arrowIon Channels in Human...
 down arrowDefective Protein Trafficking in...
 down arrowSummary: Genomics and Proteomics
 down arrowReferences
 
The 1972 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to Dr Christian Anfinsen for work suggesting that the primary amino acid sequence of a protein is sufficient for proper folding in vitro.6 Since that time, it has become apparent that protein biogenesis in vivo is more complex, requiring additional proteins that assist with peptide processing and trafficking, energy input, posttranslational modification, protein quality control, and degradation. These processes are outlined in Table 1. It is important to recognize that the bulk of our information has been derived from lower organisms and expression studies in heterologous systems.


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  		Table 1. Posttranslational Processing of Proteins

Transcription and Translation
Regulating the expression of ion channels at the cell surface begins at the level of gene transcription and mRNA stability. Genomic DNA contains binding sites for transcriptional proteins and their regulatory elements (transcriptional activators and repressors). During transcription, RNA polymerases generate long strands of heteronuclear RNA that contain an untranslated 5' region, multiple exons (amino acid encoding RNA sequences) and introns (noncoding RNA sequences of incompletely understood function) interspersed among the exons, and an untranslated 3' region. Removal of the intronic sequences (splicing) occurs in the nucleus, creating mRNA consisting of exons to define the coding region as well as 5' and 3' noncoding regions that promote mRNA translation and stability. Normal mRNA splicing can vary for a single gene product, thereby generating multiple transcripts with different coding regions and/or differing translation efficiencies. Similarly, pathogenic nucleotide substitutions, deletions, and insertions can affect mRNA synthesis and stability, thereby altering the amount of mRNA available for subsequent peptide generation.

Messenger RNA is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where ribosomal proteins translate coding regions into polypeptide chains. Ribosomal translation begins with the codon AUG, which encodes the amino acid methionine. This "start" codon is usually preceded by a 6-nucleotide consensus motif (GCCACC, the Kozak sequence).7 In eukaryotic cells, translocation of the nascent polypeptide from the ribosome into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is thought to occur cotranslationally and is initiated when specific signal sequences (amino acid motifs) in the elongating polypeptide bind a cytosolic signal recognition particle that then targets the complex to receptors within the ER membrane. For cytosolic proteins, the targeting signal sequence is almost invariably found within the amino terminal. Ion channels, however, have the added complexity of possessing several transmembrane spanning domains. Consequently, these proteins contain numerous signal sequences to direct ER (and ultimately plasma) membrane crossings that determine the cytoplasmic and extracellular domains, and these signaling sequences are not restricted to the amino terminal. For example, in voltage-gated K+ channels (Kv1.3), as well as in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl– channels, the first ER targeting translocation signal sequence is contained within the second transmembrane spanning domain, nearly 200 amino acids downstream from the amino terminal. Additional transmembrane domains also interact with the ER membrane to initiate and terminate translocation to allow for complex transmembrane protein spanning structures.8 Although unknown, the mechanisms driving translocation of cardiac ion channels are presumed to be similar.

Posttranslational Modification of Proteins
As a peptide is inserted into the ER, it is almost immediately bound by protein chaperones (so termed because they monitor immature proteins) that are proposed to facilitate maturation and the formation of proper tertiary structure required for protein function. Many chaperone proteins are ATPases and may have other enzymatic activities as well.9,10 Most newly synthesized proteins rapidly undergo core-glycosylation, the site-specific (an amino acid motif usually containing an asparagine) addition and trimming of mannose-rich sugar moieties, which may assist in subsequent protein folding, maturation, and stability.11–13

