Structure of Calcineurin bound to PI4KA reveals dual interface in both PI4KA and FAM126A

Abstract

Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase alpha (PI4KA) maintains the PI4P and phosphatidylserine pools of the plasma membrane. A key regulator of PI4KA is its association into a complex with TTC7 and FAM126 proteins. This complex can be regulated by the CNA{beta}1 isoform of the phosphatase Calcineurin. We previously identified that CNA{beta}1 directly binds to FAM126A. Here, we report a cryo-EM structure of a truncated PI4KA complex bound to Calcineurin, revealing a direct Calcineurin interaction with PI4KA. Additional HDX-MS and computational analysis show that Calcineurin forms a complex with an evolutionarily conserved IKISVT sequence in PI4KAs horn domain. We also characterised conserved LTLT and PSISIT Calcineurin binding sequences in the C-terminus of FAM126A. These sites are in close proximity to phosphorylation sites in the PI4KA complex, suggesting key roles of Calcineurin-regulated phosphosites in PI4KA regulation. This work reveals novel insight into how Calcineurin can regulate PI4KA activity.