CD1d-restricted lymphocytes recognize a broad lipid range. However, how CD1d-restricted lymphocytes translate T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of lipids with similar group heads into distinct biological responses remains unclear. Using a soluble invariant NKT (iNKT) TCR and a newly engineered antibody specific for α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer)–human CD1d (hCD1d) complexes, we measured the affinity of binding of iNKT TCR to hCD1d molecules loaded with a panel of α-GalCer analogues and assessed the rate of dissociation of α-GalCer and α-GalCer analogues from hCD1d molecules. We extended this analysis by studying iNKT cell synapse formation and iNKT cell activation by the same panel of α-GalCer analogues. Our results indicate the unique role of the lipid chain occupying the hCD1d F′ channel in modulating TCR binding affinity to hCD1d–lipid complexes, the formation of stable immunological synapse, and cell activation. These data are consistent with previously described conformational changes between empty and loaded hCD1d molecules (Koch, M., V.S. Stronge, D. Shepherd, S.D. Gadola, B. Mathew, G. Ritter, A.R. Fersht, G.S. Besra, R.R. Schmidt, E.Y. Jones, and V. Cerundolo. 2005. Nat. Immunol 6:819–826), suggesting that incomplete occupation of the hCD1d F′ channel results in conformational differences at the TCR recognition surface. This indirect effect provides a general mechanism by which lipid-specific lymphocytes are capable of recognizing both the group head and the length of lipid antigens, ensuring greater specificity of antigen recognition.

Summary CorA, the major Mg2+ uptake system in prokaryotes, is gated by intracellular Mg2+ (KD ~1–2 mM). X-ray crystallographic studies of CorA show similar conformations under Mg2+-bound and Mg2+-free conditions, but EPR spectroscopic studies reveal large Mg2+-driven quaternary conformational changes. Here, we determined cryo-EM structures of CorA in the Mg2+-bound “closed” conformation and in two “open” Mg2+-free states at resolutions of 3.8 A, 7.1 A and 7.1 A, respectively. In the absence of bound Mg2+, four of the five subunits are displaced to variable extents (~10 to ~25 A) by hinge-like motions at the stalk helix as large as ~35°. The transition between a single 5-fold symmetric closed state and an ensemble of low Mg2+, open, asymmetric conformational states, is thus the key structural signature of CorA gating. This mechanism is likely to apply to other structurally similar divalent ion channels.

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent and contagious gram-negative intracellular bacterium that causes the disease tularemia in mammals. The high infectivity and the ability of the bacterium to survive for weeks in a cool, moist environment have raised the possibility that this organism could be exploited deliberately as a potential biological weapon. Fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS-II) is essential for bacterial viability and has been validated as a target for the discovery of novel antibacterials. The FAS-II enoyl reductase ftuFabI has been cloned and expressed, and a series of diphenyl ethers have been identified that are subnanomolar inhibitors of the enzyme with MIC90 values as low as 0.00018 μg/ml. The existence of a linear correlation between the Ki and MIC values strongly suggests that the antibacterial activity of the diphenyl ethers results from direct inhibition of ftuFabI within the cell. The compounds are slow onset inhibitors of ftuFabI, and the residence time of the inhibitors on the enzyme correlates with their in vivo activity in a mouse model of tularemia infection. Significantly, the rate of breakdown of the enzyme-inhibitor complex is a better predictor of in vivo activity than the overall thermodynamic stability of the complex, a concept that has important implications for the discovery of novel chemotherapeutics that normally rely on equilibrium measurements of potency.

Prokaryotic mechanosensitive (MS) channels open by sensing the physical state of the membrane. As such, lipid-protein interactions represent the defining molecular process underlying mechanotransduction. Here, we describe cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the E. coli small-conductance mechanosensitive channel (MscS) in nanodiscs (ND). They reveal a novel membrane-anchoring fold that plays a significant role in channel activation and establish a new location for the lipid bilayer, shifted ~14 Å from previous consensus placements. Two types of lipid densities are explicitly observed. A phospholipid that ‘hooks’ the top of each TM2-TM3 hairpin and likely plays a role in force sensing, and a bundle of acyl chains occluding the permeation path above the L105 cuff. These observations reshape our understanding of force-from-lipids gating in MscS and highlight the key role of allosteric interactions between TM segments and phospholipids bound to key dynamic components of the channel.

