Voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) channels are involved in many specialized
cellular functions(1-3), and are controlled by intracellular signals such a
s heterotrimeric G-proteins(4), protein kinases(5,6) and calmodulin (CaM)(7
,8). 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, id
entified originally as a Ras-related small G-protein that binds CaM9-11, in
hibits high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel activities by interacting direct
ly with the beta -subunit. The reduced channel activities are due to a decr
ease in alpha (1)-subunit expression at the plasma membrane. The binding of
Ca2+/CaM to kir/Gem is required for this inhibitory effect by promoting th
e cytoplasmic localization of kir/Gem. Inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels b
y 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.