Voltage-gated calcium channels: Structure, permeability and inactivation properties

Abstract

Our group has been interested in the structure and function of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels since many years. We have tried to combine molecular cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, heterologous expression, electrophysiological recordings and fluorescence imaging to identify the structures and molecular motions and understand the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for several biophysical properties of these channels. In this talk I will present you a brief overview of this work with a special emphasis on the voltage-dependent inactivation and channel selectivity toward divalent cations. Several references taken from studies on voltage-gated K+ channels will introduce several parts of this presentation.