L-type Ca2+ channels in the heart: structure and regulation

Medicina (Kaunas). 2008;44(7):491-9.
[Article in English, Lithuanian]

Abstract

This review analyzes the structure and regulation mechanisms of voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channel in the heart. L-type Ca(2+) channels in the heart are composed of four different polypeptide subunits, and the pore-forming subunit alpha(1) is the most important part of the channel. In cardiac myocytes, Ca(2+) enter cell cytoplasm from extracellular space mainly through L-type Ca(2+) channels; these channels are very important system in heart Ca(2+) uptake regulation. L-type Ca(2+) channels are responsible for the activation of sarcoplasmic reticulum channels (RyR2) and force of muscle contraction generation in heart; hence, activity of the heart depends on L-type Ca(2+) channels. Phosphorylation of channel-forming subunits by different kinases is one of the most important ways to change the activity of L-type Ca(2+) channel. Additionally, the activity of L-type Ca(2+) channels depends on Ca(2+) concentration in cytoplasm. Ca(2+) current in cardiac cells can facilitate, and this process is regulated by phosphorylation of L-type Ca(2+) channels and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Disturbances in cellular Ca(2+) transport and regulation of L-type Ca(2+) channels are directly related to heart diseases, life quality, and life span.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / physiology*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Dogs
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Heart Diseases / metabolism
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Heart Failure / metabolism
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating
  • Myocardial Contraction / physiology*
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
  • Rabbits
  • Ranidae
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Kinases
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Calcium