Segregated cation flux by TPC2 biases Ca(2+) signaling through lysosomes

Two-pore channels are endo-lysosomal cation channels with malleable selectivity filters that drive endocytic ion flux and membrane traffic. Here we show that TPC2 can differentially regulate its cation permeability when co-activated by its endogenous ligands, NAADP and PI(3,5)P(2). Whereas NAADP rendered the channel Ca(2+)-permeable and PI(3,5)P(2) rendered the channel Na(+)-selective, a combination of the two increased Ca(2+) but not Na(+) flux. Mechanistically, this was due to an increase in Ca(2+) permeability independent of changes in ion selectivity. Functionally, we show that cell permeable NAADP and PI(3,5)P(2) mimetics synergistically activate native TPC2 channels in live cells, globalizing cytosolic Ca(2+) signals and regulating lysosomal pH and motility. Our data reveal that flux of different ions through the same pore can be independently controlled and identify TPC2 as a likely coincidence detector that optimizes lysosomal Ca(2+) signaling.