Action of TFII-I outside the nucleus as an inhibitor of agonist-induced calcium entry

TFII-I is a transcription factor and a target of phosphorylation by Bruton's tyrosine kinase. In humans, deletions spanning the TFII-I locus are associated with a cognitive defect, the Williams-Beuren cognitive profile. We report an unanticipated role of TFII-I outside the nucleus as a negative regulator of agonist-induced calcium entry (ACE) that suppresses surface accumulation of TRPC3 (transient receptor potential C3) channels. Inhibition of ACE by TFII-I requires phosphotyrosine residues that engage the SH2 (Src-homology 2) domains of phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ) and an interrupted, pleckstrin homology (PH)-like domain that binds the split PH domain of PLC-γ. Our observations suggest a model in which TFII-I suppresses ACE by competing with TRPC3 for binding to PLC-γ.