The voltage-gatedcalcium channel Ca(v)1.1 is engaged in the excitation-contraction coupling of skeletal muscles. The Ca(v)1.1 complex consists of the pore-forming subunit α1 and auxiliary subunits α2δ, β, and γ. We report the structure of the rabbit Ca(v)1.1 complex determined by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. The four homologous repeats of the α1 subunit are arranged clockwise in the extracellular view. The γ subunit, whose structure resembles claudins, interacts with the voltage-sensing domain of repeat IV (VSD(IV)), whereas the cytosolic β subunit is located adjacent to VSD(II) of α1. The α2 subunit interacts with the extracellular loops of repeats I to III through its VWA and Cache1 domains. Thestructure reveals the architecture of a prototypical eukaryotic Ca(v) channel and provides a framework for understanding the function and disease mechanisms of Ca(v) and Na(v) channels.

Wu J, Yan Z, Li Z, Yan C, Lu S, Dong M, Yan N*. (2015) Structure of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.1 complex. Science, 350(6267):aad2395.