Anti-CaV1.3 antibody [S38-8] (ab84811)

Function

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-1D gives rise to L-type calcium currents. Long-lasting (L-type) calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group. They are blocked by dihydropyridines (DHP), phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and by omega-agatoxin-IIIA (omega-Aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA) and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA).

Tissue specificity

Expressed in pancreatic islets and in brain, where it has been seen in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, habenula and thalamus. Expressed in the small cell lung carcinoma cell line SCC-9. No expression in skeletal muscle.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the calcium channel alpha-1 subunit (TC 1.A.1.11) family. CACNA1D subfamily.

Domain

Each of the four internal repeats contains five hydrophobic transmembrane segments (S1, S2, S3, S5, S6) and one positively charged transmembrane segment (S4). S4 segments probably represent the voltage-sensor and are characterized by a series of positively charged amino acids at every third position.

Cellular localization

Membrane.

Alternative names

Database links