Phosphorylation regulates the sensitivity of voltage-gated Kv7.2 channels towards phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate

The function of numerous ion channels is tightly controlled by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The underlying signalling mechanisms may involve phosphorylation of channel proteins and participation of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Although the roles of both mechanisms have been investigated extensively, thus far only little has been reported on their interaction in channel modulation. GPCRs govern Kv7 channels, the latter playing a major role in the regulation of neuronal excitability by determining the levels of PIP2 and through phosphorylation. Using liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry for Kv7.2 immunoprecipitates of rat brain membranes and transfected cells, we mapped a cluster of five phosphorylation sites in one of the PIP2-binding domains. To evaluate the effect of phosphorylation on PIP2-mediated Kv7.2 channel regulation, a quintuple alanine mutant of these serines (S427/S436/S438/S446/S455; A(5) mutant) was generated to mimic the dephosphorylated state. Currents passing through these mutated channels were less sensitive towards PIP2 depletion via the voltage-sensitive phosphatase Dr-VSP than were wildtype channels. In vitro phosphorylation assays with the purified C-terminus of Kv7.2 revealed that CDK5, p38 MAPK, CaMKII alpha and PKA were able to phosphorylate the five serines. Inhibition of these protein kinases reduced the sensitivity of wild-type but not mutant Kv7.2 channels towards PIP2 depletion via Dr-VSP. In superior cervical ganglion neurons, the protein kinase inhibitors attenuated Kv7 current regulation via M-1 receptors, but left unaltered the control by B2 receptors. Our results revealed that the phosphorylation status of serines located within a putative PIP2-binding domain determined the phospholipid sensitivity of Kv7.2 channels and supported GPCR-mediated channel regulation.