Distinct classes of potassium channels fused to GPCRs as electrical signaling biosensors

Ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) are natural biosensors generating electrical signals in response to the binding of specific ligands. Creating de novo LGICs for biosensing applications is technically challenging. We have previously designed modified LGICs by linking G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to the Kir6.2 channel. In this article, we extrapolate these design concepts to other channels with different structures and oligomeric states, namely a tetrameric viral Kcv channel and the dimeric mouse TREK-1 channel. After precise engineering of the linker regions, the two ion channels were successfully regulated by a GPCR fused to their N-terminal domain. Two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings showed that Kcv and mTREK-1 fusions were inhibited and activated by GPCR agonists, respectively, and antagonists abolished both effects. Thus, dissimilar ion channels can be allosterically regulated through their N-terminal domains, suggesting that this is a generalizable approach for ion channel engineering.

Automated summary

This study successfully linked G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to ion channels with different structures and oligomeric states, demonstrating the allosteric regulation of ion channels through their N-terminal domains. Results showed that the ion channels could be modulated by GPCR agonists and antagonists, indicating a generalizable approach for ion channel engineering.