Ion channels exist as large protein complexes with a centrally located pore that allows for ion flow across membranes. For most Na+ and Ca2+ channels, the {alpha} (pore-forming) subunit is synthesized as a monomeric protein derived from a single gene product that has 4 repeating domains of similar structure. For K+ channels, however, the {alpha} subunit is a multimeric protein formed by the coassembly of multiple peptides either from the same or from related genes. Most voltage-gated cardiac K+ channels (Kv) are assumed to require the coassembly of 4 subunit peptides to form a tetrameric protein channel structure. For at least some K+ channels, assembly involves the formation of dimers, which then dimerize again to form the tetrameric channel structure.14 This occurs within the ER membrane15 and is mediated by amino terminal T1 (first tetramerization) domains.16 Not all K+ channels have T1 domains and additional peptide recognition domains within the transmembrane and C-terminal regions have been identified.17 Although yet to be found, mutations within such recognition domains may alter oligomerization and contribute to cardiac ion channel diseases. Furthermore, most ion channels have accessory subunits that serve multiple regulatory roles. Thus, not only must the {alpha} subunit proteins interact and assume a proper 3-dimensional structure but also the accessory subunit proteins must assemble correctly to form multimeric macromolecular complexes, and for most proteins this is thought to occur in the ER.18,19

After folding and assembly, the protein is transported out of the ER through vesicle budding where it travels along cytoskeletal elements to the ER-Golgi intermediate complex (ERGIC).20 Work on KATP ion channels has shown that proper protein folding and assembly results in the masking, or unmasking, of ER retention and export signal sequences, thus providing a mechanism governing export from the ER.21 From the ERGIC, the peptide travels through the Golgi complex where residues core-glycosylated in the ER undergo further processing ("complex glycosylation"). The extent of glycosylation varies as sugar moieties are added and trimmed repeatedly during maturation.11 On reaching the trans-Golgi, proteins are sorted based on specific sequences and earmarked for their final destination, be it other intracellular compartments, the plasma membrane, or extracellular space.

Quality Control and Protein Degradation
A protein must attain a correct tertiary or native structure to function properly. Cells have evolved a complex set of quality-control monitoring processes that prevent many nonnative or misfolded proteins from reaching their intended destinations by tagging such proteins as abnormal and targeting them for premature degradation. These quality-control mechanisms, however, remain poorly understood. In mammalian cells, the majority of the quality control is thought to occur in the ER.22

Protein degradation is essential for homeostasis because everything a cell synthesizes must ultimately be degraded, secreted, or shed; accumulation of metabolic products usually is lethal to a cell. The principal pathways for degradation depend on the type of protein (membrane, cytosolic, etc) and the reason for degradation. Once identified by quality-control mechanisms, most misfolded proteins are retrotranslocated out of the ER to undergo ATP-dependent ubiquination, which is followed by degradation within proteasomes.23,24 Proteins and other cellular components can also be degraded through autophagic destruction by lysosomes.25,26


*    Ion Channels in Human Heart Disease
up arrowTop
 up arrowAbstract
 up arrowIntroduction
 up arrowProtein Processing in Cells
 *Ion Channels in Human...
down arrowDefective Protein Trafficking in...
 down arrowSummary: Genomics and Proteomics
 down arrowReferences
 
Cardiac action potentials reflect changes in membrane conductance governed by dozens of different ion channels and electrogenic exchangers. Inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) was recognized 40 years ago as 2 distinct clinical phenotypes, the Romano-Ward and the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndromes.27–29 Elucidating the causes of LQTS has been central to progress in identifying several human ion channel genes and in understanding genetic and molecular mechanisms of cardiac ion channel diseases. The manifestations of LQTS arise from polygenic causes, with 7 forms of inherited LQTS described to date (LQT1–7; Table 2). The phenotypes are often attributed to "loss of function" or "gain of function" mutations in the affected ion channels. LQT1, 2, 5, and 6 are thought to prolong the plateau of cardiac action potentials by reducing K+ channel currents (loss of function) activated during depolarization. LQT1 and 5 are characterized by mutations in KCNQ1 (KvLQT1) and KCNE1 (MinK), which encode the {alpha} and ß subunits, respectively, for the slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs). LQT2 and 6 are characterized by mutations in KCNH2 (human-ether a-go-go-related gene; HERG) and KCNE2 (MiRP1), which encode the {alpha} and putative ß subunits, respectively, for the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr). LQT7 is caused by mutations in KCNJ2 (Kir2.1), which reduces the inward rectifier K+ channel current (IK1) to slow the return of the membrane to the resting potential. LQT4 was recently associated with abnormalities in ankyrin-B protein, which promotes the formation of macromolecular signaling complexes to reduce repolarizing current. In contrast, LQT3 arises from mutations in hNaV1.5 (SCN5a), which encodes the cardiac Na+ channel. These cause failure of normal inactivation to increase late Na+ current (gain of function) and prolong action potentials. More than 200 mutations in the genes encoding for LQT1–7 are known, with LQT1 and 2 patients accounting for most of LQTS. Additional congenital arrhythmia syndromes continue to be described, and these are summarized in Table 2. Unlike LQTS, some of these involve gain of function mutations in K+ channels (short QT syndrome) and loss of function mutations in Na+ channels (Brugada syndrome, cardiac conduction disease, etc).


