To optimize motor performance, both the amplitude and temporal properties of movements should be modifiable by motor learning. Here we report that the modification of movement timing is highly dependent on signaling through P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channels. Two lines of mutant mice heterozygous for P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channels exhibited impaired plasticity of eye movem...

Blood fl ow is intimately linked to endothelial membrane potential and intracellular Ca 2+ levels ([Ca 2+ ] i ). Endothelial Ca 2+ infl ux appears to depend on the electrochemical gradient, and likely occurs through nonvoltage-dependent Ca 2+ entry pathways, possibly transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Therefore, hyperpolarization of the endothelium membrane elevates [Ca 2+ ] i by an i...

Modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) can have a major impact on cell excitability. Analysis of calmodulin (CaM) binding to GST-fusion proteins containing the C-terminal domains of Nav1.1-Nav1.9 indicates that some of the tetrodotoxin-sensitive VGSC isoforms, including NaV1.4 and NaV1.6, are able to bind CaM in a calcium-independent manner. Here we demonstrate that association with...

Voltage- and calcium-dependent BK channels regulate calcium-dependent cellular events such as neurotransmitter release by limiting calcium influx. Their plasma membrane abundance is an important factor in determining BK current and thus regulation of calcium-dependent events. In C. elegans, we show that ERG-28, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein, promotes the trafficking of SLO-1 BK...

There has been tremendous growth in our knowledge about the multiple interacting mechanisms that regulate renal microvascular function. Paracrine signals originating from endothelial and epithelial cells exert profound influences on the basal tone and reactivity of the pre- and postglomerular arterioles. Selective responsiveness of these arterioles to various stimuli is possible because of diff...

Background Previous studies have shown that a low dose of scopolamine produces rapid-acting antidepressant-like actions in rodents. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this effect and the dose-dependent variations of drug responses remains an important task. L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels were found to mediate rapid-acting antidepressant effects of certain medications (e.g., keta...

Endocrine pituitary cells are neuronlike; they express numerous voltage-gated sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride channels and fire action potentials spontaneously, accompanied by a rise in intracellular calcium. In some cells, spontaneous electrical activity is sufficient to drive the intracellular calcium concentration above the threshold for stimulus-secretion and stimulus-transcription...