Abstract

Calcium influx into any cell requires fine tuning to guarantee the correct balance between activation of calcium-dependent processes, such as muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release, and calcium-induced cell damage. G protein-coupled receptors play a critical role in negative feedback to modulate the activity of the Ca_V2 subfamily of the voltage-dependent calcium channels, which are largely situated on neuronal and neuro-endocrine cells. The basis for the specificity of the relationships among membrane receptors, G proteins, and effector calcium channels will be discussed, as well as the mechanism by which G protein-mediated inhibition is thought to occur. The inhibition requires free Gβγ dimers, and the cytoplasmic linker between domains I and II of the Ca_V2 α1 subunits binds Gβγ dimers, whereas the intracellular N terminus of Ca_V2 α1 subunits provides essential determinants for G protein modulation. Evidence suggests a key role for the β subunits of calcium channels in the process of G protein modulation, and the role of a class of proteins termed “regulators of G protein signaling” will also be described.