Crosstalk between huntingtin and syntaxin 1A regulates N-type calcium channels

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2005 Nov;30(3):339-51. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.07.016. Epub 2005 Sep 12.

Abstract

We have identified a novel interaction between huntingtin (htt) and N-type calcium channels, a channel key in coupling calcium influx with synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Htt is a widely expressed 350-kDa cytosolic protein bearing an N-terminal polyglutamine tract. Htt is proteolytically cleaved by calpains and caspases and the resultant htt N-terminal fragments have been proposed to be biologically active; however, the cellular function of htt and/or the htt fragments remains enigmatic. We show that N-terminal fragments of htt (consisting of exon1) and full-length htt associate with the synaptic protein interaction (synprint) region of the N-type calcium channel. Given that synprint has previously been shown to bind syntaxin 1A and that this association elicits inhibition of N-type calcium channels, we tested whether htt(exon1) affects the modulation of these channels. Our data indicate that htt(exon1) enhances calcium influx by blocking syntaxin 1A inhibition of N-type calcium channels and attributes a key role for htt N-terminal fragments in the fine tuning of neurotransmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Exons / genetics
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Membranes / genetics
  • Synaptic Membranes / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics
  • Syntaxin 1 / genetics
  • Syntaxin 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Stx1a protein, mouse
  • Syntaxin 1