Old proteins, developing roles: The regulation of calcium channels by synaptic proteins.
Coupling of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels to the synaptic release machinery is critical for neurotransmission. It was traditionally believed that anchoring calcium channels close to the calcium microdomain dependent release machinery was the main reason for the physical interactions between channels and synaptic proteins, however in recent years, it is becoming clear that these proteins additionally regulate channel activity, and such processes as channel targeting and alternative splicing, to orchestrate a much broader regulatory role in controlling calcium channel function, calcium influx and hence neurotransmission. Calcium signalling serves a multitude of cellular functions and therefore requires tight regulation. Specific, often calcium-dependent interactions between synaptic proteins and calcium channels appear to play a significant role in fine-tuning of the synaptic response over development. While it is clear that investigation of a few of the multitude of synaptic proteins will not provide a complete understanding of calcium channel regulation, consideration of the emerging mechanisms by which synaptic protein interactions might regulate calcium channel function is important in order to understand their possible contributions to synaptic transmission. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which synaptic proteins regulate presynaptic calcium channel activity.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Jonathan N
JN
Davies
Gerald W
GW
Zamponi
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000737:chemistry*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
D015220:Calcium Channels; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins