Do calcium channel classifications account for neuronal calcium channel diversity?
Calcium (Ca2+) ions are involved in the development and control of a variety of neuronal properties and functions such as channel expression, synaptic transmission and neurosecretion. The main pathway by which Ca2+ enters the intracellular space is through voltage-activated Ca2+ channels that can be classified according to their different biophysical and pharmacological properties. Identification and characterization of these channel types are prerequisites for understanding the mechanisms that underlie Ca2(+)-controlled processes. In this article we summarize the efforts made to identify neuronal Ca2+ channel types, and we attempt to evaluate how useful existing classifications are in assigning specific properties and functions to distinct channel types in neurons.
Swandulla
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Department of Membrane Biophysics, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, FRG.
Carbone
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Lux
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D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051381:Rats
D015220:Calcium Channels; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents