Neutralizing antibodies have become an important tool in treating infectious diseases. Recently, two separate approaches yielded successful antibody treatments for Ebola – one from genetically-humanized mice, and the other from a human survivor. Here, we describe parallel efforts using both humanized mice and convalescent patients to generate antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, yielding a large collection of fully-human antibodies that were characterized for binding, neutralization and three dimensional structure. Based on these criteria, we selected pairs of highly-potent individual antibodies that simultaneously bind the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein, providing ideal partners for a therapeutic antibody cocktail that aims to decrease the potential for virus escape mutants that might arise in response to selective pressure from a single antibody treatment.

Summary Piezo1 and Piezo2 are mechanically activated ion channels that mediate touch perception, proprioception, and vascular development. Piezos are distinct from other ion channels and their structure remains poorly defined, impeding detailed study of their gating and ion permeation properties. Here, we report a high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of the mouse Piezo1 trimer. The detergent-solubilized complex adopts a three-blade propeller shape with a curved transmembrane region containing at least 26 transmembrane helices per protomer. The flexible propeller blades can adopt distinct conformations, and consist of a series of four-transmembrane helix bundles we term ‘Piezo Repeats’. Carboxy-terminal domains line the central ion pore, and the channel is closed by constrictions in the cytosol. A kinked helical beam and anchor domain link the Piezo Repeats to the pore, and are poised to allosterically control gating. The structure provides a springboard to further dissect how Piezos are regulated by mechanical force.

Ca2+-selective transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 6 (TRPV6) channels play a critical role in calcium uptake in epithelial tissues1–4. Altered TRPV6 expression is associated with a variety of human diseases5, including cancers6. TRPV6 channels are constitutively active1,7,8 and their open probability depends on the lipidic composition of the membrane, increasing significantly in the presence of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)7,9. We previously solved crystal structures of detergent-solubilized rat TRPV6 in the closed state10,11. Corroborating previous electrophysiological studies3, these structures demonstrated that the Ca2+ selectivity of TRPV6 arises from a ring of aspartate side chains in the selectivity filter that tightly binds Ca2+. However, it has remained unknown how TRPV6 channels open and close their pores for ion permeation. Here we present cryo-EM structures of human TRPV6 in the open and closed states. The channel selectivity filter adopts similar conformations in both states, consistent with its explicit role in ion permeation. The iris-like channel opening is accompanied by an α-to-π helical transition in the pore-lining S6 helices at an alanine hinge just below the selectivity filter. As a result of this transition, the S6 helices bend and rotate, exposing different residues to the ion channel pore in the open and closed states. This novel gating mechanism, which defines the constitutive activity of TRPV6, is unique for tetrameric ion channels and provides new structural insights for understanding their diverse roles in physiology and disease.

Summary Precise regulation of calcium homeostasis is essential for many physiological functions. The Ca2+-selective TRP channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 play vital roles in calcium homeostasis as Ca2+ uptake channels in epithelial tissues. Detailed structural bases for their assembly and Ca2+ permeation remain obscure. Here, we report the crystal structure of rat TRPV6 at 3.25 Å resolution. The overall architecture of TRPV6 reveals shared and unique features compared to other TRP channels. Intracellular domains engage in extensive interactions to form an intracellular “skirt” involved in allosteric modulation. In the K+ channel-like transmembrane domain, Ca2+ selectivity is determined by direct coordination of Ca2+ by a ring of aspartate side chains in the selectivity filter. Based on crystallographically identified cation binding sites at the pore axis and extracellular vestibule, we propose a Ca2+ permeation mechanism. Our results provide a structural foundation to understand the regulation of epithelial Ca2+ uptake and its role in pathophysiology.

SWELL1 (LRRC8A) is the only essential subunit of the Volume Regulated Anion Channel (VRAC), which regulates cellular volume homeostasis and is activated by hypotonic solutions. SWELL1, together with four other LRRC8 family members, potentially forms a vastly heterogeneous cohort of VRAC channels with different properties; however, SWELL1 alone is also functional. Here, we report a high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of full-length human homo-hexameric SWELL1. The structure reveals a trimer of dimers assembly with symmetry mismatch between the pore-forming domain and the cytosolic leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains. Importantly, mutational analysis demonstrates that a charged residue at the narrowest constriction of the homomeric channel is an important pore determinant of heteromeric VRAC. Additionally, a mutation in the flexible N-terminal portion of SWELL1 affects pore properties, suggesting a putative link between intracellular structures and channel regulation. This structure provides a scaffold for further dissecting the heterogeneity and mechanism of activation of VRAC.

Mechanically activated ion channels underlie touch, hearing, shear-stress sensing, and response to turgor pressure. OSCA/TMEM63s are a newly-identified family of eukaryotic mechanically activated ion channels opened by membrane tension. The structural underpinnings of OSCA/TMEM63 function are not explored. Here, we elucidate high resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of OSCA1.2, revealing a dimeric architecture containing eleven transmembrane helices per subunit and surprising topological similarities to TMEM16 proteins. We locate the ion permeation pathway within each subunit by demonstrating that a conserved acidic residue is a determinant of channel conductance. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal membrane interactions, suggesting the role of lipids in OSCA1.2 gating. These results lay a foundation to decipher how the structural organization of OSCA/TMEM63 is suited for their roles as MA ion channels.

Highlights d REGEN-COV retains neutralization potency against current variants of concern/interest d In vitro escape studies can predict emergence of viral variants in animals and humans d 3 noncompeting mAb in combination reduce variant risk compared to a combination of 2 d Treatment with REGEN-COV in humans does not lead to emergence of viral variants

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are involved in various physiological processes, including sensory transduction. The TRP channel TRPV6 mediates calcium uptake in epithelia and its expression is dramatically increased in numerous types of cancer. TRPV6 inhibitors suppress tumor growth, but the molecular mechanism of inhibition remains unknown. Here, we present crystal and cryo-EM structures of human and rat TRPV6 bound to 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a TRPV6 inhibitor and modulator of numerous TRP channels. 2-APB binds to TRPV6 in a pocket formed by the cytoplasmic half of the S1–S4 transmembrane helix bundle. Comparing human wild-type and high-affinity mutant Y467A structures, we show that 2-APB induces TRPV6 channel closure by modulating protein–lipid interactions. Mutagenesis and functional analyses suggest that the identified 2-APB binding site might be present in other members of vanilloid subfamily TRP channels. Our findings reveal a mechanism of ion channel allosteric modulation that can be exploited for therapeutic design.