Ca/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II γ-Dependent Serine727 Phosphorylation Is Required for TMEM16A Ca-Activated Cl Channel Regulation in Cerebrovascular Cells.

Background: TMEM16A is a critical component of Ca-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) and mediates basilar arterial smooth muscle cell (BASMC) proliferation in hypertensive cerebrovascular remodeling. CaMKII is a negative regulator of CaCC, and four CaMKII isoforms (α, β, γ and δ) are expressed in vasculature; however, it is unknown which and how CaMKII isoforms affect TMEM16A-associated CaCC and BASMC proliferation.

Methods and results: Patch clamp and small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of different CaMKII isoforms revealed that only CaMKIIγ inhibited native Ca-activated chloride currents (I) in BASMCs. The TMEM16A overexpression evoked TMEM16A Clcurrent and inhibited angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation in BASMCs. The co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assay indicated an interaction between CaMKIIγ and TMEM16A protein. TMEM16A Clcurrent was modulated by CaMKIIγ phosphorylation at serine residues in TMEM16A. Serine525 and Serine727 in TMEM16A were mutated to alanine, and only mutation at Ser727 (S727A) reversed the CaMKIIγ inhibition of the TMEM16A Clcurrent. Phosphomimetic mutation S727D markedly decreased TMEM16A Clcurrent and reversed TMEM16A-mediated suppression of BASMC proliferation, mimicking the inhibitory effects of CaMKIIγ on TMEM16A. A significant increase in CaMKIIγ isoform content was observed in parallel to the decrease of TMEM16A and Iin basilar artery proliferative remodeling in Ang II-infused mice.

Conclusions: Serine 727 phosphorylation in TMEM16A by CaMKIIγ provides a new mechanism for regulating TMEM16A CaCC activity and Ang II-induced BASMC proliferation.