title: T-type calcium channels in pulmonary vascular endothelium.
abstract: The expression of low-voltage-gated T-type calcium channel alpha1G-subunit (Cav3.1) has recently been revealed in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). In endothelial cells, changes in membrane potential may be caused by a variety of physiological or pathophysiological vascular stimuli. Thus, the characteristic low-voltage range of activation, transient kinetics of inactivation, and conducting continuous Ca2+ entry in a range of low membrane potentials of this channel may confer its temporal and spatial control of cytosolic Ca2 + important for a variety of cellular processes in vascular endothelial cells. The goal of this review is to provide a succinct description of the endothelial cell T-type calcium channel, including its molecular characteristics, biophysical and pharmacological profiles, and involvement in certain endothelial cell functions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Lung Biology and Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002, USA.
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Songwei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C121855:CACNA1G protein, human; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type