Structure and insights into the function of a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Source:

Nature, Volume 516, Issue 7530, p.213-8 (2014)

Keywords:

Animals, Binding Sites, Calcium, Chickens, Chloride Channels, Chlorides, Crystallography, X-Ray, Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments, Ion Channel Gating, Ion Transport, Liposomes, Models, Molecular, Structure-Activity Relationship

Abstract:

<p>Bestrophin calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) regulate the flow of chloride and other monovalent anions across cellular membranes in response to intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) levels. Mutations in bestrophin 1 (BEST1) cause certain eye diseases. Here we present X-ray structures of chicken BEST1-Fab complexes, at 2.85 Å resolution, with permeant anions and Ca(2+). Representing, to our knowledge, the first structure of a CaCC, the eukaryotic BEST1 channel, which recapitulates CaCC function in liposomes, is formed from a pentameric assembly of subunits. Ca(2+) binds to the channel's large cytosolic region. A single ion pore, approximately 95 Å in length, is located along the central axis and contains at least 15 binding sites for anions. A hydrophobic neck within the pore probably forms the gate. Phenylalanine residues within it may coordinate permeating anions via anion-π interactions. Conformational changes observed near the 'Ca(2+) clasp' hint at the mechanism of Ca(2+)-dependent gating. Disease-causing mutations are prevalent within the gating apparatus.</p>

Detector: 
Q315
Beamline: 
24-ID-C