The proposed channel-enzyme transient receptor potential melastatin 2 does not possess ADP ribose hydrolase activity

Coupling enzymatic activity and gating in an ancient TRPM chanzyme and its molecular evolution

Channel enzymes represent a class of ion channels with enzymatic activity directly or indirectly linked to their channel function. We investigated a TRPM2 chanzyme from choanoflagellates that integrates two seemingly incompatible functions into a single peptide: a channel module activated by ADP-ribose with high open probability and an enzyme module (NUDT9-H domain) consuming ADP-ribose at a remarkably slow rate. Using time-resolved cryogenic-electron microscopy, we captured a complete series of structural snapshots of gating and catalytic cycles, revealing the coupling mechanism between channel gating and enzymatic activity. The slow kinetics of the NUDT9-H enzyme module confers a self-regulatory mechanism: ADPR binding triggers NUDT9-H tetramerization, promoting channel opening, while subsequent hydrolysis reduces local ADPR, inducing channel closure. We further demonstrated how the NUDT9-H domain has evolved from a structurally semi-independent ADP-ribose hydrolase module in early species to a fully integrated component of a gating ring essential for channel activation in advanced species.

Cell death induction and protection by activation of ubiquitously expressed anion/cation channels. Part 3: the roles and properties of TRPM2 and TRPM7

Cell volume regulation (CVR) is a prerequisite for animal cells to survive and fulfill their functions. CVR dysfunction is essentially involved in the induction of cell death. In fact, sustained normotonic cell swelling and shrinkage are associated with necrosis and apoptosis, and thus called the necrotic volume increase (NVI) and the apoptotic volume decrease (AVD), respectively. Since a number of ubiquitously expressed ion channels are involved in the CVR processes, these volume-regulatory ion channels are also implicated in the NVI and AVD events. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series of review articles, we described the roles of swelling-activated anion channels called VSOR or VRAC and acid-activated anion channels called ASOR or PAC in CVR and cell death processes. Here, Part 3 focuses on therein roles of Ca2+-permeable non-selective TRPM2 and TRPM7 cation channels activated by stress. First, we summarize their phenotypic properties and molecular structure. Second, we describe their roles in CVR. Since cell death induction is tightly coupled to dysfunction of CVR, third, we focus on their participation in the induction of or protection against cell death under oxidative, acidotoxic, excitotoxic, and ischemic conditions. In this regard, we pay attention to the sensitivity of TRPM2 and TRPM7 to a variety of stress as well as to their capability to physicall and functionally interact with other volume-related channels and membrane enzymes. Also, we summarize a large number of reports hitherto published in which TRPM2 and TRPM7 channels are shown to be involved in cell death associated with a variety of diseases or disorders, in some cases as double-edged swords. Lastly, we attempt to describe how TRPM2 and TRPM7 are organized in the ionic mechanisms leading to cell death induction and protection.

Role of TRP Channels in Liver-Related Diseases

The liver plays a crucial role in preserving the homeostasis of an entire organism by metabolizing both endogenous and exogenous substances, a process that relies on the harmonious interactions of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Kupffer cells (KCs), and vascular endothelial cells (ECs). The disruption of the liver's normal structure and function by diverse pathogenic factors imposes a significant healthcare burden. At present, most of the treatments for liver disease are palliative in nature, rather than curative or restorative. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are extensively expressed in the liver, play a crucial role in regulating intracellular cation concentration and serve as the origin or intermediary stage of certain signaling pathways that contribute to liver diseases. This review provides an overview of recent developments in liver disease research, as well as an examination of the expression and function of TRP channels in various liver cell types. Furthermore, we elucidate the molecular mechanism by which TRP channels mediate liver injury, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ultimately, the present discourse delves into the current state of research and extant issues pertaining to the targeting of TRP channels in the treatment of liver diseases and other ailments. Despite the numerous obstacles encountered, TRP channels persist as an extremely important target for forthcoming clinical interventions aimed at treating liver diseases.

TRPM2: bridging calcium and ROS signaling pathways-implications for human diseases

TRPM2 is a versatile and essential signaling molecule that plays diverse roles in Ca2+ homeostasis and oxidative stress signaling, with implications in various diseases. Research evidence has shown that TRPM2 is a promising therapeutic target. However, the decision of whether to activate or inhibit TRPM2 function depends on the context and specific disease. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing TRPM2 activation and regulation could pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutics targeting TRPM2 to treat a broad range of diseases. In this review, we examine the structural and biophysical details of TRPM2, its involvement in neurological and cardiovascular diseases, and its role in inflammation and immune system function. In addition, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of TRPM2 signaling pathways in cancer, including its functions in bioenergetics, oxidant defense, autophagy, and response to anticancer drugs.

Coupling enzymatic activity and gating in an ancient TRPM chanzyme and its molecular evolution

The canonical ion channels gated by chemical ligands use the free energy of agonist binding to open the channel pore, returning to a closed state upon agonist departure. A unique class of ion channels, known as channel-enzymes (chanzymes), possess additional enzymatic activity that is directly or indirectly linked to their channel function. Here we investigated a TRPM2 chanzyme from choanoflagellates, an evolutionary ancestor of all metazoan TRPM channels, which integrates two seemingly incompatible functions into a single peptide: a channel module activated by ADP ribose (ADPR) with high open probability and an enzyme module (NUDT9-H domain) consuming ADPR at a remarkably slow rate. Using time-resolved cryo- electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we captured a complete series of structural snapshots of the gating and catalytic cycles, revealing the coupling mechanism between channel gating and enzymatic activity. Our results showed that the slow kinetics of the NUDT9-H enzyme module confers a novel self-regulatory mechanism, whereby the enzyme module modulates channel gating in a binary manner. Binding of ADPR to NUDT9-H first triggers tetramerization of the enzyme modules, promoting channel opening, while the subsequent hydrolysis reaction reduces local ADPR availability, inducing channel closure. This coupling enables the ion-conducting pore to alternate rapidly between open and closed states, avoiding Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ overload. We further demonstrated how the NUDT9-H domain has evolved from a structurally semi-independent ADPR hydrolase module in early species TRPM2 to a fully integrated component of a gating ring essential for channel activation in advanced species TRPM2. Our study demonstrated an example of how organisms can adapt to their environments at the molecular level.

