Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
09:07
Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis
Published on: February 18, 2020
Physical interaction between calcineurin and Cav3.2 T-type Ca2+ channel modulates their functions
Ching-Hui Huang1, Yong-Cyuan Chen, Chien-Chang Chen
1Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan.
FEBS Letters
|May 15, 2013
Summary
Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels regulate calcineurin/NFAT signaling in cardiac hypertrophy by modulating calcineurin binding and activity. This interaction offers new insights into calcium signaling and heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Cardiac hypertrophy involves calcineurin/NFAT signaling.
- Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels play a role in this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between Cav3.2 and calcineurin.
- To understand how this interaction affects cardiac hypertrophy.
Main Methods:
- Investigated Cav3.2/calcineurin interaction.
- Assessed the impact of Ca(2+) and calmodulin.
- Utilized a cell-permeable peptide in neonatal cardiac myocytes.
Main Results:
- Ca(2+) and calmodulin modulate the Cav3.2/calcineurin interaction.
- Calcineurin binding to Cav3.2 reduces phosphatase activity and channel current.
- A peptide targeting calcineurin binding site reduced phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy.
Conclusions:
- Cav3.2 regulates the calcineurin/NFAT pathway via Ca(2+) influx and direct binding.
- This reciprocal regulation of calcium signaling is crucial for cardiac hypertrophy.
- Findings contribute to understanding cardiac hypertrophy mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
01:27Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
00:51Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin
Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
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.
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.
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
01:23Catenins
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
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...
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...