| 2002 |
MCOLN3/TRPML3 encodes a putative six-transmembrane-domain cation channel protein; the Va allele carries an Ala419Pro substitution in the fifth transmembrane domain causing the varitint-waddler phenotype, while the Va(J) allele has an additional Ile362Thr substitution that partially rescues it. TRPML3 localizes to cytoplasmic compartments of hair cells and plasma membrane of stereocilia, with hair cell defects apparent by embryonic day 17.5. |
Positional cloning, sequence analysis, immunolocalization in hair cells |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
12403827
|
| 2007 |
The Va mutation A419P in TRPML3 generates a constitutively active cation channel (gain-of-function) by a helix-breaking proline substitution in TM5. Proline substitution scan showed the inner third of TM5 is highly susceptible to proline-based kinks causing constitutive activity; the constitutively active channel was detected as a distinct inwardly rectifying current in native varitint-waddler hair cells. |
Patch-clamp electrophysiology in heterologous expression and native hair cells; proline substitution scan of TM5 |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
18048323
|
| 2007 |
Wild-type TRPML3 is a strongly inward rectifying cation channel regulated by extracytosolic Na+: pre-incubation in Na+-free medium activates the channel, which then slowly inactivates upon Na+ re-addition. The A419P mutation locks the channel in an open, unregulated state (gain-of-function), affects channel glycosylation, and causes massive cell death. The A419G mutation similarly destabilizes TM5 alpha-helix and produces gain-of-function. I362T results in an inactive channel but does not fully suppress A419P in the double mutant. |
Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis, cell viability assays in heterologous expression system |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
17962195
|
| 2007 |
Wild-type TRPML3 forms channels with conductance of 50–70 pS, opens at very positive potentials (outward rectification). The A419P mutant generates an additional constitutive inwardly rectifying current that depolarizes cells. Cells expressing TRPML3(A419P) or TRPML3(I362T+A419P) die and are extruded from the epithelium, resembling degeneration of Va hair cells. |
Single-channel and whole-cell patch-clamp in LLC-PK1-CL4 epithelial cells; immunolocalization |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
18162548
|
| 2008 |
TRPML3 is a Ca2+-permeable channel uniquely regulated by extracytosolic (luminal) H+ via three histidines (H252, H273, H283) in the large extracytosolic loop between TM1 and TM2. H283A mutation locks the channel open (mimics A419P), while H283R inactivates it. The A419P mutation abolishes H+ regulation, suggesting that the extracytosolic loop communicates with TM5 orientation to control pore opening. |
Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis, pH manipulation |
The EMBO journal |
High |
18369318
|
| 2006 |
TRPML proteins form homo- and heteromultimers. TRPML1 and TRPML2 homomultimers are lysosomal, whereas TRPML3 homomultimers localize to the endoplasmic reticulum. However, TRPML3 is redirected to lysosomes when coexpressed with TRPML1 or TRPML2, demonstrating a hierarchy in which TRPML1 and TRPML2 dictate TRPML3 lysosomal localization but not vice versa. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, subcellular fractionation, confocal microscopy with dominant-negative and lysosomal-targeting mutants |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
16606612
|
| 2008 |
TRPML3 mutations (I362T/A419P) cause reduced mechano-electrical transducer (MET) currents in cochlear hair cells, reduced FM1-43 and gentamicin uptake, and loss of TRPML3 localization at the base of stereocilia near ankle links. The study argues TRPML3 plays a critical role at the ankle-link region during hair-bundle growth and that impaired MET is the main cause of hearing loss in Va(J) heterozygotes, rather than constitutive channel activity. |
Electrophysiological recordings of MET currents, FM1-43 and [3H]gentamicin uptake assays, immunohistochemistry with TRPML3-specific antibody |
The Journal of physiology |
Medium |
18801844
|
| 2009 |
TRPML3 is a prominent regulator of endocytosis, membrane trafficking, and autophagy. Overexpression of TRPML3 reduces constitutive and regulated endocytosis and increases autophagy. Knockdown of TRPML3 by siRNA or expression of a channel-dead dominant-negative TRPML3(D458K) reduces both endocytosis and autophagy. Upon autophagy induction, TRPML3 is dynamically recruited to autophagosomes, suggesting it controls Ca2+ in the vicinity of cellular organelles needed for these events. |
