Cytoplasmic disposition of aspartate 821 in anion exchanger from human erythrocytes

Large conformational dynamics in Band 3 protein: Significance for erythrocyte senescence signalling

Band 3 (Anion Exchanger 1, AE1), the predominant protein of erythrocyte membranes, facilitates Cl^-/HCO₃^- exchange and anchors the plasma membrane to the cytoskeleton. The Band 3 crystal structure revealed the amino acid 812-830 region as intracellular, conflicting with protein chemical data that suggested extracellular disposition. Further, circulating senescent cell auto-antibody that cannot enter erythrocytes, binds two regions of Band 3: residues 538-554 and 812-830. To reconcile this discrepancy, we assessed localization of residues 812-830 with Band 3 expressed in HEK293 cells and human erythrocytes, using chemical labeling probes and an antibody against residues 812-830. Antibody and chemical probes revealed reorientation of 812-830 region between extracellular and intracellular. This dramatic conformational change is an intrinsic property of the Band 3 molecule, occurring when expressed in HEK293 cells and without the damage that occurs during erythrocyte circulation. Conditions used to crystallize Band 3 for structural determination did not alter conformational dynamics. Collectively, these data reveal large Band 3 conformational dynamics localized to a region previously identified as an erythrocyte senescence epitope. Surface exposure of the senescence epitope (812-830), limited by conformational dynamics, may act as the "molecular clock" in erythrocyte senescence.

Topology models of anion exchanger 1 that incorporate the anti-parallel V-shaped motifs found in the EM structureThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in a Special Issue entitled CSBMCB 53rd Annual Meeting — Membrane Proteins in Health and Disease, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process

We recently published the three-dimensional structure of the membrane domain of human erythrocyte anion exchanger 1 (AE1) at 7.5 Å resolution, solved by electron crystallography. The structure exhibited distinctive anti-parallel V-shaped motifs, which protrude from the membrane bilayer on both sides. Similar motifs exist in the previously reported structure of a bacterial chloride channel (ClC)-type protein. Here, we propose two topology models of AE1 that reflect the anti-parallel V-shaped structural motifs. One is assumed to have structural similarity with the ClC protein and the other is only assumed to have internal repeats, as is often the case with transporters. Both models are consistent with most topological results reported thus far for AE1, each having advantages and disadvantages.

Topology of the membrane domain of human erythrocyte anion exchange protein, AE1

Anion exchanger 1 (AE1) is the chloride/bicarbonate exchange protein of the erythrocyte membrane. By using a combination of introduced cysteine mutants and sulfhydryl-specific chemistry, we have mapped the topology of the human AE1 membrane domain. Twenty-seven single cysteines were introduced throughout the Leu708-Val911 region of human AE1, and these mutants were expressed by transient transfection of human embryonic kidney cells. On the basis of cysteine accessibility to membrane-permeant biotin maleimide and to membrane-impermeant lucifer yellow iodoacetamide, we have proposed a model for the topology of AE1 membrane domain. In this model, AE1 is composed of 13 typical transmembrane segments, and the Asp807-His834 region is membrane-embedded but does not have the usual alpha-helical conformation. To identify amino acids that are important for anion transport, we analyzed the anion exchange activity for all introduced cysteine mutants, using a whole cell fluorescence assay. We found that mutants G714C, S725C, and S731C have very low transport activity, implying that this region has a structurally and/or catalytically important role. We measured the residual anion transport activity after mutant treatment with the membrane-impermeant, cysteine-directed compound, sodium (2-sulfonatoethyl)methanethiosulfonate) (MTSES). Only two mutants, S852C and A858C, were inhibited by MTSES, indicating that these residues may be located in a pore-lining region.

Lysine-691 of the anion exchanger from human erythrocytes is located on its cytoplasmic surface

A combination of vectorial modification and site-directed immunochemistry has been used to determine the disposition, with respect to the membrane, of Lys-691 of the anion exchanger from human erythrocytes. Intact erythrocytes and inside-out vesicles were vectorially modified in the same container with pyridoxal phosphate and sodium [3H]borohydride. The modified inside-out vesicles were separated from erythrocytes by differential centrifugation and the vesicles and erythrocyte membranes were treated with alkali and digested with trypsin and thermolysin to liberate the peptides IVSKPER and IVSK¿Nepsilon-[4'-(5'-phospho-[4-3H]pyridoxyl)]¿PER. These peptides, containing the unmodified and modified versions of Lys-691, were retrieved from the digests by site-directed immunochemistry and were identified by HPLC and liquid scintillation spectroscopy. Both the inside-out vesicles and the intact erythrocytes contained the peptide IVSKPER, however, the 3H-label from the phosphopyridoxylated peptide could be detected only in the inside-out vesicles. The incorporation of 3H into Lys-691 of the anion exchanger from inside-out vesicles was at least 30-fold greater than the incorporation into Lys-691 of the anion exchanger from intact erythrocytes. It follows that Lys-691 of the anion exchanger is located on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane.