Beta subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels.
Calcium channel beta subunits have marked effects on the trafficking and on several of the biophysical properties of all high voltage activated calcium channels. In this article I shall review information on the different genes, on the structure of the beta subunits, and on their differential expression and post-translational modification. Their role in trafficking and assembly of the calcium channel heteromultimer will be described, and I will then review their effects on voltage-dependent and kinetic properties, stressing the differences between palmitoylated beta2a and the other beta subunits. Evidence for effects on calcium channel pharmacology will also be examined. I shall discuss the hypothesis that beta subunits can bind reversibly to calcium channels, and examine their role in the G protein modulation of calcium channels. Finally, I shall describe the consequences of knock-out of different beta subunit genes, and describe evidence for the involvement of beta subunits in disease.
Department of Pharmacology (Medawar Building), Gower Street, London WC1E6BT, United Kingdom. a.dolphin@ucl.ac.uk
Annette C
AC
Dolphin
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000502:physiology*; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D015220:Calcium Channels; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins