title: Whole-cell patch clamp recording of voltage-sensitive Ca²+ channel currents: heterologous expression systems and dissociated brain neurons.
abstract: Voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels (VSCC) play a central role in an extensive array of physiological processes. Their importance in cellular function arises from their ability both to sense membrane voltage and to conduct Ca(2+) ions, two facets that couple membrane excitability to a key intracellular second messenger. Through this relationship, activation of VSCCs is tightly coupled to the gamut of cellular functions dependent on intracellular Ca(2+), including muscle contraction, energy metabolism, gene expression, and exocytotic/endocytotic cycling.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Research Group, Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Atticus H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hainsworth
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stefani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D011994:Recombinant Proteins