title: Modulation of low-voltage-activated T-type Ca²⁺ channels.
abstract: Low-voltage-activated T-type Ca²⁺ channels contribute to a wide variety of physiological functions, most predominantly in the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Studies have documented the roles of T-type channels in sleep, neuropathic pain, absence epilepsy, cell proliferation and cardiovascular function. Importantly, novel aspects of the modulation of T-type channels have been identified over the last few years, providing new insights into their physiological and pathophysiological roles. Although there is substantial literature regarding modulation of native T-type channels, the underlying molecular mechanisms have only recently begun to be addressed. This review focuses on recent evidence that the Ca(v)3 subunits of T-type channels, Ca(v)3.1, Ca(v)3.2 and Ca(v)3.3, are differentially modulated by a multitude of endogenous ligands including anandamide, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, endostatin, and redox and oxidizing agents. The review also provides an overview of recent knowledge gained concerning downstream pathways involving G-protein-coupled receptors. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Calcium channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Pain Research & Therapy, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xinghong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Terrance P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Snutch
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D002118:Calcium