title: T-type channels buddy up.
abstract: The electrical output of neurons relies critically on voltage- and calcium-gated ion channels. The traditional view of ion channels is that they operate independently of each other in the plasma membrane in a manner that could be predicted according to biophysical characteristics of the isolated current. However, there is increasing evidence that channels interact with each other not just functionally but also physically. This is exemplified in the case of Cav3 T-type calcium channels, where new work indicates the ability to form signaling complexes with different types of calcium-gated and even voltage-gated potassium channels. The formation of a Cav3-K complex provides the calcium source required to activate KCa1.1 or KCa3.1 channels and, furthermore, to bestow a calcium-dependent regulation of Kv4 channels via associated KChIP proteins. Here, we review these interactions and discuss their significance in the context of neuronal firing properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, HRIC Bldg, Room 1AA14, 3330 Hospital Dr. N.W., Calgary, T2N 4N1, Alberta, Canada, rwturner@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Ray W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Gerald W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Zamponi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D015221:Potassium Channels