Transfer of 1,4-dihydropyridine sensitivity from L-type to class A (BI) calcium channels

L-type Ca2+ channels are characterized by their unique sensitivity to organic Ca2+ channel modulators like the 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs). To identify molecular motifs mediating DHP sensitivity, we transferred this sensitivity from L-type Ca2+ channels to the DHP-insensitive class A brain Ca2+ channel, BI-2. Expression of chimeras revealed minimum sequence stretches conferring DHP sensitivity including segments IIIS5, IIIS6, and the connecting linker, as well as the IVS5-IVS6 linker plus segment IVS6. DHP agonist and antagonist effects are determined by different regions within the repeat IV motif. Sequence regions responsible for DHP sensitivity comprise only 9.4% of the overall primary structure of a DHP-sensitive alpha 1A/alpha 1S construct. This chimera fully exhibits the DHP sensitivity of channels formed by L-type alpha 1 subunits. In addition, it displays the electrophysiological properties of alpha 1A, as well as its sensitivity toward the peptide toxins omega-agatoxin IVA and omega-conotoxin MVIIC.