Structural Insights into the Intracellular Region of the Human Magnesium Transport Mediator CNNM4

Functional and pathogenic insights into CNNM4 variants in Jalili syndrome

Jalili syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder causing cone-rod dystrophy and amelogenesis imperfecta, is a rare genetic disorder impacting visual and dental development. Missense variants (c.1474G > T and c.1475G > A) previously identified in patients with Jalili syndrome have been linked to functional impairment of CNNM4, however, the biological consequences of these pathogenic variants remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the functional implications of these CNNM4 missense variants, which correspond to p.(Gly492Cys) and p.(Gly492Asp) substitutions within the CBS domain of the CNNM4 protein. Our findings demonstrated that these variants exhibit significantly reduced protein stability and increased mRNA decay rates compared with wild type. Despite exhibiting normal Mg2+ localization, the mutant proteins demonstrated significantly reduced Mg²⁺ extrusion activity. This suggests that the pathogenic mechanism underlying Jalili syndrome associated with these variants likely involves decreased mRNA and/or protein stability, rather than mislocalization. Our study provides valuable insights into the interplay between genetic variations, molecular stability, and functional consequences in the context of CNNM4-related disorders, highlighting the importance of CNNM4-mediated Mg²⁺ transport in Jalili syndrome. Further investigation into the mechanisms regulating CNNM4 expression and protein stability may reveal potential therapeutic avenues.

New insights into the structure and function of CNNM proteins

Magnesium (Mg2+ ) is the most abundant divalent cation in cells and plays key roles in almost all biological processes. CBS-pair domain divalent metal cation transport mediators (CNNMs) are a newly characterized class of Mg2+ transporters present throughout biology. Originally discovered in bacteria, there are four CNNM proteins in humans, which are involved in divalent cation transport, genetic diseases, and cancer. Eukaryotic CNNMs are composed of four domains: an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, a cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS)-pair domain, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding homology domain. The transmembrane and CBS-pair core are the defining features of CNNM proteins with over 20 000 protein sequences known from over 8000 species. Here, we review the structural and functional studies of eukaryotic and prokaryotic CNNMs that underlie our understanding of their regulation and mechanism of ion transport. Recent structures of prokaryotic CNNMs confirm the transmembrane domain mediates ion transport with the CBS-pair domain likely playing a regulatory role through binding divalent cations. Studies of mammalian CNNMs have identified new binding partners. These advances are driving progress in understanding this deeply conserved and widespread family of ion transporters.

Chloroplast magnesium transporters play essential but differential roles in maintaining magnesium homeostasis

Magnesium (Mg2+) is essential for photosynthesis in the chloroplasts of land plants and algae. Being the central ion of chlorophyll, cofactor and activator of many photosynthetic enzymes including RuBisCO, magnesium-deficient plants may suffer from leaf chlorosis symptoms and retarded growth. Therefore, the chloroplast Mg2+ concentration is tightly controlled by magnesium transport proteins. Recently, three different transporters from two distinct families have been identified in the chloroplast inner envelope of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana: MGT10, MGR8, and MGR9. Here, we assess the individual roles of these three proteins in maintaining chloroplast Mg2+ homeostasis and regulating photosynthesis, and if their role is conserved in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Phylogenetic analysis and heterologous expression revealed that the CorC-like MGR8 and MGR9 transport Mg2+ by a different mechanism than the CorA-like MGT10. MGR8 and MGT10 genes are highest expressed in leaves, indicating a function in chloroplast Mg2+ transport. MGR9 is important for chloroplast function and plant adaptation in conditions of deficiency or excess of Mg2+. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that MGT10 plays a differential role in thylakoid stacking than MGR8 and MGR9. Furthermore, we report that MGR8, MGR9, and MGT10 are involved in building up the pH gradient across the thylakoid membrane and activating photoprotection in conditions of excess light, however the mechanism has not been resolved yet. While there are no chloroplast MGR-like transporters in Chlamydomonas, we show that MRS4 is a homolog of MGT10, that is required for photosynthesis and cell growth. Taken together, our findings reveal that the studied Mg2+ transporters play essential but differential roles in maintaining chloroplast Mg2+ homeostasis.

Structure and Function of Membrane Proteins

While we have a great deal of information on the human genome, in many cases we still know little about the structure's function, the regulation of membrane proteins and how they are altered in health and disease [...].

