Structure of the FERM domain of a neural scaffold protein FRMPD4 implicated in X-linked intellectual disability.

Scaffold proteins play crucial roles in orchestrating synaptic signaling and plasticity in the excitatory synapses by providing a structural link between glutamatergic receptors, signaling molecules, and neuronal cytoskeletons. FRMPD4 is a neural scaffold protein that binds to metabotropic glutamate receptors via its FERM domain. Here, we determine the crystal structure of the FERM domain of FRMPD4 at 2.49 Šresolution. The structure reveals that the canonical target binding groove of FRMPD4 FERM is occupied by a conserved fragment C-terminal to the FERM domain, suggesting that the FRMPD4-mGluR interaction may adopt a distinct binding mode. In addition, FRMPD4 FERM does not contain a typical phosphoinositide binding site at the F1/F3 cleft found in ERM family FERM domains, but it possesses a conserved basic residue cluster on the F2 lobe which could bind to lipid effectively. Finally, analysis of mutations that are associated with X-linked intellectual disability suggests that they may compromise the biological function of FRMPD4 by destabilizing the FERM structure.

Promotion of row 1-specific tip complex condensates by Gpsm2-Gαi provides insights into row identity of the tallest stereocilia.

The mechanosensory stereocilia in hair cells are organized into rows of graded height, a property crucial for auditory perception. Gpsm2-Gαi-Whirlin-Myo15-Eps8 complex at tips of the tallest stereocilia is proposed to define hair bundle row identity, although the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we find that Gpsm2 could undergo phase separation. Moreover, row 1-specific Gpsm2-Gαi complex significantly promotes the formation of the five-component tip complex density (5xTCD) condensates. The 5xTCD condensates display much stronger actin-bundling ability than those without Gpsm2-Gαi, which may provide critical insights into how Gpsm2-Gαi specifies the tallest stereocilia. A deafness-associated mutation of Gpsm2 leads to impaired formation of the 5xTCD condensates and consequently reduced actin bundling, providing possible clues for etiology of hearing loss in patients with Chudley-McCullough syndrome.

Phase separation-mediated condensation of Whirlin-Myo15-Eps8 stereocilia tip complex.

Stereocilia, the mechanosensory organelles on the apical surface of hair cells, are necessary to detect sound and carry out mechano-electrical transduction. An electron-dense matrix is located at the distal tips of stereocilia and plays crucial roles in the regulation of stereocilia morphology. Mutations of the components in this tip complex density (TCD) have been associated with profound deafness. However, the mechanism underlying the formation of the TCD is largely unknown. Here, we discover that the specific multivalent interactions among the Whirlin-myosin 15 (Myo15)-Eps8 complex lead to the formation of the TCD-like condensates through liquid-liquid phase separation. The reconstituted TCD-like condensates effectively promote actin bundling. A deafness-associated mutation of Myo15 interferes with the condensates formation and consequently impairs actin bundling. Therefore, our study not only suggests that the TCD in hair cell stereocilia may form via phase separation but it also provides important clues for the possible mechanism underlying hearing loss.

Rab35/ACAP2 and Rab35/RUSC2 Complex Structures Reveal Molecular Basis for Effector Recognition by Rab35 GTPase.

Rab35, a master regulator of membrane trafficking, regulates diverse cellular processes and is associated with various human diseases. Although a number of effectors have been identified, the molecular basis of Rab35-effector interactions remains unclear. Here, we provide the high-resolution crystal structures of Rab35 in complex with its two specific effectors ACAP2 and RUSC2, respectively. In the Rab35/ACAP2 complex structure, Rab35 binds to the terminal ankyrin repeat and a C-terminal extended α helix of ACAP2, revealing a previously uncharacterized binding mode both for Rabs and ankyrin repeats. In the Rab35/RUSC2 complex structure, Arg1015 of RUSC2 functions as a "pseudo-arginine finger" that stabilizes the GTP-bound Rab35, thus facilitating the assembly of Rab35/RUSC2 complex. The structural analysis allows us to design specific Rab35 mutants capable of eliminating Rab35/ACAP2 and Rab35/RUSC2 interactions, but not interfering with other effector bindings. The atomic structures also offer possible explanations to disease-associated mutants identified at the Rab35-effector interfaces.