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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

X-ray Diffraction of Intact Murine Skeletal Muscle as a Tool for Studying the Structural Basis of Muscle Disease
Published on: July 18, 2019
Structural basis for PtdInsP2-mediated human TRPML1 regulation
Michael Fine1, Philip Schmiege2, Xiaochun Li3,4
1Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
Abstract:
Transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1), a lysosomal channel, maintains the low pH and calcium levels for lysosomal function. Several small molecules modulate TRPML1 activity. ML-SA1, a synthetic agonist, binds to the pore region and phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P2), a natural lipid, stimulates channel activity to a lesser extent than ML-SA1; moreover, PtdIns(4,5)P2, another natural lipid, prevents TRPML1-mediated calcium release. Notably, PtdIns(3,5)P2 and ML-SA1 cooperate further increasing calcium efflux. Here we report the structures of human TRPML1 at pH 5.0 with PtdIns(3,5)P2, PtdIns(4,5)P2, or ML-SA1 and PtdIns(3,5)P2, revealing a unique lipid-binding site. PtdIns(3,5)P2 and PtdIns(4,5)P2 bind to the extended helices of S1, S2, and S3. The phosphate group of PtdIns(3,5)P2 induces Y355 to form a π-cation interaction with R403, moving the S4-S5 linker, thus allosterically activating the channel. Our structures and electrophysiological characterizations reveal an allosteric site and provide molecular insight into how lipids regulate TRP channels.
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