Functional Roles of Clusters of Hydrophobic and Polar Residues in the Epithelial Na+ Channel Knuckle Domain

The extracellular regions of epithelial Na+ channel subunits are highly ordered structures composed of domains formed by α helices and β strands. Deletion of the peripheral knuckle domain of the α subunit in the αβγ trimer results in channel activation, reflecting an increase in channel open probability due to a loss of the inhibitory effect of external Na+ (Na+ self-inhibition). In contrast, deletion of either the β or γ subunit knuckle domain within the αβγ trimer dramatically reduces epithelial Na+ channel function and surface expression, and impairs subunit maturation. We systematically mutated individual α subunit knuckle domain residues and assessed functional properties of these mutants. Cysteine substitutions at 14 of 28 residues significantly suppressed Na+ self-inhibition. The side chains of a cluster of these residues are non-polar and are predicted to be directed toward the palm domain, whereas a group of polar residues are predicted to orient their side chains toward the space between the knuckle and finger domains. Among the mutants causing the greatest suppression of Na+ self-inhibition were αP521C, αI529C, and αS534C. The introduction of Cys residues at homologous sites within either the β or γ subunit knuckle domain resulted in little or no change in Na+ self-inhibition. Our results suggest that multiple residues in the α subunit knuckle domain contribute to the mechanism of Na+ self-inhibition by interacting with palm and finger domain residues via two separate and chemically distinct motifs. Background: There are regulatory interactions between ENaC and extracellular factors. Results: Mutations of multiple α subunit knuckle residues activate ENaC by suppressing the inhibitory effect of Na+. Channels lacking the β or γ subunit knuckle have processing defects. Conclusion: Interactions between the α subunit knuckle and palm/finger domains regulate ENaC. Significance: Intrasubunit domain-domain interactions have important regulatory roles.