The insulin IGF-1-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway has been suggested to improve cardiac inotropism and increase Ca(2+) handling through the effects of the protein kinase Akt. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we provide evidence for an unanticipated regulatory function of Akt controlling L-type Ca(2+) channel (LTCC) protein density. The pore-forming channel subunit Ca(v)alpha1 contains highly conserved PEST sequences (signals for rapid protein degradation), and in-frame deletion of these PEST sequences results in increased Ca(v)alpha1 protein levels. Our findings show that Akt-dependent phosphorylation of Ca(v)beta2, the LTCC chaperone for Ca(v)alpha1, antagonizes Ca(v)alpha1 protein degradation by preventing Ca(v)alpha1 PEST sequence recognition, leading to increased LTCC density and the consequent modulation of Ca(2+) channel function. This novel mechanism by which Akt modulates LTCC stability could profoundly influence cardiac myocyte Ca(2+) entry, Ca(2+) handling, and contractility.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200805063 | DOI Listing |
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Background: Cerebral microvascular dysfunction and nitro-oxidative stress are present in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may contribute to disease progression and severity. A pro-nitro-oxidative environment can lead to post-translational modifications of ion channels central to microvascular regulation in the brain, including the large conductance Ca-activated K channels (BK). Nitro-oxidative modulation of BK can resulting in decreased activity and vascular hyper-contractility, thus compromising neurovascular regulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cell Biol
March 2025
Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Many cancer cells exhibit increased amounts of paucimannose glycans, which are truncated N-glycan structures rarely found in mammals. Paucimannosidic proteins are proposedly generated within lysosomes and exposed on the cell surface through a yet uncertain mechanism. In this study, we revealed that paucimannosidic proteins are produced by lysosomal glycosidases and secreted via lysosomal exocytosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
Background: The roles of Aβ in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer 's disease (AD) include disruption of synaptic communication/function and synaptic plasticity mechanisms thought to underlie learning and memory. Exactly how these abnormal processes arise is incompletely understood, but evidence suggests that dysregulation of intracellular Ca levels is involved in alterations of neuronal excitability, synaptic remodeling, and neurodegeneration in AD. Our lab has focused on the potential involvement of voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKCs) in these processes, particularly Kv1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis remain uncertain, underscoring the need for further investigation to identify novel therapeutic targets. We recently demonstrated that mitochondrial calcium (Ca) overload significantly contributes to the development of AD, capable of independently driving AD-like pathology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Med
March 2025
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421000, P.R. China.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently a major factor affecting human physical and mental health. In recent years, the relationship between intracellular Ca and CVD has been extensively studied. Ca movement across the mitochondrial inner membrane plays a vital role as an intracellular messenger, regulating energy metabolism and calcium homeostasis.
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