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P2X7 is a homotrimeric ion channel with two transmembrane domains and a large extracellular ATP-binding domain. It plays a key role in the response of immune cells to danger signals released from cells at sites of inflammation. Gating of murine P2X7 can be induced by the soluble ligand ATP, as well as by NAD(+)-dependent ADP-ribosylation of arginine 125, a posttranslational protein modification catalyzed by the toxin-related ecto-enzymes ART2.1 and ART2.2. R125 is located at the edge of the ligand-binding crevice. Recently, an alternative splice variant of P2X7, designated P2X7(k), was discovered that differs from the previously described variant P2X7(a) in the N-terminal 42 amino acid residues composing the first cytosolic domain and most of the Tm1 domain. Here we compare the two splice variants of murine P2X7 with respect to their sensitivities to gating by ADP-ribosylation in transfected HEK cells. Our results show that the P2X7(k) variant is sensitive to activation by ADP-ribosylation whereas the P2X7(a) variant is insensitive, despite higher cell surface expression levels. Interestingly, a single point mutation (R276K) renders the P2X7(a) variant sensitive to activation by ADP-ribosylation. Residue 276 is located at the interface of neighboring subunits approximately halfway between the ADP-ribosylation site and the transmembrane domains. Moreover, we show that naive and regulatory T cells preferentially express the more sensitive P2X7(k) variant, while macrophages preferentially express the P2X7(a) variant. Our results indicate that differential splicing of alternative exons encoding the N-terminal cytosolic and transmembrane domains of P2X7 control the sensitivity of different immune cells to extracellular NAD(+) and ATP.

Ca2+-mobilizing adenine nucleotide second messengers cyclic adenosine diphosphoribose, (cADPR), nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), adenosine diphosphoribose (ADPR), and 2′deoxy-ADPR were discovered since the late 1980s. They either release Ca2+ from endogenous Ca2+ stores, e.g., endoplasmic reticulum or acidic organelles, or evoke Ca2+ entry by directly activating a Ca2+ channel in the plasma membrane. For 25 years, Professor Barry Potter has been one of the major medicinal chemists in this topical area, designing and contributing numerous analogues to develop structure–activity relationships (SAR) as a basis for tool development in biochemistry and cell biology and for lead development in proof-of-concept studies in disease models. With this review, I wish to acknowledge our 25-year-long collaboration on Ca2+-mobilizing adenine nucleotide second messengers as a major part of Professor Potter’s scientific lifetime achievements on the occasion of his retirement in 2020.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its 2′-phosphorylated cousin NADP are precursors for the enzymatic formation of the Ca2+-mobilizing second messengers adenosine diphosphoribose (ADPR), 2′-deoxy-ADPR, cyclic ADPR, and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). The enzymes involved are either NAD glycohydrolases CD38 or sterile alpha toll/interleukin receptor motif containing-1 (SARM1), or (dual) NADPH oxidases (NOX/DUOX). Enzymatic function(s) are reviewed and physiological role(s) in selected cell systems are discussed.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide 2’-phosphate (NAADP) is a naturally occurring nucleotide that has been shown to be involved in the release of Ca 2+ from intracellular stores in a wide variety of cell types, tissues and organisms. Current evidence suggests that NAADP may function as a trigger to initiate a Ca 2+ signal that is then amplified by other Ca 2+ release mechanisms. A fundamental question that remains unanswered is the identity of the NAADP receptor. Our recent studies have identified HN1L/JPT2 as a high affinity NAADP binding protein that is essential for the modulation of Ca 2+ channels.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a universal Ca2+ mobilizing second messenger essential for initiation of Ca2+ signaling. Recently, novel molecular mechanisms of both its rapid formation upon receptor stimulation and its mode of action were discovered. Dual NADPH oxidase 2 (DUOX2) and hematological and neurological expressed 1-like protein (HN1L)/Jupiter microtubule-associated homolog 2 (JPT2) were discovered as NAADP-forming enzyme and NAADP receptor/binding protein—the new kids on the block. These novel aspects are reviewed and integrated into the previous view of NAADP signaling.

