Elucidating the Mechanisms of CaMKII-CaMKAP Interactions.

Dynamic changes of intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+ ) concentrations are critical signaling mechanisms in all cells and organisms, and Ca2+ oscillations must be precisely decoded by intracellular signaling molecules, such as the ubiquitous Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Four mammalian CaMKII genes encode diverse alternative mRNA splice variants, which are thought to be targeted to different subcellular compartments to regulate numerous cell responses (exocytosis, gene expression, cell cycle). Our lab hypothesized that the localization, activity, and biological functions of CaMKII are precisely modulated by CaMKII-associated proteins (CaMKAPs), and we have detected over 100 CaMKAPs associated with brain CaMKII holoenzymes. Some CaMKII-CaMKAP interactions are critical for normal physiological function. CaMKIIδ binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) b2a subunit is essential for cardiac function1 , and binding of neuronal CaMKII to the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA-type glutamate receptor is necessary for synaptic plasticity2 . While b2a , GluN2B and most other CaMKAPs preferentially interact with activated CaMKII, the exact molecular mechanisms for these interactions, and their physiological roles, have yet to be determined. Several residues in the catalytic domain of CaMKII have been implicated in CaMKAP binding. Previous mutagenesis studies from our lab indicated that mutation of valine 102 (V102) to glutamate disrupts CaMKII binding to LTCC α1 subunits, but not to b2a , GluN2B, or densin, and also disrupts neuronal excitation-transcription coupling3 . Additionally, a naturally-occurring CaMKIIα Glu183Val mutation linked to autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability disrupted interactions with all CaMKAPs tested4 . To further probe the molecular basis of CaMKII-CaMKAP interactions, we are exploiting available structural information to design additional CaMKII catalytic domain mutations, and then test their effect on CaMKII-CaMKAP interactions, as well as CaMKII activity toward multiple substrates. We are also examining the impact of additional human CaMKII mutations. Initial studies indicate that some CaMKII mutations differentially affect binding to various CaMKAPs, CaMKII autophosphorylation, and phosphorylation of a representative substrate, the GluA1 subunit of AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Our ongoing studies are further exploring the impact of these CaMKII mutations. Expanding our knowledge of mechanisms underlying CaMKII-CaMKAP interactions is required to better understand CaMKII biology, the role of CaMKAPs, and the molecular basis of Ca2+ signaling. Koval et al., 2010. PNAS 107:4996. Halt et al., 2012. EMBO J. 31:1203. Wang et al., 2017. J Biol Chem 292:17324. Stephenson et al., 2017. J Neurosci 37:2216.