Stoichiometry and specific assembly of Best ion channels

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Apr 29;111(17):6491-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1400248111. Epub 2014 Apr 18.

Abstract

Human Bestrophin 1 (hBest1) is a calcium-activated chloride channel that regulates neuronal excitability, synaptic activity, and retinal homeostasis. Mutations in hBest1 cause the autosomal-dominant Best macular dystrophy (BMD). Because hBest1 mutations cause BMD, but a knockout does not, we wondered if hBest1 mutants exert a dominant negative effect through interaction with other calcium-activated chloride channels, such as hBest2, 3, or 4, or transmembrane member 16A (TMEM16A), a member of another channel family. The subunit architecture of Best channels is debated, and their ability to form heteromeric channel assemblies is unclear. Using single-molecule subunit analysis, we find that each of hBest1, 2, 3, and 4 forms a homotetrameric channel. Despite considerable conservation among hBests, hBest1 has little or no interaction with other hBests or mTMEM16A. We identify the domain responsible for assembly specificity. This domain also plays a role in channel function. Our results indicate that Best channels preferentially self-assemble into homotetramers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Chloride Channels / chemistry
  • Chloride Channels / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Iodides / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Chloride Channels
  • Iodides
  • Protein Subunits
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins