Conotoxins as Tools to Understand the Physiological Function of Voltage-Gated Calcium (CaV) Channels.

ABSTRACT: Voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channels are widely expressed and are essential for the completion of multiple physiological processes. Close regulation of their activity by specific inhibitors and agonists become fundamental to understand their role in cellular homeostasis as well as in human tissues and organs. CaV channels are divided into two groups depending on the membrane potential required to activate them: High-voltage activated (HVA, CaV1.1-1.4; CaV2.1-2.3) and Low-voltage activated (LVA, CaV3.1-3.3). HVA channels are highly expressed in brain (neurons), heart, and adrenal medulla (chromaffin cells), among others, and are also classified into subtypes which can be distinguished using pharmacological approaches. Cone snails are marine gastropods that capture their prey by injecting ve

SUBMITTER: Ramirez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5666421 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature