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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Modulation Of Neuronal R-Type Ca2+ Channels (Cav2.3) By G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Lauren S. Page
Modulation Of Neuronal R-Type Ca2+ Channels (Cav2.3) By G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Lauren S. Page
Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects
Neuronal R-type Ca2+ channels (Cav2.3) are expressed at high concentrations within the cortex, hippocampus and striatal regions of the brain, where they participate in neuronal excitability and synaptic signaling. This pattern of expression may signify a connection between Cav2.3 channel function and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Huntington's Disease (HD). Both of these disorders are caused by inadequate secretion of the neurotransmitter dopamine within the striatum. The first step in characterizing the potential importance of Cav2.3 in PD and HD is to examine its modulation by G-protein-coupled dopamine receptors. Specifically, …
Emerging Physiological Significance Of R-Type Calcium Currents, Paul Jensen
Emerging Physiological Significance Of R-Type Calcium Currents, Paul Jensen
Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects
R-type channels are voltage dependent calcium channel subtypes. To date, the only variant of the R-type calcium channel that has been isolated and cloned is the Cav2.3 variant, encoded by the gene Cchral (Yamazaki et al., 1998). The channel was named "R-type" because it was initially characterized by its resistance to nifedipine (a blocker of L-type calcium channels), Ω-conotoxin GVIA (an N-type calcium channel blocker) and Ω -Aga IVA (a blocker of P/Q-type calcium channels) (Hille 2001). The Cav2.3 calcium channel is selectively inhibited by the peptide SNX-482, which was isolated from venom of the African …