Disruption of PICK1 attenuates the function of ASICs and PKC regulation of ASICs

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2010 Dec;299(6):C1355-62. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00569.2009. Epub 2010 Sep 8.

Abstract

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) extensively exist in both central and peripheral neuronal systems and contribute to many physiological and pathological processes. The protein that interacts with C kinase 1 (PICK1) was cloned as one of the proteins interacting with protein kinase C (PKC) and colocalized with ASIC1 and ASIC2. Here, we used PICK1 knockout (PICK1-KO) C57/BL6 mice together with the whole cell patch clamp, calcium imaging, RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry techniques to explore the possible change in ASICs and the regulatory effects of PKC on ASICs. The results showed that PICK1 played a key role in regulation of ASIC functions. In PICK1-KO mouse cortical neurons, both the amplitude of ASIC currents and elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) mediated by acid were decreased, which were attributable to the decreased expression of ASIC1a and ASIC2a proteins in the plasma membrane. PKC, a partner protein of PICK1, regulated ASIC functions via PICK1. The agonist and antagonist of PKC only altered ASIC currents and acid-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in wild-type, but not in KO mice. In conclusion, our data provided the direct evidence from PICK1-KO mice that a novel target protein, PICK1, would regulate ASIC function and membrane expression in the brain. In addition, PICK1 played the bridge role between PKC and ASICs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acid Sensing Ion Channels
  • Animals
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Brain / physiology
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cerebral Cortex / enzymology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neurons / enzymology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Protein Kinase C / physiology*
  • Sodium Channels / physiology*

Substances

  • ASIC1 protein, mouse
  • ASIC2 protein, mouse
  • Acid Sensing Ion Channels
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Prkcabp protein, mouse
  • Sodium Channels
  • Protein Kinase C