Regulation of Ca2+ channel expression at the cell surface by the small G-protein kir/Gem

Nature. 2001 Jun 7;411(6838):701-6. doi: 10.1038/35079621.

Abstract

Voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) channels are involved in many specialized cellular functions, and are controlled by intracellular signals such as heterotrimeric G-proteins, protein kinases and calmodulin (CaM). However, the direct role of small G-proteins in the regulation of Ca2+ channels is unclear. We report here that the GTP-bound form of kir/Gem, identified originally as a Ras-related small G-protein that binds CaM, inhibits high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel activities by interacting directly with the beta-subunit. The reduced channel activities are due to a decrease in alpha1-subunit expression at the plasma membrane. The binding of Ca2+/CaM to kir/Gem is required for this inhibitory effect by promoting the cytoplasmic localization of kir/Gem. Inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels by kir/Gem prevents Ca2+-triggered exocytosis in hormone-secreting cells. We propose that the small G-protein kir/Gem, interacting with beta-subunits, regulates Ca2+ channel expression at the cell surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Exocytosis / physiology
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism*
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Insulin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • Gem protein, mouse
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Calcium