Chloride dependence of hyperpolarization-activated chloride channel gates

1. ClC proteins are a class of voltage-dependent Cl- channels with several members mutated in human diseases. The prototype ClC-0 Torpedo channel is a dimeric protein; each subunit forms a pore that can gate independently fro m the other one. A common slower gating mechanism acts on both pores simult aneously; slow gating activates ClC-0 at hyperpolarized voltages. The ClC-2 Cl- channel is also activated by hyperpolarization, as are some ClC-1 muta nts (e.g. D136G) and wild-type (WT) ClC-1 at certain pH values. 2. We studied the dependence on internal Cl- ([Cl-](i)) of the hyperpolariz ation-activated gates of several ClC channels (WT ClC-0, ClC-0 mutant P522G , ClC-1 mutant D136G and an N-terminal deletion mutant of ClC-2), by patch clamping channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. 3. With all these channels, reducing [Cl-](i) shifted activation to more ne gative voltages and reduced the maximal activation at most negative voltage s. 4. We also investigated the external halide dependence of WT ClC-2 using tw o-electrode voltage-clamp recording. Reducing external Cl- ([Cl-](o)) activ ated ClC-2 currents. Replacing [Cl-](o) by the less permeant Br- reduced ch annel activity and accelerated deactivation. 5. Gating of the ClC-2 mutant K566Q in normal [Cl-](o) resembled that of WT ClC-2 in low [Cl-](o), i.e. channels had a considerable open probability ( P-o) at resting membrane potential. Substituting external Cl- by Br- or I- led to a decrease in P-o. 6. The [Cl-](i) dependence of the hyperpolarization-activated gates of vari ous ClC channels suggests a similar gating mechanism, and raises the possib ility that the gating charge for the hyperpolarization-activated gate is pr ovided by Cl-. 7. The external halide dependence of hyperpolarization-activated gating of ClC-2 suggests that it is mediated or modulated by anions as in other ClC c hannels. In contrast tu the depolarization-activated fast gates of ClC-0 an d ClC-1, the absence of Cl- favours channel opening. Lysine 556 may be impo rtant for the relevant binding site.