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Voltage-gated proton channels in polyneopteran insects
Gustavo Chaves1, Christian Derst1, Christophe Jardin1
1Center of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany.
FEBS Open Bio
|January 5, 2022
Summary
Voltage-gated proton channels (HV 1) are found in insects, with a novel glutamate variation identified in the Phasmatodea and Mantophasmatodea. This discovery in stick insects reveals functional proton conduction, advancing insect HV 1 research.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
- Insect Physiology
Background:
- Voltage-gated proton channels (HV 1) are crucial in eukaryotes but understudied in insects.
- Conserved structural elements include a proton selectivity filter (SF) with an aspartate residue and an RxWRxxR voltage-sensor motif.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of HV 1 channels in polyneopteran insects.
- To identify natural variations in HV 1 structure and analyze their functional implications.
- To characterize the expression and function of HV 1 in the stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Transcriptome Shotgun Assembly (TSA) databases for HV 1 genes in 33 polyneopteran species.
- Identification of structural variations, specifically the selectivity filter (SF) residue.
- Expression analysis and functional characterization of HV 1 in Extatosoma tiaratum.
Main Results:
- 33 polyneopteran species possessing conserved HV 1 structural elements were identified.
- A natural aspartate-to-glutamate (Asp-to-Glu) substitution in the SF was discovered in Phasmatodea and Mantophasmatodea.
- The characterized EtHV 1 from Extatosoma tiaratum showed strong expression in nervous tissue and significant inward proton conduction.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first natural occurrence of a glutamate residue in the SF of a functional HV 1 channel.
- The findings suggest a potential role for HV 1 in insect physiology and provide a basis for future functional studies.
- The identified Glu-containing HV 1 channel offers a unique model for understanding proton channel function and evolution.
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