Ca2+ -myristoyl switch in neuronal calcium sensor-1: a role of C-terminal segment

NCS1 (neuronal calcium sensor-1) is a Ca(2+)-myristoyl switch protein of the NCS protein family involved in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission via Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of dopamine D2 receptor and associated Gprotein coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-2. Overexpression of NCS1 in synaptic terminals results in accumulation of membrane-bound protein and its redundant regulatory activity associated with neurological disorders. Here, we have demonstrated that bovine photoreceptors contain NCS1 that is capable of a partially irreversible interaction with isolated photoreceptor membranes and implicated in Ca(2+)-dependent binding and regulation of GRK1 in vitro. Using NCS1- recoverin C-terminal chimeric construct (NR), it was found that the Ca(2+)-myristoyl switch of NCS1 is affected by its C-terminal segment downstream the fourth EF-loop of the protein, which is variable within the NCS family. NR retains structural stability and sensitivity to Ca(2+), but interacts with photoreceptor membranes with lower affinity in a Ca(2+)- dependent fully reversible manner and displays altered GRK1 modulation. These data combined with fluorescent probing of surface hydrophobicity of NCS1, NR and recoverin suggest that the C-terminal segment of NCS1 regulates reuptake of myristoyl group under Ca(2+)-free conditions and participates in organization of the target-binding pocket of the protein. We point out a putative role of NCS1 in photoreceptors as a modulator of GRK activity and propose targeting of the C-terminal segment of NCS1 as an appropriate way for selective suppression of excessive membrane accumulation and aberrant activity of the protein in neurons associated with central nervous system dysfunctions.