Malini Ahuja

Convergent regulation of the lysosomal two‐pore channel‐2 by Mg2+, NAADP, PI(3,5)P2 and multiple protein kinases

Lysosomal Ca2+ homeostasis is implicated in disease and controls many lysosomal functions. A key in understanding lysosomal Ca2+ signaling was the discovery of the two‐pore channels (TPCs) and their potential activation by NAADP. Recent work concluded that the TPCs function as a PI(3,5)P2 activated channels regulated by mTORC1, but not by NAADP. Here, we identified Mg2+ and the MAPKs, JNK and P38 as novel regulators of TPC2. Cytoplasmic Mg2+ specifically inhibited TPC2 outward current, whereas lysosomal Mg2+ partially inhibited both outward and inward currents in a lysosomal lumen pH‐dependent manner. Under controlled Mg2+, TPC2 is readily activated by NAADP with channel properties identical to those in response to PI(3,5)P2. Moreover, TPC2 is robustly regulated by P38 and JNK. Notably, NAADP‐mediated Ca2+ release in intact cells is regulated by Mg2+, PI(3,5)P2, and P38/JNK kinases, thus paralleling regulation of TPC2 currents. Our data affirm a key role for TPC2 in NAADP‐mediated Ca2+ signaling and link this pathway to Mg2+ homeostasis and MAP kinases, pointing to roles for lysosomal Ca2+ in cell growth, inflammation and cancer.

Translocation between PI(4,5)P2-poor and PI(4,5)P2-rich microdomains during store depletion determines STIM1 conformation and Orai1 gating

Summary The Orai1-STIM1 current undergoes slow Ca2+-dependent inactivation (SCDI) mediated by binding of SARAF to STIM1. Here, we report the use of SCDI by SARAF as a probe of the conformation and microdomain localization of the Orai1-STIM1 complex. We find that interaction of STIM1 with Orai1 C terminus and the STIM1 K-domain are required for interaction of SARAF with STIM1 and SCDI. STIM1-Orai1 must be in a PM/ER microdomain tethered by E-Syt1, stabilized by Septin4 and enriched in PI(4,5)P2 for STIM1-SARAF interaction. Targeting STIM1 to PI(4,5)P2 rich and poor microdomains reveals that SARAF-dependent SCDI is observed only when STIM1-Orai1 are within the PI(4,5)P2-rich microdomain. Notably, store depletion results in transient localization of STIM1-Orai1 in the PI(4,5)P2-poor microdomain, which then translocate to the PI(4,5)P2-rich domain. These findings reveal the role of PM/ER tethers in the regulation of Orai1 function and a new mode of regulation by PI(4,5)P2 involving translocation between PI(4,5)P2 microdomains.

Molecular Determinants Mediating Gating of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical (TRPC) Channels by Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1)

