Interaction of bestrophin-1 and Ca2+ channel β-subunits: identification of new binding domains on the bestrophin-1 C-terminus

PLoS One. 2011 Apr 29;6(4):e19364. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019364.

Abstract

Bestrophin-1 modulates currents through voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channels by physically interacting with the β-subunits of Ca(2+) channels. The main function of β-subunits is to regulate the number of pore-forming Ca(V)-subunits in the cell membrane and modulate Ca(2+) channel currents. To understand the influence of full-length bestrophin-1 on β-subunit function, we studied binding and localization of bestrophin-1 and Ca(2+) channel subunits, together with modulation of Ca(V)1.3 Ca(2+) channels currents. In heterologeous expression, bestrophin-1 showed co-immunoprecipitation with either, β3-, or β4-subunits. We identified a new highly conserved cluster of proline-rich motifs on the bestrophin-1 C-terminus between amino acid position 468 and 486, which enables possible binding to SH3-domains of β-subunits. A bestrophin-1 that lacks these proline-rich motifs (ΔCT-PxxP bestrophin-1) showed reduced efficiency to co-immunoprecipitate with β3 and β4-subunits. In the presence of ΔCT-PxxP bestrophin-1, β4-subunits and Ca(V)1.3 subunits partly lost membrane localization. Currents from Ca(V)1.3 subunits were modified in the presence of β4-subunit and wild-type bestrophin-1: accelerated time-dependent activation and reduced current density. With ΔCTPxxP bestrophin-1, currents showed the same time-dependent activation as with wild-type bestrophin-1, but the current density was further reduced due to decreased number of Ca(2+) channels proteins in the cell membrane. In summary, we described new proline-rich motifs on bestrophin-1 C-terminus, which help to maintain the ability of β-subunits to regulate surface expression of pore-forming Ca(V) Ca(2+)-channel subunits.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Bestrophins
  • CHO Cells
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry*
  • Chloride Channels / chemistry*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Eye Proteins / chemistry*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • BEST1 protein, human
  • Bestrophins
  • Calcium Channels
  • Chloride Channels
  • Eye Proteins