A triple cysteine motif as major determinant of the modulation of neuronal KV7 channels by the paracetamol metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzo quinone imine

Abstract

Background and PurposeThe analgesic action of paracetamol involves KV7 channels, and its metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzo quinone imine (NAPQI), a cysteine modifying reagent, was shown to increase currents through such channels in nociceptors. Modification of cysteine residues by N‐ethylmaleimide, H2O2, or nitric oxide has been found to modulate currents through KV7 channels. The study aims to identify whether, and if so which, cysteine residues in neuronal KV7 channels might be responsible for the effects of NAPQI.Experimental ApproachTo address this question, we used a combination of perforated patch‐clamp recordings, site‐directed mutagenesis, and mass spectrometry applied to recombinant KV7.1 to KV7.5 channels.Key ResultsCurrents through the cardiac subtype KV7.1 were reduced by NAPQI. Currents through all other subtypes were increased, either by an isolated shift of the channel voltage dependence to more negative values (KV7.3) or by such a shift combined with increased maximal current levels (KV7.2, KV7.4, KV7.5). A stretch of three cysteine residues in the S2‐S3 linker region of KV7.2 was necessary and sufficient to mediate these effects.Conclusion and ImplicationThe paracetamol metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzo quinone imine (NAPQI) modifies cysteine residues of KV7 subunits and reinforces channel gating in homomeric and heteromeric KV7.2 to KV7.5, but not in KV7.1 channels. In KV7.2, a triple cysteine motif located within the S2‐S3 linker region mediates this reinforcement that can be expected to reduce the excitability of nociceptors and to mediate antinociceptive actions of paracetamol.