Background: STIM1 gates TRPC channels, but the interacting domains are unknown. Results: The TRPC N and C terminus coiled coil domains interact to restrict access of STIM1. Their dissociation by cell stimulation promotes STIM1 interaction. Conclusion: The STIM1 Orai1-activating region (SOAR) domain interacts with the TRPC C terminus CCD to open the channels. Significance: The findings reveal how STIM1 opens the TRPC channels to control receptor-stimulated Ca2+ influx. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels mediate a critical part of the receptor-evoked Ca2+ influx. TRPCs are gated open by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ sensor STIM1. Here we asked which stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and TRPC domains mediate the interaction between them and how this interaction is used to open the channels. We report that the STIM1 Orai1-activating region domain of STIM1 interacts with the TRPC channel coiled coil domains (CCDs) and that this interaction is essential for opening the channels by STIM1. Thus, disruption of the N-terminal (NT) CCDs by triple mutations eliminated TRPC surface localization and reduced binding of STIM1 to TRPC1 and TRPC5 while increasing binding to TRPC3 and TRPC6. Single mutations in TRPC1 NT or C-terminal (CT) CCDs reduced interaction and activation of TRPC1 by STIM1. Remarkably, single mutations in the TRPC3 NT CCD enhanced interaction and regulation by STIM1. Disruption in the TRPC3 CT CCD eliminated regulation by STIM1 and the enhanced interaction caused by NT CCD mutations. The NT CCD mutations converted TRPC3 from a TRPC1-dependent to a TRPC1-independent, STIM1-regulated channel. TRPC1 reduced the FRET between BFP-TRPC3 and TRPC3-YFP and between CFP-TRPC3-YFP upon stimulation. Accordingly, knockdown of TRPC1 made TRPC3 STIM1-independent. STIM1 dependence of TRPC3 was reconstituted by the TRPC1 CT CCD alone. Knockout of Trpc1 and Trpc3 similarly inhibited Ca2+ influx, and inhibition of Trpc3 had no further effect on Ca2+ influx in Trpc1−/− cells. Cell stimulation enhanced the formation of Trpc1-Stim1-Trpc3 complexes. These findings support a model in which the TRPC3 NT and CT CCDs interact to shield the CT CCD from interaction with STIM1. The TRPC1 CT CCD dissociates this interaction to allow the STIM1 Orai1-activating region within STIM1 access to the TRPC3 CT CCD and regulation of TRPC3 by STIM1. These studies provide evidence that the TRPC channel CCDs participate in channel gating.

The STIM1 CTID domain determines access of SARAF to SOAR to regulate Orai1 channel function.

Two distinct lobes in the C-terminal inhibitory domain in STIM1 determine access of the inhibitor SARAF to the activating SOAR domain to regulate the slow Ca2+-dependent inactivation of Orai1.

Membrane Potential Regulates Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NAADP) Dependence of the pH- and Ca2+-sensitive Organellar Two-pore Channel TPC1

Background: TPC1 is an organellar NAADP-activated channel with unknown properties. Results: TPC1 functions as a pH-, Ca2+-, and voltage-regulated channel. Remarkably, activation of TPC1 by NAADP is dynamically regulated by the membrane potential. Conclusion: The properties of TPC1 can account for NAADP-evoked organellar Ca2+ oscillations. Significance: These findings increase understanding of the organellar and receptor-evoked Ca2+ signals. Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a potent second messenger that mobilizes Ca2+ from the acidic endolysosomes by activation of the two-pore channels TPC1 and TPC2. The channel properties of human TPC1 have not been studied before, and its cellular function is not known. In the present study, we characterized TPC1 incorporated into lipid bilayers. The native and recombinant TPC1 channels are activated by NAADP. TPC1 activity requires acidic luminal pH and high luminal Ca2+. With Ba2+ as the permeable ion, luminal Ca2+ activates TPC1 with an apparent Km of 180 μm. TPC1 operates in two tightly coupled conductance states of 47 ± 8 and 200 ± 9 picosiemens. Importantly, opening of the large conductance markedly increases the small conductance mean open time. Changes in membrane potential from 0 to −60 mV increased linearly both the small and the large conductances and NPo, indicating that TPC1 is regulated by voltage. Intriguingly, the apparent affinity for activation of TPC1 by its ligand NAADP is not constant. Rather, hyperpolarization increases the apparent affinity of TPC1 for NAADP by 10 nm/mV. The concerted regulation of TPC1 activity by luminal Ca2+ and by membrane potential thus provides a potential mechanism to explain NAADP-induced Ca2+ oscillations. These findings reveal unique properties of TPC1 to explain its role in Ca2+ oscillations and cell function.

cAMP and Ca2+ signaling in secretory epithelia: Crosstalk and synergism

The Ca(2+) and cAMP/PKA pathways are the primary signaling systems in secretory epithelia that control virtually all secretory gland functions. Interaction and crosstalk in Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling occur at multiple levels to control and tune the activity of each other. Physiologically, Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling operate at 5-10% of maximal strength, but synergize to generate the maximal response. Although synergistic action of the Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling is the common mode of signaling and has been known for many years, we know very little of the molecular mechanism and mediators of the synergism. In this review, we discuss crosstalk between the Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling and the function of IRBIT (IP3 receptors binding protein release with IP3) as a third messenger that mediates the synergistic action of the Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling.