On the modulation of TRPM channels: Current perspectives and anticancer therapeutic implications

The transient melastatin receptor potential (TRPM) ion channel subfamily functions as cellular sensors and transducers of critical biological signal pathways by regulating ion homeostasis. Some members of TRPM have been cloned from cancerous tissues, and their abnormal expressions in various solid malignancies have been correlated with cancer cell growth, survival, or death. Recent evidence also highlights the mechanisms underlying the role of TRPMs in tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, and cancer metabolic reprogramming. These implications support TRPM channels as potential molecular targets and their modulation as an innovative therapeutic approach against cancer. Here, we discuss the general characteristics of the different TRPMs, focusing on current knowledge about the connection between TRPM channels and critical features of cancer. We also cover TRPM modulators used as pharmaceutical tools in biological trials and an indication of the only clinical trial with a TRPM modulator about cancer. To conclude, the authors describe the prospects for TRPM channels in oncology.

TRPM2 causes sensitization to oxidative stress but attenuates high-temperature injury in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

In humans, the cation channel TRPM2 (HsTRPM2) has been intensively studied because it is involved in oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis and also contributes to temperature regulation. The gating mechanism of TRPM2 is quite complex, with a C-terminally localized enzyme domain playing a crucial role. The analysis of orthologues of TRPM2, in particular from the distantly related marine invertebrate Nematostella vectensis (NvTRPM2), revealed that during evolution, the functional role of the endogenous enzyme domain of TRPM2 has undergone fundamental changes. In this study, we investigated whether these evolutionary differences also apply to the physiological functions of TRPM2. For this purpose, we generated a TRPM2 loss-of-function mutation in N. vectensis and compared the phenotypes of wild-type and mutant animals after exposure to either oxidative stress or high temperature. Our results show that under standard culture conditions, mutant animals are indistinguishable from wild-type animals in terms of morphology and development. However, exposure of the two experimental groups to different stressors revealed that TRPM2 causes sensitization to oxidative stress but attenuates high-temperature injury in N. vectensis. Therefore, NvTRPM2 plays opposite roles in the cellular response to these two different stressors. These findings reveal a similar physiological spectrum of activity of TRPM2 in humans and N. vectensis and open up the possibility of establishing N. vectensis as a model organism for the physiological function of TRPM2.

A Systemic Review of the Integral Role of TRPM2 in Ischemic Stroke: From Upstream Risk Factors to Ultimate Neuronal Death

Ischemic stroke causes a heavy health burden worldwide, with over 10 million new cases every year. Despite the high prevalence and mortality rate of ischemic stroke, the underlying molecular mechanisms for the common etiological factors of ischemic stroke and ischemic stroke itself remain unclear, which results in insufficient preventive strategies and ineffective treatments for this devastating disease. In this review, we demonstrate that transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 2 (TRPM2), a non-selective ion channel activated by oxidative stress, is actively involved in all the important steps in the etiology and pathology of ischemic stroke. TRPM2 could be a promising target in screening more effective prophylactic strategies and therapeutic medications for ischemic stroke.

Analysis of ligand binding and resulting conformational changes in pyrophosphatase NUDT9

Nudix hydrolase 9 (NUDT9) is a member of the nucleoside linked to another moiety X (NUDIX) protein superfamily, which hydrolyses a broad spectrum of organic pyrophosphates from metabolic processes. ADP‐ribose (ADPR) has been the only known endogenous substrate accepted by NUDT9 so far. The Ca²⁺‐permeable transient receptor potential melastatin subfamily 2 (TRPM2) channel contains a homologous NUDT9‐homology (NUDT9H) domain and is activated by ADPR. Sustained Ca²⁺ influx via ADPR‐activated TRPM2 triggers apoptotic mechanisms. Thus, a precise regulation of cellular ADPR levels by NUDT9 is essential. A detailed characterization of the enzyme‐substrate interaction would help to understand the high substrate specificity of NUDT9. Here, we analysed ligand binding to NUDT9 using a variety of biophysical techniques. We identified 2′‐deoxy‐ADPR as an additional substrate for NUDT9. Similar enzyme kinetics and binding affinities were determined for the two ligands. The high‐affinity binding was preserved in NUDT9 containing the mutated NUDIX box derived from the human NUDT9H domain. NMR spectroscopy indicated that ADPR and 2′‐deoxy‐ADPR bind to the same binding site of NUDT9. Backbone resonance assignment and subsequent molecular docking allowed further characterization of the binding pocket. Substantial conformational changes of NUDT9 upon ligand binding were observed which might allow for the development of NUDT9‐based ADPR fluorescence resonance energy transfer sensors that may help with the analysis of ADPR signalling processes in cells in the future.

Selective profiling of N- and C-terminal nucleotide-binding sites in a TRPM2 channel

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a homotetrameric Ca²⁺-permeable cation channel important for the immune response, body temperature regulation, and insulin secretion, and is activated by cytosolic Ca²⁺ and ADP ribose (ADPR). ADPR binds to two distinct locations, formed by large N- and C-terminal cytosolic domains, respectively, of the channel protein. In invertebrate TRPM2 channels, the C-terminal site is not required for channel activity but acts as an active ADPR phosphohydrolase that cleaves the activating ligand. In vertebrate TRPM2 channels, the C-terminal site is catalytically inactive but cooperates with the N-terminal site in channel activation. The precise functional contributions to channel gating and the nucleotide selectivities of the two sites in various species have not yet been deciphered. For TRPM2 of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis (nvTRPM2), catalytic activity is solely attributable to the C-terminal site. Here, we show that nvTRPM2 channel gating properties remain unaltered upon deletion of the C-terminal domain, indicating that the N-terminal site is single-handedly responsible for channel gating. Exploiting such functional independence of the N- and C-terminal sites, we selectively measure their affinity profiles for a series of ADPR analogues, as reflected by apparent affinities for channel activation and catalysis, respectively. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we confirm that the same N-terminal site observed in vertebrate TRPM2 channels was already present in ancient cnidarians. Finally, by characterizing the functional effects of six amino acid side chain truncations in the N-terminal site, we provide first insights into the mechanistic contributions of those side chains to TRPM2 channel gating.