A novel signature to predict the neoadjuvant chemotherapy response of bladder carcinoma: Results from a territory multicenter real-world study

Background: Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has become the standard treatment option for muscle invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC), its application is still limited because of the lack of biomarkers for NAC prediction.

Methods: We conducted a territory multicenter real-world study to summarize NAC practice in China and its associated clinicopathologic variables with NAC response. Then, we developed and validated a robust gene-based signature for accurate NAC prediction using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), the least absolute shrinkage and selector operation (LASSO) algorithm, a multivariable binary logistic regression model, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results: In total, we collected 69 consecutive MIBC patients treated with NAC from four clinical centers. The application of NAC in the real world was relatively safe, with only two grade Ⅳ and seven grade Ⅲ AEs and no treatment-related deaths being reported. Among these patients, 16 patients gave up surgery after NAC, leaving 53 patients for further analysis. We divided them into pathological response and non-response groups and found that there were more patients with a higher grade and stage in the non-response group. Patients with a pathological response could benefit from a significant overall survival (OS) improvement. In addition, univariate and multivariate logistic analyses indicated that tumor grade and clinical T stage were both independent factors for predicting NAC response. Importantly, we developed and validated a five-gene-based risk score for extremely high predictive accuracy for NAC response.

Conclusion: NAC was relatively safe and could significantly improve OS for MIBC patients in the real-world practice. Our five-gene-based risk score could guide personalized therapy and promote the application of NAC.

Structural and functional comparison of magnesium transporters throughout evolution

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the most prevalent divalent intracellular cation. As co-factor in many enzymatic reactions, Mg²⁺ is essential for protein synthesis, energy production, and DNA stability. Disturbances in intracellular Mg²⁺ concentrations, therefore, unequivocally result in delayed cell growth and metabolic defects. To maintain physiological Mg²⁺ levels, all organisms rely on balanced Mg²⁺ influx and efflux via Mg²⁺ channels and transporters. This review compares the structure and the function of prokaryotic Mg²⁺ transporters and their eukaryotic counterparts. In prokaryotes, cellular Mg²⁺ homeostasis is orchestrated via the CorA, MgtA/B, MgtE, and CorB/C Mg²⁺ transporters. For CorA, MgtE, and CorB/C, the motifs that form the selectivity pore are conserved during evolution. These findings suggest that CNNM proteins, the vertebrate orthologues of CorB/C, also have Mg²⁺ transport capacity. Whereas CorA and CorB/C proteins share the gross quaternary structure and functional properties with their respective orthologues, the MgtE channel only shares the selectivity pore with SLC41 Na⁺/Mg²⁺ transporters. In eukaryotes, TRPM6 and TRPM7 Mg²⁺ channels provide an additional Mg²⁺ transport mechanism, consisting of a fusion of channel with a kinase. The unique features these TRP channels allow the integration of hormonal, cellular, and transcriptional regulatory pathways that determine their Mg²⁺ transport capacity. Our review demonstrates that understanding the structure and function of prokaryotic magnesiotropic proteins aids in our basic understanding of Mg²⁺ transport.

Crystal structure of an archaeal CorB magnesium transporter

CNNM/CorB proteins are a broadly conserved family of integral membrane proteins with close to 90,000 protein sequences known. They are associated with Mg²⁺ transport but it is not known if they mediate transport themselves or regulate other transporters. Here, we determine the crystal structure of an archaeal CorB protein in two conformations (apo and Mg²⁺-ATP bound). The transmembrane DUF21 domain exists in an inward-facing conformation with a Mg²⁺ ion coordinated by a conserved π-helix. In the absence of Mg²⁺-ATP, the CBS-pair domain adopts an elongated dimeric configuration with previously unobserved domain-domain contacts. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, analytical ultracentrifugation, and molecular dynamics experiments support a role of the structural rearrangements in mediating Mg²⁺-ATP sensing. Lastly, we use an in vitro, liposome-based assay to demonstrate direct Mg²⁺ transport by CorB proteins. These structural and functional insights provide a framework for understanding function of CNNMs in Mg²⁺ transport and associated diseases.

ARL15 modulates magnesium homeostasis through N-glycosylation of CNNMs

Cyclin M (CNNM1-4) proteins maintain cellular and body magnesium (Mg²⁺) homeostasis. Using various biochemical approaches, we have identified members of the CNNM family as direct interacting partners of ADP-ribosylation factor-like GTPase 15 (ARL15), a small GTP-binding protein. ARL15 interacts with CNNMs at their carboxyl-terminal conserved cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) domains. In silico modeling of the interaction between CNNM2 and ARL15 supports that the small GTPase specifically binds the CBS1 and CNBH domains. Immunocytochemical experiments demonstrate that CNNM2 and ARL15 co-localize in the kidney, with both proteins showing subcellular localization in the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane. Most importantly, we found that ARL15 is required for forming complex N-glycosylation of CNNMs. Overexpression of ARL15 promotes complex N-glycosylation of CNNM3. Mg²⁺ uptake experiments with a stable isotope demonstrate that there is a significant increase of ²⁵Mg²⁺ uptake upon knockdown of ARL15 in multiple kidney cancer cell lines. Altogether, our results establish ARL15 as a novel negative regulator of Mg²⁺ transport by promoting the complex N-glycosylation of CNNMs.

Identification and mechanistic analysis of an inhibitor of the CorC Mg2+ transporter

The CorC/CNNM family of Na+-dependent Mg2+ transporters is ubiquitously conserved from bacteria to humans. CorC, the bacterial CorC/CNNM family of proteins, is involved in resistance to antibiotic exposure and in the survival of pathogenic microorganisms in their host environment. The CorC/CNNM family proteins possess a cytoplasmic region containing the regulatory ATP-binding site. CorC and CNNM have attracted interest as therapeutic targets, whereas inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding site have not been identified. Here, we performed a virtual screening of CorC by targeting its ATP-binding site, identified a compound named IGN95a with inhibitory effects on ATP binding and Mg2+ export, and determined the cytoplasmic domain structure in complex with IGN95a. Furthermore, a chemical cross-linking experiment indicated that with ATP bound to the cytoplasmic domain, the conformational equilibrium of CorC was shifted more toward the inward-facing state of the transmembrane domain. In contrast, IGN95a did not induce such a shift.

Structural basis for the Mg2+ recognition and regulation of the CorC Mg2+ transporter

The CNNM/CorC family proteins are Mg²⁺ transporters that are widely distributed in all domains of life. In bacteria, CorC has been implicated in the survival of pathogenic microorganisms. In humans, CNNM proteins are involved in various biological events, such as body absorption/reabsorption of Mg²⁺ and genetic disorders. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the Mg²⁺-bound CorC TM domain dimer. Each protomer has a single Mg²⁺ binding site with a fully dehydrated Mg²⁺ ion. The residues at the Mg²⁺ binding site are strictly conserved in both human CNNM2 and CNNM4, and many of these residues are associated with genetic diseases. Furthermore, we determined the structures of the CorC cytoplasmic region containing its regulatory ATP-binding domain. A combination of structural and functional analyses not only revealed the potential interface between the TM and cytoplasmic domains but also showed that ATP binding is important for the Mg²⁺ export activity of CorC.

A FRET-based screening method to detect potential inhibitors of the binding of CNNM3 to PRL2

The cyclin M (CNNM) family of Mg²⁺ transporters is reported to promote tumour progression by binding to phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL) proteins. Here, we established an assay for detection of the binding between the cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) domain of human CNNM3 (a region responsible for PRL binding) and human PRL2 using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques. By fusing YPet to the C-terminus of the CNNM3 CBS domain and CyPet to the N-terminus of PRL2, we performed a FRET-based binding assay with purified proteins in multiwell plates and successfully detected the changes in fluorescence intensity derived from FRET with a reasonable K_d. We then confirmed that the addition of non-YPet-tagged CNNM3 and non-CyPet-tagged PRL proteins inhibited the changes in FRET intensity, whereas non-YPet-tagged CNNM3 with a mutation at the PRL2-binding site did not exhibit such inhibition. Furthermore, newly synthesized peptides derived from the CNNM loop region, with the PRL-binding sequences of the CNNM3 CBS domain, inhibited the interactions between CNNM3 and PRL2. Overall, these results showed that this method can be used for screening to identify inhibitors of CNNM-PRL interactions, potentially for novel anticancer therapy.