An Epilepsy Mutation in the Sodium ChannelSCN1AThat Decreases Channel Excitability

Abstract

Mutations in three voltage-gated sodium channel genes, SCN1A, SCN2A, and SCN1B, and two GABA_A receptor subunit genes, GABRG2 and GABRD, have been identified in families with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). A novel mutation, R859C, in the Na_v1.1 sodium channel was identified in a four-generation, 33-member Caucasian family with a clinical presentation consistent with GEFS+. The mutation neutralizes a positively charged arginine in the domain 2 S4 voltage sensor of the Na_v1.1 channel α subunit. This residue is conserved in mammalian sodium channels as well as in sodium channels from lower organisms. When the mutation was placed in the rat Na_v1.1 channel and expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the mutant channel displayed a positive shift in the voltage dependence of sodium channel activation, slower recovery from slow inactivation, and lower levels of current compared with the wild-type channel. Computational analysis suggests that neurons expressing the mutant channel have higher thresholds for firing a single action potential and for firing multiple action potentials, along with decreased repetitive firing. Therefore, this mutation should lead to decreased neuronal excitability, in contrast to most previous GEFS+ sodium channel mutations, which have changes predicted to increase neuronal firing.