Modulation of Presynaptic Calcium Channels

This book brings together leading international experts to discuss recent advances in the regulation of presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), key signal transducers that represent one of the most widely modulated proteins in the body. It is now commonly accepted that presence of the VGCC complex defines an excitable cell. At a basic level, VGCCs transduce membrane potential change to chemical neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminals. However, on-going scientific research, presented here, in areas including neuroscience, electrophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and, increasingly, proteomics, has revealed the widespread nature of modulation of the presynaptic VGCC complex. This book reviews and discusses the following topics: The fundamental role of the VGCC pore-forming CaVa subunit, and some of their binding partners, in presynaptic function and synaptic plasticity. Modulation of presynaptic CaVa subunits by auxiliary CaVb and a2d subunits and by their major interaction partners, such as active zone scaffolding proteins, synaptic proteins, G proteins and small GTPases, which, together, contribute to the VGCC proteome. Work at the cutting edge of research, i