Cysteine scanning analysis of the IFM cluster in the inactivation gate of a human heart sodium channel

The conserved isoleucine-phenylalanine-methionine (IFM) hydrophobic cluster located in the III-IV linker of voltage-gated sodium channels has been ide ntified as a major component of the fast inactivation gate in these channel s. Objectives: The aim of our study was to probe the contribution of each a mino acids of the IFM cluster to the inactivation. Methods: A combination o f site-directed mutagenesis, cysteine covalent modification and electrophys iological recording techniques were used to elucidate the role of isoleucin e(1485) and methionine(1487) on hill sodium channels expressed in tsA201 ce lls. Results: Mutant I1485C behaves like mutant F1486C studied earlier: pro ducing an incomplete inactivation (residual current), a slowing and change in the voltage-dependence of the time constants of current decay, a shift o f the steady-state inactivation to more depolarized voltages, and a faster recovery from inactivation than the wild-type hH1. The electrophysiological parameters of mutant M1487C are similar to those of wild-type hill except for the presence of a residual current. Exposure of the cytoplasmic surface of the mutants to MTS reagents MTSES, MTSET and MTSBn further disrupted in activation. In order to explain differences in the amplitude of the sustain ed currents recorded in the presence of MTSES or MTSET, we studied the effe cts of exposure of mutants I1485C, F1486C and M1487C to acidic and basic pH in the absence and presence of MTSES and MTSET. The effects of MTSES [nega tively charged (-)] and MTSET (+) on the amplitude of the residual current of mutant F1486C were modulated by changes in intracellular pH. Conclusion: Isoleucime(1487) and methionine(1485), which surround phenylalanine(1487) contribute to stabilizing the inactivation particle for fast inactivation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.