Cacna1B Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
CACNA1B (Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 B)
CACNA1B encodes the Cav2.2 voltage-gated calcium channel alpha-1B subunit, forming the N-type calcium channel[1]. These channels are critical for neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal excitability. Cav2.2 channels are important therapeutic targets for pain management and have implications in neurodegenerative diseases[2].
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Gene Symbol | CACNA1B |
| Full Name | Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 B |
| Chromosomal Location | 9q34.3 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 774 |
| OMIM | 601067 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000148408 |
| UniProt | Q00962 |
Cav2.2 (N-type) calcium channels are high-voltage activated channels:
CACNA1B is expressed primarily in:
| Drug/Approach | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ziconotide (prialt) | Approved | N-type channel blocker for severe pain |
| Conotoxins | Research | Peptide blockers (tetrodotoxin-resistant) |
| Small molecule inhibitors | Research | NVX-108, etc. |
| Channel modulators | Research | State-dependent blockers |
Cav2.2 (N-type) channels are tightly regulated by multiple mechanisms:
Cav2.2 channels are essential for synaptic transmission in the nervous system:
N-type calcium channels are critical for pain signal transmission:
| Model | Phenotype | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Cacna1b knockout mice | Viable, sensory defects | Pain perception altered |
| Knock-in mutants | Variable phenotypes | Channel gating affected |
| Conditional knockout | Region-specific | Tissue-specific functions |
The study of Cacna1B Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Ertel EA, et al. Voltage-gated calcium channel genes and their mutations. Cell Calcium. 2005;37(6):493-502. PMID:15876588 ↩︎
Catterall WA. Voltage-gated calcium channels. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2011;3(8):a003947. PMID:21746798 ↩︎
Simms BA, Zamponi GW. Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels: structure, function, and dysfunction. Neuron. 2014;82(1):24-45. PMID:24698266 ↩︎