Gradient fractionation, confocal localization, siRNA knockdown, dominant-negative expression, endocytosis and autophagy assays |
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark) |
Medium |
19522758
|
| 2009 |
PMCA2 (plasma membrane calcium ATPase 2) significantly reduces [Ca2+]i increase and apoptosis in HEK293 cells expressing constitutively active TRPML3(A419P). Genetic epistasis in mice: combining heterozygous Va (TRPML3 A419P) with heterozygous deaf-waddler (PMCA2 G283S) alleles causes severe hair bundle defects and increased hair cell loss compared to single mutants, establishing PMCA2 as a functional suppressor of TRPML3(A419P)-induced Ca2+ overload. |
Ca2+ imaging, apoptosis assays in HEK293 cells; double-mutant mouse genetics with auditory brainstem responses |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
19299509
|
| 2010 |
The TRPML3 pore is dynamic during Ca2+ conduction: it changes conductance and permeability, apparently by trapping Ca2+ within the pore, and can be restored by strong depolarization or Na+ conduction. The A419P mutation results in an expanded channel pore with altered permeability that limits Ca2+-mediated pore modulation; this effect is specific to A419P and is not reproduced by other gain-of-function mutations (A419G, H283A, or other TM5 prolines). |
Whole-cell and single-channel patch-clamp electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
20378547
|
| 2010 |
Genetic inactivation (conditional knockout) of Trpml3 in mice does not lead to hearing loss, vestibular impairment, or circling behavior, establishing that TRPML3 loss-of-function alone is not sufficient to cause auditory/vestibular phenotypes under normal conditions. |
Conditional knockout mouse, auditory brainstem response testing, behavioral observation |
PloS one |
Medium |
21179200
|
| 2010 |
TRPML3 can be activated by low extracytosolic sodium and by diverse small molecules identified in a high-throughput screen. Agonists synergize with low extracytosolic [Na+], revealing distinct cooperative activation mechanisms. Testing on native sensory hair cells and melanocytes shows absence of activator-responsive channels, suggesting TRPML3 is absent from the plasma membrane in these native cells or is part of nonresponsive heteromeric channels. |
High-throughput fluorescence-based screen, electrophysiology, cheminformatics, native cell testing |
Chemistry & biology |
Medium |
20189104
|
| 2012 |
Glu-361 in the second extracellular loop of TRPML3 is critical for sodium-mediated block; mutating this negatively charged residue significantly reduces the sodium inhibition of TRPML3. TRPML2 is also activated by lowering extracellular sodium concentration and by a subset of TRPML3 agonists, suggesting similar gating mechanisms for both channels. |
Site-directed mutagenesis, whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, pharmacological screening |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
22753890
|
| 2013 |
TRPML3 and TRPV5 physically associate to form a novel heteromeric ion channel with pharmacological properties similar to TRPML3 but distinct single-channel features from either homomeric channel. The heteromer requires functional TRPML3 and functional TRPV5, and occurs in potentially distinct stoichiometric configurations. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, single-channel patch-clamp electrophysiology, pharmacology |
PloS one |
Medium |
23469151
|
| 2017 |
Cryo-EM structure of full-length marmoset TRPML3 at 2.9 Å resolution reveals: (1) a unique architecture where the voltage sensor-like domain is linked to the pore via a cytosolic 'mucolipin domain'; (2) the mucolipin domain is responsible for PtdIns(3,5)P2 binding and channel activation; (3) it acts as a 'gating pulley' for lipid-dependent channel gating. Conserved basic residues at the N-terminus mediate PtdIns(3,5)P2 activation and PtdIns(4,5)P2 inhibition. |
Cryo-EM structure determination, functional electrophysiology with mutagenesis of basic residues |
Nature |
High |
29019979
|
| 2017 |
Cryo-EM structures of human TRPML3 in closed, agonist-activated (ML-SA1 bound), and low-pH-inhibited states. The agonist ML-SA1 lodges between S5 and S6 and opens the S6 gate. A polycystin-mucolipin domain (PMD) forms a luminal cap; S1 extends into this cap as a 'gating rod' connected to a luminal pore loop that undergoes dramatic conformational changes at low pH. S2 extends intracellularly forming a 'gating knob'. Low pH induces inhibition by changing S1 and S2 conformations. PIP2 regulation also acts through S1 and S2 conformational changes. |
Cryo-EM structure determination at 3.62–4.65 Å, electrophysiology, agonist binding studies |
Nature structural & molecular biology |
High |
29106414
|
| 2018 |
MCOLN3/TRPML3 undergoes palmitoylation at its C-terminal region. Palmitoylation is required for dynamic trafficking of MCOLN3 to autophagic structures and for MCOLN3's function in autophagosome formation, but not for channel properties or localization/function of intracellular MCOLN3. Nutrient starvation activates MCOLN3 and increases its palmitoylation level; disruption of palmitoylation abolishes starvation-induced channel activation without affecting intrinsic channel activity. |
Mass spectrometry for palmitoylation site identification, 2-BP inhibitor studies, hydroxylamine treatment, Ca2+ imaging, autophagy flux assays, shRNA knockdown |
Autophagy |
Medium |
30215288
|
| 2022 |
TRPML3 localizes in phagophores and is a downstream effector of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI3P). PI3P directly activates TRPML3 current and Ca2+ release from the phagophore to promote autophagosome biogenesis. TRPML3 physically interacts with PI3P; disruption of this interaction abolishes both PI3P-dependent activation and the increase in autophagy. Inhibition of TRPML3 suppresses autophagy even in the presence of excess PI3P. |
TRPML3-GCaMP6 targeted reporter Ca2+ imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, lipid-binding assays, autophagy flux assays, KO and activation studies |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
36252030
|
| 2022 |
FGL2 (fibrinogen-like protein 2) directly interacts with mucolipin 3 (MCOLN3/TRPML3) in neutrophils, regulating calcium influx and initiating autophagy that leads to neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. This FGL2-MCOLN3-autophagy axis drives NET-mediated liver injury in fulminant viral hepatitis. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (direct interaction), adoptive transfer experiments, siRNA/shRNA knockdown, calcium flux assays |
Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology |
Medium |
35926777
|
| 2025 |
Somatic gain-of-function mutations in MCOLN3 (p.Y391D, p.F415I, p.N411_V412delinsI), located near the ion pore and selectivity filter, cause membrane depolarization and calcium influx in adrenocortical HAC15 cells, triggering increased CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) expression and aldosterone production, establishing MCOLN3 as a driver gene for primary aldosteronism. |
Next-generation sequencing of APAs, electrophysiology, fura-2 calcium measurements, gene expression assays, steroid quantification in transfected adrenocortical cells |
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) |
Medium |
40772318
|
| 2025 |
MCOLN1/TRPML1 and MCOLN3/TRPML3 form a heteromeric channel that acts downstream of PtdIns4P to release Ca2+ from autophagosomes for autophagosome-lysosome fusion. The Ca2+ signal is decoded by the Ca2+ sensor SYT5 (synaptotagmin 5), which binds both Ca2+ and PtdIns4P to form a fusion complex. Disruption of the MCOLN1-MCOLN3 heteromer or the MCOLN3-SYT5 interaction inhibits autophagosome-lysosome fusion. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, Ca2+ imaging, autophagy flux assays, KO cells, dominant-negative constructs, lipid-binding assays |
Autophagy |
Medium |
40413756
|
| 2025 |
TRPML3 specifically interacts with the mammalian ATG8 homolog GATE16 (but not LC3B) through single amino acid motifs in both proteins that determine interaction specificity. RAB33B, a Golgi-resident GTPase, also functionally interacts with TRPML3 and contains an LIR motif that specifically binds GATE16. Upon autophagy induction, RAB33B is recruited from the Golgi to the phagophore in an LIR-dependent manner, enhancing the RAB33B-TRPML3 interaction and promoting autophagosome formation. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, site-directed mutagenesis, fluorescence microscopy, autophagy flux assays |
Scientific reports |
Medium |
40855209
|
| 2025 |
Alkaline extracellular pH elevates lysosomal pH, which activates the lysosomal Ca2+ channel TRPML3. This TRPML3 activation enhances RNF13 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, which in turn drives ARL8B degradation and promotes perinuclear lysosomal positioning (retrograde transport). |
Lysosomal pH measurements, Ca2+ imaging, TRPML3 channel activity assays, RNF13 activity assays, lysosomal positioning quantification |
bioRxivpreprint |
Low |
|