Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dorina Zoephel, Chantal Hof, Annette Lis
Summary: Aging is an unstoppable process that affects every cell of the organism, especially the changes in Ca2+ signaling in immune cells which may profoundly impact the development of age-related diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Willy Carrasquel-Ursulaez, Ignacio Segura, Ignacio Diaz-Franulic, Felipe Echeverria, Yenisleidy Lorenzo-Ceballos, Nicolas Espinoza, Maximiliano Rojas, Jose Antonio Garate, Eduardo Perozo, Osvaldo Alvarez, Fernando D. Gonzalez-Nilo, Ramon Latorre
Summary: This study demonstrates that two arginines in the transmembrane segment S4 function as the gating charges of BK channels, and the energy landscape of gating particles is tuned by a network of salt bridges in the voltage sensor domain (VSD). Unlike Kv channels, the charge movement in BK seems limited to a small displacement of the guanidinium moieties of R210 and R213.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paz Duran, Santiago Loya-Lopez, Dongzhi Ran, Cheng Tang, Aida Calderon-Rivera, Kimberly Gomez, Harrison J. Stratton, Sun Huang, Ya-ming Xu, E. M. Kithsiri Wijeratne, Samantha Perez-Miller, Zhiming Shan, Song Cai, Anna T. Gabrielsen, Angie Dorame, Kyleigh A. Masterson, Omar Alsbiei, Cynthia L. Madura, Guoqin Luo, Aubin Moutal, John Streicher, Gerald W. Zamponi, A. A. Leslie Gunatilaka, Rajesh Khanna
Summary: This study identified argentatin C, a compound derived from the Native American medicinal plant Parthenium incanum, which can block the activity of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels and has potential as a novel treatment for painful conditions. Experimental results demonstrated that argentatin C decreased ion currents and excitability in sensory neurons and relieved postsurgical pain in a mouse model. Therefore, argentatin C may serve as an alternative therapy for chronic pain management.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas C. Vierra, Samantha C. O'Dwyer, Collin Matsumoto, L. Fernando Santana, James S. Trimmer
Summary: In mammalian brain neurons, membrane depolarization triggers Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, leading to diverse cellular responses, including gene expression. The L-type Ca2+ channels in neuronal soma and dendrites play a key role in this process. The organization of signaling complexes by Kv2.1 at endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane junctions enhances the clustering and activity of Cav1.2 channels, impacting somatic Ca2+ signals and excitation-transcription coupling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Serap Erdogmus, Axel R. Concepcion, Megumi Yamashita, Ikjot Sidhu, Anthony Y. Tao, Wenyi Li, Pedro P. Rocha, Bonnie Huang, Ralph Garippa, Boram Lee, Amy Lee, Johannes W. Hell, Richard S. Lewis, Murali Prakriya, Stefan Feske
Summary: The regulatory beta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels regulates T cell function despite no evidence that these channels were functional within T cells during activation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Martini, Giorgio Rispoli
Summary: Some sensory disorders in hearing, vestibular, and vision can be attributed to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in sensory cells. In this study, the Na+ current flowing through L- and R-type Ca2+ channels in labyrinth hair cells was investigated. The activation and deactivation of the Na+ current in L-type channels were affected by low Ca2+ concentration, resulting in increased current amplitude. The R-type Na+ current was partially blocked by nifedipine and its current amplitude increased in low Ca2+ condition. Furthermore, the selectivity filter of R channels was less affected by external Ca2+ compared to L channels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Yashashwini Dinesh Subbamanda, Anamika Bhargava
Summary: This article discusses the interaction and regulation between voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and estrogen receptors. Most of the research focuses on neuronal and cardiovascular tissues, describing the modulation of VGCCs by estrogen. More physiological experiments are needed to study the regulation of VGCCs by estrogen, as well as identifying other receptors and partners involved in estrogen receptor-independent effects.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Daniel Bahena-Alvarez, Diana Millan-Aldaco, Ruth Rincon-Heredia, Nancy Escamilla-Avila, Arturo Hernandez-Cruz
Summary: In this study, the expression of high-voltage activated Ca2+ channel alpha subunits and InsP(3) and ryanodine receptors in the postnatal ovary from 3 to 16 days was analyzed using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. The results indicated a developmental switch of Ca2+ channel expression from oocytes to perifollicular cells during folliculogenesis, reflecting the changing roles of different cell types in response to gonadotropins.
JOURNAL OF OVARIAN RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Declan Manning, L. Fernando Santana
Summary: The authors of this study present an approach using functionalized nanobodies to reduce the activity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels associated with beta(1) subunits and facilitate their removal from the surface membrane of neurons and muscle.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Kunal R. Shah, Xin Guan, Jiusheng Yan
Summary: Ion channels can form macromolecular signaling complexes to ensure accurate signal transduction. The BK channel limits increases in [Ca2+]i levels through K+ efflux and rapid membrane repolarization, serving as a negative feedback regulator.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Milorad Dragic, Katarina Milicevic, Marija Adzic, Ivana Stevanovic, Milica Ninkovic, Ivana Grkovic, Pavle Andjus, Nadezda Nedeljkovic
Summary: Astrocytes play a critical role in the protection and damage of the nervous system, with complex pathological features and functions. In neuroinflammatory processes, astrocytes undergo cell differentiation and functional transition, leading to the production of various inflammatory mediators.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomasz Boczek, Ludmila Zylinska
Summary: The activity of specific populations of neurons in different brain areas plays a critical role in decision-making processes related to synaptic transmission, adaptations to external signals, and the maintenance of neural function. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is identified as a vital control system in the central nervous system (CNS), allowing for rapid responses to synaptic processes and inducing long-term changes. Endocannabinoids are bioactive lipid mediators that act primarily through two receptors, CB1R and CB2R, which can regulate downstream Ca2+ signaling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ludovica Filippini, Nadine J. J. Ortner, Teresa Kaserer, Jorg Striessnig
Summary: Voltage-gated L-type Ca2+-channels, especially Ca(v)1.3 subtype, are potential drug targets for the treatment of various diseases. However, the selectivity of Ca(v)1.3-selective blockers remains controversial, and there are no suitable pharmacological tools to confirm or refute the role of Ca(v)1.3 channels in cellular responses. Essential criteria for a small molecule to be considered Ca(v)1.3-selective are suggested.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Clara Gravielle
Summary: GABA(A) receptors are pentameric ion channels crucial for inhibitory transmissions in the central nervous system, with their function regulated by various factors such as receptor subtypes and calcium channels. Dysfunctional alterations of these receptors are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and influence their plasticity.
Review
Cell Biology
Norbert Weiss, Gerald W. Zamponi
Summary: Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels play a crucial role in regulating calcium entry into nerve endings and neurotransmitter release. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) not only modulate channel activity through second messengers, but also physically interact with calcium channels to regulate their function. Studying the regulation of calcium channels by classical opioid and nociceptin receptors is important for understanding neuronal functions and developing potential treatments for diseases.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)