What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to investigate how ASIC2a interacts with ENaC β and γ subunits to form mechanosensitive ion channels.

May 18, 2026Open Access

Acid Sensing Ion Channel 2a assembles with Epithelial Na+ Channel β and γ subunits to form mechanosensitive ion channels

SSShujie ShiUniversity of Pittsburgh SWSarah Christine WhelanUniversity of Pittsburgh KSKennedy SzekelyUniversity of Pittsburgh

Key Points

The aim is to investigate how ASIC2a interacts with ENaC β and γ subunits to form mechanosensitive ion channels.
Oocytes were used to express different combinations of ASIC2a and ENaC subunits.
Channel activity was measured under varying pH conditions to assess mechanosensitivity.
Structural modeling complemented experimental findings to explain interactions.
ASIC2aG430V+β/γENaC showed a four-fold increase in channel activity compared to ASIC2aG430V alone.
Exposure to acidic pH led to greater activity in ASIC2aG430V+β/γENaC than in ASIC2aG430V alone.
ENaC β and γ subunits did not affect the channel's permeability to monovalent cations.

Abstract

currents in oocytes expressing ASIC2aG430V or ASIC2aG430V+βENaC, which was further increased to approximately four-fold when γENaC or both β and γ subunits were co-expressed with ASIC2aG430V (ASIC2aG430V+γENaC or ASIC2aG430V+β/γENaC). Exposure to acidic pH evoked greater channel activity in oocytes expressing ASIC2aG430V+β/γENaC than ASIC2aG430V alone. In contrast, ENaC β and γ subunits did not alter the channel's permeability to monovalent cations of different sizes. Collectively, our experimental findings and structural modeling suggest that ASIC2a assembles with ENaC β and γ subunits to form mechanosensitive channels.

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