KCNE β-subunits modulate KCNQ1 (Q1) voltage-gate K+channels providing the current diversity required for Q1 channels to function in a wide variety of cell types and tissues. In the present thesis, the stoichiometry of KCNE1 (E1) β-subunits in functioning Q1 channels is investigated, along with the formation of heteromeric channel complexes, complexes containing 2 different KCNE β-subunits. The chemical approaches used to answer these questions were then expanded to generate a novel labeling reagent. To determine the stoichiometry of the Q1/E1 complex, I devised an iterative subunit counting approach that relies on a chemically releasable K+channel blocking reagent. The extracellularly applied reagent irreversibly blocks charybdotoxin (CTX) sensitive Q1 channels by chemically modifying E1 peptides that contain an N-terminal cysteine residue. Chemical release of the inhibitor and subsequent iterative applications of the reagent reported that Q1 channels partner with two KCNE β-subunits. To determine whether heteromeric Q1-KCNE complexes form, I synthesized a similar, but non-cleavable, K+channel blocking reagent that detects specific KCNE peptides in functioning complexes by irreversible channel inhibition. Using this “KCNE sensor”, heteromeric Q1/E1/E3, Q1/E1/E4 and Q1/E3/E4 complexes were shown to form, traffic to the cell surface and function. Using mathematical subtraction to visualize the irreversibly blocked current, the currents and gating kinetics of the different heteromeric complexes were revealed and a hierarchy of KCNE subunit modulation of Q1 channels was determined: E3>E1>>E4. Building on this technology, a chemically releasable K+ channel blocking reagent was created to specifically label KCNE β-subunits with biotin. The reagent delivers biotin to CTX sensitive Q1 channels and labeling occurs through free thiols provided by either cysteine residues or thiol modified sugars. This preliminary data demonstrates a novel strategy for labeling endogenous K+ channels in native cells.

KCNE peptides are a class of type I transmembrane ß-subunits that assemble with and modulate the gating and ion conducting properties of a variety of voltage-gated K+ channels. Accordingly, mutations that affect the assembly and trafficking of K+ channel/KCNE complexes give rise to disease. The cellular mechanisms that oversee KCNE peptide assembly with voltage-gated K+ channels have yet to be elucidated. In Chapter II, we show that KCNE1 peptides are retained in the early stages of the secretory pathway until they co-assemble with KCNQ1 K+ channel subunits. Co-assembly with KCNQ1 channel subunits mediates efficient forward trafficking of KCNE1 peptides through the biosynthetic pathway and results in cell surface expression. KCNE1 peptides possess two N-linked glycosylation sites on their extracellular N-termini. Progression of KCNE1 peptides through the secretory pathway can be visualized through maturation of N-glycans attached to KCNE1. In Chapter III, we examine the kinetics and efficiency of N-linked glycan addition to KCNE1 peptides. Mutations that prevent glycosylation of KCNE1 give rise to the disorders of arrhythmia and deafness. We show that KCNE1 acquires N-glycans co- and post-translationally. Mutations that prevent N-glycosylation at the co-translational site have a long range effect on the disruption of post-translational glycosylation and suggest a novel biogenic mechanism for disease. In Chapter IV, we determine the presence of an additional post-translational modification on KCNE1 peptides. We define specific residues as sites of attachment of this modification identified as sialylated O-glycans and show that it occurs in native cardiac tissues where KCNE1 plays a role in the maintenance of cardiac rhythm. Taken together, these observations demonstrate the importance of having correctly assembled K+ channel/KCNE complexes at the cell surface for their proper physiological function and define a role for the posttranslational modifications of KCNE peptides in the proper assembly and trafficking of K+ channel/KCNE complexes.

KCNQ1 is a homotetrameric voltage-gated potassium channel expressed in cardiomyocytes and epithelial tissues. However, currents arising from KCNQ1 have never been physiologically observed. KCNQ1 is able to provide the diverse potassium conductances required by these distinct cell types through coassembly with and modulation by type I transmembrane β-subunits of the KCNE gene family. KCNQ1-KCNE K+ channels play important physiological roles. In cardiac tissues the association of KCNQ1 with KCNE1 gives rise to IKs, the slow delayed outwardly rectifying potassium current. IKs is in part responsible for repolarizing heart muscle, and is therefore crucial in maintaining normal heart rhymicity. IKschannels help terminate each action potential and provide cardiac repolarization reserve. As such, mutations in either subunit can lead to Romano-Ward Syndrome or Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome, two forms of Q-T prolongation. In epithelial cells, KCNQ1-KCNE1, KCNQ1-KCNE2 and KCNQ1-KCNE3 give rise to potassium currents required for potassium recycling and secretion. These functions arise because the biophysical properties of KCNQ1 are always dramatically altered by KCNE co-expression. We wanted to understand how KCNE peptides are able to modulate KCNQ1. In Chapter II, we produce partial truncations of KCNE3 and demonstrate the transmembrane domain is necessary and sufficient for both assembly with and modulation of KCNQ1. Comparing these results with published results obtained from chimeric KCNE peptides and partial deletion mutants of KCNE1, we propose a bipartite modulation residing in KCNE peptides. Transmembrane modulation is either active (KCNE3) or permissive (KCNE1). Active transmembrane KCNE modulation masks juxtamembranous C-terminal modulation of KCNQ1, while permissive modulation allows C-terminal modulation of KCNQ1 to express. We test our hypothesis, and demonstrate C-terminal Long QT point mutants in KCNE1 can be masked by active trasnsmembrane modulation. Having confirmed the importance the C-terminus of KCNE1, we continue with two projects designed to elucidate KCNE1 C-terminal structure. In Chapter III we conduct an alanine-perturbation scan within the C-terminus. C-terminal KCNE1 alanine point mutations result in changes in the free energy for the KCNQ1-KCNE1 channel complex. High-impact point mutants cluster in an arrangement consistent with an alphahelical secondary structure, "kinked" by a single proline residue. In Chapter IV, we use oxidant-mediated disulfide bond formation between non-native cysteine residues to demonstrate amino acid side chains residing within the C-terminal domain of KCNE1 are close and juxtaposed to amino acid side chains on the cytoplasmic face of the KCNQ1 pore domain. Many of the amino acids identified as high impact through alanine perturbation correspond with residues identified as able to form disulfide bonds with KCNQ1. Taken together, we demonstrate that the interaction between the C-terminus of KCNE1 and the pore domain of KCNQ1 is required for the proper modulation of KCNQ1 by KCNE1, and by extension, normal IKs function and heart rhymicity.