Molecular pharmacology of voltage-dependent calcium channels

Jpn J Pharmacol. 1996 Oct;72(2):83-109. doi: 10.1254/jjp.72.83.

Abstract

Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels serve as the only link to transduce membrane depolarization into cellular Ca(2+)-dependent reactions. A wide variety of chemical substances that have the ability to modulate Ca2+ channels have been demonstrated both for their clinic utility and for importance in elucidating the molecular basis of various biological responses. Recently, introduction of molecular biology to pharmacology has brought a great deal of information about the molecular basis of drug action in Ca2+ channels. In this review, we attempt to overview recent progress in understanding the interactions between Ca2+ channels and their blockers, namely Ca2+ antagonists, from a molecular and structural point of view.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agatoxins
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / metabolism
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Calcium Channels / chemistry
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mollusk Venoms / pharmacology
  • Spider Venoms / pharmacology

Substances

  • Agatoxins
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Mollusk Venoms
  • Spider Venoms
  • omega-agatoxin I