Activation of the Cl- channel ANO1 by localized calcium signals in nociceptive sensory neurons requires coupling with the IP3 receptor.

We report that anoctamin 1 (ANO1; also known as TMEM16A) Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels in small neurons from dorsal root ganglia are preferentially activated by particular pools of intracellular Ca(2+). These ANO1 channels can be selectively activated by the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-induced release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores but not by Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. This ability to discriminate between Ca(2+) pools was achieved by the tethering of ANO1-containing plasma membrane domains, which also contained GPCRs such as bradykinin receptor 2 and protease-activated receptor 2, to juxtamembrane regions of the endoplasmic reticulum. Interaction of the carboxyl terminus and the first intracellular loop of ANO1 with IP3R1 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1) contributed to the tethering. Disruption of membrane microdomains blocked the ANO1 and IP3R1 interaction and resulted in the loss of coupling between GPCR signaling and ANO1. The junctional signaling complex enabled ANO1-mediated excitation in response to specific Ca(2+)signals rather than to global changes in intracellular Ca(2+).