CACNA1A: Proteins and Enzymes

FUNCTION: Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1A gives rise to P and/or Q-type calcium currents. P/Q-type calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (HVA) group and are blocked by the funnel toxin (Ftx) and by the omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA). They are however insensitive to dihydropyridines (DHP), and omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA).; SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein.; Tissue specificity: Brain specific; mainly found in cerebellum, cerebral cortex, thalamus and hypothalamus. No expression in heart, kidney, liver or muscle. Purkinje cells contain predominantly P-type VSCC, the Q-type being a prominent calcium current in cerebellar granule cells.