Structure of voltage-modulated sodium-selective NALCN-FAM155A channel complex

Nat Commun. 2020 Dec 3;11(1):6199. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20002-9.

Abstract

Resting membrane potential determines the excitability of the cell and is essential for the cellular electrical activities. The NALCN channel mediates sodium leak currents, which positively adjust resting membrane potential towards depolarization. The NALCN channel is involved in several neurological processes and has been implicated in a spectrum of neurodevelopmental diseases. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of rat NALCN and mouse FAM155A complex to 2.7 Å resolution. The structure reveals detailed interactions between NALCN and the extracellular cysteine-rich domain of FAM155A. We find that the non-canonical architecture of NALCN selectivity filter dictates its sodium selectivity and calcium block, and that the asymmetric arrangement of two functional voltage sensors confers the modulation by membrane potential. Moreover, mutations associated with human diseases map to the domain-domain interfaces or the pore domain of NALCN, intuitively suggesting their pathological mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / chemistry*
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Sodium / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Fam155a protein, mouse
  • Ion Channels
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nalcn protein, rat
  • Protein Subunits
  • Sodium