Alone at last! New functions for Ca2+ channel beta subunits?
New functions for voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel auxiliary beta subunits have recently been identified. These functions appear to be regulated by the beta subunit alone, independently of any effects on the Ca(2+) influx; hence, the beta subunit may not be truly "auxiliary" and may play more fundamental roles in Ca(2+) homeostasis or gene regulation. These new findings raise important questions and open new, exciting research avenues.
Rousset
Matthieu
M
Neurobiologie Moléculaire, CRBM FRE 2593, CNRS, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex, France.
Cens
Thierry
T
Charnet
Pierre
P
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D005810:Multigene Family; D011487:Protein Conformation; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D015220:Calcium Channels; D021122:Protein Subunits; D005947:Glucose