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  		Table 2. Cardiac Ion Channel Diseases

The functional effects of gene mutations are often studied by expressing appropriately engineered cDNA in heterologous systems. For ion channels, the cellular or macroscopic current (I) is the product of the number of functional channels in the cell surface membrane (N), the probability that the channel is open (Po), and the single channel conductance (i). This paradigm is illustrated in Figure 1 for HERG current (IHERG). Changes in Po and i can be detected by measuring macroscopic and/or single channel currents, whereas understanding changes in N requires a multifaceted approach of biochemical, molecular, immunocytochemical, and electrophysiological techniques.



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  		Figure 1. Macroscopic IHERG depends on the number of functional channels inserted in the plasma membrane (N), the open probability of the channel (Po), and its unitary conductance (i). WT channel protein is transcribed in the nucleus, synthesized in the ER, exported to the Golgi apparatus, and inserts into the plasma membrane. LQT2 channels may reduce IHERG by altering gating properties ({Delta}Po), altering unitary conductance ({Delta}i), by reducing the number of channels inserted into the plasma membrane ({downarrow}N), or by combinations of these effects.

Protein Trafficking: Lessons From LQT2
Nearly 100 LQT2-linked mutations have been identified in HERG channels. The majority of mutations are single nucleotide changes causing single amino acid substitutions in the channel protein (missense mutations). Only a small number of these mutations have been expressed and functionally characterized, with the consistent finding that LQT2 mutations cause reduced IHERG. A somewhat surprising finding was that this occurs by several different cellular mechanisms, as illustrated in Figure 1.30–32 (1) Reduced N arises from mutations that generate a trafficking-defective protein with the immature channel retained in the ER. A reduced N can also arise from nonsense mutations that cause codon deletions or frame shifts to generate a truncated protein, and recent evidence also suggests that some mutations reduce N by decreasing gene transcription efficiency.33 (2) Altered Po can arise through mutations affecting a channel’s gating and kinetic properties. (3) Altered i can arise through mutations affecting channel permeability/selectivity (typically pore mutations). (4) In channels that form as multimeric proteins (ie, K+ channels), dominant-negative interactions between coassembled mutant and wild-type (WT) channel subunits can potentially affect N, Po, or i. Furthermore, a mutation can reduce IHERG by combinations of these cellular mechanisms.32,34–38

Protein trafficking defects reduce the delivery of channels to the cell surface membrane and have emerged as a common LQT2 disease mechanism. These mutations are not restricted to a single region of the HERG channel (Figure 2); rather, trafficking-defective mutations have been found in several regions of the protein, including the N-terminus (T65P, threonine to proline at amino acid position 65), transmembrane regions (N470D, A561V), pore region (G601S, Y611H, V612L, T613M, L615V), and the C-terminus (R752W, N861I) including the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (F805C, V822M, R823W).32,35–37,39–43 These mutations can be distinguished from WT and normally trafficking mutant channels because they are minimally present in the cell membrane. Electrophysiologically, there is little or no detectable current, and on Western blot analysis, immature (135-kD) core-glycosylated protein is present, but the mature (155-kD) complexly glycosylated protein is absent, as discussed. Using immunocytochemistry, several investigators have shown directly that trafficking-defective LQT2 channel protein (for the T65P, A561V, G601S, Y611H, R752W, V822M, N861I mutations) is located predominantly intracellular with a perinuclear pattern,32,35–37,42,44,45 and 2 mutations (T65P and Y611H) have been shown directly to colocalize with resident ER proteins.32,37 These data suggest that trafficking-defective mutant channels are retained in the ER as core-glycosylated protein.



