CACNA1E
Description
The CACNA1E (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 E) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
The CACNA1E gene encodes the alpha-1E subunit of the R-type calcium channel. This type of channel is voltage-dependent, meaning it opens and closes in response to changes in the electrical potential across the cell membrane. The alpha-1E subunit forms the pore through which calcium ions enter the cell, determining most of the channel's properties. R-type calcium channels are expressed at high levels in the brain, particularly in areas like the cortex, hippocampus, striatum, amygdala, and interpeduncular nucleus. They also appear to be present in cerebellar granule cells. R-type channels have a high threshold of activation, meaning they require a strong electrical stimulus to open. They also have relatively slow kinetics, meaning they open and close more slowly than other types of calcium channels. These properties suggest that R-type calcium channels may play a role in long-term processes such as learning and memory.
CACNA1E is also known as BII, CACH6, CACNL1A6, Cav2.3, DEE69, EIEE69, gm139.
