Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.01.06.425618

Resolving the molecular fingerprint of the distal carboxy tail in modulating CaV1 calcium dependent inactivation

Sang, L.·Vieira, D. C. O.·Yue, D. T.·Ben-Johny, M.·Dick, I. E.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent inactivation (CDI) of CaV channels is a critical regulatory process required for tuning the kinetics of Ca2+ entry for different cell types and physiologic responses. Calmodulin (CaM) resides on the IQ domain of the CaV carboxy-tail, such that Ca2+ binding initiates a reduction in channel open probability, manifesting as CDI. This regulatory process exerts a significant impact on Ca2+ entry and is tailored by alternative splicing. CaV1.3 and CaV1.4 feature a long-carboxy-tail splice variant that modulates CDI through a competitive mechanism. In these channels, the distal-carboxy-tail (DCT) harbors an inhibitor of CDI (ICDI) module that competitively displaces CaM from the IQ domain, thereby diminishing CDI. While this overall mechanism is now well-described, the detailed interaction loci for ICDI binding to the IQ domain is yet to be elucidated. Here, we perform alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the IQ and ICDI domains and evaluate the contribution of neighboring regions. We identify multiple critical residues within the IQ domain, ICDI and the nearby A region of the channel, which are required for high affinity IQ/ICDI binding. Importantly, disruption of this interaction commensurately diminishes ICDI function, as seen by the re-emergence of CDI in mutant channels. Furthermore, analysis of the homologous ICDI region of CaV1.2 reveals a selective effect of this channel region on CaV1.3 channels, implicating a cross-channel modulatory scheme in cells expressing both channel subtypes. In all, these findings provide new insights into a molecular rheostat that fine tunes Ca2+ entry and supports normal neuronal and cardiac function.

Explore related subjects

biophysicsPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Sang, L., Vieira, D. C. O., Yue, D. T., Ben-Johny, M., Dick, I. E.. 2021-01-06. Resolving the molecular fingerprint of the distal carboxy tail in modulating CaV1 calcium dependent inactivation. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.06.425618

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Nanomechanical phenotyping uncovers a non-canonical smooth muscle-like hypercontractility program in lung squamous cell carcinoma myofibroblasts

Myofibroblast-like cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) drive the stiff, tumor-promoting microenvironment, yet their mechanical phenotype in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains undefined. myCAFs from major NSCLC subtypes (lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC)) were examined combining atomic force microscopy and traction force microscopy with molecular and signaling analyses. LUAD-myCAFs displayed canonical myofibroblast features, including elevated stiffness, traction forces, ROCK-MYPT1 signaling, and -SMA-rich stress fibers. Unexpectedly, LUSC-myCAFs amplified these nanomechanical features despite reduced ROCK-MYPT1 signaling and comparable -SMA levels. Instead, they exhibited a smooth muscle cell (SMC)-like contractile program characterized by enhanced SM-MHC(MYH11) expression colocalized with -SMA, ERK1/2-RLC hyperactivation, and DNA methylation reprogramming including SMC-contractility regulators. LUSC-myCAF hypercontractility was linked with reduced proliferative capacity and smaller intratumoral vessel lumens, consistent with the low CAF density and enhanced hypoxia patterns reported in LUSC. SMC markers were enriched and associated with adverse outcomes selectively in LUSC, highlighting the relevance of SMC-like myCAFs in LUSC progression. These findings unveil subtype-specific myCAF programs in NSCLC, and identify -SMA/SM-MHC(MYH11) myCAFs as key determinants of tumor mechanics, providing a rationale for the survival benefits of antihypertensive drugs targeting SMC hypercontractility. Moreover, they demonstrate that nanomechanical phenotyping can uncover translationally relevant myCAF phenotypes invisible to molecular profiling.

biophysics↗
bioRxiv2026

Frequency-Dependent Structural Responses of Amyloid-β Fibrils to Terahertz Pulses: A Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Study

The abnormal aggregation of amyloid proteins into fibrils is closely associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the importance of developing effective strategies to modulate fibril structural stability. Here, we employed nonequilibrium molecular dynamics(NEMD) simulations to examine the effects of intense terahertz-to-mid-infrared pulses on three amyloid fibrils (2LMP, 2MXU, and 5OQV), focusing on the combined effects of pulse frequency and electric-field strength. Frequency scans from 0.5 to 60 THz in 0.5 THz steps revealed frequency-dependent losses of {beta}-sheet content, with several common response patterns in these fibrils. Comparisons at 2, 23, 33, and 50 THz showed that pulse-induced changes in secondary structure differed from those in high-temperature controls. Hydrogen-bond analysis showed that total hydrogen-bond counts could partially recover even as interchain hydrogen bonds continued to decrease, with distinct responses among representative chain pairs. We therefore propose a two-threshold electric-field framework for fibril disruption: Eth1 describes the onset of structural perturbation, whereas Eth2 indicates persistent structural loss after the pulse. This framework offers a testable approach for characterizing amyloid structural responses to external fields, although the underlying energy-coupling mechanisms, quantitative thresholds, and long-term recovery require further validation. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for exploring external-field-based strategies to modulate protein aggregation.

biophysics↗
bioRxiv2026

Organised streaming of cerebrospinal fluid in the human third ventricle

Quasi-periodic pressure pulses associated with cardiac and respiratory activity generate reciprocating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) motion in the human ventricles. Regular waves dominated by the cardiac cycle are overlaid with cycles of low-frequency respiratory waves, the latter to become stronger in forced breathing or even dominated by large successive flushes in NREM sleep. The present study investigates how such waves contribute to residual streaming within the human ventricles. Transient CFD simulations were performed in the third ventricle at varying parameters of frequency, stroke volume and wave-form asymmetry. Increasing the aqueduct peak Reynolds-number, either by small stroke volume and high frequency or large stroke volume at low frequency, transfers the flow from a reversible flow pattern to the formation of clear preferential pathways, alternating between the in- and outflow cycle. The resulting permanent streaming flux across the aqueduct relative to the mean oscillatory flow-rate, i.e. the dimensionless streaming ratio SR follows a rational saturation relation, SR [~] ReAq,peak/(C + ReAq,peak), demonstrating that increasing the peak aqueduct Reynolds number yields diminishing returns and bounds the relative contribution of residual inter-ventricular streaming. These findings demonstrate differences in hydrodynamic organisation in the third ventricle and highlight the importance of this organisation for intraventricular fluid exchange.

biophysics↗