Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels / Edition 1

by Gerald Werner Zamponi

Overview

oltage-gated calcium channels are essential mediators of a range of physiological functions, including the communication between nerve Vcells, the regulation of heart beat, muscle contraction, and secretion of hormones such as insulin. Consequently, these channels are critical phar- macological targets in the treatment of a variety of disorders, such as epi- lepsy, hypertension, and pain. Voltage-gated calcium channels have there- fore been subject to intense study by numerous investigators over the past few decades, and an immense body of work has accumulated. In this book, we provide the first comprehensive overview of our current state of knowl- edge concerning this exciting field of research. Leading off with a general review of calcium signaling and techniques to measure calcium channel ac- tivity, the book delves into a provocative overview of the history of the cal- cium channel field, contributed by one of the key pioneers in the field. Dr. Richard Tsien. This is followed by an in depth review of the biochemical and molecular biological characterization of calcium channel genes by Drs. Catterall and Snutch whose research has resulted in major advances in the calcium channel field. A number of chapters are dedicated towards various aspects of calcium channel structure and function, including channel gat- ing, permeation, modulation and interactions with members of the exo- totic machinery--contributed by both established leaders and rising stars in the field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441934116
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	12/15/2010
Series:	Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2005
Pages:	378
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

Dr. Gerald Werner Zamponi is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, and Canada Research Chair in Molecular Neuroscience, at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.

Dr. Norbert Weiss is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathophysiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.

Table of Contents

Preface: History of VGCCs

STRUCTURAL AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF VGCCS

1. Measuring and manipulating calcium

2. Structure, function and subunit assembly of VGCC

3. Splice variation and RNA editing of VGCCs

4. Mechanisms of calcium channel permeation

5. Regulation by beta subunits
6. Regulation by alpha2 delta subunits
7. VGCCs in invertebrates

REGULATION OF VGCCS
8. Modulation by GPCRs and second messengers
9. Trafficking of VGCCs
10. Calcium regulation
11. Calcium channel complexes with other channels
12. Regulation of gene transcription by VGCCs

(PATHO)PHYSIOLOGY OF VGCCS
13. Lessons from knock-out and knock-in mice
14. VGCCs and synaptic transmission
15. Cardiovascular syste
16. Calcium channels and exocytosis in chromaffin cells
17. Calcium channels in the pancreas in health and disease
18. Skeletal muscle system
19. Auditory and visual systems
20. Calcium channels and pain transmission
21. Migraine
22. Epilepsy
23. Psychiatric disorders
24. Parkinson’s disease
25. Reproductive system
26. Cancer

PHARMACOLOGY OF VGCCS
27. Molecular determinants of VGCC pharmacology
28. Interactions with peptide toxins
29. Clinical pharmacology and drug discovery