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  		Figure 2. Trafficking-defective LQT2 mutations in the HERG channel. A schematic cartoon representing a single HERG channel {alpha}-subunit shows the structural domains including 6 transmembrane helices (S1–S6). The cylinders represent putative {alpha} helices. The outer pore region between the S5–S6 helices contains complex glycosylation (N) and selectivity filter (G-F-G) sites. The C-terminus contains a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (black) and a putative ER retention signal (R-G-R) that can regulate the surface expression of HERG channel protein. Reported trafficking-defective LQT2 mutations (amino acids identified in red) occur throughout much of the HERG channel protein.

LQT2 mutant subunits differ in their ability to coassemble with WT channel subunit proteins.34 Coexpression of the trafficking-defective N470D, A561V, V612L, T613M, and L615M mutations with WT protein results in a variable reduction of IHERG because of a dominant-negative effect of the mutant.34,40,46 Ficker et al showed that A561V coassembled with WT subunits, trapping most of the HERG protein in the ER.35 In contrast, the trafficking-defective LQT2 mutants G601S and R752W did not cause dominant-negative suppression of IHERG.36,39 Thus, at least some trafficking-defective LQT2 mutant subunits have dominant-negative interactions that suppress the surface expression of WT subunits. Because little is known about channel multimerization in myocytes, care must be taken in translating these in vitro findings.

HERG Maturation Through the Secretory Pathway
After synthesis and core-glycosylation in the ER, HERG protein is exported to the Golgi apparatus for complex glycosylation, sorting, and eventual insertion into the surface membrane. As with most large proteins, molecular chaperones are assumed to promote the proper folding of newly synthesized protein and facilitate degradation of misfolded protein. Ficker et al identified 2 cytosolic molecular chaperone proteins, heat conjugate/stress-activated protein 70 (Hc/sp 70) and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90), that immunoprecipitated with the core-glycosylated, immature HERG protein.47 The Hc/sp 70 family of proteins binds to the hydrophobic regions of newly synthesized proteins in the cytosol to stabilize intermediate steps in protein folding. Hsp 90 proteins prevent the aggregation of misfolded proteins in vitro, but whether it is involved in the normal folding of proteins remains unclear.9 Inhibition of Hsp 90 with geldenamycin prevented the maturation of WT HERG channels, reduced the surface expression of IHERG, and promoted the ubiquination of the channel protein. These data suggest that Hc/sp 70 and Hsp 90 proteins associate with the cytosolic domains of immature HERG proteins in the ER membrane and that Hsp 90 promotes HERG channel maturation.

ER resident proteins may avoid forward transport through the secretory pathway because they contain amino acid sequences in the lumen (eg, K-D-E-L) or cytosol (K-K-X-X and R-X-R) that result in their retrograde transport back to the ER. Similar sequences have been identified in ion channel proteins, and they are thought to cause the retention of improperly assembled/folded channel protein in the ER.48 Once the protein achieves its proper conformation, the signal sequence is masked and the channels are exported out of the ER. In HERG channels, Kupershmidt et al identified a putative ER retention signal (R-X-R) at amino acids 1005 to 1007 that regulates the surface expression of channel protein.49 They found that deleting the last 147 amino acids ({Delta}1012-HERG) from the C-terminal abolished the surface expression of IHERG. Removing the ER retention signal at 1005 to 1007 by truncating the last 159 amino acids ({Delta}1000-HERG) or mutating the ER retention signal arginines to leucines (R-G-R to L-G-L) increased IHERG. Coexpressing a "decoy" 100-amino acid C-terminal peptide containing the R-G-R retention signal also increased the surface expression of {Delta}1012-HERG. The data suggested that quality-control checkpoints regulate HERG trafficking via this ER retention signal. Recently, Akhavan et al42 demonstrated that deleting much of the C-terminus ({Delta}860-HERG) as well as a smaller 39-amino acid segment of the C-terminus ({Delta}860 to 899-HERG) caused intracellular retention of the protein and decreased IHERG, suggesting that HERG channels may have multiple regions that regulate their trafficking out of the ER.

