CACNA1I
Description
The CACNA1I (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 I) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 22.
The CACNA1I gene encodes the protein Calcium channel, voltage-dependent, T type, alpha 1I subunit, also known as CACNA1I or Cav3.3. T-type calcium channels are low-voltage-activated channels involved in pacemaker activity, low-threshold calcium spikes, neuronal oscillations and resonance, and rebound burst firing. They are distinguished by their voltage-dependence, deactivation, and single-channel conductance.
Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) are crucial for allowing calcium ions into excitable cells, playing a vital role in various calcium-dependent processes such as muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division, and cell death. This channel is responsible for generating T-type calcium currents, which are characterized by their activation at relatively low voltage levels. T-type calcium channels are classified as 'low-voltage activated (LVA)' channels and are highly sensitive to blockage by nickel and mibefradil. A distinctive feature of these channels is their opening at very negative membrane potentials, followed by voltage-dependent inactivation. T-type channels play a significant role in pacemaking functions in both central neurons and cardiac nodal cells, contributing to calcium signaling in secretory cells and vascular smooth muscle. Additionally, they are likely involved in regulating the firing patterns of neurons, which is essential for information processing, and may also participate in cell growth processes. The voltage ranges at which these channels open are comparable to but slightly higher than those of alpha 1G or alpha 1H channels.
CACNA1I is also known as Cav3.3, NEDSIS, ca(v)3.3.
