Half-calcified calmodulin promotes basal activity and inactivation of the L-type calcium channel CaV1.2

The L-type Ca2+ channel CaV1.2 controls gene expression, cardiac contraction, and neuronal activity. Calmodulin (CaM) governs CaV1.2 open probability (Po) and Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI) but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we present electrophysiological data that identify a half Ca2+-saturated CaM species (Ca2/CaM) with Ca2+ bound solely at the third and fourth EF-hands (EF3 and EF4) under resting Ca2+ concentrations (50-100 nM) that constitutively preassociates with CaV1.2 to promote Po and CDI. We also present an NMR structure of a complex between the CaV1.2 IQ motif (residues 1644-1665) and Ca2/CaM12', a calmodulin mutant in which Ca2+ binding to EF1 and EF2 is completely disabled. We found that the CaM12' N-lobe does not interact with the IQ motif. The CaM12' C-lobe bound two Ca2+ ions and formed close contacts with IQ residues I1654 and Y1657. I1654A and Y1657D mutations impaired CaM binding, CDI, and Po, as did disabling Ca2+ binding to EF3 and EF4 in the CaM34 mutant when compared to WT CaM. Accordingly, a previously unappreciated Ca2/CaM species promotes CaV1.2 Po and CDI, identifying Ca2/CaM as an important mediator of Ca signaling.

Inhibitory effects on L- and N-type calcium channels by a novel CaVβ1 variant identified in a patient with autism spectrum disorder

Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) subunits have been genetically associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The properties of the pore-forming VGCC subunit are modulated by auxiliary β-subunits, which exist in four isoforms (Ca_Vβ_1-4). Our previous findings suggested that activation of L-type VGCCs is a common feature of Ca_Vβ₂ subunit mutations found in ASD patients. In the current study, we functionally characterized a novel Ca_Vβ_1b variant (p.R296C) identified in an ASD patient. We used whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp to study the effect of Ca_Vβ_{1b_R296C} on the function of L- and N-type VGCCs. Furthermore, we used co-immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot to evaluate the interaction of the Ca_Vβ_1b-subunits with the RGK-protein Gem. Our data obtained at both, whole-cell and single-channel levels, show that compared to a wild-type Ca_Vβ_1b, the Ca_Vβ_{1b_R296C} variant inhibits L- and N-type VGCCs. Interaction with and modulation by the RGK-protein Gem seems to be intact. Our findings indicate functional effects of the Ca_Vβ_{1b_R296C} variant differing from that attributed to Ca_Vβ₂ variants found in ASD patients. Further studies have to detail the effects on different VGCC subtypes and on VGCC expression.

A critical GxxxA motif in the gamma6 calcium channel subunit mediates its inhibitory effect on Cav3.1 calcium current

The eight members of the calcium channel gamma subunit family are integral membrane proteins that regulate the expression and behaviour of voltage and ligand gated ion channels. While a subgroup consisting of gamma(2), gamma(3), gamma(4) and gamma(8) (the TARPs) modulate AMPA receptor localization and function, the gamma(1) and gamma(6) subunits conform to the original description of these proteins as regulators of voltage gated calcium channels. We have previously shown that the gamma(6) subunit is highly expressed in atrial myocytes and that it is capable of acting as a negative modulator of low voltage activated calcium current. In this study we extend our understanding of gamma(6) subunit modulation of low voltage activated calcium current. Using engineered chimeric constructs, we demonstrate that the first transmembrane domain (TM1) of gamma(6) is necessary for its inhibitory effect on Cav3.1 current. Mutational analysis is then used to identify a unique GxxxA motif within TM1 that is required for the function of the subunit strongly suggesting the involvement of helix-helix interactions in its effects. Results from co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirm a physical association of gamma(6) with the Cav3.1 channel in both HEK cells and atrial myocytes. Single channel analysis reveals that binding of gamma(6) reduces channel availability for activation. Taken together, the results of this study provide both a molecular and a mechanistic framework for understanding the unique ability of the gamma(6) calcium channel subunit to modulate low voltage activated (Cav3.1) calcium current density.

Gating of the HypoPP-1 mutations: II. Effects of a calcium-channel agonist BayK 8644

L-type calcium-channel mutations causing hypokalemic periodic paralysis type 1 (HypoPP-1) have pronounced "loss-of-function" features and stabilize the less-selective second open state O(2), as we demonstrated in the companion paper. Here, we compared the effects of the L-type calcium-channel activator (+/-)BayK 8644 (BayK) on the heterologously expressed wild-type (WT) calcium channel, rabbit Cav1.2 HypoPP-1 analogs, and two double mutants (R650H/R1362H, R650H/R1362G). Our goal was to elucidate (1) whether the "loss-of-function" in HypoPP-1 can be compensated by BayK application, (2) how the less-selective open state is affected by BayK in WT and HypoPP-1 mutants, as well as (3) to gain an insight into BayK mechanism of action. Ionic currents were examined by whole-cell patch-clamp and analyzed by the global-fitting procedure. Our results imply that (1) BayK promotes channel activation, but equalized the differences among the WT and mutants, thus attenuating HypoPP-related effects on activation and deactivation; (2) BayK binds to the first open state O(1), and then serves as a catalyst for O(2) formation; (3) binding of BayK is impaired in the HypoPP mutants, thus affecting the formation of the less-selective second open state; (4) BayK affects cooperativity between the single HypoPP-1 mutations at all stages of the channel gating; and (5) BayK favoring of O(2) lowers calcium-channel selectivity.

Gating of the HypoPP-1 mutations: I. Mutant-specific effects and cooperativity

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis type 1 (HypoPP-1) is a hereditary muscular disorder caused by point mutations in the gene encoding the voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel alpha subunit (Ca(v)1.1). Despite extensive research, the results on HypoPP-1 mutations are minor and controversial, as it is difficult to analyse Ca(2+) channel activation macroscopically due to an existence of two open states. In this study, we heterologously expressed the wild-type and HypoPP-1 mutations introduced into the rabbit cardiac Ca(2+) channel (R650H, R1362H, R1362G) in HEK-293 cells. To examine the cooperative effects of the mutations on channel gating, we expressed two double mutants (R650H/R1362H, R650H/R1362G). We performed whole-cell patch-clamp and, to obtain more information, applied a global fitting procedure whereby several current traces elicited by different potentials were simultaneously fit to the kinetic model containing four closed, two open and two inactivated states. We found that all HypoPP-1 mutations have "loss-of-function" features: D4/S4 mutations shift the equilibrium to the closed states, which results in reduced open probability, shorter openings and, therefore, in smaller currents, and the D2/S4 mutant slows the activation. In addition, HypoPP-1 histidine mutants favored the second open state O(2) with a possibly lower channel selectivity. Cooperativity between the D2/S4 and D4/S4 HypoPP-1 mutations manifested in dominant effects of the D4/S4 mutations on kinetics of the double mutants, suggesting different roles of D2/S4 and D4/S4 voltage sensors in the gating of voltage-gated calcium channels.