The FASEB Journal, Vol 5, 2677-2683, Copyright © 1991 by The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

REVIEWS

Physiopathology of neuronal voltage-operated calcium channels

E Sher, E Biancardi, M Passafaro and F Clementi
CNR Center of Cytopharmacology, University of Milan, Italy.

Voltage-operated calcium channels are multimeric transmembrane proteins crucially involved in control of calcium homeostasis. Multiple types of voltage-operated calcium channels have been described in both the nervous system and peripheral tissues. Different channels can be classified according to either their biophysical properties or their pharmacology, biochemical and molecular structure, and localization and functional role. Concentrating on neuronal cells, this paper reviews the different properties of low- and high-voltage activated channels, as well as various attempts to subdivide high-voltage activated channels into different subtypes (L, N, omega, P, etc.). The availability of selective drugs (such as dihydropyridines) and natural toxins (such as omega-Conotoxin, omega-agatoxin, and funnel-web spider toxins), which bind to specific channel subtypes, has greatly helped in channel classification. The emerging view is that there are many members of the family of voltage-operated calcium channels, each with its own molecular structure, a different pharmacology, a different localization, and possibly a different physiological role. Different calcium subtypes are selectively affected in human and animal diseases. The use of omega-Conotoxin has led to identification of the channel subtype (omega) specifically affected in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (a human disease of neurotransmission), and has permitted development of new diagnostic approaches to the disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				U. Schaefer, T. Machida, S. Vorlova, S. Strickland, and R. Levi The plasminogen activator system modulates sympathetic nerve function J. Exp. Med., September 4, 2006; 203(9): 2191 - 2200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Machida, P. M. Heerdt, A. C. Reid, U. Schafer, R. B. Silver, M. J. Broekman, A. J. Marcus, and R. Levi Ectonucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase1/CD39, Localized in Neurons of Human and Porcine Heart, Modulates ATP-Induced Norepinephrine Exocytosis J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., May 1, 2005; 313(2): 570 - 577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Seyedi, C. J. Mackins, T. Machida, A. C. Reid, R. B. Silver, and R. Levi Histamine H3-Receptor-Induced Attenuation of Norepinephrine Exocytosis: A Decreased Protein Kinase A Activity Mediates a Reduction in Intracellular Calcium J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., January 1, 2005; 312(1): 272 - 280. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. O. Lankisch, Y. Tsunoda, Y. Lu, and C. Owyang Characterization of CCKA receptor affinity states and Ca2+ signal transduction in vagal nodose ganglia Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, June 1, 2002; 282(6): G1002 - G1008. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. W. Thompson, M. Horackova, and J. A. Armour Chemotransduction properties of nodose ganglion cardiac afferent neurons in guinea pigs Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2000; 279(2): R433 - R439. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U. C. Kopp and M. Z. Cicha PGE2 increases substance P release from renal pelvic sensory nerves via activation of N-type calcium channels Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, May 1, 1999; 276(5): R1241 - R1248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Hatta, R. Maruyama, S. J. Marshall, M. Imamura, and R. Levi Bradykinin Promotes Ischemic Norepinephrine Release in Guinea Pig and Human Hearts J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., March 1, 1999; 288(3): 919 - 927. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				V. A. Lennon, T. J. Kryzer, G. E. Griesmann, P. E. O'Suilleabhain, A. J. Windebank, A. Woppmann, G. P. Miljanich, and E. H. Lambert Calcium-Channel Antibodies in the Lambert-Eaton Syndrome and Other Paraneoplastic Syndromes N. Engl. J. Med., June 1, 1995; 332(22): 1467 - 1475. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.S. Wierzbicki, W. K. Engel, R. G. Smith, E. Stefani, and S. H. Appel Antibodies to L-Type Calcium Channels in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis N. Engl. J. Med., May 6, 1993; 328(18): 1355 - 1357. [Full Text]

				R. B. Silver, K. S. Poonwasi, N. Seyedi, S. J. Wilson, T. W. Lovenberg, and R. Levi Decreased intracellular calcium mediates the histamine H3-receptor-induced attenuation of norepinephrine exocytosis from cardiac sympathetic nerve endings PNAS, January 8, 2002; 99(1): 501 - 506. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]