The Molecular Architecture of Photoreceptor Phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) with Activated G Protein Elucidates the Mechanism of Visual Excitation

Abstract

Photoreceptor phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) is the central effector of the visual excitation pathway in both rod and cone photoreceptors, and PDE6 mutations that alter PDE6 structure or regulation can result in several human retinal diseases. The rod PDE6 holoenzyme consists of two catalytic subunits (Pαβ) whose activity is suppressed in the dark by binding of two inhibitory γ-subunits (Pγ). Upon photoactivation of rhodopsin, the heterotrimeric G protein (transducin) is activated, resulting in binding of the activated transducin α-subunit (Gtα) to PDE6, displacement of Pγ from the PDE6 active site, and enzyme activation. Although the biochemistry of this pathway is understood, a lack of detailed structural information about the PDE6 activation mechanism hampers efforts to develop therapeutic interventions for managing PDE6-associated retinal diseases. To address this gap, here we used a cross-linking MS-based approach to create a model of the entire interaction surface of Pγ with the regulatory and catalytic domains of Pαβ in its nonactivated state. Following reconstitution of PDE6 and activated Gtα with liposomes and identification of cross-links between Gtα and PDE6 subunits, we determined that the PDE6-Gtα protein complex consists of two Gtα binding sites per holoenzyme. Each Gtα interacts with the catalytic domains of both catalytic subunits and induces major changes in the interaction sites of the Pγ subunit with the catalytic subunits. These results provide the first structural model for the activated state of the transducin-PDE6 complex during visual excitation, enhancing our understanding of the molecular etiology of inherited retinal diseases.

Photoreceptor phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) is the central effector of the visual excitation pathway in both rod and cone photoreceptors, and PDE6 mutations that alter PDE6 structure or regulation can result in several human retinal diseases. The rod PDE6 holoenzyme consists of two catalytic subunits (P␣␤) whose activity is suppressed in the dark by binding oftwo inhibitory ␥-subunits (P␥). Upon photoactivation of rhodopsin, the heterotrimeric G protein (transducin) is activated, resulting in binding of the activated transducin ␣-subunit (Gt␣) to PDE6, displacement ofP␥from the PDE6 active site, and enzyme activation. Although the biochemistry of this pathway is understood, a lack of detailed structural information about the PDE6 activation mechanism hampers efforts to develop therapeutic interventions for managing PDE6-associated retinal diseases. To address this gap, here we used a cross-linking MS-based approach to create a model of the entire interaction surface of P␥with the regulatory and catalytic domains ofP␣␤in its nonactivated state. Following reconstitution ofPDE6 and activated Gt␣ with liposomes and identification of cross-links between Gt␣andPDE6 subunits, wedetermined that the PDE6–Gt␣protein complex consists oftwo Gt␣-binding sites per holoenzyme. Each Gt␣ interacts with the catalytic domains of both catalytic subunits and induces major changes in the interaction sites of the P␥subunit with the catalytic subunits. These results provide the first structural model for the activated state of the transducin–PDE6 complex during visual excitation, enhancing our understanding ofthe molecular etiology ofinherited retinal diseases.

Department

Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences

Publication Date

2019

Journal Title

Journal of Biological Chemistry

Publisher

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1074/jbc.RA119.011002

Document Type

Article

Rights

copyright: The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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