Structural Basis of the α1-β Subunit Interaction of Voltage-gated Ca2+ Channels
Y-h. Chen, M-h. Li, Y. Zhang, L-l. He, Y. Yamada, A. Fitzmaurice, Y. Shen, H. Zhang, L. Tong, and J. Yang
Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY
High voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels in cell membranes
control diverse biological processes, such as muscle contraction and
hormone release. They are composed of α1, α2-δ, β, and sometimes
γ, subunits. The proper expression and function of HVA Ca2+ channels
are critically dependent on the β subunit, which binds directly to
the α interaction domain (AID) in α1, presumably through the β
interaction domain (BID). We have solved the crystal structure of
the conserved core region of β3, alone and in complex with AID, and
of β4 alone. The structures show that the β core contains two common
protein-interacting domains (a Src homology 3 (SH3) domain and a
guanylate kinase (GK) domain) and that AID does not bind to BID.
These represent the first crystal structures of a Ca2+ channel
subunit or domain and suggest that β may be a multi-functional
protein.
There are four subfamilies of Ca2+ channel β subunits (β1-β4).
Each β subunit contains five regions, with the three middle regions
forming a core that can perform most functions of full-length β. The
crystal structure of the β3 core in complex with a 49-amino acid
segment of α1, which contains the 18-amino acid α interaction domain
(AID) (at 2.6 Å-resolution), shows that the three regions comprising
the β core are: an Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, a guanylate kinase
(GK) domain, and a “HOOK” region that connects them (Figure 1a). The
SH3 and GK domains interact intramolecularly. The AID forms an α
helix and binds to a hydrophobic (water-fearing) groove in the GK
domain. The interactions between AID and β are extensive, involving
hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and an ion pair (Figure
1b). These interactions form the basis for the high affinity binding
between α1 and β. Most of the amino acids involved in the
interactions are conserved in both subunits. The structure also
reveals that the β interaction domain (BID) spans all three regions
of the SH3-HOOK-GK motif and is thus crucial for the intramolecular
interaction between the SH3 and GK domains, as well as their
structural integrity. But, it is not directly involved in binding
AID (Figure 1a).
The overall structure of the unliganded (unbound) β3 core is very
similar to that of the β3 core bound to AID, indicating that AID
binding does not change the β subunit structure. Also, as predicted
by the high amino acid similarity, the structure of the β4 core is
nearly identical to that of the β3 core.
![](/peth04/20041016193653im_/http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/newsroom/science/2004/images/09-Yang-figure1.jpg)
The β subunit SH3 domain (β-SH3) is structurally similar to
canonical SH3 domains, but, unlike the continuous configuration of
the latter, β-SH3 is split, with a separate, flexible HOOK region
inserted between the first four β strands and the last one.
Furthermore, although β-SH3 possesses several amino acids critical
for binding PXXP motifs (molecules that typically bind to SH3
domains), it is unlikely to interact with PXXP-containing proteins
because the binding site is shielded by part of the HOOK. Likewise,
although the overall structure of the β subunit GK domain (β-GK) is
similar to that of the yeast GK domain, it is catalytically
inactive. Thus, the function of the β subunit SH and GK domains
remains to be determined.
![](/peth04/20041016193653im_/http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/newsroom/science/2004/images/09-Yang-figure2.jpg)
Interestingly, the SH3-HOOK-GK motif is also a common structural
signature of a family of proteins called membrane-associated
guanylate kinase homologs (MAGUKs). Many members of this family,
including PSD95, are concentrated at the boundaries between neurons,
or “synapses,” as are HVA Ca2+ channels, and play a central role in
clustering and organizing both pre- and post-synaptic ion channels
and neurotransmitter receptors. Electrophysiological studies
indicate that the PSD95 SH3-HOOK-GK and PSD95_GK do not interact
with HVA Ca2+ channels (Figure 2a). A comparison of the structure of
PSD95_GK and β_GK clearly reveals why: The AID-binding pocket is
completely blocked in PDS95_GK (Figure 2b). Our study thus provides
a structural basis for the specificity of Ca2+ channel β subunits
and MAGUK proteins.
BEAMLINE
X4A
FUNDING
National Institutes of Health
The McKnight Foundation
The EJLB Foundation
The American Heart Association
PUBLICATION
Y-h. Chen, M-h. Li, Y. Zhang, L-l. He, Y. Yamada, A. Fitzmaurice, Y.
Shen, H. Zhang, L. Tong, and J. Yang. “Structural basis of the α1-β
interaction of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels”. Nature 429,
675-680 (2004).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Prof. Jian Yang
Department of Biological Sciences
Columbia University
Email: Jy160@columbia.edu
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