TRPM2 ion channels steer neutrophils towards a source of hydrogen peroxide

Neutrophils must navigate accurately towards pathogens in order to destroy invaders and thus defend our bodies against infection. Here we show that hydrogen peroxide, a potent neutrophil chemoattractant, guides chemotaxis by activating calcium-permeable TRPM2 ion channels and generating an intracellular leading-edge calcium "pulse". The thermal sensitivity of TRPM2 activation means that chemotaxis towards hydrogen peroxide is strongly promoted by small temperature elevations, suggesting that an important function of fever may be to enhance neutrophil chemotaxis by facilitating calcium influx through TRPM2. Chemotaxis towards conventional chemoattractants such as LPS, CXCL2 and C5a does not depend on TRPM2 but is driven in a similar way by leading-edge calcium pulses. Other proposed initiators of neutrophil movement, such as PI3K, Rac and lyn, influence chemotaxis by modulating the amplitude of calcium pulses. We propose that intracellular leading-edge calcium pulses are universal drivers of the motile machinery involved in neutrophil chemotaxis.

Two Decades of Evolution of Our Understanding of the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) Cation Channel

The transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) family belongs to the superfamily of TRP ion channels. It consists of eight family members that are involved in a plethora of cellular functions. TRPM2 is a homotetrameric Ca²⁺-permeable cation channel activated upon oxidative stress and is important, among others, for body heat control, immune cell activation and insulin secretion. Invertebrate TRPM2 proteins are channel enzymes; they hydrolyze the activating ligand, ADP-ribose, which is likely important for functional regulation. Since its cloning in 1998, the understanding of the biophysical properties of the channel has greatly advanced due to a vast number of structure–function studies. The physiological regulators of the channel have been identified and characterized in cell-free systems. In the wake of the recent structural biochemistry revolution, several TRPM2 cryo-EM structures have been published. These structures have helped to understand the general features of the channel, but at the same time have revealed unexplained mechanistic differences among channel orthologues. The present review aims at depicting the major research lines in TRPM2 structure-function. It discusses biophysical properties of the pore and the mode of action of direct channel effectors, and interprets these functional properties on the basis of recent three-dimensional structural models.

Roles of NAD+ and Its Metabolites Regulated Calcium Channels in Cancer

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is an essential cofactor for redox enzymes, but also moonlights as a regulator for ion channels, the same as its metabolites. Ca²⁺ homeostasis is dysregulated in cancer cells and affects processes such as tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy, progression, and metastasis. Herein, we summarize the regulation of the most common calcium channels (TRPM2, TPCs, RyRs, and TRPML1) by NAD⁺ and its metabolites, with a particular focus on their roles in cancers. Although the mechanisms of NAD⁺ metabolites in these pathological processes are yet to be clearly elucidated, these ion channels are emerging as potential candidates of alternative targets for anticancer therapy.

TRPM2 channel-mediated cell death: An important mechanism linking oxidative stress-inducing pathological factors to associated pathological conditions

Oxidative stress resulting from the accumulation of high levels of reactive oxygen species is a salient feature of, and a well-recognised pathological factor for, diverse pathologies. One common mechanism for oxidative stress damage is via the disruption of intracellular ion homeostasis to induce cell death. TRPM2 is a non-selective Ca2+-permeable cation channel with a wide distribution throughout the body and is highly sensitive to activation by oxidative stress. Recent studies have collected abundant evidence to show its important role in mediating cell death induced by miscellaneous oxidative stress-inducing pathological factors, both endogenous and exogenous, including ischemia/reperfusion and the neurotoxicants amyloid-β peptides and MPTP/MPP+ that cause neuronal demise in the brain, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, proinflammatory mediators that disrupt endothelial function, diabetogenic agent streptozotocin and diabetes risk factor free fatty acids that induce loss of pancreatic β-cells, bile acids that damage pancreatic acinar cells, renal ischemia/reperfusion and albuminuria that are detrimental to kidney cells, acetaminophen that triggers hepatocyte death, and nanoparticles that injure pericytes. Studies have also shed light on the signalling mechanisms by which these pathological factors activate the TRPM2 channel to alter intracellular ion homeostasis leading to aberrant initiation of various cell death pathways. TRPM2-mediated cell death thus emerges as an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of conditions including ischemic stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, pancreatitis, chronic kidney disease, liver damage and neurovascular injury. These findings raise the exciting perspective of targeting the TRPM2 channel as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat such oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Structure-Function Relationship of TRPM2: Recent Advances, Contradictions, and Open Questions

When in a particular scientific field, major progress is rapidly reached after a long period of relative stand-still, this is often achieved by the development or exploitation of new techniques and methods. A striking example is the new insights brought into the understanding of the gating mechanism of the transient receptor potential melastatin type 2 cation channel (TRPM2) by cryogenic electron microscopy structure analysis. When conventional methods are complemented by new ones, it is quite natural that established researchers are not fully familiar with the possibilities and limitations of the new method. On the other hand, newcomers may need some assistance in perceiving the previous knowledge in detail; they may not realize that some of their interpretations are at odds with previous results and need refinement. This may in turn trigger further studies with new and promising perspectives, combining the promises of several methodological approaches. With this review, I aim to give a comprehensive overview on functional data of several orthologous of TRPM2 that are nicely explained by structural studies. Moreover, I wish to point out some functional contradictions raised by the structural data. Finally, some open questions and some lines of possible future experimental approaches shall be discussed.

