Metabolism and trafficking of N-type voltage-operated calcium channels in neurosecretory cells

J Bioenerg Biomembr. 1998 Aug;30(4):399-407. doi: 10.1023/a:1021945907635.

Abstract

The N-type voltage-operated calcium channel has been characterized over the years as a high-threshold channel, with variable inactivation kinetics, and a unique ability to bind with high affinity and specificity omega-conotoxin GVIA and related toxins. This channel is particularly expressed in some neurons and endocrine cells, where it participates in several calcium-dependent processes, including secretion. Omega-conotoxin GVIA was instrumental not only for the biophysical and pharmacological characterization of N-type channels but also for the development of in vitro assays for studying N-type VOCC subcellular localization, biosynthesis, turnover, as well as short-and long-term regulation of its expression. We here summarize our studies on N-type VOCC expression in neurosecretory cells, with a major emphasis on recent data demonstrating the presence of N-type channels in intracellular secretory organelles and their recruitment to the cell surface during regulated exocytosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type*
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / drug effects
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurosecretory Systems / drug effects
  • Neurosecretory Systems / metabolism*
  • PC12 Cells / metabolism
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Up-Regulation
  • omega-Conotoxin GVIA

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Calcium Channels, N-Type
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Peptides
  • omega-conotoxin receptor
  • voltage-dependent calcium channel (P-Q type)
  • omega-Conotoxin GVIA
  • Calcium