Molecular determinants of Rem2 regulation of N-type calcium channels

Rem2 belongs to the RGK family of small GTPases whose members are known to interact with the voltage gated calcium channel β subunit, and to inhibit or abolish calcium currents. To identify the underlying functional domains of Rem2, we created several N- or C-terminally truncated Rem2 proteins and examined their abilities to interact with the Cav β subunit and to regulate the activities of Cav2.2 N-type calcium channels. Confocal imaging of Rem2 in tsA-201 cells revealed that it contains a membrane-targeting signal in its C-terminus, consistent with previous studies. Co-precipitation assays showed that Cav β3 interaction depends on Rem2 residues 1-123. Only Rem2 proteins that targeted the cell membrane as well as bound the β subunit were able to reduce whole cell calcium currents.