Extracellular modulation of TREK-2 activity with nanobodies provides insight into the mechanisms of K2P channel regulation.

Potassium channels of the Two-Pore Domain (K2P) subfamily, KCNK1-KCNK18, play crucial roles in controlling the electrical activity of many different cell types and represent attractive therapeutic targets. However, the identification of highly selective small molecule drugs against these channels has been challenging due to the high degree of structural and functional conservation that exists not only between K2P channels, but across the whole K+ channel superfamily. To address the issue of selectivity, here we generate camelid antibody fragments (nanobodies) against the TREK-2 (KCNK10) K2P K+ channel and identify selective binders including several that directly modulate channel activity. X-ray crystallography and CryoEM data of these nanobodies in complex with TREK-2 also reveal insights into their mechanisms of activation and inhibition via binding to the extracellular loops and Cap domain, as well as their suitability for immunodetection. These structures facilitate design of a biparatropic inhibitory nanobody with markedly improved sensitivity. Together, these results provide important insights into TREK channel gating and provide an alternative, more selective approach to modulation of K2P channel activity via their extracellular domains.

Lipid Interactions of a Ciliary Membrane TRP Channel: Simulation and Structural Studies of Polycystin-2.

Polycystin-2 (PC2) is a transient receptor potential (TRP) channel present in ciliary membranes of the kidney. PC2 shares a transmembrane fold with other TRP channels, in addition to an extracellular domain found in TRPP and TRPML channels. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and cryoelectron microscopy we identify and characterize PIP2 and cholesterol interactions with PC2. PC2 is revealed to have a PIP binding site close to the equivalent vanilloid/lipid binding site in the TRPV1 channel. A 3.0-Å structure reveals a binding site for cholesterol on PC2. Cholesterol interactions with the channel at this site are characterized by MD simulations. The two classes of lipid binding sites are compared with sites observed in other TRPs and in Kv channels. These findings suggest PC2, in common with other ion channels, may be modulated by both PIPs and cholesterol, and position PC2 within an emerging model of the roles of lipids in the regulation and organization of ciliary membranes.