Multiplicity of protein interactions and functions of the voltage-gated calcium channel beta-subunit

Cell Calcium. 2007 Oct-Nov;42(4-5):389-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ceca.2007.05.009. Epub 2007 Jul 13.

Abstract

For a long time the auxiliary beta-subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels was thought to be engaged exclusively in the regulation of calcium channel function, including gating, intracellular trafficking, assembly and membrane expression. The beta-subunit belongs to the membrane-associated guanylate kinase class of scaffolding proteins (MAGUK) that comprises a series of protein interaction motifs. Two such domains, a Src homology 3 and a guanylate kinase domain are present in the beta-subunit. Recently, it was shown that this subunit interacts with a variety of proteins and regulates diverse cellular processes ranging from gene expression to hormone secretion and endocytosis. In light of these new findings, the beta-subunit deserves to be promoted to the category of multifunctional regulatory protein. Some of these new functions support a tighter regulation of calcium influx through voltage-gated calcium channels and others apparently serve channel unrelated processes. Here we discuss a variety of protein-protein interactions held by the beta-subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels and their functional consequences. Certainly the identification of additional binding partners and effector pathways will help to understand how the different beta-subunit-mediated processes are interwoven.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels / physiology
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Dynamins / metabolism
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Protein Subunits
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Dynamins
  • Calcium