PMID: 21931166

Authors:

Koester S, Pavkov-Keller T, Kuehlbrandt W, Yildiz O

Title:

Structure of human Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1 regulatory region in complex with CaM and Ca2+

Journal:

J Biol Chem. 2011 Sep 19.

Abstract:

The ubiquitous mammalian Na(+)/H(+)-exchanger NHE1 has critical functions in regulating intracellular pH, salt concentration and cellular volume. The regulatory C-terminal domain of NHE1 is linked to the ion-translocating N-terminal membrane domain, and acts as a scaffold for signalling complexes. A major interaction partner is calmodulin (CaM), which binds to two neighbouring regions of NHE1 in a strongly Ca(2+) dependent manner. Upon CaM binding, NHE1 is activated by a shift in sensitivity towards alkaline intracellular pH. Here we report the 2.23 A crystal structure of the NHE1 CaM binding region (NHE1(CaMBR)) in complex with CaM and Ca(2+). The C- and N-lobes of CaM bind the first and second helix of NHE1(CaMBR), respectively. Both the NHE1 helices and Ca(2+)-bound CaM are elongated, as confirmed by small angle X-ray scattering analysis. Our X-ray structure sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms of the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of NHE1 and enables us to propose a model of how Ca(2+) regulates NHE1 activity.