Voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel

(P/Q-type, α-1A subunit)

General Information

Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs), also referred to as voltage sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs), are present in most excitable cells. They mediate the influx of Ca²⁺ ions into the cell and trigger the release of neurotransmitters or hormons but are also involved in other calcium dependent processes like metabolism, cell proliferation and cell death.
VGCCs are composed of four subunits (α-1, α-2, β and δ) in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. The α-1A isoform occurs in VGCCs of the P- and Q-type which belong to the high voltage activated group (hva).