title: Calcium channel activation stabilizes a neuronal calcium channel mRNA.
abstract: We have identified a calcium-dependent pathway in neurons that regulates expression levels of the alpha1B subunit and N channel current. When neurons are depolarized and voltage-gated calcium channels activated, the half-life of cellular N channel alpha1B mRNA is prolonged. This stabilizing effect of depolarization is mediated through the 3' untranslated region of a long form of the alpha1B mRNA and may represent a form of modulation of N-channel levels that does not require changes in gene transcription. Increases in N channel expression would affect several key neuronal functions controlled by calcium, including transmitter release and neurite outgrowth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, 192 Thayer Street, Brown University, Box 1953, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schorge
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: McEnery
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lipscombe
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009553:Nimodipine; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA