Ca2+ release via IP3R channels is the most ubiquitous and versatile cellular signaling mechanism that plays a key role in the regulation of diverse physiological functions, including fertilization, hormone secretion, gene transcription, metabolic regulation, immune responses, apoptosis, learning and memory. Despite established significance of IP3Rs in physiology and pathology, the molecular mechanisms underlying function of these channels, both in native and disease states, remain poorly understood, mainly because of the lack of high- resolution structural details about the 3D architecture of IP3Rs. Such structures have proven exceptionally difficult to obtain given the large size of IP3Rs (~1.3 MDa), their location in the membrane environment, and their dynamic nature. The focus of this proposal is type 1 IP3R (IP3R1), the predominant type of IP3-gated Ca2+ release channel in cerebellar Purkinje cells. To date, the best structure of the entire IP3R1 is resolved by single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) at intermediate resolution (10-15 ?), and the crystal structures are limited to a soluble portion of the cytoplasmic region representing only ~15% of the overall structure. Therefore, most critical issues surrounding gating of IP3R channels are stil ambiguous. In this application, we seek to answer the fundamental questions on IP3R1 gating: what are the structural determinants of Ca2+ permeation through IP3R1, how ligands control the gating process and what conformational changes underlie pore opening in IP3R channels. To address these questions, we will extend structure determination of the entire IP3R1 to sub-nanometer resolution and will determine its structure in a near-native lipid environment. We will combine structural methodologies from cryo-EM, computational tools and bioinformatics with biochemical and biophysical techniques including radioligand binding, fluorescence- based Ca2+ flux assays and lipid bilayer channel recordings. This multidisciplinary approach will allow correlating structural analysis with channel function. Proposed structural studies will exploit single-particle cryo- EM methodology. Thus, the IP3R1 protein complex will be purified from detergent solubilized microsomal membranes and visualized in the form of individual particles embedded in vitreous ice. The IP3R1 structure will be analyzed in Apo- (aim 1) and ligand-bound states (aim 2) by reproducing the functionally relevant conditions in vitro and freeze-trapping the reaction on the EM grid. We then propose to reconstitute IP3R1 channel into small unilamellar lipid vesicles and to use a variant of single-particle reconstruction to solve the channel structure in the lipid membrane (aim 3). With these studies accomplished, we anticipate to establish the structural and mechanistic basis for IP3R1 function and to elucidate how defects in molecular mechanisms regulating the channel's gating can lead to abnormal cell Ca2+ levels underlying numerous diseases.

Public Health Relevance

Intracellular Ca2+ release channels are the targets for many drugs used to treat numerous human diseases associated with defects in cellular Ca2+ signaling, such as cardiac hypertrophy, hereditary ataxias, osteoporosis, hypertension, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. This proposal aims to determine the high- resolution 3D structure of IP3-gated Ca2+ release channel from cerebellum. This structural information is ultimately needed to explore the therapeutic potential for treatment of pathologies related to malfunctioning IP3R channels.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM072804-06A1
Application #
8575613
Study Section
Molecular and Integrative Signal Transduction Study Section (MIST)
Program Officer
Chin, Jean
Project Start
2005-03-11
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2014-06-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$307,417
Indirect Cost
$101,400
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771594
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77225
Fan, Guizhen; Baker, Mariah R; Wang, Zhao et al. (2018) Cryo-EM reveals ligand induced allostery underlying InsP3R channel gating. Cell Res 28:1158-1170
Baker, Mariah R; Fan, Guizhen; Serysheva, Irina I (2017) Structure of IP3R channel: high-resolution insights from cryo-EM. Curr Opin Struct Biol 46:38-47
Wang, Zhao; Fan, Guizhen; Hryc, Corey F et al. (2017) An allosteric transport mechanism for the AcrAB-TolC multidrug efflux pump. Elife 6:
Serysheva, Irina I; Baker, Mariah R; Fan, Guizhen (2017) Structural Insights into IP3R Function. Adv Exp Med Biol 981:121-147
Yi, Ping; Wang, Zhao; Feng, Qin et al. (2017) Structural and Functional Impacts of ER Coactivator Sequential Recruitment. Mol Cell 67:733-743.e4
Jarius, Sven; Ringelstein, Marius; Haas, Jürgen et al. (2016) Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 autoantibodies in paraneoplastic and non-paraneoplastic peripheral neuropathy. J Neuroinflammation 13:278
Baker, Mariah R; Fan, Guizhen; Serysheva, Irina I (2015) Single-Particle Cryo-EM of the Ryanodine Receptor Channel in an Aqueous Environment. Eur J Transl Myol 25:4803
Baker, Mariah R; Fan, Guizhen; Serysheva, Irina I (2015) Single-particle cryo-EM of the ryanodine receptor channel in an aqueous environment. Eur J Transl Myol 25:35-48
Fan, Guizhen; Baker, Matthew L; Wang, Zhao et al. (2015) Gating machinery of InsP3R channels revealed by electron cryomicroscopy. Nature 527:336-41
Jarius, Sven; Scharf, Madeleine; Begemann, Nora et al. (2014) Antibodies to the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 (ITPR1) in cerebellar ataxia. J Neuroinflammation 11:206

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