Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv10.1

Title: Molecular diversity of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Authors: R W Tsien, P T Ellinor, W A Horne

Journal, date & volume: Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 1991 Sep , 12, 349-54

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1659003

Abstract
Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels regulate Ca2+ entry and thereby contribute to Ca2+ signalling in many cells. Functional studies have uncovered several types of Ca2+ channel, distinguished by pharmacology, electrophysiology and tissue localization. More recently, molecular cloning has revealed an even greater diversity among Ca2+ channels, arising from multiple genes and alternative splicing. L-type, dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels have been the most extensively characterized to date. Recently, Numa's group has reported the cloning and expression of a dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca2+ channel from brain that most closely resembles the P-type channel described by Llinas and colleagues. These results contribute to rapidly growing knowledge about molecular determinants of Ca2+ channel diversity.