Inhibiting the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway rescues K2.1 downregulation by pentamidine.

Drug-induced ion channel trafficking disturbance can cause cardiac arrhythmias. We showed that the antiprotozoic pentamidine decreased K2.x carried I current and that inhibiting protein degradation in the lysosome increased intracellular K2.1 levels. In this study, we aim to identify and then inhibit preceding steps in clathrin-mediated endocytosis of K2.1 to further restore normal levels of functional K2.1 channels. K2.1 trafficking in HEK293 cells was studied by live cell imaging, immunofluorescence microscopy, and Western blot following pharmacological intervention with dynasore (Dyn), chlorpromazine (CPZ), bafilomycin A1 (Baf), or chloroquine (CQ). K2.1 function was determined by patch-clamp electrophysiology. CQ induced lysosomal build-up of full length (3.8 ± 0.8-fold) and N-terminal cleaved K2.1 protein. Baf induced late endosomal build-up of full length protein only (6.1 ± 1.6-fold). CPZ and Dyn increased plasma membrane-localized channel and protein levels (2.6 ± 0.4- and 4.2 ± 1.1-fold, respectively). Dyn increased I (at −60 mV) from 31 ± 6 to 55 ± 7 pA/pF ( N = 9 and 13 respectively, p < 0.05), while the CPZ effect on current density was not testable due to acute I block. Baf and CQ did not significantly enhance I densities. Pentamidine (10 μM, 48 h) reduced K2.1 levels to 0.6 ± 0.1-fold, which could be rescued by Baf (3.2 ± 0.9), CPZ (1.2 ± 0.3), or Dyn (1.2 ± 0.3). Taken together, the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway functions in K2.1 degradation. Pentamidine-induced downregulation of K2.1 can be rescued at the level of the plasma membrane, implying that acquired trafficking defects can be rescued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]