title: Calcium channels: cellular roles and molecular mechanisms.
abstract: An unexpected variety of different types of Ca2+ channels have been identified using molecular cloning and selective Ca2+ channel toxins. A main focus of current research in this field is to characterize these different channel types and the molecular mechanisms by which Ca2+ channels perform their basic activities of gating, selectivity and modulation. Recent advances demonstrate the roles of different types of Ca2+ channels in muscle and nerve, and provide hints about the structures involved in selectivity and gating.
authors.affiliation: Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Science University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: McCleskey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels