Cookies

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue.

Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing

Wolfson Fellow

Publication details for Dr Martin Cann

Cann, M (2007). A subset of GAF domains are evolutionarily conserved sodium sensors. Molecular Microbiology 64(2): 461-472.

Author(s) from Durham

Abstract

Most organisms maintain a transmembrane sodium gradient for cell function. Despite the importance of Na+ in physiology, no directly Na+-responsive signalling molecules are known. The CyaB1 and CyaB2 adenylyl cyclases of the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 are inhibited by Na+. A D360A mutation in the GAF-B domain of CyaB1 ablated cAMP-mediated autoregulation and Na+ inhibition. Na+ bound the isolated GAF domains of CyaB2. cAMP blocked Na+ binding to GAF domains but Na+ had no effect on cAMP binding. Na+ altered GAF domain structure indicating a mechanism of inhibition independent of cAMP binding. ΔcyaB1 and ΔcyaB2 mutant strains did not grow below 0.6 mM Na+ and ΔcyaB1 cells possessed defects in Na+/H+ antiporter function. Replacement of the CyaB1 GAF domains with those of rat phosphodiesterase type 2 revealed that Na+ inhibition has been conserved since the eukaryotic/bacterial divergence. CyaB1 and CyaB2 are the first identified directly Na+-responsive signalling molecules that function in sodium homeostasis and we propose a subset of GAF domains underpin an evolutionarily conserved Na+ signalling mechanism.