A pore-localizing CACNA1C-E1115K missense mutation, identified in a patient with idiopathic QT prolongation, bradycardia, and autism spectrum disorder, converts the L-type calcium channel into a hybrid nonselective monovalent cation channel.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2019
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.08.030
Abstract
Background: Gain-of-function variants in the CACNA1C-encoded L-type calcium channel (LTCC, Cav1.2) cause type 8 long QT syndrome (LQT8). The pore region contains highly conserved glutamic acid (E) residues that collectively form the LTCC's selectivity filter. Here, we identified and characterized a pore-localizing missense variant, E1115K, that yielded a novel perturbation in the LTCC.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether CACNA1C-E1115K alters the LTCC's selectivity and is the substrate for the patient's LQTS.
Methods: The proband was a 14-year-old male with idiopathic QT prolongation and bradycardia. Genetic testing revealed a missense variant, CACNA1C-E1115K. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to measure CACNA1C-WT and -E1115K currents when heterologously expressed in TSA201 cells.
Results: The CACNA1C-E1115K channel exhibited no inward calcium current. Instead, robust cardiac transient outward potassium current (Ito)-like outward currents that were blocked significantly by nifedipine were measured when 2 mM/0.1 mM extracellular/intracellular CaCl2 or 4 mM/141 mM extracellular/intracellular KCl was applied. Furthermore, when 140 mM extracellular NaCl was applied, the CACNA1C-E1115K channel revealed both robust inward persistent Na+ currents with slower inactivation and outward currents, which were also nifedipine sensitive. In contrast, CACNA1C-WT revealed only a small inward persistent Na+ current without a robust outward current.
Conclusion: This CACNA1C-E1115K variant destroyed the LTCC's calcium selectivity and instead converted the mutant channel into a channel with a marked increase in sodium-mediated inward currents and potassium-mediated outward currents. Despite the anticipated 50% reduction in LTCC, the creation of a new population of channels with accentuated inward and outward currents represents the likely pathogenic substrates for the patient's LQTS and arrhythmia phenotype.
Journal Title
Heart Rhythm
Volume
16
Issue
2
First Page
270
Last Page
278
MeSH Keywords
Adolescent; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Bradycardia; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Cells, Cultured; DNA; DNA Mutational Analysis; Electrocardiography; Humans; Male; Mutation, Missense; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Pedigree; Romano-Ward Syndrome
Keywords
Arrhythmia; CACNA1C; Ion channel; L-type calcium channel; Long QT syndrome
Recommended Citation
Ye D, Tester DJ, Zhou W, Papagiannis J, Ackerman MJ. A pore-localizing CACNA1C-E1115K missense mutation, identified in a patient with idiopathic QT prolongation, bradycardia, and autism spectrum disorder, converts the L-type calcium channel into a hybrid nonselective monovalent cation channel. Heart Rhythm. 2019;16(2):270-278. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.08.030
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