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L-type calcium channels: the low down.

Diane Lipscombe1, Thomas D Helton, Weifeng Xu

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 190 Thayer Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA. diane_lipscombe@brown.edu

Journal of Neurophysiology
|October 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary

L-type calcium channels (LCCs) are diverse, with some activating at low voltages, unlike the traditional view. This suggests LCCs contribute to neuronal signaling even with weak electrical activity.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • L-type calcium channels (LCCs) are crucial for neuronal functions like gene expression and cell survival.
  • Dihydropyridines are traditionally used to study LCCs, which are viewed as high-voltage-activated with slow kinetics.
  • This traditional view limits LCC involvement to strong neuronal depolarizations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and highlight the functional diversity of L-type calcium channels in neurons and excitable cells.
  • To challenge the traditional view of LCC properties based on existing and recent literature.
  • To emphasize the role of diverse LCCs in signaling pathways triggered by various depolarization levels.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing and recent scientific publications.
  • Analysis of functional properties of neuronal L-type calcium channels.
  • Comparison of properties of cloned CaV1.3 channels with established LCC criteria.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests a broader range of activation thresholds for neuronal LCCs than previously understood.
  • Low-voltage-activated neuronal LCCs with fast kinetics, like CaV1.3 channels, have been reported.
  • These findings contrast with the traditional description of LCCs as solely high-voltage-activated.

Conclusions:

  • Neuronal L-type calcium channels exhibit significant functional diversity.
  • A revised understanding should include LCCs with low activation thresholds and fast kinetics.
  • These diverse LCCs may play roles in signaling cascades initiated by subthreshold neuronal depolarizations.

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