Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium (Na) channels contribute to the regulation of cellular excitability due to their role in the generation and propagation of action potentials. They are composed of a pore-forming alpha subunit and are modulated by at least two of four distinct beta subunits (beta1-4). Recent studies have implicated a role for the intracellular domain of beta subunits in modulating Na channel gating and trafficking. In beta3, the intracellular domain contains a serine residue at position 161 that is replaced by an alanine in beta1. In this study, we have probed the functional importance of beta3S161 for modulating Na channel gating. Wild-type beta3 and point mutations beta3S161A or beta3S161E were individually co-expressed in HEK 293 cells stably expressing human Na(v)1.2. WTbeta3 expression increased Na current density, shifted steady-state inactivation in a depolarized direction, and accelerated the kinetics of recovery from inactivation of the Na current. Analogous effects were observed with beta3S161E co-expression. In contrast, beta3S161A abolished the shifts in steady-state inactivation and recovery from inactivation of the Na current, but did increase Na current density. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot experiments demonstrate membrane expression of WTbeta3, beta3S161E, and beta3S161A, suggesting that the differences in Na channel gating were not due to disruptions in beta subunit trafficking. These studies suggest that modification of beta3S161 may be important in modulating Na-channel gating.