Functional Characterization of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) are closely related to a series of important physiological processes. Creative Bioarray is committed to providing clients with VGCC functional characterization services by combining a variety of approaches, such as electrophysiological technology, biochemical methods, and microscopy technology, providing detailed information for the in-depth understanding of cell physiology and pathophysiology of VGCC.

Background

According to the voltage activation characteristics, VGCC can be divided into high voltage activation (HVA) and low voltage activation (LVA). LVA channels are mainly T-type calcium channels, which are activated at about -60mv. HVA channels are composed of L-type calcium channels, P/Q-type calcium channels, N-type calcium channels, and R-type calcium channels. According to the genotype of α1 subunit, VGCC can be divided into three families: Ca_V1, Ca_V2, and Ca_V3. These channels activate with different voltages and different kinetics, thereby fulfilling diverse functions in various physiological processes such as muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and pain perception.

Studies have shown that the abnormal expression and function of VGCC are closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, pain, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. Most VGCCs are considered important targets for the development of therapeutics for a variety of diseases. Currently, the development of structural characterization techniques has enabled detailed structural characterization of VGCC, which, combined with functional studies, is expected to promote drug development related to VGCC.

Fig. 1 Diagram of VGCC in relation to other pre-synaptic proteins and organelles. (Dolphin, 2021)

Our Services

Our professional research team conducts research in vitro and in vivo by combining advanced methods such as cell biology and molecular biology technology, patch clamp technology, X-ray crystallography, and fluorescence microscopy, aiming to understand the physiological functions and pharmacological characteristics of VGGC channels. The services we provide include but not limited to:

• Identification of multiple calcium channel subtypes.
• Identification of N-, R-, and P-type calcium currents.
• Purification and molecular identification of VGCC subtypes.
• Analysis of biophysical characteristics of VGCC, including voltage-dependent, Ca²⁺-dependent, and kinetic properties.
• Preparation of animal models of VGCC knockout or gene mutation.
• Real-time and in situ quantitative recording of VGCC activity in the plasma membrane at the molecular level.
• Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and Markov state modeling (MSM) of voltage sensing domains (VSDs) in activated and resting states.

Applications

• Functional characterization of presynaptic VGCC
• Functional characterization of VGCC from insulin-secreting cell lines
• Functional research of VGCC in the renal vasculature
• Functional research of VGCC in pain and nociception

With an advanced technology platform and a professional research team, Creative Bioarray has the strength to help clients achieve detailed VGCC function analysis, which helps to clarify the functions of VGCC in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, and further develop innovative treatment methods for VGCC related diseases. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Dolphin, A. C. Functions of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels. Function, 2021, 2(1): zqaa027.