Voltage-gated calcium channels

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), also known as voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs), are a group of voltage-gated ion channels found in the membrane of excitable cells (e.g., muscle, glial cells, neurons, etc.) with a permeability to the calcium ion Ca2+. These channels are slightly permeable to sodium ions, so they are also called Ca2+-Na+ channels, but their permeability to calcium is about 1000-fold greater than to sodium under normal physiological conditions.

Pronunciation

Voltage-gated calcium channels: /ˈvoʊltɪdʒ-geɪtɪd ˈkælsɪəm ˈtʃænəlz/

Etymology

The term "voltage-gated calcium channels" is derived from the fact that these channels open in response to a change in the electrical membrane potential (voltage), allowing calcium ions to pass through.

Types of VGCCs

There are several types of VGCCs, but the main ones include:

• L-type channels (Cav1): These are found in many tissues and organs and are particularly important in muscle contraction.
• P/Q-type channels (Cav2.1): These are found in neurons and are involved in neurotransmitter release.
• N-type channels (Cav2.2): These are found in neurons and are involved in pain sensation.
• R-type channels (Cav2.3): These are found in neurons and are involved in synaptic plasticity.
• T-type channels (Cav3): These are found in neurons, heart, and other tissues and are involved in pacemaker activity and sleep-wake cycle.

Related Terms

• Ion channel
• Calcium
• Neuron
• Muscle contraction
• Neurotransmitter
• Pain sensation
• Synaptic plasticity
• Pacemaker activity
• Sleep-wake cycle

This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.