Low-voltage-activated T-type Ca2+ channels.
Although progress in our understanding of T channels and their physiological role has been slower than with other Ca2+ channels, it was clear during this two-day workshop that interest and research in the field remain very intense. Advances have been hampered by many factors: small current amplitude, lack of pharmacological tools, apparent heterogeneity, and lack of a cloned channel. Nevertheless, many interesting roles for T channels have been described, which point to a generally subtle modulatory action. Furthermore, recent results suggest that the above barriers might soon be abolished: new pharmacological tools (mibefradil and newer generation compounds) with T-channel selectivity are being developed and many groups claim to be close to cloning a T channel.
Ertel
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Sundgau Medical Writers, Habsheim, France.
Ertel
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D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005091:Exons; D006801:Humans; D051381:Rats
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels