PIP modulates TRPC3 activity via TRP helix and S4-S5 linker.

The transient receptor potential canonical type 3 (TRPC3) channel plays a pivotal role in regulating neuronal excitability in the brain via its constitutive activity. The channel is intricately regulated by lipids and has previously been demonstrated to be positively modulated by PIP. Using molecular dynamics simulations and patch clamp techniques, we reveal that PIP predominantly interacts with TRPC3 at the L3 lipid binding site, located at the intersection of pre-S1 and S1 helices. We demonstrate that PIP sensing involves a multistep mechanism that propagates from L3 to the pore domain via a salt bridge between the TRP helix and S4-S5 linker. Notably, we find that both stimulated and constitutive TRPC3 activity require PIP. These structural insights into the function of TRPC3 are invaluable for understanding the role of the TRPC subfamily in health and disease, in particular for cardiovascular diseases, in which TRPC3 channels play a major role.