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Identification of TMEM206 proteins as pore of PAORAC/ASOR acid-sensitive chloride channels

Authors

  • F. Ullrich
  • S. Blin
  • K. Lazarow
  • T. Daubitz
  • J.P. von Kries
  • T.J. Jentsch

Journal

  • eLife

Citation

  • eLife 8: e49187

Abstract

  • Acid-sensing ion channels have important functions in physiology and pathology, but the molecular composition of acid-activated chloride channels had remained unclear. We now used a genome-wide siRNA screen to molecularly identify the widely expressed acid-sensitive outwardly-rectifying anion channel PAORAC/ASOR. ASOR is formed by TMEM206 proteins which display two transmembrane domains (TMs) and are expressed at the plasma membrane. Ion permeation-changing mutations along the length of TM2 and at the end of TM1 suggest that these segments line ASOR's pore. While not belonging to a gene family, TMEM206 has orthologs in probably all vertebrates. Currents from evolutionarily distant orthologs share activation by protons, a feature essential for ASOR's role in acid-induced cell death. TMEM206 defines a novel class of ion channels. Its identification will help to understand its physiological roles and the diverse ways by which anion-selective pores can be formed.


DOI

doi:10.7554/eLife.49187