The Sixth Transmembrane Segment Is a Major Gating Component of the TMEM16A Calcium-Activated Chloride Channel

Neuron. 2018 Mar 7;97(5):1063-1077.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.01.048. Epub 2018 Feb 22.

Abstract

Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) formed by TMEM16A or TMEM16B are broadly expressed in the nervous system, smooth muscles, exocrine glands, and other tissues. With two calcium-binding sites and a pore within each monomer, the dimeric CaCC exhibits voltage-dependent calcium sensitivity. Channel activity also depends on the identity of permeant anions. To understand how CaCC regulates neuronal signaling and how CaCC is, in turn, modulated by neuronal activity, we examined the molecular basis of CaCC gating. Here, we report that voltage modulation of TMEM16A-CaCC involves voltage-dependent occupancy of calcium- and anion-binding site(s) within the membrane electric field as well as a voltage-dependent conformational change intrinsic to the channel protein. These gating modalities all critically depend on the sixth transmembrane segment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Anoctamin-1 / chemistry*
  • Anoctamin-1 / genetics
  • Anoctamin-1 / metabolism*
  • Chloride Channels / chemistry*
  • Chloride Channels / genetics
  • Chloride Channels / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • ANO1 protein, mouse
  • Anoctamin-1
  • Chloride Channels