Complex effects on Ca(V)2.1 channel gating caused by a CACNA1A variant associated with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder

P/Q-type Ca(2+) currents mediated by Ca(V)2.1 channels are essential for active neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions and many central synapses. Mutations in CACNA1A, the gene encoding the principal Ca(V)2.1 α(1A) subunit, cause a broad spectrum of neurological disorders. Typically, gain-of-function (GOF) mutations are associated with migraine and epilepsy while loss-of-function (LOF) mutations are causative for episodic and congenital ataxias. However, a cluster of severe Ca(V)2.1 channelopathies have overlapping presentations which suggests that channel dysfunction in these disorders cannot always be defined bimodally as GOF or LOF. In particular, the R1667P mutation causes focal seizures, generalized hypotonia, dysarthria, congenital ataxia and, in one case, cerebral edema leading ultimately to death. Here, we demonstrate that the R1667P mutation causes both channel GOF (hyperpolarizing voltage-dependence of activation, slowed deactivation) and LOF (slowed activation kinetics) when expressed heterologously in tsA-201 cells. We also observed a substantial reduction in Ca(2+) current density in this heterologous system. These changes in channel gating and availability/expression manifested in diminished Ca(2+) flux during action potential-like stimuli. However, the integrated Ca(2+) fluxes were no different when normalized to tail current amplitude measured upon repolarization from the reversal potential. In summary, our findings indicate a complex functional effect of R1667P and support the idea that pathological missense mutations in Ca(V)2.1 may not represent exclusively GOF or LOF.