Background: Promoter usage determines the peptide preceding the lipid-binding KalSec14 domain.Results: Kalirin C-promoter encodes an amphipathic helix, which interacts with phosphoinositides, localizes to the trans-Golgi network, alters KalSec14 interactions with cell membranes, and stimulates secretion. Conclusion: Sec14 domain function is altered by the preceding phosphoinositide-binding amphipathic helix. Significance: Kalirin function is expected to vary with promoter choice.Previous studies revealed an essential role for the lipid-binding Sec14 domain of kalirin (KalSec14), but its mechanism of action is not well understood. Because alternative promoter usage appends unique N-terminal peptides to the KalSec14 domain, we used biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological approaches to examine the two major products, bKalSec14 and cKalSec14. Promoter B encodes a charged, unstructured peptide, whereas promoter C encodes an amphipathic helix (Kal-Chelix). Both bKalSec14 and cKalSec14 interacted with lipids in PIP strip and liposome flotation assays, with significantly greater binding by cKalSec14 in both assays. Disruption of the hydrophobic face of the Kal-C-helix in cKalSec14 KKED eliminated its increased liposome binding. Although cKalSec14 showed significantly reduced binding to liposomes lacking phosphatidylinositol phosphates or cholesterol, liposome binding by bKalSec14 and cKalSec14 KKED was not affected. When expressed in AtT-20 cells, bKalSec14-GFP was diffusely localized, whereas cKalSec14-GFP localized to the trans-Golgi network and secretory granules. The amphipathic C-helix was sufficient for this localization. When AtT-20 cells were treated with a cell-permeant derivative of the Kal-C-helix (Kal-C-helixArg 9 ), we observed increased secretion of a product stored in mature secretory granules, with no effect on basal secretion; a cell-permeant control peptide (Kal-C-helix KKED -Arg 9 ) did not have this effect. Through its ability to control expression of a novel, phosphoinositide-binding amphipathic helix, Kalrn promoter usage is expected to affect function.Kalirin is a Rho family GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) 2 with widespread cell signaling functions. Alternative splicing of the Kalrn gene gives rise to multiple isoforms that are developmentally regulated and tissue-specific. Kalirin7 (Kal7), found exclusively in the nervous system, is the major isoform in the adult brain and is essential for synaptic structure and function (1-6). Kal9 and Kal12 are expressed throughout development, both within and outside of the nervous system. Kal9/12 are crucial for normal neurite outgrowth, endocrine and bone homeostasis, and smooth muscle cell migration (7-10). Kalirin proteins have multiple functional domains, with major splice variants differing at their C termini. Kal7, -9, and -12 share identical N-terminal Sec14 domains, which are followed by nine spectrin repeats and tandem Dbl and pleckstrin homology domains (GEF1), activating Rac1 and RhoG (Fig. 1A). Only Kal7 terminates in a PDZ binding motif. Kal9...