Once in the Golgi apparatus, HERG channels undergo complex glycosylation. Although HERG protein contains multiple consensus sites for N-linked glycosylation (N-X-S/T), it is the asparagine at position 598 (N598) that appears to undergo N-linked core- and complex-glycosylation.12 Several experimental approaches have shown that HERG subunit protein is first synthesized as {approx}132-kD peptide in the ER, which rapidly undergoes N-linked core-glycosylation to increase the molecular mass to {approx}135-kD. In the Golgi apparatus, complex glycosylation increases the molecular mass of each channel subunit to {approx}155-kD.12,32,44,50 Several biological functions have been attributed to core- and complex glycosylation, including promoting proper protein folding, ER export, altering protein function, and regulating protein stability. Initially disruption of N-linked glycosylation was thought to prevent the efficient surface expression of HERG channels.51 More recent studies have shown that glycosylation-deficient channels are expressed in the cell surface membrane and can generate IHERG. However, pulse-chase labeling experiments suggest that the glycosylation deficient channel protein has a shorter half-life compared with WT HERG channels.12

In a yeast 2-hybrid screen of human heart library, a Golgi-resident protein, GM130, interacted with a HERG C-terminal fragment encoding amino acids 667 to 1159.52 However, unlike the Hc/sp 70 and Hsp 90, GM130 coimmunoprecipitates with both immature core-glycosylated and mature complexly glycosylated HERG protein. Coexpressing GM130 with WT HERG channels reduced functional IHERG, suggesting that GM130 can regulate IHERG. Roti Roti et al52also showed that V822M and R823W, which are trafficking-defective LQT2 mutations in the nucleotide-binding domain, disrupted the interaction of GM130 with the HERG C-terminal fragment. Given this result, it is tempting to speculate that disruption of the HERG and GM130 interaction may contribute to the phenotype of some trafficking-defective LQT2 mutations.

Reversing the Trafficking-Defective LQT2 Phenotype: New Therapeutic Strategies
In mammalian cells, reducing the culture temperature can restore the oligomerization and export of mutant proteins that are retained in the ER.53,54 Reducing cell culture temperature also increases surface expression of several trafficking-defective LQT2 channels. Additional methods that increase the surface expression of LQT2 trafficking-defective channels have been identified, including incubating cells in: (1) molar concentrations of glycerol; (2) drugs that bind to and cause HERG channel block or their analogues (E4031, cisapride, astemizole, quinidine, fexofenadine); or (3) the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin.31,37–39,43,44,55 The finding that some mutant channels can be "pharmacologically rescued" to function in the cell membrane has obvious therapeutic implications.

Rescue, however, is selective for specific trafficking-defective LQT2 mutations. The T65P, N470D, G601S, R752W, F805C, V822M and R823W mutations are rescued by lowering incubation temperature, which is thought to promote native protein folding by stabilizing intermediate steps in the protein-folding pathway. The T65P, N470D, and G601S (but not R752W, F805C, or R823W) are rescued by incubating in HERG channel blocking drugs. Amino acid residues on the inner portion of the sixth transmembrane segment (S6) of HERG channel protein constitute the drug-binding domain for HERG channel-blocking drugs.56,56a Mutating the drug-binding domain minimizes drug block of HERG channels and prevents the pharmacological rescue of the LQT2 trafficking-defective mutant G601S, suggesting that the inner pore domain may underlie both pharmacological rescue as well as drug-block of IHERG.43 Although the mechanism of pharmacological rescue is incompletely understood, binding of HERG channel-blocking drugs may help to stabilize intermediate states of the mutant channel protein that promote export of the channel out of the ER. At concentrations required for pharmacological rescue most drugs block IHERG, thereby limiting their therapeutic value.38,43 However, fexofenadine (terfenadine carboxylate) was shown to increase current in the N470D and G601S mutations at drug concentrations lower than IHERG blocking concentrations, thus uncoupling channel block from pharmacological rescue.55 Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of SERCA channels, can also rescue the trafficking-defective LQT2 mutations G601S and F805C (but not N470D). The mechanism of thapsigargin-mediated rescue is distinct from that of rescue by HERG channel blockers for 2 reasons. Thapsigargin does not block IHERG at concentrations that cause pharmacological rescue, and thapsigargin rescues LQT2 mutations that HERG channel-blocking drugs do not.44 The mechanism underlying thapsigargin rescue is speculative, although it appears to involve alterations in luminal ER [Ca2+] that directly affect protein folding or Ca2+-dependent molecular chaperones. Interestingly, thapsigargin has also been shown restore surface expression of mutant channels in other diseases that prevent ER export, such as in CFTR.58

