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[Function of calcium channels--newly identified from the analysis of knockout mice]

Y Matsuda1, T Tanabe

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Clinical Calcium
|March 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Recent advances in calcium channel research, utilizing gene targeting technology, have revealed novel physiological functions through knockout mouse models. These studies build upon extensive structure-function analyses.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology

Context:

  • Over the past 14 years, significant progress has been made in understanding calcium channels through electrophysiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology.
  • Structure-function analyses have elucidated the biophysical properties and modulation of various calcium channel types, establishing their molecular underpinnings.

Purpose:

  • To review recent studies employing gene targeting technology in calcium channel research.
  • To highlight the identification of novel physiological functions of calcium channels using knockout mouse models.

Summary:

  • Cloning and extensive studies of calcium channels have clarified their molecular bases.
  • Gene targeting technology has enabled the generation of calcium channel knockout mice.
  • Analysis of these knockout mice has uncovered previously unknown physiological roles for calcium channels.

Impact:

  • Provides insights into the diverse physiological roles of calcium channels.
  • Demonstrates the utility of gene targeting in ion channel research.
  • Establishes a foundation for future investigations into calcium channel function and dysfunction.

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