Crystal structure of the ATP-gated P2X4 ion channel in the closed state

Toshimitsu Kawate, Jennifer Carlisle Michel, William T. Birdsong, Eric Gouaux

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

614 Scopus citations

Abstract

P2X receptors are cation-selective ion channels gated by extracellular ATP, and are implicated in diverse physiological processes, from synaptic transmission to inflammation to the sensing of taste and pain. Because P2X receptors are not related to other ion channel proteins of known structure, there is at present no molecular foundation for mechanisms of ligand-gating, allosteric modulation and ion permeation. Here we present crystal structures of the zebrafish P2X 4 receptor in its closed, resting state. The chalice-shaped, trimeric receptor is knit together by subunit-subunit contacts implicated in ion channel gating and receptor assembly. Extracellular domains, rich in Β-strands, have large acidic patches that may attract cations, through fenestrations, to vestibules near the ion channel. In the transmembrane pore, the gate is defined by an 8 slab of protein. We define the location of three non-canonical, intersubunit ATP-binding sites, and suggest that ATP binding promotes subunit rearrangement and ion channel opening.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)592-598
Number of pages7
JournalNature
Volume460
Issue number7255
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 30 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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