Structure of the Voltage-Dependent L-Type Calcium Channel

Voltage-activated L-type calcium channels regulate the intracellular concentration of calcium and contribute thereby to calcium signaling in numerous cells. These channels are widely distributed in the animal kingdom and are an essential part of many excitatory and non-excitatory mammalian cells. The opening of these channels is primarily regulated by the membrane potential, but is also modulated by a wide variety of hormones, protein kinases, protein phosphatases, toxins, and drugs. Site directed mutagenesis has identified sites on these channels which interact specifically with other proteins, inhibitors, and ions. This chapter will focus on these recent developments. The older findings have been summarized in several excellent reviews (STRIESSNIG et al.1993; HOFMANN et al. 1994; CATTERALL 1995; DE WAARD et al. 1996a).