A Calcium channel is an ion channel which displays selective permeability to calcium ions. It is sometimes synonymous as voltage-dependent calcium channel,[1] although there are also ligand-gated calcium channels.[2]
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The following tables explain gating, gene, location and function of different types of calcium channels, both voltage and ligand-gated.
Type | Gated by | Protein | Gene | Location | Function |
L-type | high voltage | Cav1.1 Cav1.2 Cav1.3 Cav1.4 |
CACNA1S CACNA1C CACNA1D CACNA1F |
Skeletal muscle, bone (osteoblasts), ventricular myocytes**, dendrites and dendritic spines of cortical neurons | SMC and cardiac muscle contraction.[3] Responsible for prolonged action potential in cardiac muscle. |
P-type/Q-type | high voltage | Cav2.1 | CACNA1A | Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum / Cerebellar granule cells | neurotransmitter release[3] |
N-type | high voltage | Cav2.2 | CACNA1B | Throughout the brain | neurotransmitter release[3] |
R-type | intermediate voltage | Cav2.3 | CACNA1E | Cerebellar granule cells, other neurons | ?[3] |
T-type | low voltage | Cav3.1 Cav3.2 Cav3.3 |
CACNA1G CACNA1H CACNA1I |
neurons, cells that have pacemaker activity, bone (osteocytes) | Regular sinus rhythm[3] |
Type | Gated by | Gene | Location | Function |
IP3 receptor | IP3 | ITPR1, ITPR2, ITPR3 | ER/SR | Releases calcium from ER/SR in response to IP3 by e.g. GPCRs[3] |
Ryanodine receptor | dihydropyridine receptors in T-tubules and increased intracellular calcium (Calcium Induced Calcium Release - CICR) | RYR1, RYR2, RYR3 | ER/SR | Calcium-induced calcium release in myocytes[3] |
Two-pore channel | ||||
Cation channels of sperm | ||||
store-operated channels | indirectly by ER/SR depletion of calcium[3] | ORAI1, ORAI2, ORAI3 | plasma membrane |
Calcium channel blockers are used to treat hypertension.
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