title: Protein partners of the calcium channel β subunit highlight new cellular functions.
abstract: Calcium plays a key role in cell signalling by its intervention in a wide range of physiological processes. Its entry into cells occurs mainly via voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC), which are found not only in the plasma membrane of excitable cells but also in cells insensitive to electrical signals. VGCC are composed of different subunits, α1, β, α2δ and γ, among which the cytosolic β subunit (Cavβ) controls the trafficking of the channel to the plasma membrane, its regulation and its gating properties. For many years, these were the main functions associated with Cavβ. However, a growing number of proteins have been found to interact with Cavβ, emphasizing the multifunctional role of this versatile protein. Interestingly, some of the newly assigned functions of Cavβ are independent of its role in the regulation of VGCC, and thus further increase its functional roles. Based on the identity of Cavβ protein partners, this review emphasizes the diverse cellular functions of Cavβ and summarizes both past findings as well as recent progress in the understanding of VGCC.
authors.affiliation: LabEx Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics, INSERM UMR1087/CNRS UMR6291, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes F-44000, France Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Application, Lebanese University, 1300 Tripoli, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rima
authors.affiliation: LabEx Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics, INSERM UMR1087/CNRS UMR6291, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes F-44000, France Laboratory of Human Genetics, Doctoral School of Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Marwa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daghsni
authors.affiliation: Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Application, Lebanese University, 1300 Tripoli, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fajloun
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Genetics, Doctoral School of Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ridha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: M'rad
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Juan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Brusés
authors.affiliation: LabEx Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics, INSERM UMR1087/CNRS UMR6291, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes F-44000, France Université de Nantes, Nantes F-44000, France.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ronjat
authors.affiliation: LabEx Ion Channels, Science and Therapeutics, INSERM UMR1087/CNRS UMR6291, l'institut du Thorax, Nantes F-44000, France Université de Nantes, Nantes F-44000, France Smartox Biotechnology, 570 Rue de la Chimie, 38400 Saint-Martin d'Hères, France michel.dewaard@univ-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Waard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D021122:Protein Subunits; D002118:Calcium
keywords: calcium channels; gene expression and regulation; voltage-gated channels