oltage-gated calcium channels are essential mediators of a range of physiological functions, including the communication between nerve Vcells, the regulation of heart beat, muscle contraction, and secretion of hormones such as insulin. Consequently, these channels are critical phar­ macological targets in the treatment of a variety of disorders, such as epi­ lepsy, hypertension, and pain. Voltage-gated calcium channels have there­ fore been subject to intense study by numerous investigators over the past few decades, and an immense body of work has accumulated. In this book, we provide the first comprehensive overview of our current state of knowl­ edge concerning this exciting field of research. Leading off with a general review of calcium signaling and techniques to measure calcium channel ac­ tivity, the book delves into a provocative overview of the history of the cal­ cium channel field, contributed by one of the key pioneers in the field. Dr. Richard Tsien. This is followed by an in depth review of the biochemical and molecular biological characterization of calcium channel genes by Drs. Catterall and Snutch whose research has resulted in major advances in the calcium channel field. A number of chapters are dedicated towards various aspects of calcium channel structure and function, including channel gat­ ing, permeation, modulation and interactions with members of the exo- totic machinery-contributed by both established leaders and rising stars in the field.

Inhalt
Ca2+ Chemistry, Storage and Transport in Biologic Systems.- Monitoring Intracellular Ca2+ in Brain Slices with Fluorescent Indicators.- A Brief History of Calcium Channel Discovery.- Biochemical Studies of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels.- Molecular Properties of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels.- Role of ? Subunits in Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Functions.- Distribution and Targeting Mechanisms of Voltage Activated Ca2+ Channels.- The Calcium Channel and the Transmitter Release Site.- Determinants of G Protein Inhibition of Presynaptic Calcium Channels.- Phosphorylation-Dependent Regulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels.- Ca2+-Dependent Modulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels.- Voltage-Dependent Inactivation of Voltage Gated Calcium Channels.- Selective Permeability of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels.- The Run-Down Phenomenon of Ca2+ Channels.- Calcium Channels As Therapeutic Targets.- Calcium Channelopathies.- The Molecular Basis of Ca2+ Antagonist Drug Action-Recent Developments.- Calcium Channel Block and Inactivation.- Block of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels by Peptide Toxins.- Calcium Channels in the Heart.- Post-Genomic Insights into T-Type Calcium Channel Functions in Neurons.- Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels of the Vertebrate Retina.- Exploring the Function and Pharmacotherapeutic of Potential Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels with Gene-Knockout Models.