Premium
T‐type Calcium Channels in Pulmonary Vascular Endothelium
Author(s) -
ZHOU CHUN,
WU SONGWEI
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
microcirculation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.793
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1549-8719
pISSN - 1073-9688
DOI - 10.1080/10739680600930289
Subject(s) - cytosol , microbiology and biotechnology , endothelial stem cell , voltage dependent calcium channel , endothelium , calcium , calcium channel , cell type , chemistry , biophysics , t type calcium channel , membrane potential , ion channel , biology , cell , biochemistry , endocrinology , in vitro , enzyme , receptor , organic chemistry
The expression of low‐voltage‐gated T‐type calcium channel α 1G ‐subunit (Ca v 3.1) has recently been revealed in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). In endothelial cells, changes in membrane potential may be caused by a variety of physiological or pathophysiological vascular stimuli. Thus, the characteristic low‐voltage range of activation, transient kinetics of inactivation, and conducting continuous Ca 2+ entry in a range of low membrane potentials of this channel may confer its temporal and spatial control of cytosolic Ca 2 + important for a variety of cellular processes in vascular endothelial cells. The goal of this review is to provide a succinct description of the endothelial cell T‐type calcium channel, including its molecular characteristics, biophysical and pharmacological profiles, and involvement in certain endothelial cell functions.