Ca2+-dependent facilitation of Cav1.3 Ca2+ channels by densin and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

J Neurosci. 2010 Apr 14;30(15):5125-35. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4367-09.2010.

Abstract

Ca(v)1 (L-type) channels and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) are key regulators of Ca(2+) signaling in neurons. CaMKII directly potentiates the activity of Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)1.3 channels, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we report that the CaMKII-associated protein densin is required for Ca(2+)-dependent facilitation of Ca(v)1.3 channels. While neither CaMKII nor densin independently affects Ca(v)1.3 properties in transfected HEK293T cells, the two together augment Ca(v)1.3 Ca(2+) currents during repetitive, but not sustained, depolarizing stimuli. Facilitation requires Ca(2+), CaMKII activation, and its association with densin, as well as densin binding to the Ca(v)1.3 alpha(1) subunit C-terminal domain. Ca(v)1.3 channels and densin are targeted to dendritic spines in neurons and form a complex with CaMKII in the brain. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism for Ca(2+)-dependent facilitation that may intensify postsynaptic Ca(2+) signals during high-frequency stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Spines / enzymology
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / enzymology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neurons / enzymology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Sialoglycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Lrrc7 protein, rat
  • Sialoglycoproteins
  • Cacna1d protein, rat
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Calcium