The overall thrust is to deploy new molecular constructs---many inspired from channel mechanistic studies-for the discovery of fundamental, newly accessible arenas of CaM/Ca channel physiology in heart. This thrust drives three aims, addressing successively more general realms of cardiac physiology, each with fundamental and therapeutic implications. (1) To clarify facilitation of cardiac L-type Ca channels by Ca2+/CaM. By contrast to CDI, a distinct process of facilitated channel opening by Ca2+ (CDF) remains mysterious, despite its probable role in strengthening the heartbeat at faster heart rates. Still unclear is the actual strength of CDF in heart, and whether CDF shares rich CaM signaling features found in model experimental systems. Those systems permit study of engineered recombinant L-type channels that lack CDI and thereby permit maximal resolution of CDF. By contrast, incomplete separation of CDF from CDI seriously complicates study in heart. We will thus express engineered L-type channels (lacking CDI and dihydropyridine block) in myocytes. During dihydropyridine block of native channels, selective resolution of recombinant channels will permit unambiguous assessment and mechanistic dissection of CDF in the native setting. (2) To define the capabilities of cardiac L-type Ca channels to activate nuclear CREB. Such Ca2+ signaling appears crucial to the dynamic regulation of cardiac genes. In neurons, CaM not only regulates the channel to which it is bound, such CaM may also bridge preferential signaling of L-type channels to CREB. Here, we will define basic aspects of CREB signaling in myocytes, using distinctive methodologies such as CaM/L-type channel fusions to test whether the very CaM that modulates a channel is essential for triggering CREB. Optical FRET-based sensors of CREB activation also promise rapid temporal correlation of Ca2+ entry patterns and CREB activation. (3) To estimate the concentration of local endogenous CaM near L-type channels in heart cells. As CaMs responsive to local Ca2+ influx through L-type channels may be the initiatory Ca2+ sensors that ultimately trigger CREB and other nuclear factors, the number of CaMs privy to the local Ca2+ signal from channels is key to downstream signaling strength. Here, we will utilize CaM/L-type channel fusions, with polymer chain theory, to estimate the local concentration of endogenous CaM near channels. Preliminary results hint at mM concentrations, suggesting that a 'school' of local CaMs resides near channels. Overall, this proposal will answer fundamental unknowns of CaM/Ca channel physiology in the heart.
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