Evidence for a single nucleotide polymorphism in the KCNQ1 potassium channel that underlies susceptibility to life-threatening arrhythmias

Tomoyuki Kubota, Minoru Horie, Makoto Takano, Hidetada Yoshida, Kotoe Takenaka, Eiichi Watanabe, Takeshi Tsuchiya, Hideo Otani, Shigetake Sasayama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetically heterogeneous arrhythmogenic disorder caused by mutations in at least five different genes encoding cardiac ion channels. It was suggested recently that common polymorphisms of LQTS-associated genes might modify arrhythmia susceptibility in potential gene carriers. Methods and Results: We examined the known LQTS genes in 95 patients with definitive or suspected LQTS. Exon-specific polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequence analyses identified six patients who carried only a single nucleotide polymorphism in KCNQ1 that is found in ∼ 11% of the Japanese population. This 1727G > A substitution that changes the sense of its coding sequence from glycine to serine at position 643 (G643S) was mostly associated with a milder phenotype, often precipitated by hypokalemia and bradyarrhythmias. When heterologously examined by voltage-clamp experiments, the in vitro cellular phenotype caused by the single nucleotide polymorphism revealed that G643S-KCNQ1 forms functional homomultimeric channels, producing a significantly smaller current than that of the wild-type (WT) channels. Coexpression of WT-KCNQ1 and G643S-KCNQ1 with KCNE1 resulted in ∼30% reduction in the slow delayed rectifier K+ current IKs without much alteration in the kinetic properties except its deactivation process, suggesting that the G643S substitution had a weaker dominant-negative effect on the heteromultimeric channel complexes. Conclusion: We demonstrate that a common polymorphism in the KCNQ1 potassium channel could be a molecular basis for mild IKs dysfunction that, in the presence of appropriate precipitating factors, might predispose potential gene carriers to life-threatening arrhythmias in a specific population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1223-1229
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
Volume12
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evidence for a single nucleotide polymorphism in the KCNQ1 potassium channel that underlies susceptibility to life-threatening arrhythmias'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this