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Title: A chimeric prokaryotic pentameric ligand–gated channel reveals distinct pathways of activation

Journal Article · · Journal of General Physiology
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6]
  1. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States). Dept. of Neuroscience
  2. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States). Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics
  3. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States). Dept. of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
  4. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States). Dept. of Biochemistry
  5. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States). Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics
  6. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States). Dept. of Neuroscience. Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics
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Recent high resolution structures of several pentameric ligand–gated ion channels have provided unprecedented details of their molecular architecture. However, the conformational dynamics and structural rearrangements that underlie gating and allosteric modulation remain poorly understood. We used a combination of electrophysiology, double electron–electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy, and x-ray crystallography to investigate activation mechanisms in a novel functional chimera with the extracellular domain (ECD) of amine-gated Erwinia chrysanthemi ligand–gated ion channel, which is activated by primary amines, and the transmembrane domain of Gloeobacter violaceus ligand–gated ion channel, which is activated by protons. We found that the chimera was independently gated by primary amines and by protons. The crystal structure of the chimera in its resting state, at pH 7.0 and in the absence of primary amines, revealed a closed-pore conformation and an ECD that is twisted with respect to the transmembrane region. Amine- and pH-induced conformational changes measured by DEER spectroscopy showed that the chimera exhibits a dual mode of gating that preserves the distinct conformational changes of the parent channels. Collectively, our findings shed light on both conserved and divergent features of gating mechanisms in this class of channels, and will facilitate the design of better allosteric modulators.

Research Organization:
Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Inst. of Health (NIH) (United States); American Heart Association (United States)
Contributing Organization:
Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; 1R01GM108921; 12SDG12070069; U54-GM087519; S10RR027091; R00EY019718; R01DK81567; P41 GM103403
OSTI ID:
1222834
Journal Information:
Journal of General Physiology, Vol. 146, Issue 4; ISSN 0022-1295
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 14 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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  • Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Vol. 12, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb951
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Cited By (2)

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels exhibit distinct transmembrane domain archetypes for folding/expression and function journal March 2017
Trapping of ivermectin by a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel upon open-to-closed isomerization journal February 2017

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