PMID: 28112729

Authors:

Li M, Zhang WK, Benvin NM, Zhou X, Su D, Li H, Wang S, Michailidis IE, Tong L, Li X, Yang J

Title:

Structural basis of dual Ca2+/pH regulation of the endolysosomal TRPML1 channel.

Journal:

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2017 Mar;24(3):205-213. doi: 10.1038/nsmb.3362. Epub 2017, Jan 23.

Abstract:

The activities of organellar ion channels are often regulated by Ca2+ and H+, which are present in high concentrations in many organelles. Here we report a structural element critical for dual Ca2+/pH regulation of TRPML1, a Ca2+-release channel crucial for endolysosomal function. TRPML1 mutations cause mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV), a severe lysosomal storage disorder characterized by neurodegeneration, mental retardation and blindness. We obtained crystal structures of the 213-residue luminal domain of human TRPML1 containing three missense MLIV-causing mutations. This domain forms a tetramer with a highly electronegative central pore formed by a novel luminal pore loop. Cysteine cross-linking and cryo-EM analyses confirmed that this architecture occurs in the full-length channel. Structure-function studies demonstrated that Ca2+ and H+ interact with the luminal pore and exert physiologically important regulation. The MLIV-causing mutations disrupt the luminal-domain structure and cause TRPML1 mislocalization. Our study reveals the structural underpinnings of TRPML1's regulation, assembly and pathogenesis.