INTERACTION OF ION CHANNELS AND RECEPTORS WITH PDZ DOMAIN PROTEINS

The complex anatomy of neurons demands a high degree of functional org anization. Therefore, membrane receptors and ion channels are often lo calized to selected subcellular sites and coupled to specific signal t ransduction machineries. PDZ domains have come into focus as protein i nteraction modules that mediate the binding of a class of submembraneo us proteins to membrane receptors and ion channels and thus subserve t hese organizational aspects. The structures of two PDZ domains have be en resolved, which has led to a structural understanding of the specif icity of interactions of various PDZ domains with their respective par tners. The functional implications of PDZ domain interactions are now being addressed in vitro and in vivo.