Akt regulates L-type Ca2+ channel activity by modulating Cavα1 protein stability

The insulin IGF-1-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway has been suggested to improve cardiac inotropism and increase Ca2+ handling through the effects of the protein kinase Akt. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we provide evidence for an unanticipated regulatory function of Akt controlling L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) protein density. The pore-forming channel subunit Ca-v alpha 1 contains highly conserved PEST sequences (signals for rapid protein degradation), and in-frame deletion of these PEST sequences results in increased Ca-v alpha 1 protein levels. Our findings show that Akt-dependent phosphorylation of Ca-v alpha 2, the LTCC chaperone for Ca-v alpha 1, antagonizes Ca-v alpha 1 protein degradation by preventing Ca-v alpha 1 PEST sequence recognition, leading to increased LTCC density and the consequent modulation of Ca2+ channel function. This novel mechanism by which Akt modulates LTCC stability could profoundly influence cardiac myocyte Ca2+ entry, Ca2+ handling, and contractility.