Direct Gating of the TRPM2 Channel by cADPR via Specific Interactions with the ADPR Binding Pocket

cADPR is a well-recognized signaling molecule by modulating the RyRs, but considerable debate exists regarding whether cADPR can bind to and gate the TRPM2 channel, which mediates oxidative stress signaling in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Here, we show that purified cADPR evoked TRPM2 channel currents in both whole-cell and cell-free single-channel recordings and specific binding of cADPR to the purified NUDT9-H domain of TRPM2 by surface plasmon resonance. Furthermore, by combining computational modeling with electrophysiological recordings, we show that the TRPM2 channels carrying point mutations at H1346, T1347, L1379, S1391, E1409, and L1484 possess distinct sensitivity profiles for ADPR and cADPR. These results clearly indicate cADPR is a bona fide activator at the TRPM2 channel and clearly delineate the structural basis for cADPR binding, which not only lead to a better understanding in the gating mechanism of TRPM2 channel but also shed light on a cADPR-induced RyRs-independent Ca²⁺ signaling mechanism.

TRPM2, linking oxidative stress and Ca2+ permeation to NLRP3 inflammasome activation

The NLRP3 inflammasome is an innate immune platform that senses various pathogens and sterile insults. NLRP3 stimulation leads to activation of caspase-1, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. Effectors of the NLRP3 inflammasome efficiently drive an immune response, not only providing protection in physiological settings but also promoting pathology when over activated. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular calcium mobilization can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. Recent studies suggest that TRPM2 is a calcium-permeable cation channel mediating ROS-dependent NLRP3 activation. Here, we review the role of TRPM2 in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and provide an update on new functional and structural discoveries. Understanding the molecular mechanism of TRPM2 dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation will shed lights on this complex pathway and help the developing of therapeutic strategies.

Synthesis of phosphonoacetate analogues of the second messenger adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribose (ADPR)

Adenosine 5′-diphosphate ribose (ADPR) is an intracellular signalling molecule generated from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺). Synthetic ADPR analogues can shed light on the mechanism of activation of ADPR targets and their downstream effects. Such chemical biology studies, however, are often challenging due to the negatively charged pyrophosphate that is also sensitive to cellular pyrophosphatases. Prior work on an initial ADPR target, the transient receptor potential cation channel TRPM2, showed complete pyrophosphate group replacement to be a step too far in maintaining biological activity. Thus, we designed ADPR analogues with just one of the negatively charged phosphate groups removed, by employing a phosphonoacetate linker. Synthesis of two novel phosphonoacetate ADPR analogues is described via tandem N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide coupling to phosphonoacetic acid. Neither analogue, however, showed significant agonist or antagonist activity towards TRPM2, underlining the importance of a complete pyrophosphate motif in activation of this particular receptor.

Pyrophosphate replacement using phosphonoacetate isosteres – tools to study biological targets of ADPR.

Functional importance of NUDT9H domain and N-terminal ADPR-binding pocket in two species variants of vertebrate TRPM2 channels

There are at least two different principles of how ADP-ribose (ADPR) induces activation of TRPM2 channels. In human TRPM2, gating requires the C-terminal NUDT9H domain as ADPR-binding module, whereas in sea anemone, NUDT9H is dispensable and binding of ADPR occurs N-terminally. Zebrafish TRPM2 needs both, the N-terminal ADPR-binding pocket and NUDT9H. Our aim was to pinpoint the relative functional contributions of NUDT9H and the N-terminal ADPR-binding pocket in zebrafish TRPM2, to identify fundamental mechanisms of ADPR-directed gating. We show that the NUDT9H domains of human and zebrafish TRPM2 are interchangeable since chimeras generate ADPR-sensitive channels. A point mutation at a highly conserved position within NUDT9H induces loss-of-function in both vertebrate channels. The substrate specificity of zebrafish TRPM2 corresponds to that of sea anemone TRPM2, indicating gating by the proposed N-terminal ADPR-binding pocket. However, a point mutation in this region abolishes ADPR activation also in human TRPM2. These findings provide functional evidence for an uniform N-terminal ADPR-binding pocket in TRPM2 of zebrafish and sea anemone with modified function in human TRPM2. The structural importance of NUDT9H in vertebrate TRPM2 can be associated with a single amino acid residue which is not directly involved in the binding of ADPR.

Characterization and Optimization of the Novel Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 Antagonist tatM2NX

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a calcium-permeable channel activated by adenosine diphosphate ribose metabolites and oxidative stress. TRPM2 contributes to neuronal injury in the brain caused by stroke and cardiac arrest among other diseases including pain, inflammation, and cancer. However, the lack of specific inhibitors hinders the study of TRPM2 in brain pathophysiology. Here, we present the design of a novel TRPM2 antagonist, tatM2NX, which prevents ligand binding and TRPM2 activation. We used mutagenesis of tatM2NX to determine the structure-activity relationship and antagonistic mechanism on TRPM2 using whole-cell patch clamp and Calcium imaging in human embryonic kidney 293 cells with stable human TRPM2 expression. We show that tatM2NX inhibits over 90% of TRPM2 channel currents at concentrations as low as 2 μM. Moreover, tatM2NX is a potent antagonist with an IC₅₀ of 396 nM. Our results from tatM2NX mutagenesis indicate that specific residues within the tatM2NX C terminus are required to confer antagonism on TRPM2. Therefore, the peptide tatM2NX represents a new tool for the study of TRPM2 function in cell biology and enhances our understanding of TRPM2 in disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: TatM2NX is a potent TRPM2 channel antagonist with the potential for clinical benefit in neurological diseases. This study characterizes interactions of tatM2NX with TRPM2 and the mechanism of action using structure-activity analysis.

