The molecular architecture of dihydropyrindine receptor/L-type Ca2+ channel complex

Dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR), an L-type Ca2+ channel complex, plays an essential role in muscle contraction, secretion, integration of synaptic input in neurons and synaptic transmission. The molecular architecture of DHPR complex remains elusive. Here we present a 15-angstrom resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of the skeletal DHPR/L-type Ca2+ channel complex. The DHPR has an asymmetrical main body joined by a hook-like extension. The main body is composed of a "trapezoid" and a "tetrahedroid". Homologous crystal structure docking and site-specific antibody labelling revealed that the alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits are located in the "trapezoid" and the beta subunit is located in the "tetrahedroid". This structure revealed the molecular architecture of a eukaryotic Ca2+ channel complex. Furthermore, this structure provides structural insights into the key elements of DHPR involved in physical coupling with the RyR/Ca2+ release channel and shed light onto the mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000349173000002&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Multidisciplinary SciencesSCI(E)PubMed6ARTICLEccyin@hsc.pku.edu.cn8370