Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: September 28, 2016
The CACNA1F gene encodes an L-type calcium channel with unique biophysical properties and tissue distribution
John E McRory1, Jawed Hamid, Clinton J Doering
1Biotechnology Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3.
Abstract:
Glutamate release from rod photoreceptors is dependent on a sustained calcium influx through L-type calcium channels. Missense mutations in the CACNA1F gene in patients with incomplete X-linked congenital stationary night blindness implicate the Ca(v)1.4 calcium channel subtype. Here, we describe the functional and pharmacological properties of transiently expressed human Ca(v)1.4 calcium channels. Ca(v)1.4 is shown to encode a dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel with unusually slow inactivation kinetics that are not affected by either calcium ions or by coexpression of ancillary calcium channel beta subunits. Additionally, the channel supports a large window current and activates near -40 mV in 2 mM external calcium, making Ca(v)1.4 ideally suited for tonic calcium influx at typical photoreceptor resting potentials. Introduction of base pair changes associated with four incomplete X-linked congenital night blindness mutations showed that only the G369D alteration affected channel activation properties. Immunohistochemical analyses show that, in contrast with previous reports, Ca(v)1.4 is widely distributed outside the retina, including in the immune system, thus suggesting a broader role in human physiology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Cadherins
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Catenins
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

