Structure and function of polyamine transporters

Polyamines are a class of small organic polycations indispensable for many basic molecular and cellular processes including translation, electrical signaling, cell proliferation, and autophagy. Infectious and hyperproliferative diseases as well as many autoimmune, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders are deeply connected to perturbations in polyamine abundance. Polyamine transport plays a major role in cellular polyamine homeostasis in both healthy and abnormal cells. Understanding the molecular basis of polyamine uptake and secretion has enormous potential to improve human health. However, despite decades of work, this subject continues to mystify. A critical barrier to deeper knowledge in polyamine transport is the complete absence of atomic structures of any polyamine transporter. The goal of this project is to elucidate the fundamental principles underlying polyamine transport and its regulation using a combination of structural and functional approaches. ATP13A2 is a lysosomal P-type ATP-driven pump tasked with the import of spermine and spermidine from the lysosome lumen to the cytosol. Mutations that cripple ATP13A2 function causes a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases including Kufor-Rakeb syndrome, early-onset Parkinson’s disease, hereditary spastic paraplegia, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ATP13A2 is, thus, a potential drug target. We have made significant inroads in our preliminary studies to determine high-resolution three-dimensional structures of human ATP13A2. In combination with functional analysis, these structures revealed ATP13A2’s luminal gating and polyamine selectivity mechanisms. Building on these preliminary results, we will leverage complementary electron cryo-microscopy, biophysical, biochemical, analytical chemical and mutagenesis strategies to further subject ATP13A2 to detailed mechanistic scrutiny. Specifically, we aim toinvestigate: 1) how lipids regulate ATP13A2 activity; 2) whether and how ATP13A2 pumps other cations into the lysosome; and 3) how ATP13A2 shuttles polyamines through the lipid bilayer. By addressing these questions, this research project will provide new insights into the basic operating and regulatory mechanisms of ATP13A2, which will broadly advance our understanding of polyamine transport and lysosome physiology. Structural and mechanistic discoveries from the proposed work may inform future rational design of therapeutics targeting ATP13A2.