Cryo-EM analysis of PIP 2 regulation in mammalian GIRK channels.
Niu, Y., Tao, X., Touhara, K.K., MacKinnon, R.(2020) Elife 9
- PubMed: 32844743 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.60552
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
6XIS, 6XIT - PubMed Abstract: 
G-protein-gated inward rectifier potassium (GIRK) channels are regulated by G proteins and PIP 2 . Here, using cryo-EM single particle analysis we describe the equilibrium ensemble of structures of neuronal GIRK2 as a function of the C8-PIP 2 concentration. We find that PIP 2 shifts the equilibrium between two distinguishable structures of neuronal GIRK (GIRK2), extended and docked, towards the docked form. In the docked form the cytoplasmic domain, to which G βγ binds, becomes accessible to the cytoplasmic membrane surface where G βγ resides. Furthermore, PIP 2 binding reshapes the G βγ binding surface on the cytoplasmic domain, preparing it to receive G βγ . We find that cardiac GIRK (GIRK1/4) can also exist in both extended and docked conformations. These findings lead us to conclude that PIP 2 influences GIRK channels in a structurally similar manner to Kir2.2 channels. In Kir2.2 channels, the PIP 2 -induced conformational changes open the pore. In GIRK channels, they prepare the channel for activation by G βγ .
Organizational Affiliation: 
Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, United States.