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Title | Mefloquine-induced conformational shift in Cx36 N-terminal helix leading to channel closure mediated by lipid bilayer. |
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Journal, issue, pages | Nat Commun, Vol. 15, Issue 1, Page 9223, Year 2024 |
Publish date | Oct 25, 2024 |
Authors | Hwa-Jin Cho / Dong Kyu Chung / Hyung Ho Lee / |
PubMed Abstract | Connexin 36 (Cx36) forms interneuronal gap junctions, establishing electrical synapses for rapid synaptic transmission. In disease conditions, inhibiting Cx36 gap junction channels (GJCs) is ...Connexin 36 (Cx36) forms interneuronal gap junctions, establishing electrical synapses for rapid synaptic transmission. In disease conditions, inhibiting Cx36 gap junction channels (GJCs) is beneficial, as it prevents abnormal synchronous neuronal firing and apoptotic signal propagation, mitigating seizures and progressive cell death. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of human Cx36 GJC in complex with known channel inhibitors, such as mefloquine, arachidonic acid, and 1-hexanol. Notably, these inhibitors competitively bind to the binding pocket of the N-terminal helices (NTH), inducing a conformational shift from the pore-lining NTH (PLN) state to the flexible NTH (FN) state. This leads to the obstruction of the channel pore by flat double-layer densities of lipids. These studies elucidate the molecular mechanisms of how Cx36 GJC can be modulated by inhibitors, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic applications. |
External links | Nat Commun / PubMed:39455592 / PubMed Central |
Methods | EM (single particle) |
Resolution | 2.5 - 3.4 Å |
Structure data | EMDB-38318, PDB-8xgd: EMDB-38319, PDB-8xge: EMDB-38320, PDB-8xgf: EMDB-38321: Human Cx36/GJD2 gap junction channel in complex with arachidonic acid (C1 symmetry). EMDB-38322, PDB-8xgg: EMDB-38326: Human Cx36/GJD2 gap junction channel in complex with mefloquine. EMDB-38327, PDB-8xgj: EMDB-38344, PDB-8xh8: EMDB-38345, PDB-8xh9: EMDB-38346: Human Cx36/GJD2 gap junction channel with pore-lining helices in porcine brain lipids (C1 symmetry) EMDB-38347: Human Cx36/GJD2 gap junction channel in porcine brain lipids (C1 symmetry) EMDB-38356: Human Cx36/GJD2 (Ala14-deleted mutant) gap junction channel in porcine brain lipids (C1 symmetry) EMDB-38357: Human Cx36/GJD2 (Ala14 deletion mutant) gap junction channel prepared with mefloquine, showing no bound mefloquine (C1 symmetry) |
Chemicals | ChemComp-MC3: ChemComp-Y01: ChemComp-ACD: ChemComp-HE2: ChemComp-YMZ: |
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Keywords | MEMBRANE PROTEIN / connexin 36 / Cx36 / gap junction channel / GJD2 / arachidonic acid / hexanol / mefloquine |