The 2024 FASEB Scientific Research Conference on NAD Metabolism and Signaling was held in Lisbon, Portugal and served to (1) unite researchers, clinicians, and trainees, (2) create opportunities for early-stage investigators by showcasing their work on an international stage and promote collaborations, (3) train the next generation of scientists in the field, and (4) improve human health by furthering our understanding of NAD + metabolism and signaling. With the burgeoning potential of NAD + as a therapeutic agent for multiple health conditions, as well as many remaining scientific questions about the NAD + metabolome, an expert panel discussion titled “NAD + Health Outcomes Forum: A Call to Action” was hosted on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The main objectives were to discuss and translate what is known about NAD + biology into tangible actions and to identify what remains unknown into a research call to action. Given the broad and reaching impact of NAD + on health, there is significant interest in NAD + pathway modulation, including through precursors such as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). There is also growing research regarding the heterogeneity among individuals, as well as differences and similarities among the NAD + precursors, specifically in relation to dosing, timing, and their impact on various health conditions.

TRPM2 is a Ca 2+ permeable, non-selective cation channel in the plasma membrane that is involved in the innate immune response regulating, for example, chemotaxis in neutrophils and cytokine secretion in monocytes and macrophages. The intracellular adenine nucleotides ADP-ribose (ADPR) and 2′-deoxy-ADPR (2dADPR) activate the channel, in combination with their co-agonist Ca 2+ . Interestingly, activation of human TRPM2 (hsTRPM2) by 2dADPR is much more effective than activation by ADPR. However, the underlying mechanism of the nucleotides’ differential effect on the channel is not yet fully understood. In this study, we performed whole-cell patch clamp experiments with HEK293 cells heterologously expressing hsTRPM2. We show that 2dADPR has an approx. 4-fold higher Ca 2+ sensitivity than ADPR (EC 50 = 190 and 690 nM). This allows 2dADPR to activate the channel at lower and thus physiological intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations. Kinetic analysis of our data reveals that activation by 2dADPR is faster than activation by ADPR. Mutation in a calmodulin binding N-terminal IQ-like motif in hsTRPM2 completely abrogated channel activation by both agonists. However, mutation of a single amino acid residue (W1355A) in the C-terminus of hsTRPM2, at a site of extensive inter-domain interaction, resulted in slower activation by 2dADPR and neutralized the difference in rate of activation between the two agonists. Taken together, we propose a mechanism by which 2dADPR induces higher hsTRPM2 currents than ADPR by means of faster channel activation. The finding that 2dADPR has a higher Ca 2+ sensitivity than ADPR may indicate that 2dADPR rather than ADPR activates hsTRPM2 in physiological contexts such as the innate immune response.

TRPM2 is a non-selective, Ca -permeable cation channel widely expressed in immune cells. It is firmly established that the channel can be activated by intracellular adenosine 5'-diphosphoribose (ADPR). Until recent cryo-EM structures have exhibited an additional nucleotide binding site in the N-terminus of the channel, this activation was thought to occur via binding to a C-terminal domain of the channel that is highly homologous to the ADPR pyrophosphatase NudT9. Over the years it has been controversially discussed whether the Ca mobilizing second messenger cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR) might also directly activate Ca entry via TRPM2. Here we will review the status of this discussion.

Macrophages are one of the key target cells of pathogenic Yersinia , where central immune response pathways, such as phagocytosis, gene expression, and inflammasome assembly, are suppressed by secreted bacterial effectors (Yops) in a highly coordinated fashion. Most studies analyzing cooperation between Yop proteins have utilized cell lines and mouse-derived macrophages, which strongly differ from human macrophages. This study employed primary human macrophages and analyzed cooperation between different Yersinia enterocolitica effector proteins on gene expression, histone phosphorylation, calcium signaling, and inflammasome assembly. We reveal synergistic, antagonistic, and individual roles of different Yersinia effector proteins. This work highlights how highly coordinated activities of a limited set of effectors can efficiently disarm macrophage immune responses and lead to a successful infection.