The proposed mechanism for trafficking-defective channels is that the protein is incorrectly folded and therefore earmarked for intracellular retention by cellular quality-control mechanisms. Rescue interrupts this. This postulate is supported by the observation that G601S and R752W have increased interactions with Hc/sp 70 and Hsp90 compared with WT channels. Rescue reduced these chaperone interactions for G601S and R752W.47 It is also important to note that different methods of rescue do not increase the surface expression of WT channels. Taken together, the data suggest that rescue by several methods increases the probability that a mutant protein will reach its native conformation. The observation that different methods of rescue do not affect similarly all LQT2 trafficking-defective channels suggests that these mutations differentially affect the protein folding and oligomerization steps.

Beyond LQT2: Other Proarrhythmic Syndromes Linked to Trafficking-Defective Channels
Trafficking-defective mutations have been described for the cardiac Na+ channel and the inward rectifier K+ channel identified from patients with inherited arrhythmia syndromes. Baroudi et al showed that the Brugada syndrome mutation R1432G and the double mutation R1232W/T1620M reduced INa, and that mutant protein colocalized with the ER resident protein calnexin, suggesting ER trapping.59,60 Another trafficking-defective Na+ channel mutation, M1766L, was identified in an infant with ventricular tachycardia.61,62 Surface expression of M1766L increased in mammalian cells by reducing culture temperature, coexpressing the Na+ channel ß1 subunit, or incubating cells in the Na+ channel blocker mexiletine.61 Surprisingly, the trafficking-defective phenotype of the mutation differed depending on the clone of the cardiac Na+ channel (hH1, hH1a, or hH1b). The M1776L mutation prevented the ER export of channel protein in the hH1 and hH1a clones, but not the hH1b clone, which contains a common polymorphism.62 These data suggest that polymorphisms may modify mutant phenotype expression through unknown intragenic actions.

Multiple mutations in the KCNJ2 gene have been described in patients with Andersen syndrome. In heterologous expression systems, these mutations cause marked reductions in K+ current. At least some mutations ({Delta}95 to 98 and {Delta}314 to 315) are reported to be trafficking-defective, with the channels failing to reach the surface membrane.63 Both of these mutations had a dominant-negative effect on surface expression of WT channel protein.

These findings with LQT2, Brugada syndrome, and Andersen syndrome mutations show that defects in protein trafficking are a relatively common consequence of gene mutations and provide one mechanism for loss of ion channel current in inherited arrhythmia syndromes. Given that loss of function occurs in many of the inherited arrhythmia syndromes (Table 2), it is reasonable to speculate that defective protein trafficking will be a common mechanism identified in many other inherited arrhythmia syndromes and disease models.

