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Structure and Properties of Proteins Involved in Ca2+ Transport and Homeostasis

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 14804

Special Issue Editors

1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
2. Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Interests: organelle contact sites; mitochondria; calcium signaling; genetically encoded sensors; neurodegenerative diseases; endoplasmic reticulum; plasma membrane calcium pumps
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is difficult to underestimate the role of Ca2+ in the cell functioning since calcium ions play a fundamental role in many cellular processes. Ca2+ actively participates in a variety of cell signaling pathways by binding to several calcium-binding proteins. Calcium transport in and out of the cell membrane is strictly regulated through the use of pumps and channels and, once inside the cell, Ca2+ is stored in specific compartments or bound to specific proteins that keep its free concentration at the proper value. The structure of most of the proteins involved in calcium transport and homeostasis is currently known, and their functioning mechanism has been partially clarified. The goal of this Special Issue is to produce an up-to-date summary of the present knowledge of the structure–function relationship of the proteins involved in this process.

We encourage the submission of both original research articles and topical reviews on proteins involved in Ca2+ transport and homeostasis. All submitted articles will undergo peer review.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Zanotti
Prof. Tito Calì
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • Calcium transport
  • Calcium-binding proteins
  • Calcium homeostasis
  • Calcium pumps
  • Ca2+-ATPases
  • Calcium cell signaling pathways
  • Sarcoplasmic reticulum

