Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Screening Ion Channels in Cancer Cells
Published on: June 16, 2023
T-type Ca2+ channels as therapeutic targets in the nervous system
Hee-Sup Shin1, Eun-Ji Cheong, Soonwook Choi
1Center for Neural Science, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea. shin@kist.re.kr
Abstract:
Low-voltage-activated calcium channels, also known as T-type calcium channels, are widely expressed in various types of neurons. In contrast to high-voltage-activated calcium channels which can be activated by a strong depolarization of membrane potential, T-type channels can be activated by a weak depolarization near the resting membrane potential once deinactivated by hyperpolarization, and therefore can regulate the excitability and electroresponsiveness of neurons under physiological conditions near resting states. Recently, the molecular diversity and functional multiplicity of T-type channels have been demonstrated through molecular genetic studies coupled with physiological and behavioral analysis. Understanding the functional consequences of modulation of each subtype of these channels in vivo could point to the right direction for developing therapeutic tools for relevant diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
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...
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,...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers
