title: Membrane insertion of the FYVE domain is modulated by pH.
abstract: The FYVE domain associates with phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PtdIns(3)P] in membranes of early endosomes and penetrates bilayers. Here, we detail principles of membrane anchoring and show that the FYVE domain insertion into PtdIns(3)P-enriched membranes and membrane-mimetics is substantially increased in acidic conditions. The EEA1 FYVE domain binds to POPC/POPE/PtdIns(3)P vesicles with a Kd of 49 nM at pH 6.0, however associates approximately 24 fold weaker at pH 8.0. The decrease in the affinity is primarily due to much faster dissociation of the protein from the bilayers in basic media. Lowering the pH enhances the interaction of the Hrs, RUFY1, Vps27p and WDFY1 FYVE domains with PtdIns(3)P-containing membranes in vitro and in vivo, indicating that pH-dependency is a general function of the FYVE finger family. The PtdIns(3)P binding and membrane insertion of the FYVE domain is modulated by the two adjacent His residues of the R(R/K)HHCRXCG signature motif. Mutation of either His residue abolishes the pH-sensitivity. Both protonation of the His residues and nonspecific electrostatic contacts stabilize the FYVE domain in the lipid-bound form, promoting its penetration and increasing the membrane residence time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Ju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Mohsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vora
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Haney
authors.forename: Grigory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Filonov
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Musselman
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Burd
authors.forename: Andrei G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kutateladze
authors.forename: Vladislav V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Verkhusha
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Stahelin
authors.forename: Tatiana G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kutateladze
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D006639:Histidine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009154:Mutation; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism; D018129:Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D018129:Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; C093846:early endosome antigen 1; C055525:phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate; C057561:1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine; D006639:Histidine; C028694:1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine