α-Catulin CTN-1 is required for BK channel subcellular localization in C. elegans body-wall muscle cells

EMBO J. 2010 Sep 15;29(18):3184-95. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2010.194. Epub 2010 Aug 10.

Abstract

The BK channel, a voltage- and Ca(2+)-gated large-conductance potassium channel with many important functions, is often localized at specific subcellular domains. Although proper subcellular localization is likely a prerequisite for the channel to perform its physiological functions, little is known about the molecular basis of localization. Here, we show that CTN-1, a homologue of mammalian α-catulin, is required for subcellular localization of SLO-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans BK channel α-subunit, in body-wall muscle cells. CTN-1 was identified in a genetic screen for mutants that suppressed a lethargic phenotype caused by expressing a gain-of-function (gf) isoform of SLO-1. In body-wall muscle cells, CTN-1 coclusters with SLO-1 at regions of dense bodies, which are Z-disk analogs of mammalian skeletal muscle. In ctn-1 loss-of-function (lf) mutants, SLO-1 was mislocalized in body-wall muscle but its transcription and protein level were unchanged. Targeted rescue of ctn-1(lf) in muscle was sufficient to reinstate the lethargic phenotype in slo-1(gf);ctn-1(lf). These results suggest that CTN-1 plays an important role in BK channel function by mediating channel subcellular localization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / growth & development
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / genetics
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muscle Cells / metabolism*
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Subcellular Fractions
  • Xenopus laevis
  • alpha Catenin / genetics
  • alpha Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
  • alpha Catenin
  • slo-1 protein, C elegans