Voltage-gated calcium channels

This book covers the tremendous progress in the current understanding of the molecular physiology of voltage-gated calcium channels. This book includes unparalleled insights into structural features of calcium channels due to X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, which in turn yielded critical information into how these channels function under normal and pathophysiological conditions, and how they interact with calcium channel therapeutics. The chapters investigate how, with the advent of high throughput genome sequencing, numerous mutations in various calcium channel genes have been identified in patients with neurological, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric and other disorders. This is further complemented through a much larger in vivo toolkit such as knock-out and knock-in mice. The chapters further discuss the increased complexity of calcium channel physiology that arises from mRNA editing and splicing. Finally, the book also provides an overview of the updated research on calcium channel inhibitors that can be used both in vivo and in vitro, and which may serve as a spring board for new calcium channel therapeutics for human disease. Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels is useful for academic researchers at all levels in neuroscience, biophysics, cell biology and drug discovery. Provides a comprehensive update on the state of knowledge of voltage-gated calcium channels; Examines how calcium channels are pharmacologic targets in the treatment of epilepsy, hypertension, and pain; Explores the new, sophisticated imaging approaches that have increased our ability to measure calcium in live cells; Presents an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern calcium channel trafficking and distribution.

Includes index.

Originally published in 2005.

Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- A Lived History of Early Calcium Channel Discoveries Over the Past Half-Century -- Ca2+ as Central Ion for Muscle Contraction -- The "Ca-Spikes" of Crustacean Skeletal Muscles -- "Ca-Spikes" in Heart and Neurons -- How to Look at Ca2+ Currents Through Voltage-Clamp Recordings -- Ca2+ Currents in the Heart and Mollusc Neurons: The Problem of Blocking K+ Currents -- A Convergent View on the Existence of "a" Ca2+ Channel in Excitable Cells -- The "Patch-Clamp" Technique and the Explosive Interest on Ca2+ Channels

The Discovery of the "Low-Voltage Activated" T-Type Channel -- The Unique Properties of T-Type (LVA) Channels -- The Explosive Interest on T-Type Channels -- The Ca2+ Channel Family Growths -- The N-Type Channel -- The P/Q-Type Channel -- The R-Type Channel -- From Ionic Currents to the Molecular Structure of Ca2+ Channels -- The cAMP-Mediated Enhancement of Cardiac L-Type Channels as First Example of Ca2+ Channel Modulation -- Early Observations on the GPCR-Mediated Inhibition of Neuronal Ca2+ Channels -- Towards a Full Understanding of the GPCR-Induced Delayed Activation of HVA Channels

Looking Deeper to the Structure and Function of Cav2 …