Calcium channels, neuromuscular synaptic transmission and neurological diseases.

URBANO FJ, PAGANI MR, UCHITEL OD.

JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY

Año: 2008 vol. 15 p. 201 - 202

0165-5728

J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Sep 15;201-202:136-44. Epub 2008 Aug 3. Review. Erratum in: J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Feb 15;207(1-2):123. Voltage-dependent calcium channels are essential in neuronal signaling and synaptic transmission, and their functional alterations underlie numerous human disorders whether monogenic (e.g., ataxia, migraine, etc.) or autoimmune. We review recent work on Ca(V)2.1 or P/Q channelopathies, mostly using neuromuscular junction preparations, and focus specially on the functional hierarchy among the calcium channels recruited to mediate neurotransmitter release when Ca(V)2.1 channels are mutated or depleted. In either case, synaptic transmission is greatly compromised; evidently, none of the reported functional replacements with other calcium channels compensates fully.