VDCC channels

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VDCC) are present in many cell types, playing important roles in cell physiology. Based on the sequence alignment of the pore-forming alpha subunit, there are three families of channels totaling 10 members, giving rise to several types of calcium currents. The auxiliary subunits are represented by beta – with four members, gamma with eight and alpha2delta type subunit with four members. In beta-cells, the L-type calcium current is the major current subtype from all the species studied. Of the alpha subunits identified, two members of family 1 are responsible for conducting the L-type calcium currents. A member of family 2 has also been found in the beta-cells of rat, human and mouse; it conducts P/Q-type calcium currents in human beta-cells and rat insulin-secreting cell lines. Family 1 alpha channels of beta-cells also interact with proteins of the exocytic machinery. In addition to regulating exocytosis of insulin, VDCC contribute to other functions of beta-cells via calcium influx. Detailed information on VDCC can be found in reference PMID 16868246.The members of alpha families are listed with aliases in parentheses, full names and links to report pages:

Cacna1c (Cav1.2) – calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1C subunit
Cacna1d (Cav1.3) – calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1D subunit
Cacna1a (Cav2.1) – calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit