An elevation of the free calcium concentration in the cytoplasmic compartment is an integral component of the mechanism by which cells respond to hormones, growth-factors and certain neurotransmitters. D-myo-lnositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is an intracellular messenger mediating the hormonal mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. This molecule interacts with a specific receptor (IP3R) that has been purified and shown to be a ligand-gated Ca2+ channel. The central theme of this proposal is to study the structure, function and regulation of IP3 receptors. A major hypothesis to be tested is that interactions between the C- and N-terminal domains are fundamental to the mechanism by which ligand-binding leads to channel opening.
The specific aims of the proposal are to investigate: 1] The role of the C- terminal domain in channel gating. Deletion of 60aa from the C-terminal tail or 10aa from the cytosol- exposed loop between TM domains 4 &5 cause loss of channel function. Point mutants will be made to locate the critical amino acids involved in both regions. GST-fusion proteins and targeted cysteine cross linking studies will be used to test the hypothesis that regions of the C-terminus, TM4.5 loop and N-terminal domains are in close association. 2] The role of the N-terminal suppressor domain in channel gating. Deletion of aa1-224 of the N-terminus results in a marked stimulation of IP3 binding but loss of channel function. Mutagenesis will be used to identify critical amino-acids in this region. Conformational changes induced by IP3 in the ligand-binding domain will be studied using intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and FRET methods. 3] Identify residues between transmembrane domains 5&6 which play a key role in channel function. Site-directed mutations will be made to identify residues that are part of the vestibule of the pore or the pore itself. Conductance properties and ion selectivity of the mutants will be investigated using electrophysiological approaches utilizing patch-clamped nuclei. These studies are intended to provide insights into the molecular architecture of the conduction pore. 4] Identify highly reactive thiol groups in the IP3R. Cysteine substitution and gel-shift assays using large maleimide polyethylene glycol derivatives will be used to identify surface accessible thiols in the IP3R. Changes in accessibility will be used as a probe to monitor conformational changes in the IP3R in native membranes. The long-term goal of this proposal is to understand how IP3R channels function at a molecular level and to use this knowledge to understand the mechanism by which cells generate the complex spatial and temporal patterns in Ca2+ signaling that underlie a multitude of physiological processes as diverse as cell division, cell proliferation, apoptosis, fertilization, development, secretion, smooth muscle contraction, memory and learning.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01DK034804-22S1
Application #
7825064
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CB-A (03))
Program Officer
Blondel, Olivier
Project Start
1995-09-30
Project End
2011-04-30
Budget Start
2009-05-01
Budget End
2010-04-30
Support Year
22
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$20,902
Indirect Cost
Name
Thomas Jefferson University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053284659
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19107
Bánsághi, Száva; Golenár, Tünde; Madesh, Muniswamy et al. (2014) Isoform- and species-specific control of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors by reactive oxygen species. J Biol Chem 289:8170-81
Bhanumathy, Cunnigaiper; da Fonseca, Paula C A; Morris, Edward P et al. (2012) Identification of functionally critical residues in the channel domain of inositol trisphosphate receptors. J Biol Chem 287:43674-84
Anyatonwu, Georgia; Khan, M Tariq; Schug, Zachary T et al. (2010) Calcium-dependent conformational changes in inositol trisphosphate receptors. J Biol Chem 285:25085-93
Hawkins, Brian J; Irrinki, Krishna M; Mallilankaraman, Karthik et al. (2010) S-glutathionylation activates STIM1 and alters mitochondrial homeostasis. J Cell Biol 190:391-405
Anyatonwu, Georgia; Joseph, Suresh K (2009) Surface accessibility and conformational changes in the N-terminal domain of type I inositol trisphosphate receptors: studies using cysteine substitution mutagenesis. J Biol Chem 284:8093-102
Wagner 2nd, Larry E; Joseph, Suresh K; Yule, David I (2008) Regulation of single inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor channel activity by protein kinase A phosphorylation. J Physiol 586:3577-96
Schug, Zachary T; da Fonseca, Paula C A; Bhanumathy, Cunnigaiper D et al. (2008) Molecular characterization of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor pore-forming segment. J Biol Chem 283:2939-48
Khan, M Tariq; Bhanumathy, Cunnigaiper D; Schug, Zachary T et al. (2007) Role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors in apoptosis in DT40 lymphocytes. J Biol Chem 282:32983-90
Joseph, Suresh K; Hajnoczky, Gyorgy (2007) IP3 receptors in cell survival and apoptosis: Ca2+ release and beyond. Apoptosis 12:951-68
Khan, M Tariq; Wagner 2nd, Larry; Yule, David I et al. (2006) Akt kinase phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. J Biol Chem 281:3731-7

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