Presynaptic 'Ca2.3-containing' E-type Ca channels share dual roles during neurotransmitter release.
Ca2+ influx into excitable cells is a prerequisite for neurotransmitter release and regulated exocytosis. Within the group of ten cloned voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, the Ca(v)2.3-containing E-type Ca2+ channels are involved in various physiological processes, such as neurotransmitter release and exocytosis together with other voltage-gated Ca2+ channels of the Ca(v)1, Ca(v)2 and Ca(v)3 subfamily. However, E-type Ca2+ channels also exhibit several subunit-specific features, most of which still remain poorly understood. Ca(v)2.3-containing R-type channels (here called 'E-type channels') are also located in presynaptic terminals and interact with some synaptic vesicle proteins, the so-called SNARE proteins, although lacking the classical synprint interaction site. E-type channels trigger exocytosis and are also involved in long-term potentiation. Recently, it was shown that the interaction of Ca(v)2.3 with the EF-hand motif containing protein EFHC1 is involved in the aetiology and pathogenesis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Kamp
M A
MA
Institute of Neurophysiology, Robert-Koch-Str. 39, D-50931 Köln, Germany.
Krieger
A
A
Henry
M
M
Hescheler
J
J
Weiergräber
M
M
Schneider
T
T
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D020908:Calcium Channels, R-Type; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000502:physiology
C423009:CACNA1E protein, human; D015220:Calcium Channels; D020908:Calcium Channels, R-Type; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D021122:Protein Subunits