Voltage-gated sodium channels in lysosomal physiology

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The biophysical properties and the regulation of plasma membranes have been extensively studied for several decades. Hundreds of ion channels have been discovered. They regulate essentially every aspect of cell biology and physiological functions, ranging from muscle contraction and neuronal signaling to hormone secretion and gene expression. In contrast, the biophysical properties of intracellular organelle membranes have been much less investigated. In this propose, we extend our preliminary studies of lysosomal membranes, with focus on lysosomal sodium channels. Lysosomes are the digestion and recycling center in mammalian cells. They play central roles in cellular clearance, nutrient recycling, energy generation and signaling. Dysfunction of lysosomes leads to severe diseases such as lysosomal storage diseases and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Recent electrophysiological recordings, molecular cloning, protein chemistry and mouse genetics studies have started to define the properties of lysosomal membranes. Whole-lysosome current-clamp recording has discovered that a subset of lysosomes generate action potential-like membrane depolarization spikes. The ability to generate spikes is critically dependent on a novel voltage-gated sodium-permeable channel formed by the two-pore repeat channel 1 (TPC1) protein. In addition, preliminary studies suggest that TPC channels are coupled to the metabolic state and nutrient availability of the cell, and to the luminal pH of the organelle. We propose three specific aims to expand our studies. Patch clamp recordings will be used to test the hypothesis that lysosomal excitability is widely expressed and can be found in both excitable and non-excitable cells. Whether the excitability is regulated by metabolic state and the availability of nutrients will also be tested (Aim 1). TPC channels are controlled by cytosolic ATP concentration via the mTOR kinase. We will use biochemical approaches to define the mechanisms underlying the channel’s ATP sensitivity (Aim 2). TPC channels are generally selective for sodium, and evidences suggest that the channels are also calcium-permeable. In Aim 3, biochemical and electrophysiological experiments will be performed to define the channel permeation and its regulation by calcium (Aim 3). Given the physiological importance of lysosomes, the proposed studies will help fill the knowledge gap in our understanding of the properties of lysosomal membranes and their functions under normal and pathological states such as neurodegenerative diseases.