Voltage-Dependent T-Type Calcium Channel Subunit Alpha-1i Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

This gene encodes the pore-forming alpha subunit of a voltage gated calcium channel. The encoded protein is a member of a subfamily of calcium channels referred to as is a low voltage-activated, T-type, calcium channel. The channel encoded by this protein is characterized by a slower activation and inactivation compared to other T-type calcium channels. This protein may be involved in calcium signaling in neurons. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2011]

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. Isoform alpha-1I gives rise to T-type calcium currents. T-type calcium channels belong to the "low-voltage activated (LVA)" group and are strongly blocked by nickel and mibefradil. A particularity of this type of channels is an opening at quite negative potentials, and a voltage-dependent inactivation. T-type channels serve pacemaking functions in both central neurons and cardiac nodal cells and support calcium signaling in secretory cells and vascular smooth muscle. They may also be involved in the modulation of firing patterns of neurons which is important for information processing as well as in cell growth processes. Gates in voltage ranges similar to, but higher than alpha 1G or alpha 1H

By similarity.

Subunit structure: Interacts with CATSPER1 and CATSPER2, leading to suppress T-type calcium channel activity. Ref.6

Subcellular location: Membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein.

Tissue specificity: Brain specific.

Domain: Each of the four internal repeats contains five hydrophobic transmembrane segments (S1, S2, S3, S5, S6) and one positively charged transmembrane segment (S4). S4 segments probably represent the voltage-sensor and are characterized by a series of positively charged amino acids at every third position.

Post-translational modification: In response to raising of intracellular calcium, the T-type channels are activated by CaM-kinase II

By similarity.

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the calcium channel alpha-1 subunit (TC 1.A.1.11) family. CACNA1I subfamily. [View classification]