The Second Transmembrane Domain of P2X7 Contributes to Dilated Pore Formation

Activation of the purinergic receptor P2X7 leads to the cellular permeability of low molecular weight cations. To determine which domains of P2X7 are necessary for this permeability, we exchanged either the C-terminus or portions of the second transmembrane domain (TM2) with those in P2X1 or P2X4. Replacement of the C-terminus of P2X7 with either P2X1 or P2X4 prevented surface expression of the chimeric receptor. Similarly, chimeric P2X7 containing TM2 from P2X1 or P2X4 had reduced surface expression and no permeability to cationic dyes. Exchanging the N-terminal 10 residues or C-terminal 14 residues of the P2X7 TM2 with the corresponding region of P2X1 TM2 partially restored surface expression and limited pore permeability. To further probe TM2 structure, we replaced single residues in P2X7 TM2 with those in P2X1 or P2X4. We identified multiple substitutions that drastically changed pore permeability without altering surface expression. Three substitutions (Q332P, Y336T, and Y343L) individually reduced pore formation as indicated by decreased dye uptake and also reduced membrane blebbing in response to ATP exposure. Three others substitutions, V335T, S342G, and S342A each enhanced dye uptake, membrane blebbing and cell death. Our results demonstrate a critical role for the TM2 domain of P2X7 in receptor function, and provide a structural basis for differences between purinergic receptors. © 2013 Sun et al

Pore-opening mechanism in trimeric P2X receptor channels

The opening of ion channels in response to ligand binding, voltage or membrane stretch underlies electrical and chemical signalling throughout biology. Two structural classes of pore-opening mechanisms have been established, including bending of pore-lining helices in the case of tetrameric cation channels, or tilting of such helices in mechanosensitive channels. In this paper, we explore how the structure of the pore changes during opening in P2X receptors by measuring the modification of introduced cysteine residues in transmembrane helices by thiol-reactive reagents, and by engineering metal bridges. Our results are consistent with the X-ray structure of the closed state, and demonstrate that expansion of the gate region in the external pore is accompanied by a significant narrowing of the inner pore, indicating that pore-forming helices straighten on ATP binding to open the channel. This unique pore-opening mechanism has fundamental implications for the role of subunit interfaces in the gating mechanism of P2X receptors and points to a role of the internal pore in ion permeation

Co-incident signalling between mu-opioid and M3 muscarinic receptors at the level of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores: lack of evidence for Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor sensitization.

Activation of G(i)/G(o)-coupled opioid receptors increases [Ca2+]i (intracellular free-Ca2+ concentration), but only if there is concomitant G(q)-coupled receptor activation. This G(i)/G(o)-coupled receptor-mediated [Ca2+]i increase does not appear to result from further production of Ins P3 [Ins(1,4,5) P3] in SH-SY5Y cells. In the present study, fast-scanning confocal microscopy revealed that activation of mu-opioid receptors alone by 1 muM DAMGO ([L-Ala, NMe-Phe, Gly-ol]-enkephalin) did not stimulate the Ins P3-dependent elementary Ca2+-signalling events (Ca2+ puffs), whereas DAMGO did evoke Ca2+ puffs when applied during concomitant activation of M3 muscarinic receptors with 1 muM carbachol. We next determined whether mu-opioid receptor activation might increase [Ca2+]i by sensitizing the Ins P3 receptor to Ins P3. DAMGO did not potentiate the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i increase evoked by flash photolysis of the caged Ins P3 receptor agonist, caged 2,3-isopropylidene-Ins P3, whereas the Ins P3 receptor sensitizing agent, thimerosal (10 muM), did potentiate this response. DAMGO also did not prolong the rate of decay of the increase in [Ca2+]i evoked by flash photolysis of caged 2,3-isopropylidene-Ins P3. Furthermore, DAMGO did not increase [Ca2+]i in the presence of the cell-membrane-permeable Ins P3 receptor agonist, Ins P3 hexakis(butyryloxymethyl) ester. Therefore it appears that mu-opioid receptors do not increase [Ca2+]i through either Ins P3 receptor sensitization, enhancing the releasable pool of Ca2+ or inhibition of Ca2+ removal from the cytoplasm