Ca(2+) sensors of L-type Ca(2+) channel

Ca(2+)-induced inactivation of L-type Ca(2+) is differentially mediated by two C-terminal motifs of the alpha(1C) subunit, L (1572-1587) and K (1599-1651) implicated for calmodulin binding. We found that motif L is composed of a highly selective Ca(2+) sensor and an adjacent Ca(2+)-independent tethering site for calmodulin. The Ca(2+) sensor contributes to higher Ca(2+) sensitivity of the motif L complex with calmodulin. Since only combined mutation of both sites removes Ca(2+)-dependent current decay, the two-site modulation by Ca(2+) and calmodulin may underlie Ca(2+)-induced inactivation of the channel.