Structure of human Na +/H + exchanger NHE1 regulatory region in complex with calmodulin and Ca 2+

Abstract

The ubiquitous mammalian Na +/H + exchanger NHE1 has critical functions in regulating intracellular pH, salt concentration, and cellular volume. The regulatory C-terminal domain of NHE1 is linked to the ion-translocating N-terminal membrane domain and acts as a scaffold for signaling complexes. A major interaction partner is calmodulin (CaM), which binds to two neighboring regions of NHE1 in a strongly Ca 2+-dependent manner. Upon CaM binding, NHE1 is activated by a shift in sensitivity toward alkaline intracellular pH. Here we report the 2.23 Å crystal structure of the NHE1 CaM binding region (NHE1 CaMBR) in complex with CaM and Ca 2+. The C- and N-lobes of CaM bind the first and second helix of NHE1 CaMBR, respectively. Both the NHE1 helices and the Ca 2+-bound CaM are elongated, as confirmed by small angle x-ray scattering analysis. Our x-ray structure sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms of the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of NHE1 and enables us to propose a model of how Ca 2+ regulates NHE1 activity. © 2011 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.