Calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1D subunit (CaV1.3)

Calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1D subunit (CaV1.3) is a member of the voltage-gated calcium channel family, primarily encoded by the CACNA1D gene. CaV1.3 forms L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) involved in mediating the influx of Ca2+ ions into excitable cells such as neurons, heart muscle, and endocrine tissues. The channel is crucial for functions such as neurotransmitter release, cardiac pacemaking, hearing (via cochlear hair cell function), hormone secretion, and gene expression regulation. CaV1.3 is pharmacologically distinct from the related CaV1.2 by activating at more negative voltages and having slower inactivation. It is targetable by dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (including isradipine and others), as well as certain diphenylmethylpiperazine derivatives used for other indications. Therapeutically, CaV1.3 is implicated in neurodegenerative disorders (notably Parkinson’s disease), cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, and hereditary deafness (SANDD syndrome), making it a significant target in cardiovascular, neurological, and auditory research and clinical intervention.

Other names

CACNA1DL-type calcium channel alpha 1D subunitVoltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha1 D, L-type (LTCC)CaV1.3 channel

Blockade of CaV1.3 channels reduces Ca2+ influx, decreases excitability or secretion; neuroprotection via reduced Ca2+-induced oxidative stress; modulation of cardiac and neuronal activity