A structural overview of the ion channels of the TRPM family

The TRPM (transient receptor potential melastatin) family belongs to the superfamily of TRP cation channels. The TRPM subfamily is composed of eight members that are involved in diverse biological functions such as temperature sensing, inflammation, insulin secretion, and redox sensing. Since the first cloning of TRPM1 in 1998, tremendous progress has been made uncovering the function, structure, and pharmacology of this family. Complete structures of TRPM2, TRPM4, and TRPM8, as well as a partial structure of TRPM7, have been determined by cryo-EM, providing insights into their channel assembly, ion permeation, gating mechanisms, and structural pharmacology. Here we summarize the current knowledge about channel structure, emphasizing general features and principles of the structure of TRPM channels discovered since 2017. We also discuss some of the key unresolved issues in the field, including the molecular mechanisms underlying voltage and temperature dependence, as well as the functions of the TRPM channels' C-terminal domains.

Pyridine Nucleotide Metabolites and Calcium Release from Intracellular Stores

Ca²⁺ signals are probably the most common intracellular signaling cellular events, controlling an extensive range of responses in virtually all cells. Many cellular stimuli, often acting at cell surface receptors, evoke Ca²⁺ signals by mobilizing Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores. Inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) was the first messenger shown to link events at the plasma membrane to release Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), through the activation of IP₃-gated Ca²⁺ release channels (IP₃ receptors). Subsequently, two additional Ca²⁺ mobilizing messengers were discovered, cADPR and NAADP. Both are metabolites of pyridine nucleotides, and may be produced by the same class of enzymes, ADP-ribosyl cyclases, such as CD38. Whilst cADPR mobilizes Ca²⁺ from the ER by activation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs), NAADP releases Ca²⁺ from acidic stores by a mechanism involving the activation of two pore channels (TPCs). In addition, other pyridine nucleotides have emerged as intracellular messengers. ADP-ribose and 2'-deoxy-ADPR both activate TRPM2 channels which are expressed at the plasma membrane and in lysosomes.

Ligand recognition and gating mechanism through three ligand-binding sites of human TRPM2 channel

TRPM2 is critically involved in diverse physiological processes including core temperature sensing, apoptosis, and immune response. TRPM2’s activation by Ca²⁺ and ADP ribose (ADPR), an NAD⁺-metabolite produced under oxidative stress and neurodegenerative conditions, suggests a role in neurological disorders. We provide a central concept between triple-site ligand binding and the channel gating of human TRPM2. We show consecutive structural rearrangements and channel activation of TRPM2 induced by binding of ADPR in two indispensable locations, and the binding of Ca²⁺ in the transmembrane domain. The 8-Br-cADPR—an antagonist of cADPR—binds only to the MHR1/2 domain and inhibits TRPM2 by stabilizing the channel in an apo-like conformation. We conclude that MHR1/2 acts as a orthostatic ligand-binding site for TRPM2. The NUDT9-H domain binds to a second ADPR to assist channel activation in vertebrates, but not necessary in invertebrates. Our work provides insights into the gating mechanism of human TRPM2 and its pharmacology.

Visualizing structural transitions of ligand-dependent gating of the TRPM2 channel

The transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel plays a key role in redox sensation in many cell types. Channel activation requires binding of both ADP-ribose (ADPR) and Ca²⁺. The recently published TRPM2 structures from Danio rerio in the ligand-free and the ADPR/Ca²⁺-bound conditions represent the channel in closed and open states, which uncovered substantial tertiary and quaternary conformational rearrangements. However, it is unclear how these rearrangements are achieved within the tetrameric channel during channel gating. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of Danio rerio TRPM2 in the absence of ligands, in complex with Ca²⁺ alone, and with both ADPR and Ca²⁺, resolved to ~4.3 Å, ~3.8 Å, and ~4.2 Å, respectively. In contrast to the published results, our studies capture ligand-bound TRPM2 structures in two-fold symmetric intermediate states, offering a glimpse of the structural transitions that bridge the closed and open conformations.

The transient receptor potential channel member 2 (TRPM2) ion channel has a function in redox-dependent signaling. Here the authors present the cryo-EM structures of zebrafish TRPM2 in the ligand-free form, with Ca²⁺ and both ADP-ribose/Ca²⁺ and observe two-fold symmetric quaternary structure rearrangements in the ligand-bound structures that likely represent intermediate gating states.

Structural and Evolutionary Insights Point to Allosteric Regulation of TRP Ion Channels

The familiar pungent taste of spicy food, the refreshing taste of mint, and many other physiological phenomena are mediated by transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels. TRP channels are a superfamily of ion channels that are sensitive to diverse chemical and physical stimuli and play diverse roles in biology. In addition to chemical regulation, some family members also sense common physical stimuli, such as temperature or pressure. Since their discovery and cloning in the 1990s and 2000s, understanding the molecular mechanisms governing TRP channel function and polymodal regulation has been a consistent but challenging goal. Until recently, a general lack of high-resolution TRP channel structures had significantly limited a molecular understanding of their function. In the past few years, a flood of TRP channel structures have been released, made possible primarily by advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The boon of many structures has unleashed unparalleled insight into TRP channel architecture. Substantive comparative studies between TRP structures provide snapshots of distinct states such as ligand-free, stabilized by chemical agonists, or antagonists, partially illuminating how a given channel opens and closes. However, the now ∼75 TRP channel structures have ushered in surprising outcomes, including a lack of an apparent general mechanism underlying channel opening and closing among family members. Similarly, the structures reveal a surprising diversity in which chemical ligands bind TRP channels. Several TRP channels are activated by temperature changes in addition to ligand binding. Unraveling mechanisms of thermosensation has proven an elusive challenge to the field. Although some studies point to thermosensitive domains in the transmembrane region of the channels, results have sometimes been contradictory and difficult to interpret; in some cases, a domain that proves essential for thermal sensitivity in one context can be entirely removed from the channel without affecting thermosensation in another context. These results are not amenable to simple interpretations and point to allosteric networks of regulation within the channel structure. TRP channels have evolved to be fine-tuned for the needs of a species in its environmental niche, a fact that has been both a benefit and burden in unlocking their molecular features. Functional evolutionary divergence has presented challenges for studying TRP channels, as orthologs from different species can give conflicting experimental results. However, this diversity can also be examined comparatively to decipher the basis for functional differences. As with structural biology, untangling the similarities and differences resulting from evolutionary pressure between species has been a rich source of data guiding the field. This Account will contextualize the existing biochemical and functional data with an eye to evolutionary data and couple these insights with emerging structural biology to better understand the molecular mechanisms behind chemical and physical regulation of TRP channels.

Synthesis of Terminal Ribose Analogues of Adenosine 5'-Diphosphate Ribose as Probes for the Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel TRPM2

TRPM2 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 2) is a nonselective cation channel involved in the response to oxidative stress and in inflammation. Its role in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases makes it an attractive pharmacological target. Binding of the nucleotide adenosine 5′-diphosphate ribose (ADPR) to the cytosolic NUDT9 homology (NUDT9H) domain activates the channel. A detailed understanding of how ADPR interacts with the TRPM2 ligand binding domain is lacking, hampering the rational design of modulators, but the terminal ribose of ADPR is known to be essential for activation. To study its role in more detail, we designed synthetic routes to novel analogues of ADPR and 2′-deoxy-ADPR that were modified only by removal of a single hydroxyl group from the terminal ribose. The ADPR analogues were obtained by coupling nucleoside phosphorimidazolides to deoxysugar phosphates. The corresponding C2″-based analogues proved to be unstable. The C1″- and C3″-ADPR analogues were evaluated electrophysiologically by patch-clamp in TRPM2-expressing HEK293 cells. In addition, a compound with all hydroxyl groups of the terminal ribose blocked as its 1″-β-O-methyl-2″,3″-O-isopropylidene derivative was evaluated. Removal of either C1″ or C3″ hydroxyl groups from ADPR resulted in loss of agonist activity. Both these modifications and blocking all three hydroxyl groups resulted in TRPM2 antagonists. Our results demonstrate the critical role of these hydroxyl groups in channel activation.

Enzyme activity and selectivity filter stability of ancient TRPM2 channels were simultaneously lost in early vertebrates

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a cation channel important for the immune response, insulin secretion, and body temperature regulation. It is activated by cytosolic ADP ribose (ADPR) and contains a nudix-type motif 9 (NUDT9)-homology (NUDT9-H) domain homologous to ADPR phosphohydrolases (ADPRases). Human TRPM2 (hsTRPM2) is catalytically inactive due to mutations in the conserved Nudix box sequence. Here, we show that TRPM2 Nudix motifs are canonical in all invertebrates but vestigial in vertebrates. Correspondingly, TRPM2 of the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis (nvTRPM2) and the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta (srTRPM2) are active ADPRases. Disruption of ADPRase activity fails to affect nvTRPM2 channel currents, reporting a catalytic cycle uncoupled from gating. Furthermore, pore sequence substitutions responsible for inactivation of hsTRPM2 also appeared in vertebrates. Correspondingly, zebrafish (Danio rerio) TRPM2 (drTRPM2) and hsTRPM2 channels inactivate, but srTRPM2 and nvTRPM2 currents are stable. Thus, catalysis and pore stability were lost simultaneously in vertebrate TRPM2 channels.

Structures and gating mechanism of human TRPM2

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a cation channel associated with numerous diseases. It has a C-terminal NUDT9 homology (NUDT9H) domain responsible for binding adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose (ADPR), and both ADPR and calcium (Ca²⁺) are required for TRPM2 activation. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of human TRPM2 alone, with ADPR, and with ADPR and Ca²⁺ NUDT9H forms both intra- and intersubunit interactions with the N-terminal TRPM homology region (MHR1/2/3) in the apo state but undergoes conformational changes upon ADPR binding, resulting in rotation of MHR1/2 and disruption of the intersubunit interaction. The binding of Ca²⁺ further engages transmembrane helices and the conserved TRP helix to cause conformational changes at the MHR arm and the lower gating pore to potentiate channel opening. These findings explain the molecular mechanism of concerted TRPM2 gating by ADPR and Ca²⁺ and provide insights into the gating mechanism of other TRP channels.

Architecture of the TRPM2 channel and its activation mechanism by ADP-ribose and calcium

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a calcium-permeable, non-selective cation channel that has an essential role in diverse physiological processes such as core body temperature regulation, immune response and apoptosis^1-4. TRPM2 is polymodal and can be activated by a wide range of stimuli^1-7, including temperature, oxidative stress and NAD⁺-related metabolites such as ADP-ribose (ADPR). Its activation results in both Ca²⁺ entry across the plasma membrane and Ca²⁺ release from lysosomes⁸, and has been linked to diseases such as ischaemia-reperfusion injury, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer's disease^9-11. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the zebrafish TRPM2 in the apo resting (closed) state and in the ADPR/Ca²⁺-bound active (open) state, in which the characteristic NUDT9-H domains hang underneath the MHR1/2 domain. We identify an ADPR-binding site located in the bi-lobed structure of the MHR1/2 domain. Our results provide an insight into the mechanism of activation of the TRPM channel family and define a framework for the development of therapeutic agents to treat neurodegenerative diseases and temperature-related pathological conditions.

Oxidative stress promotes redistribution of TRPM2 channels to the plasma membrane in hepatocytes

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin (TRPM) 2 is a non-selective Ca²⁺ permeable cation channel and a member of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channel family. TRPM2 has unique gating properties; it is activated by intracellular ADP-ribose (ADPR), whereas Ca²⁺ plays a role of an important co-factor in channel activation, increasing TRPM2 sensitivity to ADPR. TRPM2 is highly expressed in rat and mouse hepatocytes, where it has been shown to contribute to oxidative stress-induced cell death and liver damage due to paracetamol-overdose. The mechanisms regulating the activity of TRPM2 channels in hepatocytes, however, are not well understood. In this paper, we investigate the localisation of TRPM2 protein in hepatocytes. The presented results demonstrate that in rat hepatocytes under normal conditions, most of the TRPM2 protein is localised intracellularly. This was determined by confocal microscopy using TRPM2-and plasma membrane (PM)-specific antibodies and immunofluorescence, and biotinylation studies followed by western blotting. Interestingly, in hepatocytes treated with either H₂O₂ or paracetamol, the amount of TRPM2 co-localised with PM is significantly increased, compared to the untreated cells. It is concluded that trafficking of TRPM2 to the PM could potentially contribute to a positive feedback mechanism mediating Ca²⁺ overload in hepatocytes under conditions of oxidative stress.

TRPM2 and warmth sensation

The abilities to detect warmth and heat are critical for the survival of all animals, both in order to be able to identify suitable thermal environments for the many different activities essential for life and to avoid damage caused by extremes of temperature. Several ion channels belonging to the TRP family are activated by non-noxious warmth or by heat and are therefore plausible candidates for thermal detectors, but identifying those that actually regulate warmth and heat detection in intact animals has proven problematic. TRPM2 has recently emerged as a likely candidate for the detector of non-noxious warmth, as it is expressed in sensory neurons, and mice show deficits in the detection of warmth when TRPM2 is genetically deleted. TRPM2 is a chanzyme, containing a thermally activated TRP ion channel domain attached to a C-terminal motif, derived from a mitochondrial ADP ribose pyrophosphatase, that confers on the channel sensitivity to ADP ribose and reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide. Several open questions remain. Male mammals prefer cooler environments than female, but the molecular basis of this sex difference is unknown. TRPM2 plays a role in regulating body temperature, but are other warmth-detecting mechanisms also involved? TRPM2 is expressed in autonomic neurons, but does it confer a sensory function in addition to the well-known motor functions of autonomic neurons? TRPM2 is thought to play important roles in the immune system, in pain and in insulin secretion, but the mechanisms are unclear. TRPM2 has to date received less attention than many other members of the TRP family but is rapidly assuming importance both in normal physiology and as a key target in disease pathology.

TRPM2: a candidate therapeutic target for treating neurological diseases

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a calcium (Ca²⁺)-permeable non-selective cation channel belonging to the TRP ion channel family. Oxidative stress-induced TRPM2 activation provokes aberrant intracellular Ca²⁺ accumulation and cell death in a variety of cell types, including neurons. Aberrant TRPM2 function has been implicated in several neurological disorders including ischemia/stroke, Alzheimer's disease, neuropathic pain, Parkinson's disease and bipolar disorder. In addition to research identifying a role for TRPM2 in disease, progress has been made in the identification of physiological functions of TRPM2 in the brain, including recent evidence that TRPM2 is necessary for the induction of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term depression, an important form of synaptic plasticity at glutamate synapses. Here, we summarize recent evidence on the role of TRPM2 in the central nervous system (CNS) in health and disease and discuss the potential therapeutic implications of targeting TRPM2. Collectively, these studies suggest that TRPM2 represents a prospective novel therapeutic target for neurological disorders.

Redox regulation of transient receptor potential channels in the endothelium

ROS and RNS are important mediators of signaling pathways in the endothelium. Specific members of the TRP superfamily of cation channels act as important Ca²⁺ influx pathways in endothelial cells and are involved in endothelium-dependent vasodilation, regulation of barrier permeability, and angiogenesis. ROS and RNS can modulate the activity of certain TRP channels mainly by modifying specific cysteine residues or by stimulating the production of second messengers. In this review, we highlight the recent literature describing redox regulation of TRP channel activity in endothelial cells as well as the physiological importance of these pathways and implication for cardiovascular diseases.

Different Principles of ADP-Ribose-Mediated Activation and Opposite Roles of the NUDT9 Homology Domain in the TRPM2 Orthologs of Man and Sea Anemone

A decisive element in the human cation channel TRPM2 is a region in its cytosolic C-terminus named NUDT9H because of its homology to the NUDT9 enzyme, a pyrophosphatase degrading ADP-ribose (ADPR). In hTRPM2, however, the NUDT9H domain has lost its enzymatic activity but serves as a binding domain for ADPR. As consequence of binding, gating of the channel is initiated. Since ADPR is produced after oxidative DNA damage, hTRPM2 mediates Ca²⁺ influx in response to oxidative stress which may lead to cell death. In the genome of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis (nv), a preferred model organism for the evolution of key bilaterian features, a TRPM2 ortholog has been identified that contains a NUDT9H domain as well. Heterologous expression of nvTRPM2 in HEK-293 cells reveals a cation channel with many close similarities to the human counterpart. Most notably, nvTRPM2 is activated by ADPR, and Ca²⁺ is a co-agonist. However, the intramolecular mechanisms of ADPR gating as well as the role of NUDT9H are strikingly different in the two species. Whereas already subtle changes of NUDT9H abolish ADPR gating in hTRPM2, the region can be completely removed from nvTRPM2 without loss of responses to ADPR. An alternative ADPR binding site seems to be present but has not yet been characterized. The ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase (ADPRase) function of nvNUDT9H has been preserved but can be abolished by numerous genetic manipulations. All these manipulations create channels that are sensitive to hydrogen peroxide which fails to induce channel activity in wild-type nvTRPM2. Therefore, the function of NUDT9H in nvTRPM2 is the degradation of ADPR, thereby reducing agonist concentration in the presence of oxidative stress. Thus, the two TRPM2 orthologs have evolved divergently but nevertheless gained analogous functional properties, i.e., gating by ADPR with Ca²⁺ as co-factor. Opposite roles are played by the respective NUDT9H domains, either binding of ADPR and mediating channel activity, or controlling the availability of ADPR at the binding site located in a different domain.

