Structure of N-Terminal Domain of NPC1 Reveals Distinct Subdomains for Binding and Transfer of Cholesterol

Hyock Joo Kwon, Lina Abi-Mosleh, Michael L. Wang, Johann Deisenhofer, Joseph L. Goldstein, Michael S. Brown, Rodney E. Infante

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

548 Scopus citations

Abstract

LDL delivers cholesterol to lysosomes by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Exit of cholesterol from lysosomes requires two proteins, membrane-bound Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) and soluble NPC2. NPC2 binds cholesterol with its isooctyl side chain buried and its 3β-hydroxyl exposed. Here, we describe high-resolution structures of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of NPC1 and complexes with cholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol. NPC1(NTD) binds cholesterol in an orientation opposite to NPC2: 3β-hydroxyl buried and isooctyl side chain exposed. Cholesterol transfer from NPC2 to NPC1(NTD) requires reorientation of a helical subdomain in NPC1(NTD), enlarging the opening for cholesterol entry. NPC1 with point mutations in this subdomain (distinct from the binding subdomain) cannot accept cholesterol from NPC2 and cannot restore cholesterol exit from lysosomes in NPC1-deficient cells. We propose a working model wherein after lysosomal hydrolysis of LDL-cholesteryl esters, cholesterol binds NPC2, which transfers it to NPC1(NTD), reversing its orientation and allowing insertion of its isooctyl side chain into the outer lysosomal membranes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1213-1224
Number of pages12
JournalCell
Volume137
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 26 2009

Keywords

  • CELLBIO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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