The ER/PM microdomain, PI(4,5)P2 and the regulation of STIM1–Orai1 channel function

All forms of cell signaling occur in discreet cellular microdomains in which the ER is the main participant and include microdomains formed by the ER with lysosomes, endosomes, the nucleus, mitochondria and the plasma membrane. In the microdomains the two opposing organelles transfer and exchange constituents including lipids and ions. As is the case for other forms of signaling pathways, many components of the receptor-evoked Ca(2+) signal are clustered at the ER/PM microdomain, including the Orai1-STIM1 complex. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the molecular components that tether the ER and plasma membrane to form the ER/PM microdomains in which PI(4,5)P2 is enriched, and how dynamic targeting of the Orai1-STIM1 complex to PI(4,5)P2-poor and PI(4,5)P2-rich microdomains controls the activity of Orai1 and its regulation by Ca(2+) that is mediated by SARAF.

The TRPCs-STIM1-Orai interaction.

Ca(2+) signaling entails receptor-stimulated Ca(2+) release from the ER stores that serves as a signal to activate Ca(2+) influx channels present at the plasma membrane, the store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCs). The two known SOCs are the Orai and TRPC channels. The SOC-dependent Ca(2+) influx mediates and sustains virtually all Ca(2+)-dependent regulatory functions. The signal that transmits the Ca(2+) content of the ER stores to the plasma membrane is the ER resident, Ca(2+)-binding protein STIM1. STIM1 is a multidomain protein that clusters and dimerizes in response to Ca(2+) store depletion leading to activation of Orai and TRPC channels. Activation of the Orais by STIM1 is obligatory for their function as SOCs, while TRPC channels can function as both STIM1-dependent and STIM1-independent channels. Here we discuss the different mechanisms by which STIM1 activates the Orai and TRPC channels, the emerging specific and non-overlapping physiological functions of Ca(2+) influx mediated by the two channel types, and argue that the TRPC channels should be the preferred therapeutic target to control the toxic effect of excess Ca(2+) influx.

The gatekeepers of mitochondrial calcium influx: MICU1 and MICU2

The receptor‐evoked Ca2+ signal is sensed and translated by mitochondria. Physiological cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) oscillations result in mitochondrial Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) oscillations, while large and sustained [Ca2+]c increase results in a pathologic increase in basal [Ca2+]m and in Ca2+ accumulation. The physiological [Ca2+]m signal regulates [Ca2+]c and stimulates oxidative metabolism, while excess Ca2+ accumulation causes cell stress leading to cell death. [Ca2+]m is determined by Ca2+ uptake mediated by the mitochondria Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) channel and by Na+‐ and H+‐coupled Ca2+ extrusion .

The intracellular Ca2+ channels of membrane traffic

Regulation of organellar fusion and fission by Ca2+ has emerged as a central paradigm in intracellular membrane traffic. Originally formulated for Ca2+-driven SNARE-mediated exocytosis in the presynaptic terminals, it was later expanded to explain membrane traffic in other exocytic events within the endo-lysosomal system. The list of processes and conditions that depend on the intracellular membrane traffic includes aging, antigen and lipid processing, growth factor signaling and enzyme secretion. Characterization of the ion channels that regulate intracellular membrane fusion and fission promises novel pharmacological approaches in these processes when their function becomes aberrant. The recent identification of Ca2+ permeability through the intracellular ion channels comprising the mucolipin (TRPMLs) and the two-pore channels (TPCs) families pinpoints the candidates for the Ca2+ channel that drive intracellular membrane traffic. The present review summarizes the recent developments and the current questions relevant to this topic.