Antigen: fusion protein amino acids 2,025-2,161 (C-terminal) of rat Cav1.3 · Clone designation: S38-8 · Host: Mouse · Isotype: IgG₁ · Application(s): WB, IHC, ICC, and IF · Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that help establish and control the small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane of living cells by allowing the flow of ions down their electrochemical gradient.¹ They are present in the membranes that surround all biological cells because their main function is to regulate the flow of ions across this membrane. Whereas some ion channels permit the passage of ions based on charge, others conduct based on a ionic species, such as sodium or potassium. Furthermore, in some ion channels, the passage is governed by a gate which is controlled by chemical or electrical signals, temperature, or mechanical forces. There are a few main classifications of gated ion channels. There are voltage-gated ion channels, ligand-gated, other gating systems, and finally those that are classified differently, having more exotic characteristics. The first are voltage-gated ion channels which open and close in response to membrane potential. These are then seperated into sodium, calcium, potassium, proton, transient receptor, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, each of which is responsible for a unique role. Ligand-gated ion channels are also known as ionotropic receptors, and they open in response to specific ligand molecules binding to the extracellular domain of the receptor protein. The other gated classifications include activation and inactivation by second messengers, inward-rectifier potassium channels, calcium-activated potassium channels, two-pore-domain potassium channels, light-gated channels, mechano-sensitive ion channels, and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. Finally, the other classifications are based on less normal characteristics such as two-pore channels, and transient receptor potential channels.² Specifically, Cav1.3, also known as the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, α1D subunit (CACNA1D), is a human gene. Cav1.3 subunits are primarily expressed in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Some studies suggest however that Cav1.3 is also found in the atria, and may figure prominently in atrial arrhythmias.³ Cav1.3 also carries the primary sensory receptors of the mammalian cochlea, and are also expressed in the electromotile outer hair cells.⁴

1 Hille, B. Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes. 3rd (2001).

2 . What are ion channels? (2004).

3 Zhang, Z., He, Y., Tuteja, D., et al. Functional roles of Cav1.3(1D) calcium channels in atria insights gained from gene-targeted null mutant mice. Circulation 112 1936-1944 (2005).

4 Johnson, S.L., and Marcotti, W. Biophysical properties of Cav1.3 calcium channels in gerbil inner hair cells. J Physiol 586(4) 1029-1042 (2008).

Johnson, S.L., and Marcotti, W. Biophysical properties of Cav1.3 calcium channels in gerbil inner hair cells. J Physiol 586(4) 1029-1042 (2008).

Zhang, Z., He, Y., Tuteja, D., et al. Functional roles of Cav1.3(1D) calcium channels in atria insights gained from gene-targeted null mutant mice. Circulation 112 1936-1944 (2005).

. What are ion channels? (2004).

Hille, B. Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes. 3rd (2001).

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