Identification of a dimerization domain in the TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC)

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Apr 16;110(16):6352-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1303672110. Epub 2013 Apr 1.

Abstract

Transmembrane proteins with unknown function 16 (TMEM16A) is a calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) important for neuronal, exocrine, and smooth muscle functions. TMEM16A belongs to a family of integral membrane proteins that includes another CaCC, TMEM16B, responsible for controlling action potential waveform and synaptic efficacy, and a small-conductance calcium-activated nonselective cation channel, TMEM16F, linked to Scott syndrome. We find that these channels in the TMEM16 family share a homodimeric architecture facilitated by their cytoplasmic N termini. This dimerization domain is important for channel assembly in eukaryotic cells, and the in vitro association of peptides containing the dimerization domain is consistent with a homotypic protein-protein interaction. Amino acid substitutions in the dimerization domain affect functional TMEM16A-CaCC channel expression, as expected from its critical role in channel subunit assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anoctamin-1
  • Blotting, Western
  • Chloride Channels / chemistry*
  • Chloride Channels / genetics
  • Dimerization
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Multigene Family / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics

Substances

  • ANO1 protein, human
  • Anoctamin-1
  • Chloride Channels
  • Neoplasm Proteins