Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness
Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are e ssential for shaping action potentials and rely on anionic lipids for proper gating, yet the mechanistic basis of lipid–channel interactions remains unclear. Cryo-electron microscopy studies suggest that, in the down state, arginine residues of the voltage...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/744 |
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| author | Rohit Yadav Juergen Pfeffermann Nikolaus Goessweiner-Mohr Toma Glasnov Sergey A. Akimov Peter Pohl |
| author_facet | Rohit Yadav Juergen Pfeffermann Nikolaus Goessweiner-Mohr Toma Glasnov Sergey A. Akimov Peter Pohl |
| author_sort | Rohit Yadav |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are e ssential for shaping action potentials and rely on anionic lipids for proper gating, yet the mechanistic basis of lipid–channel interactions remains unclear. Cryo-electron microscopy studies suggest that, in the down state, arginine residues of the voltage sensor draw lipid phosphates upward, leading to a local membrane thinning of ~5 Å—an effect absent in the open state. To test whether membrane thickness directly affects voltage sensor function, we reconstituted Kv channels from <i>Aeropyrum pernix</i> (KvAP) into planar lipid bilayers containing photoswitchable lipids. Upon blue light illumination, the membrane thickened, and KvAP activity increased; UV light reversed both effects. Our findings indicate that membrane thickening weakens the interaction between lipid phosphates and voltage-sensing arginines in the down state, lowering the energy barrier for the transition to the up state and thereby promoting channel opening. This non-genetic, membrane-mediated approach provides a new strategy to control ion channel activity using light and establishes a direct, reversible link between membrane mechanics and voltage sensing, with potential applications in the remote control of neuronal excitability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a0b5e37f23a0439abde1c87848e2f9a9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-a0b5e37f23a0439abde1c87848e2f9a92025-08-20T03:47:53ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-05-0115574410.3390/biom15050744Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane ThicknessRohit Yadav0Juergen Pfeffermann1Nikolaus Goessweiner-Mohr2Toma Glasnov3Sergey A. Akimov4Peter Pohl5Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, AustriaInstitute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, AustriaInstitute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, AustriaInstitute of Chemistry, Karl-Franzens-University, 8010 Graz, AustriaFrumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, RussiaInstitute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, AustriaVoltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are e ssential for shaping action potentials and rely on anionic lipids for proper gating, yet the mechanistic basis of lipid–channel interactions remains unclear. Cryo-electron microscopy studies suggest that, in the down state, arginine residues of the voltage sensor draw lipid phosphates upward, leading to a local membrane thinning of ~5 Å—an effect absent in the open state. To test whether membrane thickness directly affects voltage sensor function, we reconstituted Kv channels from <i>Aeropyrum pernix</i> (KvAP) into planar lipid bilayers containing photoswitchable lipids. Upon blue light illumination, the membrane thickened, and KvAP activity increased; UV light reversed both effects. Our findings indicate that membrane thickening weakens the interaction between lipid phosphates and voltage-sensing arginines in the down state, lowering the energy barrier for the transition to the up state and thereby promoting channel opening. This non-genetic, membrane-mediated approach provides a new strategy to control ion channel activity using light and establishes a direct, reversible link between membrane mechanics and voltage sensing, with potential applications in the remote control of neuronal excitability.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/744Kv channelvoltage sensorphotoswitchable lipidselectrophysiology |
| spellingShingle | Rohit Yadav Juergen Pfeffermann Nikolaus Goessweiner-Mohr Toma Glasnov Sergey A. Akimov Peter Pohl Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness Biomolecules Kv channel voltage sensor photoswitchable lipids electrophysiology |
| title | Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness |
| title_full | Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness |
| title_short | Modulation of Kv Channel Gating by Light-Controlled Membrane Thickness |
| title_sort | modulation of kv channel gating by light controlled membrane thickness |
| topic | Kv channel voltage sensor photoswitchable lipids electrophysiology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/744 |
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