Three-dimensional reconstruction using transmission electron microscopy reveals a swollen, bell-shaped structure of transient receptor potential melastatin type 2 cation channel

J Biol Chem. 2007 Dec 21;282(51):36961-70. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M705694200. Epub 2007 Oct 16.

Abstract

Transient receptor potential melastatin type 2 (TRPM2) is a redox-sensitive, calcium-permeable cation channel activated by various signals, such as adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) acting on the ADPR pyrophosphatase (ADPRase) domain, and cyclic ADPR. Here, we purified the FLAG-tagged tetrameric TRPM2 channel, analyzed it using negatively stained electron microscopy, and reconstructed the three-dimensional structure at 2.8-nm resolution. This multimodal sensor molecule has a bell-like shape of 18 nm in width and 25 nm in height. The overall structure is similar to another multimodal sensor channel, TRP canonical type 3 (TRPC3). In both structures, the small extracellular domain is a dense half-dome, whereas the large cytoplasmic domain has a sparse, double-layered structure with multiple internal cavities. However, a unique square prism protuberance was observed under the cytoplasmic domain of TRPM2. The FLAG epitope, fused at the C terminus of the ADPRase domain, was assigned by the antibody to a position close to the protuberance. This indicates that the agonist-binding ADPRase domain and the ion gate in the transmembrane region are separately located in the molecule.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / chemistry*
  • Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cyclic ADP-Ribose / chemistry*
  • Cyclic ADP-Ribose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / physiology
  • Pyrophosphatases / chemistry*
  • Pyrophosphatases / genetics
  • Pyrophosphatases / metabolism
  • TRPC Cation Channels / agonists
  • TRPC Cation Channels / chemistry
  • TRPC Cation Channels / genetics
  • TRPC Cation Channels / metabolism
  • TRPM Cation Channels / agonists
  • TRPM Cation Channels / chemistry*
  • TRPM Cation Channels / genetics
  • TRPM Cation Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC3 cation channel
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM2 protein, human
  • Cyclic ADP-Ribose
  • Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose
  • Pyrophosphatases
  • ADPribose pyrophosphatase