Role of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel isoforms for brain function.
Voltage-gated LTCCs (L-type Ca2+ channels) are established drug targets for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. LTCCs are also expressed outside the cardiovascular system. In the brain, LTCCs control synaptic plasticity in neurons, and DHP (dihydropyridine) LTCC blockers such as nifedipine modulate brain function (such as fear memory extinction and depression-like behaviour). Voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels Cav1 .2 and Cav1.3 are the predominant brain LTCCs. As DHPs and other classes of organic LTCC blockers inhibit both isoforms, their pharmacological distinction is impossible and their individual contributions to defined brain functions remain largely unknown. Here, we summarize our recent experiments with two genetically modified mouse strains, which we generated to explore the individual biophysical features of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 LTCCs and to determine their relative contributions to various physiological peripheral and neuronal functions. The results described here also allow predictions about the pharmacotherapeutic potential of isoform-selective LTCC modulators.
Striessnig
J
J
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute for Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayrstr. 1/I, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. joerg.striessnig@uibk.ac.at
Koschak
A
A
Sinnegger-Brauns
M J
MJ
Hetzenauer
A
A
Nguyen
N K
NK
Busquet
P
P
Pelster
G
G
Singewald
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology
C485995:Cacna1d protein, mouse; D015220:Calcium Channels; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate