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Gene regulation by voltage-dependent calcium channels
Maud Barbado1, Katell Fablet, Michel Ronjat
1Grenoble Institute of Neuroscience, Inserm U 836-Team 3 Calcium Channels, Functions and Pathologies, Bâtiment Edmond Safra, Université Joseph Fourier, Site santé de la Tronche, BP 170, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|March 3, 2009
Summary
Calcium ions (Ca2+) regulate long-term cell adaptation by controlling gene expression. This review explores how voltage-dependent calcium channels link cell excitation to gene expression, even through Ca2+ independent pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Calcium ions (Ca2+) are crucial second messengers in cellular functions.
- Ca2+ regulates long-term cell adaptation by controlling gene expression.
- This links cellular excitation to genetic mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of voltage-dependent calcium channels in mediating gene expression.
- To explore excitation-transcription coupling pathways.
- To highlight novel Ca2+ ion-independent mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on calcium channels and gene expression.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in excitation-transcription coupling.
- Examination of Ca2+ ion-dependent and independent mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Voltage-dependent calcium channels are key mediators of gene expression changes.
- These channels link membrane depolarization to altered gene transcription.
- Emerging evidence shows Ca2+ channels can act as transcription factors independently of Ca2+.
Conclusions:
- Voltage-dependent calcium channels play a significant role in excitation-transcription coupling.
- Understanding these pathways is vital for comprehending cell adaptation.
- Ca2+ independent functions of calcium channels represent a new frontier in gene regulation research.
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