|
Background
|
Junctional complexes between the plasma membrane (PM) and endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) are a common feature of all excitable cell types and mediate cross talk between cell surface and intracellular ion channels. Junctophilins (JPs) are important components of the junctional complexes. JPs are composed of a carboxy-terminal hydrophobic segment spanning the ER/SR membrane and a remaining cytoplasmic domain that shows specific affinity for the PM. Four JPs have been identified as tissue-specific subtypes derived from different genes: JPH1 is expressed in skeletal muscle, JPH2 is detected throughout all muscle cell types, and JPH3 and JPH4 are predominantly expressed in the brain and contribute to the subsurface cistern formation in neurons. JPH1 is essential for stabilizing the T-tubule and SR membranes to form junctions and provide an environment for the assembly of receptors such as the ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1). JPH2-null mice died of embryonic cardiac arrest and human patients with mutations in the JPH2 gene showed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, demonstrating the importance of this protein. Mice lacking both JPH3 and JPH4 subtypes exhibit serious symptoms such as impaired learning and memory and are accompanied by abnormal nervous functions. A repeat expansion in JPH3 is associated with Huntington disease-like 2. Multiple isoforms of the JPH proteins are known to exist.
|
