Calcium channel diversity and neurotransmitter release: the ω-conotoxins and ω-agatoxins

Abstract

The level of intracellular Ca regulates many cellular processes, including neurotransmitter and hormone secretion, the activity of ion channels and enzymes, cytoskeletal function, cell proliferation, and gene expression. Voltage-sensitive Ca channels are among the most heterogeneous of ion channels. In neurons, Ca channels differ in cellular location, biophysical and pharmacological properties, and modulation. A single neuron generally contains multiple types of Ca channels, and such channels are central to the integration and expression of activity in the nervous system. It is clearly important to understand the functional significance of Ca channel diversity; a major research effort that is under way has made clear that different calcium channel types are all part of a family of multisubunit ion channels.