A scheme for categorizing alterations in cardiac ion channels in inherited and possibly some acquired arrhythmia diseases is shown in Table 3 and is in keeping with the nomenclature developed for other inheritable diseases (see later). Class 1 mutations include abnormalities at the level of gene transcription or in protein translation that result in no, truncated, nonsense, or altered protein levels. For example, the nucleotide deletion HERG 1261delA leads to an in-frame reading abnormality that is thought to result in a truncated, nonfunctional HERG protein.64 Similarly, mutation/polymorphism in an hNaV1.5 promoter results in altered expression of Na+ channels by altering transcriptional activity to produce loss of functional current.33 Class 2 mutations produce abnormal posttranslational protein processing (protein folding, oligomerization, etc) and lead to defective protein trafficking. As discussed, these mutations appear to be common, have been identified in KCNH2, KCNJ2, and hNaV1.5 genes, and span the length and organization of the channel proteins (for HERG, see Figure 2). Multiple intracellular mechanisms appear to contribute to protein trafficking defects;44 thus, ultimately, subdivisions of class 2 mutation effects may emerge. Class 3 mutations result in ion channels that have altered biophysical properties because of changes in channel gating and/or kinetics. Mutations in this class also appear to be common in LQTS and other arrhythmia syndromes and are found in different regions and domains of channel proteins. An example is the T474I mutation in HERG channels, where voltage-dependent gating is markedly shifted resulting in IHERG activation at more negative voltages, but with decreased IHERG at more positive voltages.32 A recently described HERG mutation, N588K, which results in failure of the channel to inactivate normally to cause an increase in IHERG during the action potential plateau, and was identified in 2 families with short QT syndrome.65 Most LQT3 mutations result in altered gating of the cardiac Na+ channel with marked slowing of inactivation to increase late INa. Class 4 mutations result in altered or absent channel selectivity or permeability. These gene mutations are located near the ion channel pore region and have been associated with severe LQTS disease phenotypes.40,41 For example, the G628S mutation in HERG channels results in a normally trafficking protein that inserts correctly into the cell surface membrane, yet the mutation causes loss of channel function.32 One amino acid downstream is the N629D mutation, which causes altered channel inactivation and a reduction in selectivity for K+ over Na+.57 The classification scheme shown in Table 3 provides insight into understanding the impact of ion channel gene mutations on the control of macroscopic current (I); class 1 and 2 mutations alter N, class 3 mutations alter Po, and class 4 mutations alter i. Clearly, some mutations result in changes in channel properties that can be attributed to multiple classes.


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  		Table 3. Classification Scheme for Cardiac Ion Channel Mutations


*    Defective Protein Trafficking in Other Inheritable Diseases
up arrowTop
 up arrowAbstract
 up arrowIntroduction
 up arrowProtein Processing in Cells
 up arrowIon Channels in Human...
 *Defective Protein Trafficking in...
down arrowSummary: Genomics and Proteomics
 down arrowReferences
 
Defective protein trafficking has emerged as an important mechanism in many diseases.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia and the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor
Cholesterol, although a small molecule, plays a vital role in biology. Familial hypercholesterolemia is one of several genetic causes of an elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration in plasma. In pioneering work, Brown and Goldstein identified mutations in the gene encoding the LDL receptor that caused defective protein trafficking, as well as affecting LDL receptor internalization, ligand-binding, and appropriate targeting of the LDL receptor in hepatocytes.66–69 More than 700 mutations have been identified in the gene encoding the LDL receptor protein (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/fh/). These mutations usually are grouped functionally according to the pattern of disruption of the structure and function of LDL receptor. Class I mutations have no receptors synthesized. Class II mutations have LDL receptor protein synthesized, but it is trafficking-defective and is retained in the ER. Class III mutations result in receptor protein that traffics to reach the cell surface but fails to bind LDL normally. Class IV mutations result in receptors that reach the cell surface and bind LDL, but fail to cluster in coated pits for subsequent internalization. It is interesting that {approx}50% of LDL receptor mutations act to disrupt receptor protein trafficking from the ER to the Golgi complex.70,71

