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The C-terminal activating domain promotes pannexin 1 channel opening
Erik Henze1, Jacqueline J Ehrlich1, Janice L Robertson2
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Pannexin 1 (Panx1) channel opening is regulated by a C-terminal activating domain (CAD). This domain repositions the N terminus, altering the pore’s electrostatic landscape to facilitate ion release during apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Mechanisms
Background:
- Pannexin 1 (Panx1) channels release adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from apoptotic cells.
- Caspase cleavage of Panx1's C-terminus is known to open the channel, but the mechanism is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of the C-terminal activating domain (CAD) in Panx1 channel activation.
- To investigate the structural and electrostatic changes underlying Panx1 channel gating.
Main Methods:
- Site-directed mutagenesis
- Electrophysiology
- Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM)
- Electrostatic free energy landscape analysis
Main Results:
- A helical C-terminal activating domain (CAD) is crucial for Panx1 activation.
- Conserved leucine residues within the CAD are essential for its function.
- Cryo-EM revealed that the CAD occupies an intracellular pocket, repositioning the N terminus.
- This repositioning alters the pore's electrostatic properties, reducing anion barriers.
Conclusions:
- Panx1 channel activation involves C-terminal cleavage releasing the CAD.
- The CAD's interaction with the N terminus and pore structure is key to channel gating.
- Dynamic electrostatic changes within the pore influence ion permeation selectivity.
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