Ca2+ permeation and/or binding to CaV1.1 fine-tunes skeletal muscle Ca2+ signaling to sustain muscle function

BACKGROUND: Ca2+ influx through CaV1.1 is not required for skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling, but whether Ca2+ permeation through CaV1.1 during sustained muscle activity plays a functional role in mammalian skeletal muscle has not been assessed. METHODS: We generated a mouse with a Ca2+ binding and/or permeation defect in the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel, CaV1.1, and used Ca2+ imaging, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, proximity ligation assays, SUnSET analysis of protein synthesis, and Ca2+ imaging techniques to define pathways modulated by Ca2+ binding and/or permeation of CaV1.1. We also assessed fiber type distributions, cross-sectional area, and force frequency and fatigue in isolated muscles. RESULTS: Using mice with a pore mutation in CaV1.1 required for Ca2+ binding and/or permeation (E1014K, EK), we demonstrate that CaV1.1 opening is coupled to CaMKII activation and refilling of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores during sustained activity. Decreases in these Ca2+-dependent enzyme activities alter downstream signaling pathways (Ras/Erk/mTORC1) that lead to decreased muscle protein synthesis. The physiological consequences of the permeation and/or Ca2+ binding defect in CaV1.1 are increased fatigue, decreased fiber size, and increased Type IIb fibers. CONCLUSIONS: While not essential for excitation-contraction coupling, Ca2+ binding and/or permeation via the CaV1.1 pore plays an important modulatory role in muscle performance.