COOH-terminal association of human smooth muscle calcium channel Ca(v)1.2b with Src kinase protein binding domains: effect of nitrotyrosylation

The carboxyl terminus of the calcium channel plays an important role in the regulation of calcium entry, signal transduction, and gene expression. Potential protein-protein interaction sites within the COOH terminus of the L-type calcium channel include those for the SH3 and SH2 binding domains of c-Src kinase that regulates calcium currents in smooth muscle. In this study, we examined the binding sites involved in Src kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the human voltage-gated calcium channel (Ca(v)) 1.2b (hCav1.2b) and the effect of nitrotyrosylation. Cotransfection of human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells with hCa(v)1.2b and c-Src resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of the calcium channel, which was prevented by nitration of tyrosine residues by peroxynitrite. Whole cell calcium currents were reduced by 58 + 5% by the Src kinase inhibitor PP2 and 64 + 6% by peroxynitrite. Nitrotyrosylation prevented Src-mediated regulation of the currents. Glutathione S-transferase fusion protein of the distal COOH terminus of hCa(v)1.2b (1809-2138) bound to SH2 domain of Src following tyrosine phosphorylation, while binding to SH3 required the presence of the proline-rich motif. Site-directed mutation of Y(2134) prevented SH2 binding and resulted in reduced phosphorylation of hCa(v)1.2b. Within the distal COOH terminus, single, double, or triple mutations of Y(1837), Y(1861), and Y(2134) were constructed and expressed in HEK-293 cells. The inhibitory effects of PP2 and peroxynitrite on calcium currents were significantly reduced in the double mutant Y(1837-2134F). These data demonstrate that the COOH terminus of hCa(v)1.2b contains sites for the SH2 and SH3 binding of Src kinase. Nitrotyrosylation of these sites prevents Src kinase regulation and may be importantly involved in calcium influx regulation during inflammation.