Elevated resting H+ current in the R1239H type 1 hypokalaemic periodic paralysis mutated Ca2+ channel.

Missense mutations in the gene encoding the α1 subunit of the skeletal muscle voltage-gated Ca2+ channel induce type 1 hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, a poorly understood neuromuscular disease characterized by episodic attacks of paralysis associated with low serum K+ . The present study aimed at identifying the changes in muscle fibre electrical properties induced by acute expression of the R1239H hypokalaemic periodic paralysis human mutant α1 subunit of Ca2+ channels in a mature muscle environment to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this disorder. We transferred genes encoding wild-type and R1239H mutant human Ca2+ channels into hindlimb mouse muscle by electroporation and combined voltage-clamp and intracellular pH measurements on enzymatically dissociated single muscle fibres. As compared to fibres expressing wild-type α1 subunits, R1239H mutant-expressing fibres displayed Ca2+ currents of reduced amplitude and a higher resting leak inward current that was increased by external acidification. External acidification also produced intracellular acidification at a higher rate in R1239H fibres and inhibited inward rectifier K+ currents. These data indicate that the R1239H mutation induces an elevated leak H+ current at rest flowing through a gating pore created by the mutation and that external acidification favours onset of muscle paralysis by potentiating H+ depolarizing currents and inhibiting resting inward rectifier K+ currents. Our results could thus explain why paralytic attacks preferentially occur during the recovery period following intense muscle exercise.