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Clark S, Jeong H, Posert R, Goehring A, Gouaux E. The structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans TMC-2 complex suggests roles of lipid-mediated subunit contacts in mechanosensory transduction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314096121. [PMID: 38354260 PMCID: PMC10895266 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314096121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanotransduction is the process by which a mechanical force, such as touch, is converted into an electrical signal. Transmembrane channel-like (TMC) proteins are an evolutionarily conserved family of membrane proteins whose function has been linked to a variety of mechanosensory processes, including hearing and balance sensation in vertebrates and locomotion in Drosophila. TMC1 and TMC2 are components of ion channel complexes, but the molecular features that tune these complexes to diverse mechanical stimuli are unknown. Caenorhabditis elegans express two TMC homologs, TMC-1 and TMC-2, both of which are the likely pore-forming subunits of mechanosensitive ion channels but differ in their expression pattern and functional role in the worm. Here, we present the single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of the native TMC-2 complex isolated from C. elegans. The complex is composed of two copies of the pore-forming TMC-2 subunit, the calcium and integrin binding protein CALM-1 and the transmembrane inner ear protein TMIE. Comparison of the TMC-2 complex to the recently published cryo-EM structure of the C. elegans TMC-1 complex highlights conserved protein-lipid interactions, as well as a π-helical structural motif in the pore-forming helices, that together suggest a mechanism for TMC-mediated mechanosensory transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Clark
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
| | - Hanbin Jeong
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
| | - Rich Posert
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
| | - April Goehring
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
- HHMI, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
| | - Eric Gouaux
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
- HHMI, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR97239
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Clark S, Jeong H, Goehring A, Kang Y, Gouaux E. Large-scale growth of C. elegans and isolation of membrane protein complexes. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:2699-2716. [PMID: 37495753 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00852-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Purification of membrane proteins for biochemical and structural studies is commonly achieved by recombinant overexpression in heterologous cell lines. However, many membrane proteins do not form a functional complex in a heterologous system, and few methods exist to purify sufficient protein from a native source for use in biochemical, biophysical and structural studies. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for the isolation of membrane protein complexes from transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans. We describe how to grow a genetically modified C. elegans line in abundance using standard laboratory equipment, and how to optimize purification conditions on a small scale using fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography. Optimized conditions can then be applied to a large-scale preparation, enabling the purification of adequate quantities of a target protein for structural, biochemical and biophysical studies. Large-scale worm growth can be accomplished in ~9 d, and each optimization experiment can be completed in less than 1 d. We have used these methods to isolate the transmembrane channel-like protein 1 complex, as well as three additional protein complexes (transmembrane-like channel 2, lipid transfer protein and 'Protein S'), from transgenic C. elegans, demonstrating the utility of this approach in purifying challenging, low-abundance membrane protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Clark
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Hanbin Jeong
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - April Goehring
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yunsik Kang
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Eric Gouaux
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Clark S, Jeong H, Posert R, Goehring A, Gouaux E. Structure of C. elegans TMC-2 complex suggests roles of lipid-mediated subunit contacts in mechanosensory transduction. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.16.553618. [PMID: 37645790 PMCID: PMC10462014 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.16.553618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotransduction is the process by which a mechanical force, such as touch, is converted into an electrical signal. Transmembrane channel-like (TMC) proteins are an evolutionarily-conserved family of ion channels whose function has been linked to a variety of mechanosensory processes, including hearing and balance sensation in vertebrates and locomotion in Drosophila. The molecular features that tune homologous TMC ion channel complexes to diverse mechanical stimuli are unknown. Caenorhabditis elegans express two TMC homologs, TMC-1 and TMC-2, both of which are the likely pore-forming subunits of mechanosensitive ion channels but differ in their expression pattern and functional role in the worm. Here we present the single particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of the native TMC-2 complex isolated from C. elegans. The complex is composed of two copies each of the pore-forming TMC-2 subunit, the calcium and integrin binding protein CALM-1 and the transmembrane inner ear protein TMIE. Comparison of the TMC-2 complex to the recently published cryo-EM structure of the C. elegans TMC-1 complex reveals differences in subunit composition and highlights conserved protein-lipid interactions, as well as other structural features, that together suggest a mechanism for TMC-mediated mechanosensory transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Clark
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Hanbin Jeong
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Rich Posert
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - April Goehring
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Eric Gouaux
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
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Ferkey DM, Sengupta P, L’Etoile ND. Chemosensory signal transduction in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2021; 217:iyab004. [PMID: 33693646 PMCID: PMC8045692 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemosensory neurons translate perception of external chemical cues, including odorants, tastants, and pheromones, into information that drives attraction or avoidance motor programs. In the laboratory, robust behavioral assays, coupled with powerful genetic, molecular and optical tools, have made Caenorhabditis elegans an ideal experimental system in which to dissect the contributions of individual genes and neurons to ethologically relevant chemosensory behaviors. Here, we review current knowledge of the neurons, signal transduction molecules and regulatory mechanisms that underlie the response of C. elegans to chemicals, including pheromones. The majority of identified molecules and pathways share remarkable homology with sensory mechanisms in other organisms. With the development of new tools and technologies, we anticipate that continued study of chemosensory signal transduction and processing in C. elegans will yield additional new insights into the mechanisms by which this animal is able to detect and discriminate among thousands of chemical cues with a limited sensory neuron repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise M Ferkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Piali Sengupta
- Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Noelle D L’Etoile
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Abstract
Mechanosensation such as touch, hearing and proprioception, is functionally regulated by mechano-gated ion channels through the process of transduction. Mechano-gated channels are a subtype of gated ion channels engaged in converting mechanical stimuli to chemical or electrical signals thereby modulating sensation. To date, a few families of mechano-gated channels (DEG/ENaC, TRPN, K2P, TMC and Piezo) have been identified in eukaryotes. Using a tractable genetic model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, the molecular mechanism of mechanosensation have been the focus of much research to comprehend the process of mechanotransduction. Comprising of almost all metazoans classes of ion channels, transporters and receptors, C. elegans is a powerful genetic model to explore mechanosensitive behaviors such as touch sensation and proprioception. The nematode relies primarily on its sensory abilities to survive in its natural environment. Genetic screening, calcium imaging and electrophysiological analysis have established that ENaC proteins and TRPN channel (TRP-4 protein) can characterize mechano-gated channels in C. elegans. A recent study reported that TMCs are likely the pore-forming subunit of a mechano-gated channel in C. elegans. Nevertheless, it still remains unclear whether Piezo as well as other candidate proteins can form mechano-gated channels in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umar Al-Sheikh
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijun Kang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
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