Endo-Lysosomal Two-Pore Channels and Their Protein Partners

Two-pore channels are ion channels expressed on acidic organelles such as the various vesicles that constitute the endo-lysosomal system. They are permeable to Ca2+ and Na+ and activated by the second messenger NAADP as well as the phosphoinositide, PI(3,5)P2 and/or voltage. Here, we review the proteins that interact with these channels including recently identified NAADP receptors.

Electrophysiology of Endolysosomal Two-Pore Channels: A Current Account

Two-pore channels TPC1 and TPC2 are ubiquitously expressed pathophysiologically relevant proteins that reside on endolysosomal vesicles. Here, we review the electrophysiology of these channels. Direct macroscopic recordings of recombinant TPCs expressed in enlarged lysosomes in mammalian cells or vacuoles in plants and yeast demonstrate gating by the Ca2+-mobilizing messenger NAADP and/or the lipid PI(3,5)P2. TPC currents are regulated by H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ (luminal and/or cytosolic), as well as protein kinases, and they are impacted by single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to pigmentation. Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, flavonoids, and several approved drugs demonstrably block channel activity. Endogenous TPC currents have been recorded from a number of primary cell types and cell lines. Many of the properties of endolysosomal TPCs are recapitulated upon rerouting channels to the cell surface, allowing more facile recording through conventional electrophysiological means. Single-channel analyses have provided high-resolution insight into both monovalent and divalent permeability. The discovery of small-molecule activators of TPC2 that toggle the ion selectivity from a Ca2+-permeable (NAADP-like) state to a Na+-selective (PI(3,5)P2-like) state explains discrepancies in the literature relating to the permeability of TPCs. Identification of binding proteins that confer NAADP-sensitive currents confirm that indirect, remote gating likely underpins the inconsistent observations of channel activation by NAADP.

The Three Two-Pore Channel Subtypes from Rabbit Exhibit Distinct Sensitivity to Phosphoinositides, Voltage, and Extracytosolic pH

Two pore channels (TPCs) are implicated in vesicle trafficking, virus infection, and autophagy regulation. As Na+- or Ca2+-permeable channels, TPCs have been reported to be activated by NAADP, PI(3,5)P2, and/or high voltage. However, a comparative study on the function and regulation of the three mammalian TPC subtypes is currently lacking. Here, we used the electrophysiological recording of enlarged endolysosome vacuoles, inside-out and outside-out membrane patches to examine the three TPCs of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, or Oc) heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells. While PI(3,5)P2 evoked Na+ currents with a potency order of OcTPC1 > OcTPC3 > OcTPC2, only OcTPC2 displayed a strict dependence on PI(3,5)P2. Both OcTPC1 and OcTPC3 were activatable by PI3P and OcTPC3 was also activated by additional phosphoinositide species. While OcTPC2 was voltage-independent, OcTPC1 and OcTPC3 showed voltage dependence with OcTPC3 depending on high positive voltages. Finally, while OcTPC2 preferred a luminal pH of 4.6−6.0 in endolysosomes, OcTPC1 was strongly inhibited by extracytosolic pH 5.0 in both voltage-dependent and -independent manners, and OcTPC3 was inhibited by pH 6.0 but potentiated by pH 8.0. Thus, the three OcTPCs form phosphoinositide-activated Na+ channels with different ligand selectivity, voltage dependence, and extracytosolic pH sensitivity, which likely are optimally tuned for function in specific endolysosomal populations.

Gene fusions characterize a subset of uterine cellular leiomyomas

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumor of the female genital tract. Previous studies have shown that conventional leiomyomas often harbor-specific alterations including rearrangements involving HMGA2. Cellular leiomyomas are a variant of uterine leiomyoma that are less well-studied from a genomic point of view. Morphologically and immunohistochemically, cellular leiomyomas may be confused with low-grade endometrial stromal neoplasms, a group of tumors which frequently harbor a number of recurrent gene fusions. Ancillary molecular testing may be used to investigate tumors where low-grade endometrial stromal neoplasms enter into the differential diagnosis. At our institution, we identified a uterine cellular leiomyoma harboring a HMGA2-TRAF3IP2 fusion. After a retrospective review 11 additional tumors were identified. All included cases were reviewed and evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of smooth muscle actin, desmin, h-caldesmon, CD10, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. RNA sequencing using the TruSight RNA Fusion Panel was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. In addition to the index case, two other cases harbored fusions: HMGA2-NAA11 and TPCN2-YAP1, of which the latter is novel and was confirmed with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In conclusion, a subset of cellular leiomyomas harbor rearrangements involving HMGA2, suggesting molecular kinship with conventional uterine leiomyomas. In addition, the prevalence of the novel TPCN2-YAP1 gene fusion in cellular leiomyomas requires further study. The fusions reported here, when identified, may be useful when the diagnosis of cellular leiomyoma is in question.

