[Molecular genetics of cardiovascular calcium channels]

Cardiac and vascular myocytes exhibit L type calcium channel currents with slightly different properties. The structural bases of this concept of functional diversity of cardiovascular calcium channels are now known. Firstly, there are multiple isoforms of the alpha 1 pore subunit. In addition, the beta subunit should be presented as an endogenous regulator of the calcium channel. Like the alpha 1 subunit, there are many isoforms of this regulatory subunit. A series of recent experiments has changed our understanding of the mechanisms which govern the expression of a functional diversity of calcium channels in the cardiovascular cells. Several pharmacological sites, such as the dihydropyridine, phenylalkylamine and benzothiazepine receptors, have been identified. The recent developments in the field of molecular genetics of the calcium channels are many and open up new perspectives. Mutations within these channels could be the cause of certain cardiovascular genetic diseases.