Two pore channels are lysosomal cation channels with crucial roles in tumor angiogenesis and viral release from endosomes. Inhibition of the two-pore channel 2 (TPC2) has emerged as potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancers and viral infections, including Ebola and COVID-19. Here, we demonstrate that antagonist SG-094, a synthetic analog of the Chinese alkaloid medicine tetrandrine with increased potency and reduced toxicity, induces asymmetrical structural changes leading to a single binding pocket at only one intersubunit interface within the asymmetrical dimer. Supported by functional characterization of mutants by Ca2+ imaging and patch clamp experiments, we identify key residues in S1 and S4 involved in compound binding to the voltage sensing domain II. SG-094 arrests IIS4 in a downward shifted state which prevents pore opening via the IIS4/S5 linker, hence resembling gating modifiers of canonical VGICs. These findings may guide the rational development of new therapeutics antagonizing TPC2 activity.
Journal article
2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00
32
1137 - 1149.e4
SG-094, TPC2, antagonist, cryo-EM, electrophysiology, ion channel, structural biology, two-pore channel, voltage-sensing domain, Humans, Calcium Channels, Binding Sites, Lysosomes, HEK293 Cells, Protein Binding, Calcium, Calcium Channel Blockers, Models, Molecular, Two-Pore Channels