Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) proteins function as fusogens.
Nat Commun
; 15(1): 2085, 2024 Mar 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38453905
ABSTRACT
Chloride Intracellular Channel (CLIC) family members uniquely transition between soluble and membrane-associated conformations. Despite decades of extensive functional and structural studies, CLICs' function as ion channels remains debated, rendering our understanding of their physiological role incomplete. Here, we expose the function of CLIC5 as a fusogen. We demonstrate that purified CLIC5 directly interacts with the membrane and induces fusion, as reflected by increased liposomal diameter and lipid and content mixing between liposomes. Moreover, we show that this activity is facilitated by acidic pH, a known trigger for CLICs' transition to a membrane-associated conformation, and that increased exposure of the hydrophobic inter-domain interface is crucial for this process. Finally, mutation of a conserved hydrophobic interfacial residue diminishes the fusogenic activity of CLIC5 in vitro and impairs excretory canal extension in C. elegans in vivo. Together, our results unravel the long-sought physiological role of these enigmatic proteins.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cloretos
/
Caenorhabditis elegans
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Commun
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
CIENCIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Israel