Conformational motions and ligand-binding underlying gating and regulation in IP₃R channel

Inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) are activated by IP₃ and Ca²⁺ and their gating is regulated by various intracellular messengers that finely tune the channel activity. Here, using single particle cryo-EM analysis we determined 3D structures of the nanodisc-reconstituted IP₃R1 channel in two ligand-bound states. These structures provide unprecedented details governing binding of IP₃, Ca²⁺ and ATP, revealing conformational changes that couple ligand-binding to channel opening. Using a deep-learning approach and 3D variability analysis we extracted molecular motions of the key protein domains from cryo-EM density data. We find that IP₃ binding relies upon intrinsic flexibility of the ARM2 domain in the tetrameric channel. Our results highlight a key role of dynamic side chains in regulating gating behavior of IP₃R channels. This work represents a stepping-stone to developing mechanistic understanding of conformational pathways underlying ligand-binding, activation and regulation of the channel.