Structural model of the TRPP2/PKD1 C-terminal coiled-coil complex produced by a combined computational and experimental approach

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jun 21;108(25):10133-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1017669108. Epub 2011 Jun 3.

Abstract

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by mutations in TRPP2 and PKD1, which form an ion channel/receptor complex containing three TRPP2 and one PKD1. A TRPP2 C-terminal coiled-coil trimer, critical for the assembly of this complex, associates with a single PKD1 C-terminal coiled-coil. Many ADPKD pathogenic mutations result in the abolishment of the TRPP2/PKD1 coiled-coil complex. To gain molecular and functional insights into this heterotetrameric complex, we computationally constructed a structural model by using a two-step docking strategy, based on a known crystal structure of the TRPP2 coiled-coil trimer. The model shows that this tetrameric complex has a novel di-trimer configuration: An upstream trimer made of three TRPP2 helices and a downstream trimer made of two TRPP2 helices and one PKD1 helix. Mutagenesis and biochemical analysis identified critical TRPP2/PKD1 interface contacts essential for the heteromeric coiled-coil complex. Mutation of these interface positions in the full-length proteins showed that these interactions were critical for the assembly of the full-length complex in cells. Our results provide a means to specifically weaken the TRPP2 and PKD1 association, thus facilitating future in vitro and in vivo studies on the functional importance of this association.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disulfides / chemistry
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / genetics*
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / physiopathology
  • Protein Structure, Secondary*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary*
  • TRPP Cation Channels / chemistry*
  • TRPP Cation Channels / genetics

Substances

  • Disulfides
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • polycystic kidney disease 1 protein
  • polycystic kidney disease 2 protein