Modulation of activation and inactivation by Ca2+ and 2-APB in the pore of an archetypal TRPM channel from Nematostella vectensis

The archetypal TRPM2-like channel of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis is gated by ADPR like its human orthologue but additionally exhibits properties of other vertebrate TRPM channels. Thus it can help towards an understanding of gating and regulation of the whole subfamily. To elucidate further the role of Ca²⁺ as a co-factor of ADPR, we exploited 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB), previously shown to exert either inhibitory or stimulatory effects on diverse TRPM channels, or both in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-APB in high concentrations (1 mM) induced large, non-inactivating currents through nvTRPM2. In lower concentrations (≤0.5 mM), it prevented the fast current inactivation typical for nvTRPM2 stimulated with ADPR. Both these effects were rapidly reversed after wash-out of 2-APB, in contrast to a considerable lag time of their onset. A detailed analysis of nvTRPM2 mutants with modified selectivity filter or reduced ADP-ribose sensitivity revealed that the actions of 2-APB depend on its access to the pore which is enhanced by channel opening. Moreover, access of Ca²⁺ to the pore is decisive which again depends on the open state of the channel. We conclude that separate regulatory processes by Ca²⁺ on the pore can be discriminated with the aid of 2-APB.

The TRPM2 channel: A thermo-sensitive metabolic sensor

Living organisms continually experience changes in ambient temperature. To detect such temperature changes for adaptive behavioral responses, we evolved the ability to sense temperature. Thermosensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, so-called thermo-TRPs, are involved in many physiologic functions in diverse organisms and constitute important temperature sensors. One of the important roles of thermo-TRPs is detecting ambient temperature in sensory neurons. Importantly, the functional expression of thermo-TRPs is observed not only in sensory neurons but also in tissues and cells that are not exposed to drastic temperature changes, indicating that thermo-TRPs are involved in many physiologic functions within the body's normal temperature range. Among such thermo-TRPs, this review focuses on one thermo-sensitive metabolic sensor in particular, TRPM2, and summarizes recent progress to clarify the regulatory mechanisms and physiologic functions of TRPM2 at body temperature under various metabolic states.

TRPM channels as potential therapeutic targets against pro-inflammatory diseases

The immune system protects our body against foreign pathogens. However, if it overshoots or turns against itself, pro-inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or diabetes develop. Ions, the most basic signaling molecules, shape intracellular signaling cascades resulting in immune cell activation and subsequent immune responses. Mutations in ion channels required for calcium signaling result in human immunodeficiencies and highlight those ion channels as valued targets for therapies against pro-inflammatory diseases. Signaling pathways regulated by melastatin-like transient receptor potential (TRPM) cation channels also play crucial roles in calcium signaling and leukocyte physiology, affecting phagocytosis, degranulation, chemokine and cytokine expression, chemotaxis and invasion, as well as lymphocyte development and proliferation. Therefore, this review discusses their regulation, possible interactions and whether they can be exploited as targets for therapeutic approaches to pro-inflammatory diseases.

The evolution of function within the Nudix homology clan

The Nudix homology clan encompasses over 80,000 protein domains from all three domains of life, defined by homology to each other. Proteins with a domain from this clan fall into four general functional classes: pyrophosphohydrolases, isopentenyl diphosphate isomerases (IDIs), adenine/guanine mismatch-specific adenine glycosylases (A/G-specific adenine glycosylases), and nonenzymatic activities such as protein/protein interaction and transcriptional regulation. The largest group, pyrophosphohydrolases, encompasses more than 100 distinct hydrolase specificities. To understand the evolution of this vast number of activities, we assembled and analyzed experimental and structural data for 205 Nudix proteins collected from the literature. We corrected erroneous functions or provided more appropriate descriptions for 53 annotations described in the Gene Ontology Annotation database in this family, and propose 275 new experimentally-based annotations. We manually constructed a structure-guided sequence alignment of 78 Nudix proteins. Using the structural alignment as a seed, we then made an alignment of 347 "select" Nudix homology domains, curated from structurally determined, functionally characterized, or phylogenetically important Nudix domains. Based on our review of Nudix pyrophosphohydrolase structures and specificities, we further analyzed a loop region downstream of the Nudix hydrolase motif previously shown to contact the substrate molecule and possess known functional motifs. This loop region provides a potential structural basis for the functional radiation and evolution of substrate specificity within the hydrolase family. Finally, phylogenetic analyses of the 347 select protein domains and of the complete Nudix homology clan revealed general monophyly with regard to function and a few instances of probable homoplasy. Proteins 2017; 85:775-811. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Identification of the ADPR binding pocket in the NUDT9 homology domain of TRPM2

Activation of the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel occurs during the response to oxidative stress under physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes such as ischemia and diabetes. Accumulating evidence indicates that adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) is the most important endogenous ligand of TRPM2. However, although it is known that ADPR binds to the NUDT9 homology (NUDT9-H) domain in the intracellular C-terminal region, the molecular mechanism underlying ADPR binding and activation of TRPM2 remains unknown. In this study, we generate a structural model of the NUDT9-H domain and identify the binding pocket for ADPR using induced docking and molecular dynamics simulation. We find a subset of 11 residues-H1346, T1347, T1349, L1379, G1389, S1391, E1409, D1431, R1433, L1484, and H1488-that are most likely to directly interact with ADPR. Results from mutagenesis and electrophysiology approaches support the predicted binding mechanism, indicating that ADPR binds tightly to the NUDT9-H domain, and suggest that the most significant interactions are the van der Waals forces with S1391 and L1484, polar solvation interaction with E1409, and electronic interactions (including π-π interactions) with H1346, T1347, Y1349, D1431, and H1488. These findings not only clarify the roles of a range of newly identified residues involved in ADPR binding in the TRPM2 channel, but also reveal the binding pocket for ADPR in the NUDT9-H domain, which should facilitate structure-based drug design for the TRPM2 channel.