Models of calcium permeation through T-type channels

Ca(2+) entry is indispensable part of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling, which is vital for most of cellular functions. Low voltage-activated (LVA or T-type) calcium channels belong to the family of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) which provide Ca(2+) entry in response to membrane depolarization. VGCCs are generally characterized by exceptional Ca(2+) selectivity combined with high permeation rate, thought to be determined by the presence in their selectivity filter of a versatile Ca(2+) binding site formed by four glutamate residues (EEEE motif). The subfamily of LVA channels includes three members, Cav3.1, Cav3.2 and Cav3.3. They all possess two aspartates instead of glutamates (i.e., EEDD motif) in their selectivity filter and are the least Ca(2+)-selective of all VGCCs. They also have the lowest conductance, weakly discriminate Ca(2+), Sr(2+) and Ba(2+) and demonstrate channel-specific sensitivity to divalent metal blockers, such as Ni(2+). The available data suggest that EEDD binding site of LVA channels is more rigid compared to EEEE one, and their selectivity permeation and block are determined by two supplementary low-affinity intrapore Ca(2+) binding sites located above and below EEDD locus. In addition, LVA channels have extracellular metal binding site that allosterically regulates channel's gating, permeation and block depending on trace metals concentration.