Structure of three high voltage-activated calcium channel α1 subunits from Schistosoma mansoni

Voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels contribute to impulse propagation in excitable cells and also regulate intracellular levels of Ca2+. High voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels are heteromultimeric membrane proteins. The pore-forming, voltage-sensing subunit is the α1 subunit. We have cloned 3...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 2001-11, Vol.123 (5), p.489-497
Main Authors: KOHN, A. B., LEA, J. M., ROBERTS-MISTERLY, J. M., ANDERSON, P. A. V., GREENBERG, R. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology. Molecular biology
Biological and medical sciences
Ca2+ channel subunits
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Nemathelminthia. Plathelmintha
Physiology. Development
RT-PCR
Schistosoma mansoni
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Summary:Voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels contribute to impulse propagation in excitable cells and also regulate intracellular levels of Ca2+. High voltage-activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels are heteromultimeric membrane proteins. The pore-forming, voltage-sensing subunit is the α1 subunit. We have cloned 3 HVA Ca2+ channel α1 subunit cDNAs from Schistosoma mansoni. One of these sequences most closely resembles the L-type class of HVA α1 subunits. The other two sequences are most closely related to non L-type α1 subunits. These schistosome α1 subunits have many of the features common to HVA Ca2+ channels, but also have distinct structural motifs. Analysis of the structural and functional properties of schistosome Ca2+ channel subunits may provide information about these critical components of excitable cells.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182001008691