Anti-peptide antibodies that specifically recognize the alpha1 subunit of class A-D voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and a monoclonal antibody (MANC-1) to the alpha2 subunit of L-type Ca2+ channels were used to investigate the distribution of these Ca2+ channel subtypes in neurons and glia in models of brain injury, including kainic acid-induced epilepsy in the hippocampus, mechanical and thermal le...

In leeches, two pairs of reciprocally inhibitory heart interneurons that form the core oscillators of the pattern-generating network for heartbeat possess both high- and low-threshold (HVA and LVA) Ca channels. LVA Ca current has two kinetically distinct components (one rapidly activating/inactivating, ICaF, and another slowly activating/inactivating, ICaS) that mediate graded transmission, gen...

Ca2+ is a ubiquitous signaling messenger mediating many essential cellular functions such as excitability, exocytosis and transcription. Among the different pathways by which cellular Ca2+ signals are generated, the entry of Ca2+ through store-operated Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels has emerged as a widespread mechanism for regulating Ca2+ signaling in many eukaryotic cells. CRAC c...

CaV2.1 channels conduct P/Q-type Ca2+ currents that are modulated by calmodulin (CaM) and the structurally related Ca2+-binding protein 1 (CaBP1). Visinin-like protein-2 (VILIP-2) is a CaM-related Ca2+-binding protein expressed in the neocortex and hippocampus. Coexpression of CaV2.1 and VILIP-2 in tsA-201 cells resulted in Ca2+ channel modulation distinct from CaM and CaBP1. CaV2.1 channels wi...

In many nonexcitable cells, stimulation with low agonist concentrations specifically activates Ca2+ entry via arachidonic acid-regulated, highly Ca2+-selective ARC channels. Only at high agonist concentrations are the more widely studied store-operated channels activated, producing sustained elevated cytosolic Ca2+ concentration signals. These signals activate calcineurin, which in turn inhibit...

Activation of phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated signaling pathways in nonexcitable cells causes the release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores and activation of Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. Two types of Ca2+ channels, highly Ca2+-selective ICRAC and moderately Ca2+-selective ISOC, support store-operated Ca2+ entry process. In previous patch-clamp experiments with a human carcinoma A...

Odorants activate sensory transduction in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) via a cAMP-signaling cascade, which results in the opening of nonselective, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. The consequent Ca2+ influx through CNG channels activates Cl channels, which serve to amplify the transduction signal. We investigate here some general properties of this Ca-activated Cl channel in rat, as...

Activation of distinct classes of potassium channels can dramatically affect the frequency and the pattern of neuronal firing. In a subpopulation of vagal afferent neurons (nodose ganglion neurons), the pattern of impulse activity is effectively modulated by a Ca2+-dependent K+ current. This current produces a post-spike hyperpolarization (AHPslow) that plays a critical role in the regulation o...

Excitotoxicity results in a significant increase in Ca2+ influx; essentially from open N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) channels that cause a secondary rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. It is correlated with neuronal death induced by Ca2+ overload. Dysfunction of NMDARs is associated with excitotoxic neuronal death in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, the effects of...