Two-pore channels and disease

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are Ca²⁺-permeable endo-lysosomal ion channels subject to multi-modal regulation. They mediate their physiological effects through releasing Ca²⁺ from acidic organelles in response to cues such as the second messenger, NAADP. Here, we review emerging evidence linking TPCs to disease. We discuss how perturbing both local and global Ca²⁺ changes mediated by TPCs through chemical and/or molecular manipulations can induce or reverse disease phenotypes. We cover evidence from models of Parkinson's disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Ebola infection, cancer, cardiac dysfunction and diabetes. A need for more drugs targeting TPCs is identified.

Iron overload causes endolysosomal deficits modulated by NAADP-regulated 2-pore channels and RAB7A

Various neurodegenerative disorders are associated with increased brain iron content. Iron is known to cause oxidative stress, which concomitantly promotes cell death. Whereas endolysosomes are known to serve as intracellular iron storage organelles, the consequences of increased iron on endolysosomal functioning, and effects on cell viability upon modulation of endolysosomal iron release remain largely unknown. Here, we show that increasing intracellular iron causes endolysosomal alterations associated with impaired autophagic clearance of intracellular protein aggregates, increased cytosolic oxidative stress and increased cell death. These effects are subject to regulation by NAADP, a potent second messenger reported to target endolysosomal TPCNs (2-pore channels). Consistent with endolysosomal iron storage, cytosolic iron levels are modulated by NAADP, and increased cytosolic iron is detected when overexpressing active, but not inactive TPCNs, indicating that these channels can modulate endolysosomal iron release. Cell death triggered by altered intralysosomal iron handling is abrogated in the presence of an NAADP antagonist or when inhibiting RAB7A activity. Taken together, our results suggest that increased endolysosomal iron causes cell death associated with increased cytosolic oxidative stress as well as autophagic impairments, and these effects are subject to modulation by endolysosomal ion channel activity in a RAB7A-dependent manner. These data highlight alternative therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders associated with increased intracellular iron load.

Deviant lysosomal Ca2+ signalling in neurodegeneration. An introduction

Lysosomes are key acidic Ca²⁺ stores. The principle Ca²⁺-permeable channels of the lysosome are TRP mucolipins (TRPMLs) and NAADP-regulated two-pore channels (TPCs). Recent studies, reviewed in this collection, have linked numerous neurodegenerative diseases to both gain and loss of function of TRPMLs/TPCs, as well as to defects in acidic Ca²⁺ store content. These diseases span rare lysosomal storage disorders such as Mucolipidosis Type IV and Niemann-Pick disease, type C, through to more common ones such as Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Cellular phenotypes, underpinned by endo-lysosomal trafficking defects, are reversed by chemical or molecular targeting of TRPMLs and TPCs. Lysosomal Ca²⁺ channels therefore emerge as potential druggable targets in combatting neurodegeneration.

Two-Pore Channels and Parkinson's Disease: Where's the Link?

Two-pore channels are endolysosomal Ca²⁺ release channels involved in proper trafficking to and from those organelles. They are the likely targets for the Ca²⁺-mobilizing messenger NAADP, and are further regulated by a variety of mechanisms including phosphoinositide levels and Rab proteins. As discussed here, recent studies highlight a role for these channels in the pathomechanism(s) underlying Parkinson's disease, with important implications for possible alternative treatment strategies.

Coupling acidic organelles with the ER through Ca²⁺ microdomains at membrane contact sites

Acidic organelles such as lysosomes serve as non-canonical Ca(2+) stores. The Ca(2+) mobilising messenger NAADP is thought to trigger local Ca(2+) release from such stores. These events are then amplified by Ca(2+) channels on canonical ER Ca(2+) stores to generate physiologically relevant global Ca(2+) signals. Coupling likely occurs at microdomains formed at membrane contact sites between acidic organelles and the ER. Molecular analyses and computational modelling suggest heterogeneity in the composition of these contacts and predicted Ca(2+) microdomain behaviour. Conversely, acidic organelles might also locally amplify and temper ER-evoked Ca(2+) signals. Ca(2+) microdomains between distinct Ca(2+) stores are thus likely to be integral to the genesis of complex Ca(2+) signals.

Dysregulation of lysosomal morphology by pathogenic LRRK2 is corrected by TPC2 inhibition

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are endolysosomal ion channels implicated in Ca²⁺ signalling from acidic organelles. The relevance of these ubiquitous proteins for human disease, however, is unclear. Here, we report that lysosomes are enlarged and aggregated in fibroblasts from Parkinson disease patients with the common G2019S mutation in LRRK2. Defects were corrected by molecular silencing of TPC2, pharmacological inhibition of TPC regulators [Rab7, NAADP and PtdIns(3,5)P₂] and buffering local Ca²⁺ increases. NAADP-evoked Ca²⁺ signals were exaggerated in diseased cells. TPC2 is thus a potential drug target within a pathogenic LRRK2 cascade that disrupts Ca²⁺-dependent trafficking in Parkinson disease.