Calcium Channel Gamma(6) Subunit: In Search of Its Functions and Mechanisms of Action
Chen, Ren-Shiang
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82508
Description
Title
Calcium Channel Gamma(6) Subunit: In Search of Its Functions and Mechanisms of Action
Author(s)
Chen, Ren-Shiang
Issue Date
2006
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Best, Philip M.
Department of Study
Neuroscience
Discipline
Neuroscience
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Animal Physiology
Language
eng
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channels contain a pore-forming alpha1 subunit and auxiliary alpha2delta, beta and gamma subunits. Of the three auxiliary subunits, gamma is least understood. Cardiac myocytes express three gamma isoforms: gamma4, gamma6 and gamma 7. Low-voltage activated (LVA) calcium currents regulate rhythmic activity and cell proliferation in the heart. Previous studies using heterologous expression systems showed that gamma6 robustly inhibits Cav3.1 current, which is a major LVA component in adult atrial myocytes. On the other hand, gamma4 and gamma7 do not inhibit Cav 3.1 currents. Using whole-cell electrophysiology, we demonstrated that gamma 6 also inhibits LVA currents in HL-1 cardiomyocytes, confirming its function in native cells. Previous studies from our lab indicated that the first transmembrane domain of gamma6 is responsible for its inhibitory function. Using mutational analysis, we further identified the first GxxxA motif in the first transmembrane domain of gamma6 as being essential for the interaction between gamma6 and Cav3.1. Our previous experiments also indicated that wild-type gamma1 does not inhibit Cav3.1 currents. In this study, a GxxxA motif was introduced into the first transmembrane domain of the gamma1 subunit. The introduced motif conferred Cav3.1 inhibitory function to gamma 1, confirming the essential role of the GxxxA motif. Taken together, our results demonstrated the inhibitory function of gamma6 on LVA currents in a cardiac background. We also identified the importance of the GxxxA motif in mediating the interaction between gamma6 and Cav3.1 subunits.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
