The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel

Abstract Maintaining a balance of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is vital for cellular functionality. Proper phosphate levels are managed through Pi import and export; and the processes governing Pi export remain the least understood. Xenotropic and Polytropic retrovirus Receptor 1 (XPR1) has been identif...

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Main Authors: Hongjiang Wu, Liang Sun, Tong Huo, Theodore G. Wensel, Frank T. Horrigan, Zhao Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59678-2
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author Hongjiang Wu
Liang Sun
Tong Huo
Theodore G. Wensel
Frank T. Horrigan
Zhao Wang
author_facet Hongjiang Wu
Liang Sun
Tong Huo
Theodore G. Wensel
Frank T. Horrigan
Zhao Wang
author_sort Hongjiang Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Maintaining a balance of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is vital for cellular functionality. Proper phosphate levels are managed through Pi import and export; and the processes governing Pi export remain the least understood. Xenotropic and Polytropic retrovirus Receptor 1 (XPR1) has been identified as the only known Pi export protein in mammals. In this study, we introduce the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of human XPR1 (hXPR1), unveiling a structural arrangement distinct from that of any known ion transporter. Our structural results suggest that hXPR1 may operate as an ion channel, a hypothesis supported by patch clamp recordings revealing hXPR1’s voltage- and Pi-dependent activity and large unitary conductance. Further analyses, including the structure of hXPR1 in presence of Pi, and mutagenesis studies at one of the putative Pi binding sites, lead us to propose a plausible ion permeation pathway. Together, our results provide novel perspectives on the Pi transport mechanism of XPR1.
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spelling doaj-art-407d6455866840e8bcd3e9d3e63d5db52025-08-20T02:05:41ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-59678-2The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channelHongjiang Wu0Liang Sun1Tong Huo2Theodore G. Wensel3Frank T. Horrigan4Zhao Wang5Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of MedicineDepartment of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of MedicineVerna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of MedicineVerna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of MedicineDepartment of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of MedicineVerna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of MedicineAbstract Maintaining a balance of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is vital for cellular functionality. Proper phosphate levels are managed through Pi import and export; and the processes governing Pi export remain the least understood. Xenotropic and Polytropic retrovirus Receptor 1 (XPR1) has been identified as the only known Pi export protein in mammals. In this study, we introduce the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of human XPR1 (hXPR1), unveiling a structural arrangement distinct from that of any known ion transporter. Our structural results suggest that hXPR1 may operate as an ion channel, a hypothesis supported by patch clamp recordings revealing hXPR1’s voltage- and Pi-dependent activity and large unitary conductance. Further analyses, including the structure of hXPR1 in presence of Pi, and mutagenesis studies at one of the putative Pi binding sites, lead us to propose a plausible ion permeation pathway. Together, our results provide novel perspectives on the Pi transport mechanism of XPR1.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59678-2
spellingShingle Hongjiang Wu
Liang Sun
Tong Huo
Theodore G. Wensel
Frank T. Horrigan
Zhao Wang
The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel
Nature Communications
title The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel
title_full The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel
title_fullStr The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel
title_full_unstemmed The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel
title_short The identification of XPR1 as a voltage- and phosphate-activated phosphate-permeable ion channel
title_sort identification of xpr1 as a voltage and phosphate activated phosphate permeable ion channel
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59678-2
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