P2X4 receptors interact with both P2X2 and P2X7 receptors in the form of homotrimers

Abstract

Background and purpose: The P2X receptor family consists of seven subunit types - P2X1-P2X7. All but P2X6 are able to assemble as homotrimers. In addition, various subunit permutations have been reported to form heterotrimers. Evidence for heterotrimer formation includes co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation and the generation of receptors with novel functional properties; however, direct structural evidence for heteromer formation, such as chemical cross-linking and single-molecule imaging, is available in only a few cases. Here we examined the nature of the interaction between two pairs of subunits - P2X2 and P2X4, and P2X4 and P2X7.

Experimental approach: We used several experimental approaches, including in situ proximity ligation, co-immunoprecipitation, co-isolation on affinity beads, chemical cross-linking and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging.

Key results: Both pairs of subunits co-localize upon co-transfection, interact intimately within cells, and can be co-immunoprecipitated and co-isolated from cell extracts. Despite this, chemical cross-linking failed to show evidence for heteromer formation. AFM imaging of isolated receptors showed that all three subunits had the propensity to form receptor dimers. This self-association is likely to account for the observed close interaction between the subunit pairs, in the absence of true heteromer formation.

Conclusions and implications: We conclude that both pairs of receptors interact in the form of distinct homomers. We urge caution in the interpretation of biochemical evidence indicating heteromer formation in other cases.