The voltage-dependent motor protein Prestin (SLC26A5) is responsible for the electromotive behavior of outer hair cells (OHCs) and underlies the cochlear amplifier 1 . Knock out or impairment of Prestin causes severe hearing loss [2][3][4][5] . Despite Prestin's key physiological role in hearing, the mechanism by which mammalian Prestin senses voltage and transduces it into cellular-scale movements (electromotility) is poorly understood. Here, we determined the structure of dolphin Prestin in six distinct states using single particle cryo-electron microscopy. Our structural and functional data suggest that Prestin adopts a unique and complex set of states, tunable by the identity of bound anions (Clor SO4 = ). Salicylate, a drug that can cause reversible hearing loss, competes for the anion-binding site of Prestin, inhibits its function by immobilizing locking in a novel conformation. This suggests that the anion together with its coordinating fixed charges act as a dynamic voltage sensor. Analysis of all aniondependent conformations reveals how structural rearrangements in the voltage sensor are coupled to conformational transitions at the protein-membrane interface, suggesting a novel mechanism of area expansion. Visualization of Prestin's electromotility cycle distinguishes Prestin from closely related SLC26 anion transporters, highlighting the basis for evolutionary specialization of the mammalian cochlear amplifier at high resolution. Perozo lab for a healthy exchange of ideas and comments on the manuscript. We thank Dr. Peng Shi for sharing Tursiops Prestin plasmid. James Fuller, Joe Austin II, and Tera Lavoie at the University of Chicago Advanced Electron Microscopy Facility for microscope maintenance and training. N.B. would like to acknowledge the Biology of Inner ear course (BIE2019) and Gordon Conference (Auditory System Gordon Research Conference) for inspiring him to study hearing and Prestin.

Invariant NKT cells (iNKT cells) recognize CD1d/glycolipid complexes. We demonstrate that the nonglycosidic compound threitolceramide efficiently activates iNKT cells, resulting in dendritic cell (DC) maturation and the priming of Ag-specific T and B cells. Threitolceramide-pulsed DCs are more resistant to iNKT cell-dependent lysis than α-galactosylceramide-pulsed DCs due to the weaker affinity of the human iNKT TCR for CD1d/ threitolceramide than CD1d/α-galactosylceramide complexes. iNKT cells stimulated with threitolceramide also recover more quickly from activation-induced anergy. Kinetic and functional experiments showed that shortening or lengthening the threitol moiety by one hydroxymethylene group modulates ligand recognition, as human and murine iNKT cells recognize glycerolceramide and arabinitolceramide differentially. Our data broaden the range of potential iNKT cell agonists. The ability of these compounds to assist the priming of Ag-specific immune responses while minimizing iNKT cell-dependent DC lysis makes them attractive adjuvants for vaccination strategies.

The fast C-type inactivation displayed by the voltage-activated potassium channel hERG plays a critical role in the repolarization of cardiac cells, and malfunction caused by nonspecific binding of drugs or naturally occurring missense mutations affecting inactivation can lead to pathologies. Because of its impact on human health, understanding the molecular mechanism of C-type inactivation in hERG represents an advance of paramount importance. Here, long–time scale molecular dynamics simulations, free energy landscape calculations, and electrophysiological experiments are combined to address the structural and functional impacts of several disease-associated mutations. Results suggest that C-type inactivation in hERG is associated with an asymmetrical constricted-like conformation of the selectivity filter, identifying F627 side-chain rotation and the hydrogen bond between Y616 and N629 as key determinants. Comparison of hERG with other K+ channels suggests that C-type inactivation depends on the degree of opening of the intracellular gate via the filter-gate allosteric coupling.

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