title: Role of voltage-gated calcium channels in ascending pain pathways.
abstract: Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are well established mediators of pain signals in primary afferent neurons. N-type calcium channels are localized to synaptic nerve terminals in laminae 1 and 2 of the dorsal horn where their opening results in the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and substance P. The contribution of N-type channels to the processing of pain signals is regulated by alternate splicing of the N-type channel gene, with unique N-type channel splice variants being expressed in small nociceptive neurons. In contrast, T-type VGCCs of the Ca(v)3.2 subtype are likely localized to nerve endings where they regulate cellular excitability. Consequently, inhibition of N-type and Ca(v)3.2 T-type VGCCs has the propensity to mediate analgesia. T-type channel activity is regulated by redox modulation, and can be inhibited by a novel class of small organic blockers. N-type VGCC activity can be potently inhibited by highly selective peptide toxins that are delivered intrathecally, and the search for small organic blockers with clinical efficacy is ongoing. Here, we provide a brief overview of recent advances in this area, as presented at the Spring Pain Research conference (Grand Cayman, 2008).
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Canada T2N 4N1. zamponi@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Gerald W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Zamponi
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Slobodan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Todorovic
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Arneric
authors.forename: Terrance P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Snutch
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D015220:Calcium Channels