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Profile structures of the voltage-sensor domain and the voltage-gated K(+)-channel vectorially oriented in a single phospholipid bilayer membrane at the solid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces determined by x-ray interferometry.

ABSTRACT: One subunit of the prokaryotic voltage-gated potassium ion channel from Aeropyrum pernix (KvAP) is comprised of six transmembrane ? helices, of which S1-S4 form the voltage-sensor domain (VSD) and S5 and S6 contribute to the pore domain (PD) of the functional homotetramer. However, the mechanism of electromechanical coupling interconverting the closed-to-open (i.e., nonconducting-to-K(+)-conducting) states remains undetermined. Here, we have vectorially oriented the detergent (OG)-solubilized VSD in single monolayers by two independent approaches, namely "directed-assembly" and "self-assembly," to achieve a high in-plane density. Both utilize Ni coordination chemistry to tether the protein to an alkylated inorganic surface via its C-terminal His_{6} tag. Subsequently, the detergent is replaced by phospholipid (POPC) via exchange, intended to reconstitute a phospholipid bilayer environment for the protein. X-ray interferometry, in which interference with a multilayer reference structure is used to both enhance and phase the specular x-ray reflectivity from the tethered single membrane, was used to determine directly the electron density profile structures of the VSD protein solvated by detergent versus phospholipid, and with either a moist He (moderate hydration) or bulk aqueous buffer (high hydration) environment to preserve a native structure conformation. Difference electron density profiles, with respect to the multilayer substrate itself, for the VSD-OG monolayer and VSD-POPC membranes at both the solid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces, reveal the profile structures of the VSD protein dominating these profiles and further indicate a successful reconstitution of a lipid bilayer environment. The self-assembly approach was similarly extended to the intact full-length KvAP channel for comparison. The spatial extent and asymmetry in the profile structures of both proteins confirm their unidirectional vectorial orientation within the reconstituted membrane and indicate retention of the protein's folded three-dimensional tertiary structure upon completion of membrane bilayer reconstitution. Moreover, the resulting high in-plane density of vectorially oriented protein within a fully hydrated single phospholipid bilayer membrane at the solid-liquid interface will enable investigation of their conformational states as a function of the transmembrane electric potential.

SUBMITTER: Gupta S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3246680 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Profile structures of the voltage-sensor domain and the voltage-gated K(+)-channel vectorially oriented in a single phospholipid bilayer membrane at the solid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces determined by x-ray interferometry.

Gupta S S Liu J J Strzalka J J Blasie J K JK

Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics 20110912 3 Pt 1

One subunit of the prokaryotic voltage-gated potassium ion channel from Aeropyrum pernix (KvAP) is comprised of six transmembrane α helices, of which S1-S4 form the voltage-sensor domain (VSD) and S5 and S6 contribute to the pore domain (PD) of the functional homotetramer. However, the mechanism of electromechanical coupling interconverting the closed-to-open (i.e., nonconducting-to-K(+)-conducting) states remains undetermined. Here, we have vectorially oriented the detergent (OG)-solubilized VS ...[more]

PMID: 22060407

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Project description:The voltage-sensor domain (VSD) is a modular four-helix bundle component that confers voltage sensitivity to voltage-gated cation channels in biological membranes. Despite extensive biophysical studies and the recent availability of X-ray crystal structures for a few voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels and a voltage-gate sodium (Nav) channel, a complete understanding of the cooperative mechanism of electromechanical coupling, interconverting the closed-to-open states (i.e., nonconducting to cation conducting) remains undetermined. Moreover, the function of these domains is highly dependent on the physical-chemical properties of the surrounding lipid membrane environment. The basis for this work was provided by a recent structural study of the VSD from a prokaryotic Kv-channel vectorially oriented within a single phospholipid (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)) membrane investigated by X-ray interferometry at the solid/moist He (or solid/vapor) and solid/liquid interfaces, thus achieving partial to full hydration, respectively (Gupta et al. Phys. Rev. E2011, 84, 031911-1-15). Here, we utilize neutron interferometry to characterize this system in substantially greater structural detail at the submolecular level, due to its inherent advantages arising from solvent contrast variation coupled with the deuteration of selected submolecular membrane components, especially important for the membrane at the solid/liquid interface. We demonstrate the unique vectorial orientation of the VSD and the retention of its molecular conformation manifest in the asymmetric profile structure of the protein within the profile structure of this single bilayer membrane system. We definitively characterize the asymmetric phospholipid bilayer solvating the lateral surfaces of the VSD protein within the membrane. The profile structures of both the VSD protein and phospholipid bilayer depend upon the hydration state of the membrane. We also determine the distribution of water and exchangeable hydrogen throughout the profile structure of both the VSD itself and the VSD:POPC membrane. These two experimentally determined water and exchangeable hydrogen distribution profiles are in good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations of the VSD protein vectorially oriented within a fully hydrated POPC bilayer membrane, supporting the existence of the VSD's water pore. This approach was extended to the full-length Kv-channel (KvAP) at a solid/liquid interface, providing the separate profile structures of the KvAP protein and the POPC bilayer within the reconstituted KvAP:POPC membrane.

Project description:High voltage-activated Ca2+ (Ca(V)) channels are protein complexes containing pore-forming α1 and auxiliary β and α2δ subunits. The subcellular localization and membrane interactions of the β subunits play a crucial role in regulating Ca(V) channel inactivation and its lipid sensitivity. Here, we investigated the effects of membrane phosphoinositide (PI) turnover on Ca(V)2.2 channel function. The β2 isoform β2e associates with the membrane through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Using chimeric β subunits and liposome-binding assays, we determined that interaction between the N-terminal 23 amino acids of β2e and anionic phospholipids was sufficient for β2e membrane targeting. Binding of the β2e subunit N terminus to liposomes was significantly increased by inclusion of 1% phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the liposomes, suggesting that, in addition to phosphatidylserine, PIs are responsible for β2e targeting to the plasma membrane. Membrane binding of the β2e subunit slowed Ca(V)2.2 current inactivation. When membrane phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and PIP2 were depleted by rapamycin-induced translocation of pseudojanin to the membrane, however, channel opening was decreased and fast inactivation of Ca(V)2.2(β2e) currents was enhanced. Activation of the M1 muscarinic receptor elicited transient and reversible translocation of β2e subunits from membrane to cytosol, but not that of β2a or β3, resulting in fast inactivation of Ca(V)2.2 channels with β2e. These results suggest that membrane targeting of the β2e subunit, which is mediated by nonspecific electrostatic insertion, is dynamically regulated by receptor stimulation, and that the reversible association of β2e with membrane PIs results in functional changes in Ca(V) channel gating. The phospholipid-protein interaction observed here provides structural insight into mechanisms of membrane-protein association and the role of phospholipids in ion channel regulation.

Dataset Information

Profile structures of the voltage-sensor domain and the voltage-gated K(+)-channel vectorially oriented in a single phospholipid bilayer membrane at the solid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces determined by x-ray interferometry.

Publications

Profile structures of the voltage-sensor domain and the voltage-gated K(+)-channel vectorially oriented in a single phospholipid bilayer membrane at the solid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces determined by x-ray interferometry.

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