Voltage-gated Calcium Channels (CaV)
Voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV) are present in the membrane of most excitable cells and mediate calcium influx in response to depolarization. They regulate intracellular processes such as contraction, secretion, neurotransmission and gene expression.
Voltage-gated Calcium Channel (CaV) Target Files
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Voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV) are present in the membrane of most excitable cells and mediate calcium influx in response to depolarization. They regulate processes such as muscle contraction, secretion, neurotransmission and gene expression.
CaV channels are formed from four or five distinct subunits: α1, α2, δ, β and γ. The transmembrane α1-subunit, for which there are 10 genes, is the largest subunit and incorporates the voltage sensor, conduction pore and gating apparatus. All other subunits have auxiliary roles and modulate the kinetics and current magnitude of the α1-subunit. The α2 and δ subunits are encoded by the same gene and are linked by a disulphide bond, with four α2/δ genes identified in humans. Similarly, four genes have been identified for the cytoplasmic β-subunit, and eight genes identified for the γ-subunit. Multiple genes for each subunit and alternative splicing of each gene generates a high degree of heterogeneity within CaV channels.
Using pharmacological and electrophysiological techniques, at least six types of voltage-gated channels have been identified, grouped into three families depending on their sensitivity to different blockers, single-channel conductance and voltage-dependence. CaV1.x are high-voltage-activated, dihydropyridine-sensitive channels (L-type), CaV2.x are high-voltage-activated, dihydropyridine-insensitive channels (N-, P/Q- and R-types) and CaV3.x are low-voltage-activated, low conductance channels (T-type).
Literature for Voltage-gated Calcium Channels (CaV)
Tocris offers the following scientific literature for Voltage-gated Calcium Channels (CaV) to showcase our products. We invite you to request* your copy today!
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Cardiovascular Research Product Guide
A collection of over 250 products for cardiovascular research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:
- Hypertension
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis
- Atherosclerosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
- Arrhythmias
- Heart Failure
Ion Channel Product Listing
A collection of around 500 products for ion channel research, the listing includes research tools for the study of:
- Ligand-gated ion channels
- Voltage-gated ion channels
- Other Ion Channels
Neurotransmission Product Guide
A collection of over 250 products for neurotransmission research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:
- Dopaminergic Transmission
- Glutamatergic Transmission
- Opioid Peptide Transmission
- Serotonergic Transmission
- Chemogenetics
Pain Research Product Guide
A collection of over 280 products for pain research, the guide includes research tools for the study of:
- Nociception
- Ion Channels
- G-Protein-Coupled Receptors
- Intracellular Signaling
Depression Poster
Major depressive disorder is characterized by depressed mood and a loss of interest and/or pleasure. Updated in 2015 this poster highlights presynaptic and postsynaptic targets for the potential treatment of major depressive disorder, as well as outlining the pharmacology of currently approved antidepressant drugs.
Epilepsy Poster
Epilepsy is a brain disease that affects 60 million people globally. More than 20 anti-seizure drugs are currently available, but these do not address the underlying causes of the condition. This poster summarizes current knowledge about the development of the condition and highlights some approaches that have disease-modifying effects in proof-of-concept studies.
Learning & Memory Poster
Recognition memory enables us to make judgements about whether or not we have encountered a particular stimulus before. This poster outlines the cellular mechanisms underlying recognition memory and its links to long-term depression, as well as the use of pharmacological intervention to assess the role of neurotransmitters in recognition memory.
Properties of Voltage-gated Calcium Channels
| Channel Type | L | T | N | P | Q | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conductance (pS) | 25 | 5-9 | ~ 20 | 9-19 | 16 | - |
| Activation Threshold | High | Low | High | High | High | High |
| Deactivation Rate | Fast | Slow | Fast | Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Inactivation Rate | Slow | Fast | Moderate | Very Slow | Moderate | Fast |
| Permeability | Ba2+ > Ca2+ | Ba2+ = Ca2+ | Ba2+ > Ca2+ | Ba2+ > Ca2+ | Ba2+ > Ca2+ | Ba2+ > Ca2+ |
References
Perez-Reyes and Schneider (1994) Calcium channels: structure, function, and classification. Drug Dev.Res. 33 295. Catterall (1995) Structure and function of voltage-gated ion channels. Ann.Rev.Biochem. 64 493.
Our Cardiovascular Guide highlights over 250 products for cardiovascular research.
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Highlights around 500 products for ion channel research.
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Our Neurotransmission guide highlights over 250 products for neurotransmission research.
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Our Pain guide highlights over 280 products for Pain research.
Request copyRequest PDFWritten by P. Skolnich et al
Our Depression poster highlights presynaptic and postsynaptic targets for the potential treatment of major depressive disorder.
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Written by Alsa Pitkänen and Xavier Ekolle Ndode-Ekane, this poster summarizes current knowledge about how epilepsy develops.
Request copyDownload PDFWritten by Clea Warburton and Zafar Bashir
Our Learning and Memory poster gives an overview of the cellular mechanisms underlying recognition memory and its links to long-term depression.
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