Title: Cloning of the beta(2a) subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel from human heart: cooperative effect of alpha(2)/delta and beta(2a) on the membrane expression of the alpha(1C) subunit.

Authors: H Yamaguchi, M Okuda, G Mikala, K Fukasawa, G Varadi

Journal, date & volume: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2000 Jan 7 , 267, 156-63

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10623591

Abstract
Expression and membrane localization of an epitope-tagged human Ca(2+) channel alpha(1C) subunit were monitored in Xenopus oocytes by confocal microscopy and electrophysiological recording. When alpha(2)/delta and beta(2a) were separately coexpressed with the alpha(1C) subunit, assessment by confocal microscopy showed an 86 and 225% increase of the channel density, respectively. Simultaneous coexpression of alpha(2)/delta and beta(2a) subunits resulted in a cooperative (470%) increase. Electrophysiological measurements performed in parallel revealed that the current augmentation by the alpha(2)/delta subunit is totally attributable to an increase in channel density, whereas the beta(2a) subunit, in addition to increasing channel density, also facilitates channel opening.