Insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of acid-sensing ion channel 3 gating by Stomatin

Abstract

Stomatin is a monotopic integral membrane protein found in all classes of life that has been shown to regulate members of the Acid-Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC) family. However, the mechanism by which Stomatin alters ASIC function is not known. Using chimeric channels, we combined patch clamp electrophysiology and FRET to search for regions of ASIC3 critical for binding to and regulation by Stomatin. With this approach, we found that regulation requires two distinct sites on ASIC3: the distal C-terminus and the first transmembrane domain. Mutation of the C-terminal site disrupts binding and regulation whereas disruption of the transmembrane site eliminates functional regulation. We then showed that Stomatin does not alter surface expression using fluorescence imaging and a surface biotinylation assay. Based on these findings, we propose a model whereby STOM is anchored to the channel via a site on the distal C-terminus but alters ASIC3 gating through action on TM1.