title: The polarity of lipid-exposed residues contributes to the functional differences between Torpedo and muscle-type nicotinic receptors.
abstract: A comparison between the Torpedo and muscle-type acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) reveals differences in several lipid-exposed amino acids, particularly in the polarity of those residues. The goal of this study was to characterize the role of eight lipid-exposed residues in the functional differences between the Torpedo and muscle-type AChRs. To this end, residues alphaS287, alphaC412, betaY441, gammaM299, gammaS460, deltaM293, deltaS297 and deltaN305 in the Torpedo AChR were replaced with those found in the muscle-type receptor. Mutant receptor expression was measured in Xenopus oocytes using [(125)I]-alpha-bungarotoxin, and AChR ion channel function was evaluated using the two-electrode voltage clamp. Eight mutant combinations resulted in an increase (1.5- to 5.2-fold) in AChR expression. Four mutant combinations produced a significant 46% decrease in the ACh 50% inhibitory concentration (EC(50)), while three mutant combinations resulted in 1.7- to 2-fold increases in ACh EC(50). Finally, seven mutant combinations resulted in a decrease in normalized, ACh-induced currents. Our results suggest that these residues, although remote from the ion channel pore, (1) contribute to ion channel gating, (2) may affect trafficking of AChR into specialized membrane domains and (3) account for the functional differences between Torpedo and muscle-type AChR. These findings emphasize the importance of the lipid-protein interface in the functional differences between the Torpedo and muscle-type AChRs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360. joseal@coqui.net
authors.forename: Gisila R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Acevedo
authors.forename: Ariamsi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricardo
authors.forename: Legier V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lasalde-Dominicci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: D002038:Bungarotoxins; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins