title: Depolarization as a regulatory signal at voltage-gated calcium channels.
abstract: Changes in membrane potential are a regulatory signal for voltage-gated ion channels including the family of Ca2+ channels. This regulatory role includes the voltage-dependent opening, closing, and inactivation of ion channels and the control of drug access and affinity for discrete channels states. Membrane potential is both a short- and long-term regulatory signal controlling the number and function of these voltage-gated channels. Depolarization of neuronal and neurosecretory cells produces down-regulation of L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. These processes are described and their relevance to physiologic and pathologic processes of neuronal development and neuroprotection are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School, State University of New York, Buffalo 14260, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Triggle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels