Auxiliary Ca(2+) channel subunits: lessons learned from muscle.
Voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels are multi-subunit complexes involved in many key functions of excitable cells. A multitude of studies in heterologous cells demonstrated that coexpression of the pore-forming alpha(1) subunits with auxiliary alpha(2)delta and beta subunits promotes membrane expression and modulates the biophysical channel properties. New null-mutant animal models and shRNA based knockdown experiments in skeletal muscle cells for the first time demonstrated the physiological roles and possible pathological effects of the alpha(2)delta-1 and beta(1a) subunits in a differentiated excitable cell. The alpha(2)delta-1 subunit is the determinant of the typical current properties of skeletal and cardiac muscle Ca(2+) channels. The beta(1a) subunit links the skeletal muscle Ca(2+) channel to the Ca(2+) release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Whether these specific functions in muscle indicate similar roles of alpha(2)delta and beta subunits as functional modulator and structural organizer, respectively, in neurons is being discussed.
Obermair
Gerald J
GJ
Division of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University Innsbruck, Fritz-Pregl-Str. 3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Tuluc
Petronel
P
Flucher
Bernhard E
BE
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021381:Protein Transport
D015220:Calcium Channels; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D020033:Protein Isoforms