Ebook: Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

oltage-gated calcium channels are essential mediators of a range of physiological functions, including the communication between nerve Vcells, the regulation of heart beat, muscle contraction, and secretion of hormones such as insulin. Consequently, these channels are critical phar­ macological targets in the treatment of a variety of disorders, such as epi­ lepsy, hypertension, and pain. Voltage-gated calcium channels have there­ fore been subject to intense study by numerous investigators over the past few decades, and an immense body of work has accumulated. In this book, we provide the first comprehensive overview of our current state of knowl­ edge concerning this exciting field of research. Leading off with a general review of calcium signaling and techniques to measure calcium channel ac­ tivity, the book delves into a provocative overview of the history of the cal­ cium channel field, contributed by one of the key pioneers in the field. Dr. Richard Tsien. This is followed by an in depth review of the biochemical and molecular biological characterization of calcium channel genes by Drs. Catterall and Snutch whose research has resulted in major advances in the calcium channel field. A number of chapters are dedicated towards various aspects of calcium channel structure and function, including channel gat­ ing, permeation, modulation and interactions with members of the exo- totic machinery—contributed by both established leaders and rising stars in the field.

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Voltage Gated Calcium Channels is the first comprehensive book in the calcium channel field, encompassing over thirty years of progress towards our understanding of calcium channel structure, function, regulation, physiology, pharmacology, and genetics. This book balances contributions from many of the leading authorities in the calcium channel field with fresh perspectives from risings stars in the area, taking into account the most recent literature and concepts. This is the only all-encompassing calcium channel book currently available, and is an essential resource for academic researchers at all levels in the areas neuroscience, biophysics, and cardiovascular sciences, as well as to researchers in the drug discovery area.

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Voltage Gated Calcium Channels is the first comprehensive book in the calcium channel field, encompassing over thirty years of progress towards our understanding of calcium channel structure, function, regulation, physiology, pharmacology, and genetics. This book balances contributions from many of the leading authorities in the calcium channel field with fresh perspectives from risings stars in the area, taking into account the most recent literature and concepts. This is the only all-encompassing calcium channel book currently available, and is an essential resource for academic researchers at all levels in the areas neuroscience, biophysics, and cardiovascular sciences, as well as to researchers in the drug discovery area.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiv
Ca2+ Chemistry, Storage and Transport in Biologic Systems....Pages 1-11
Monitoring Intracellular Ca2+ in Brain Slices with Fluorescent Indicators....Pages 12-26
A Brief History of Calcium Channel Discovery....Pages 27-47
Biochemical Studies of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 48-60
Molecular Properties of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels....Pages 61-94
Role of ? Subunits in Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Functions....Pages 95-112
Distribution and Targeting Mechanisms of Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 113-140
The Calcium Channel and the Transmitter Release Site....Pages 141-153
Determinants of G Protein Inhibition of Presynaptic Calcium Channels....Pages 154-167
Phosphorylation-Dependent Regulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 168-182
Ca2+-Dependent Modulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 183-193
Voltage-Dependent Inactivation of Voltage Gated Calcium Channels....Pages 194-204
Selective Permeability of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels....Pages 205-218
The Run-Down Phenomenon of Ca2+ Channels....Pages 219-230
Calcium Channels As Therapeutic Targets....Pages 231-239
Calcium Channelopathies....Pages 240-261
The Molecular Basis of Ca2+ Antagonist Drug Action-Recent Developments....Pages 262-280
Calcium Channel Block and Inactivation....Pages 281-293
Block of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels by Peptide Toxins....Pages 294-308
Calcium Channels in the Heart....Pages 309-325
Post-Genomic Insights into T-Type Calcium Channel Functions in Neurons....Pages 326-333
Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels of the Vertebrate Retina....Pages 334-345
Exploring the Function and Pharmacotherapeutic of Potential Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels with Gene-Knockout Models....Pages 346-372
Back Matter....Pages 373-377

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Voltage Gated Calcium Channels is the first comprehensive book in the calcium channel field, encompassing over thirty years of progress towards our understanding of calcium channel structure, function, regulation, physiology, pharmacology, and genetics. This book balances contributions from many of the leading authorities in the calcium channel field with fresh perspectives from risings stars in the area, taking into account the most recent literature and concepts. This is the only all-encompassing calcium channel book currently available, and is an essential resource for academic researchers at all levels in the areas neuroscience, biophysics, and cardiovascular sciences, as well as to researchers in the drug discovery area.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiv
Ca2+ Chemistry, Storage and Transport in Biologic Systems....Pages 1-11
Monitoring Intracellular Ca2+ in Brain Slices with Fluorescent Indicators....Pages 12-26
A Brief History of Calcium Channel Discovery....Pages 27-47
Biochemical Studies of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 48-60
Molecular Properties of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels....Pages 61-94
Role of ? Subunits in Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Functions....Pages 95-112
Distribution and Targeting Mechanisms of Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 113-140
The Calcium Channel and the Transmitter Release Site....Pages 141-153
Determinants of G Protein Inhibition of Presynaptic Calcium Channels....Pages 154-167
Phosphorylation-Dependent Regulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 168-182
Ca2+-Dependent Modulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels....Pages 183-193
Voltage-Dependent Inactivation of Voltage Gated Calcium Channels....Pages 194-204
Selective Permeability of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels....Pages 205-218
The Run-Down Phenomenon of Ca2+ Channels....Pages 219-230
Calcium Channels As Therapeutic Targets....Pages 231-239
Calcium Channelopathies....Pages 240-261
The Molecular Basis of Ca2+ Antagonist Drug Action-Recent Developments....Pages 262-280
Calcium Channel Block and Inactivation....Pages 281-293
Block of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels by Peptide Toxins....Pages 294-308
Calcium Channels in the Heart....Pages 309-325
Post-Genomic Insights into T-Type Calcium Channel Functions in Neurons....Pages 326-333
Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels of the Vertebrate Retina....Pages 334-345
Exploring the Function and Pharmacotherapeutic of Potential Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels with Gene-Knockout Models....Pages 346-372
Back Matter....Pages 373-377
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