FEATURES

FAMILY

calcium channel alpha-1 subunit (TC 1.A.1.11) family

DESCRIPTION

Also known as CAC1E_RAT, Cacna1e, Cach6, Cacnl1a6. Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1E gives rise to R-type calcium currents. R-type calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group and are blocked by nickel. They are however insensitive to dihydropyridines (DHP). Calcium channels containing alpha-1E subunit could be involved in the modulation of firing patterns of neurons which is important for information processing. Interacts with EFHC1. Voltage-dependent calcium channels are multisubunit complexes, consisting of alpha-1, alpha-2, beta and delta subunits in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. The channel activity is directed by the pore-forming and voltage-sensitive alpha-1 subunit. In many cases, this subunit is sufficient to generate voltage-sensitive calcium channel activity. The auxiliary subunits beta and alpha-2/delta linked by a disulfide bridge regulate the channel activity.

EXTERNAL LINKS

Cacna1e

Voltage-dependent R-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1E

Cacna1e

Molecular Synopsis