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 3295 KiB  
Article
Angelman Syndrome and Angelman-like Syndromes Share the Same Calcium-Related Gene Signatures
by Julia Panov and Hanoch Kaphzan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9870; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189870 - 13 Sep 2021
Viewed by 2409
Abstract
Angelman-like syndromes are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that entail clinical presentation similar to Angelman Syndrome (AS). In our previous study, we showed that calcium signaling is disrupted in AS, and we identified calcium-target and calcium-regulating gene signatures that are able to differentiate [...] Read more.
Angelman-like syndromes are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that entail clinical presentation similar to Angelman Syndrome (AS). In our previous study, we showed that calcium signaling is disrupted in AS, and we identified calcium-target and calcium-regulating gene signatures that are able to differentiate between AS and their controls in different models. In the herein study, we evaluated these sets of calcium-target and calcium-regulating genes as signatures of AS-like and non-AS-like syndromes. We collected a number of RNA-seq datasets of various AS-like and non-AS-like syndromes and performed Principle Component Analysis (PCA) separately on the two sets of signature genes to visualize the distribution of samples on the PC1–PC2 plane. In addition to the evaluation of calcium signature genes, we performed differential gene expression analyses to identify calcium-related genes dysregulated in each of the studied syndromes. These analyses showed that the calcium-target and calcium-regulating signatures differentiate well between AS-like syndromes and their controls. However, in spite of the fact that many of the non-AS-like syndromes have multiple differentially expressed calcium-related genes, the calcium signatures were not efficient classifiers for non-AS-like neurodevelopmental disorders. These results show that features based on clinical presentation are reflected in signatures derived from bioinformatics analyses and suggest the use of bioinformatics as a tool for classification. Full article
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20 pages, 21430 KiB  
Article
Sorcin Activates the Brain PMCA and Blocks the Inhibitory Effects of Molecular Markers of Alzheimer’s Disease on the Pump Activity
by Maria Berrocal, Lucia Saez and Ana M. Mata
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 6055; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22116055 - 03 Jun 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
Since dysregulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels is a common occurrence in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the study of proteins that can correct neuronal Ca2+ dysregulation is of great interest. In previous work, we have shown that plasma [...] Read more.
Since dysregulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) levels is a common occurrence in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the study of proteins that can correct neuronal Ca2+ dysregulation is of great interest. In previous work, we have shown that plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA), a high-affinity Ca2+ pump, is functionally impaired in AD and is inhibited by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau, two key components of pathological AD hallmarks. On the other hand, sorcin is a Ca2+-binding protein highly expressed in the brain, although its mechanism of action is far from being clear. Sorcin has been shown to interact with the intracellular sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), and other modulators of intracellular Ca2+ signaling, such as the ryanodine receptor or presenilin 2, which is closely associated with AD. The present work focuses on sorcin in search of new regulators of PMCA and antagonists of Aβ and tau toxicity. Results show sorcin as an activator of PMCA, which also prevents the inhibitory effects of Aβ and tau on the pump, and counteracts the neurotoxicity of Aβ and tau by interacting with them. Full article
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11 pages, 4790 KiB  
Article
Structural Basis for the Function of the C-Terminal Proton Release Pathway in the Calcium Pump
by L. Michel Espinoza-Fonseca
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(7), 3507; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073507 - 29 Mar 2021
Viewed by 1703
Abstract
The calcium pump (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, SERCA) plays a major role in calcium homeostasis in muscle cells by clearing cytosolic Ca2+ during muscle relaxation. Active Ca2+ transport by SERCA involves the structural transition from a low-Ca2+ affinity E2 [...] Read more.
The calcium pump (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, SERCA) plays a major role in calcium homeostasis in muscle cells by clearing cytosolic Ca2+ during muscle relaxation. Active Ca2+ transport by SERCA involves the structural transition from a low-Ca2+ affinity E2 state toward a high-Ca2+ affinity E1 state of the pump. This structural transition is accompanied by the countertransport of protons to stabilize the negative charge and maintain the structural integrity of the transport sites and partially compensate for the positive charges of the two Ca2+ ions passing through the membrane. X-ray crystallography studies have suggested that a hydrated pore located at the C-terminal domain of SERCA serves as a conduit for proton countertransport, but the existence and function of this pathway have not yet been fully characterized. We used atomistic simulations to demonstrate that in the protonated E2 state and the absence of initially bound water molecules, the C-terminal pore becomes hydrated in the nanosecond timescale. Hydration of the C-terminal pore is accompanied by the formation of water wires that connect the transport sites with the cytosol. Water wires are known as ubiquitous proton-transport devices in biological systems, thus supporting the notion that the C-terminal domain serves as a conduit for proton release. Additional simulations showed that the release of a single proton from the transport sites induces bending of transmembrane helix M5 and the interaction between residues Arg762 and Ser915. These structural changes create a physical barrier against full hydration of the pore and prevent the formation of hydrogen-bonded water wires once proton transport has occurred through this pore. Together, these findings support the notion that the C-terminal proton release pathway is a functional element of SERCA and also provide a mechanistic model for its operation in the catalytic cycle of the pump. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 33245 KiB  
Review
Nothing Regular about the Regulins: Distinct Functional Properties of SERCA Transmembrane Peptide Regulatory Subunits
by Nishadh Rathod, Jessi J. Bak, Joseph O. Primeau, M’Lynn E. Fisher, Lennane Michel Espinoza-Fonseca, Mary Joanne Lemieux and Howard S. Young
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8891; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168891 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4289
Abstract
The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) is responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis in all eukaryotic cells by actively transporting calcium from the cytosol into the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) lumen. Calcium is an important signaling ion, and the activity of SERCA is critical for [...] Read more.
The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) is responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis in all eukaryotic cells by actively transporting calcium from the cytosol into the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) lumen. Calcium is an important signaling ion, and the activity of SERCA is critical for a variety of cellular processes such as muscle contraction, neuronal activity, and energy metabolism. SERCA is regulated by several small transmembrane peptide subunits that are collectively known as the “regulins”. Phospholamban (PLN) and sarcolipin (SLN) are the original and most extensively studied members of the regulin family. PLN and SLN inhibit the calcium transport properties of SERCA and they are required for the proper functioning of cardiac and skeletal muscles, respectively. Myoregulin (MLN), dwarf open reading frame (DWORF), endoregulin (ELN), and another-regulin (ALN) are newly discovered tissue-specific regulators of SERCA. Herein, we compare the functional properties of the regulin family of SERCA transmembrane peptide subunits and consider their regulatory mechanisms in the context of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of these peptides. We present new functional data for human MLN, ELN, and ALN, demonstrating that they are inhibitors of SERCA with distinct functional consequences. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of SERCA in complex with the transmembrane domains of MLN and ALN provide insights into how differential binding to the so-called inhibitory groove of SERCA—formed by transmembrane helices M2, M6, and M9—can result in distinct functional outcomes. Full article
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18 pages, 1661 KiB  
Review
Receptor-Dependent and Independent Regulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels and Ca2+-Permeable Channels by Endocannabinoids in the Brain
by Tomasz Boczek and Ludmila Zylinska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158168 - 29 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3186
Abstract
The activity of specific populations of neurons in different brain areas makes decisions regarding proper synaptic transmission, the ability to make adaptations in response to different external signals, as well as the triggering of specific regulatory pathways to sustain neural function. The endocannabinoid [...] Read more.
The activity of specific populations of neurons in different brain areas makes decisions regarding proper synaptic transmission, the ability to make adaptations in response to different external signals, as well as the triggering of specific regulatory pathways to sustain neural function. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) appears to be a very important, highly expressed, and active system of control in the central nervous system (CNS). Functionally, it allows the cells to respond quickly to processes that occur during synaptic transmission, but can also induce long-term changes. The endocannabinoids (eCBs) belong to a large family of bioactive lipid mediators that includes amides, esters, and ethers of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are produced “on demand” from the precursors located in the membranes, exhibit a short half-life, and play a key role as retrograde messengers. eCBs act mainly through two receptors, CB1R and CB2R, which belong to the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily (GPCRs), but can also exert their action via multiple non-receptor pathways. The action of eCBs depends on Ca2+, but eCBs can also regulate downstream Ca2+ signaling. In this short review, we focus on the regulation of neuronal calcium channels by the most effective members of eCBs-2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), anandamide (AEA) and originating from AEA-N-arachidonoylglycine (NAGly), to better understand the contribution of ECS to brain function under physiological conditions. Full article
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