Alternative splicing as a molecular switch for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent facilitation of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels

J Neurosci. 2004 Jul 14;24(28):6334-42. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1712-04.2004.

Abstract

Alternative splicing of the P/Q-type channel (Ca(V)2.1) promises customization of the computational repertoire of neurons. Here we report that concerted splicing of its main alpha1A subunit, at both an EF-hand-like domain and the channel C terminus, controls the form of Ca2+-dependent facilitation (CDF), an activity-dependent enhancement of channel opening that is triggered by calmodulin. In recombinant channels, such alternative splicing switches CDF among three modes: (1) completely "ON" and driven by local Ca2+ influx through individual channels, (2) completely "OFF," and (3) partially OFF but inducible by elevated global Ca2+ influx. Conversion from modes 1 to 3 represents an unprecedented dimension of control. The physiological function of these variants is likely important, because we find that the distribution of EF-hand splice variants is strikingly heterogeneous in the human brain, varying both across regions and during development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry
  • Calcium Channels / genetics*
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / chemistry
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / genetics
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • Calcium Channels, P-Type
  • Calcium Channels, Q-Type
  • Calmodulin / chemistry
  • Calmodulin / pharmacology
  • Calmodulin / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Exons / genetics
  • Ion Transport / drug effects
  • Kidney
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Cacnb2 protein, mouse
  • Calcium Channels
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • Calcium Channels, P-Type
  • Calcium Channels, Q-Type
  • Calmodulin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • voltage-dependent calcium channel (P-Q type)
  • Cacna1d protein, rat
  • Calcium