Physical and functional interaction of the active zone protein CAST/ERC2 and the β-subunit of the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel

J Biochem. 2012 Aug;152(2):149-59. doi: 10.1093/jb/mvs054. Epub 2012 May 9.

Abstract

In the nerve terminals, the active zone protein CAST/ERC2 forms a protein complex with the other active zone proteins ELKS, Bassoon, Piccolo, RIM1 and Munc13-1, and is thought to play an organizational and functional role in neurotransmitter release. However, it remains obscure how CAST/ERC2 regulates the Ca(2+)-dependent release of neurotransmitters. Here, we show an interaction of CAST with voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs), which are essential for regulating neurotransmitter release triggered by depolarization-induced Ca(2+) influx at the active zone. Using a biochemical assay, we showed that CAST was coimmunoprecipitated with the VDCC β(4)-subunit from the mouse brain. A pull-down assay revealed that the VDCC β(4)-subunit interacted directly with at least the N- and C-terminal regions of CAST. The II-III linker of VDCC α(1)-subunit also interacted with C-terminal regions of CAST; however, the interaction was much weaker than that of β(4)-subunit. Furthermore, coexpression of CAST and VDCCs in baby hamster kidney cells caused a shift in the voltage dependence of activation towards the hyperpolarizing direction. Taken together, these results suggest that CAST forms a protein complex with VDCCs, which may regulate neurotransmitter release partly through modifying the opening of VDCCs at the presynaptic active zones.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cricetinae
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits
  • Synapses / metabolism

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Erc2 protein, mouse
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Protein Subunits