Cystic Fibrosis and CFTR
Cystic fibrosis is a monogenic recessive disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding for the CFTR protein.72 It is an important disease in protein trafficking. CFTR is a cAMP-dependent Cl– channel that regulates fluid composition across the epithelial cell membranes. More than 1000 mutations in the gene have been described (http://www.genet.sickkids.on.ca/ cgi-bin/WebObjects/MUTATION). Similar to the LDL receptor mutations, CFTR mutations are usually grouped according to the pattern of disruption of the CFTR protein. Class I mutations result in failed synthesis of CFTR protein. Class II mutations cause defective protein trafficking with the CFTR protein retained in the ER. Class III mutations cause defective regulation of normally trafficking CFTR protein. Class IV mutations cause an abnormal channel conductance. The most common mutation in cystic fibrosis is the deletion of the codon for a phenylalanine at position 508 ({Delta}F508) of CFTR protein and is found in 70% of affected patients. This mutation is thought to cause the CFTR protein to fold incorrectly and be retained in the ER, thus failing to traffic to the plasma membrane.73 It is then retrotranslocated from the ER to undergo ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation.74,75 The {Delta}F508 CFTR protein is particularly interesting because it is capable of forming functional channels under experimental conditions. In both heterologous expression and epithelial tissue systems, the protein trafficking defect can be "corrected" by reducing incubation temperature (<30°C) and by incubation with a variety of chemical agents such as glycerol, trimethylamine N-oxide, sodium 4-phenylbutyrate, and deuterated water, which are proposed to act as pharmacological chaperones to cause misfolded CFTR protein to assume a configuration that permits trafficking to the surface membrane.76–78 These findings have driven the search for new pharmacological strategies for the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease and Connexins
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX) is a complex polygenic neuropathic disorder that constitutes the most common form of inheritable disease in the peripheral nervous system. Connexins are a family of homologous integral gap junction membrane proteins that form channels for the transmission of electrical signals and diffusion of small ions and molecules between coupled cells.79 One form of CMTX results from mutations in the gap junction protein ß1 gene (GJB1), which encodes connexin 32 (Cx32).80–83 More than 200 mutations throughout GJB1 have been identified.80,84–88 Several molecular mechanisms have been proposed for Cx32 mutations to cause CMTX, including: (1) mRNA for Cx32 is not transcribed; (2) mRNA is normally transcribed but little protein is produced; (3) Cx32 protein is synthesized but not properly transported to the plasma membrane; (4) the Cx32 protein is transported normally to the plasma membrane but does not form functional channels; and (5) the Cx32 protein inserts in the surface membrane and forms gap junction channels that function abnormally.

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus and Aquaporin Channels
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is characterized by the inability to concentrate the urine resulting in excessive urine production and thirst. The genetic basis of NDI is multifactorial and includes mutations in the aquaporin-2 channel (AQP2) gene. This channel is vasopressin-regulated and is found in the kidney at distinct sites along nephrons and collecting ducts.89 More than 20 mutations in AQP2 have been identified in patients with autosomal-recessive NDI. Functional expressions of several AQP2 mutations have shown that some result in nonfunctional channel proteins, whereas others produce a small increase in osmotic water permeability.90–93 Several AQP2 mutant proteins show impaired transport from the ER. Interestingly, Tamarappoo and Verkman93 found that the trafficking defect of several AQP2 mutations was corrected by incubation in glycerol to rescue functional channels, and immunostaining confirmed their redistribution from ER to the cell surface.

The diseases described are but a few examples of pathological conditions caused by gene mutations that may result in failure of proteins to traffic normally through the ER to reach their intended destinations. Presently, nearly 100 diseases have been reported that involve abnormal protein trafficking or "traffic jams" within cells.94,95 Furthermore, it is clear that while some mutations interfere with the ability of a protein to undergo normal processing and intracellular trafficking, the same mutation may have minimal or no effect on the protein’s function provided it reaches its intended target. Thus, therapeutic strategies to correct or restore protein trafficking, even partially, may have important clinical benefits.


*    Summary: Genomics and Proteomics
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The study of inherited arrhythmia syndromes is one area in which human genomics has led to new information and insight into the polygenic nature of some cardiac arrhythmias. Undoubtedly, more genes and mutations for cardiac arrhythmia diseases await discovery. Concomitantly, proteomics is resulting in the identification of multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the phenotypic expression of gene mutations. These discoveries potentially may lead to new proteomic-based, as well as gene-based, therapies in many diseases. Presently, molecular models do not exist that accurately predict the functional consequences of most ion channel gene mutations on biogenic or biophysical function. Whereas the identification of new genes and gene mutations remains an essential component for progress in understanding disease mechanisms, this must be accompanied by functional expression studies to identify the mechanisms for molecular and cellular dysfunction of the encoded proteins.


*    Acknowledgments
 
This work is supported in part by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute grant R01 HL60723 (C.T.J.) and National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship Award F32 HL071476 (B.P.D.). The authors thank Drs Eugenia M.C. Jones and Gail A. Robertson for helpful scientific comments, and Thankful Sanftleben for superb assistance with the preparation of the manuscript.


*    Footnotes
 
*Both authors contributed equally to this study. Back

Original received January 20, 2004; resubmission received March 15, 2004; revised resubmission received April 1, 2004; accepted April 2, 2004.


*    References
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