Neuron
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 1994, Pages 1303-1313
Journal home page for Neuron

Identification of a syntaxin-binding site on N-Type calcium channels

https://doi.org/10.1016/0896-6273(94)90417-0Get rights and content

Summary

Immunochemical studies have suggested a tight association of syntaxin with N-type calcium channels. Syntaxin specifically interacts with the fusion proteins containing the cytoplasmic loop (LII–III) between homologous repeats II and III of the α1 subunit of the class B N-type calcium channel (α1B) from rat brain, but not with those of the class A Q-type (α1A) or the class S L-type (α1S) calcium channels. This interaction is mediated by an 87 amino acid sequence (773–859) containing two overlapping predicted helix-loop-helix domains. The 87 amino acid peptide can specifically block binding of native N-type calcium channels to syntaxin, indicating that this binding site is required for stable interaction of these two proteins. Interaction takes place with the C-terminal one-third of syntaxin (residues 181–288), which is thought to be anchored in the presynaptic plasma membrane. Our results suggest a direct interaction between the cytoplasmic domains of these two presynaptic membrane proteins that could have an important role in the targeting and docking of synaptic vesicles near N-type calcium channels, enabling tight structural and functional association of calcium entry sites and neurotransmitter release sites.

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