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Facilitation of Ca2+ current in excitable cells

A C Dolphin1

  • 1Dept of Pharmacology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.

Trends in Neurosciences
|January 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) channels convert electrical signals into chemical signals in excitable cells. Their currents can be amplified through various mechanisms, including facilitation and phosphorylation.

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Physiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Voltage-dependent calcium (Ca2+) channels are critical for Ca2+ entry into excitable cells.
  • These channels act as signal converters, transducing electrical membrane depolarization into intracellular Ca2+ signals.
  • Ca2+ influx through these channels regulates diverse intracellular enzymes and cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms that increase the amplitude of currents through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.
  • To clarify the relationship between facilitation and other enhancement pathways, such as phosphorylation.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings to measure Ca2+ currents.
  • Application of depolarizing prepulses to induce facilitation.
  • Investigation of signaling pathways, including phosphorylation, that modulate channel activity.

Main Results:

  • Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel currents can be increased in amplitude through multiple mechanisms.
  • Facilitation, defined as increased Ca2+ current after depolarizing prepulses, was observed.
  • Significant overlap exists between facilitation and enhancement via other routes like phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

  • Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels play a key role in cellular signaling by translating electrical stimuli into chemical responses.
  • Multiple pathways, including facilitation and phosphorylation, can enhance Ca2+ channel activity.
  • Understanding these enhancement mechanisms is crucial for comprehending cellular excitability and signaling.

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