A carboxy-terminal peptide of the alpha(1)-subunit of the dihydropyridine receptor inhibits Ca2+-release channels

Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle is thought to involve a physical interaction between the alpha(1)-subunit of the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-release channel(also known as the ryanodine receptor). Considerable evidence has accumulated to suggest that the cytoplasmic loop between domains II and III of the DHPR alpha(1)-subunit is at least partially responsible for this interaction. Other parts of this subunit or other subunits may, however, contribute to the functional and/or structural coupling between these two proteins. A synthetic peptide corresponding to a conserved sequence located between amino acids 1487 and 1506 in the carboxy terminus of the alpha(1)-subunit inhibits both [H-3]ryanodine binding to skeletal and cardiac SR membranes and the activity of skeletal SR Ca2+-release channels reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. A second, multiantigenic peptide synthesized to correspond to the same sequence inhibits both binding and channel activity at lower concentrations than the linear peptide. These peptides slow the rate at which [H-3]ryanodine binds to its high-affinity binding site and decrease the rate at which [H-3]ryanodine dissociates from this site. A third polypeptide synthesized in Escherichia coli and corresponding to amino acids 1381-1627 and encompassing the above sequence has similar effects. This portion of the alpha(1)-subunit of the transverse tubule DHPR is therefore a candidate for contributing to the interaction of this protein with the Ca2+-release channel.