Description
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-1b gives rise to n-type calcium currents. n-type calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (hva) group and are blocked by omega-conotoxin-gvia (omega-ctx-gvia) and by omega-agatoxin-iiia (omega-aga-iiia). they are however insensitive to dihydropyridines (dhp), and omega-agatoxin-iva (omega-aga-iva). calcium channels containing alpha-1b subunit may play a role in directed migration of immature neurons