CaV Channels Flashcards
- List the subunits that assemble to form a voltage-gated Ca channel - List the subtypes and corresponding properties of CaV channels - Explain the importance and mechanism by which phosphorylation and G proteins regulate the Ca current from a CaV channel - Describe the clinical importance of Ca channels and list the channelopathies that may result from inherited mutations in CaV genes
1
Q
Functions of Ca channels
A
- regulate intracellular calcium concentration and contribute to calcium signalling
- mediate calcium entry into cells in response to depolarisaiton
- control AP generation and conduction
- control sensory processes
- control muscle contraction
- control secretion of transmitters and hormones
- control cell differentiation and gene expression
2
Q
What is the ionic requirement for release
A
- calcium influx = fast evoked transmitter release
- chemical signal carried by calcium is important, not the electrical charge
3
Q
Structure of Ca channel alpha subunits
A
- Four repeat domains
- 6 TM segments, membrane-associated loop between S5 and S6
- Glutamic acid residues in P regions are important for determining selectivity for calcium ions
- auxillary subunits
4
Q
Subtypes of calcoum channels
A
- some require large depolarisation to elicit opening (HVA) / L-type
- others open at more negative potentials (LVA) / T-type
- HVA display variable inactivation
- LVA display rapid voltage dependent inactivation
5
Q
L type calcium channel
A
- HVA
- Blocked CHPs
- E-C coupling, hormone secretion, muscle contraction
- most have all 5 subunits
6
Q
N type calcium channel
A
- HVA
- Blocked w-CTx* GVIA
- Neurotransmitter release
7
Q
P type calcium channel
A
- HVA
- blocked w-Aga * IVA (spider)
- Neurotransmitter release
8
Q
Q type calcium channel
A
- HVA
- Blocked w-CTx* MVIIC
- Neurotransmitter release
9
Q
R type calcium channel
A
- H/LVA
- Blocked SNX-482 (tarantula toxin)
- Ca-APs and neurotransmitter release
10
Q
T type calcium channel
A
- LVA
- Blocked Mibefradil
- repetitive firing
- structure unknown
11
Q
Molecular basis of calcium channel diversity
A
diversity of Ca channels arises from the combination of five subunits
12
Q
alpha1 subunit
A
- has basic Na channel alpha subunit structure
- 10 individual genes of these
13
Q
beta subunit
A
- 4 genes intracellularly located
- each alpha subunit is associated with multiple beta subunits
14
Q
alpha2 subunit
A
- highly glycosylated
- extracellularly locatedd
- attached to membrane through disulphide linkage to delta subunit
15
Q
delta subunit
A
anchors alpha2 complex to the alpha1 subunit via a single transmembrane segment