D. Tobi et al., N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel interacts with syntaxin, synaptotagmin and SNAP-25 in a multiprotein complex, RECEPT CHAN, 6(2), 1998, pp. 89-98
Expression of the N-type voltage sensitive calcium channel in Xenopus oocyt
es along with syntaxin and p65 showed that the syntaxin-modified N-type cha
nnel properties, were fully reversed by p65. The inward current was restore
d to a significantly higher amplitude when all three proteins were present,
suggesting that the channel interacts with syntaxin, p65 and SNAP-25 in a
quaternary complex. Further support to a multicomplex formation between the
channel and the synaptic proteins was drawn from the steady-state voltage
inactivation profiles. A physical interaction of the N-type calcium channel
with the vesicular protein synaptotagmin (p65) was demonstrated biochemica
lly, using recombinant fusion proteins. The interaction is confined to a cy
tosolic channel domain that separates segments II and III amino acids 710-1
090 of the N-type channel (N-LOOP710-1090) In vitro binding of recombinant
N-LOOP710-1090 to p65 (amino acids 96-421) involves the two C2 domains of p
65, C2A domain [amino acids 96-265; p65(1-3)] and C2B domain [amino acids 2
45-421; p65(3-5)]. While the binding of C2A and C2B domains was calcium ind
ependent, C2B domain binding to the N-Loop was inositol-hexaphosphate (IP6)
-sensitive. The N-Loop(710-1090) binding to p65 was competed by syntaxin an
d SNAP25, which are synaptic plasma membrane proteins. These combined funct
ional and biochemical approaches provide evidence for a complex formation b
etween the N-type channel and the exocytotic machinery which by generating
fusion-competent vesicles map Function to regulate the process of synaptic
secretion.