Calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit beta 2 (CACNB2)

Calcium voltage-gated channel auxiliary subunit beta 2 (CACNB2) is a regulatory subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel complex, particularly the L-type (Cav1.x) channels. It does not form the channel pore itself but is critical for the proper expression, trafficking, and gating behavior of the α1 pore-forming subunit. CACNB2 modifies the voltage dependence and kinetics of channel activation and inactivation, ultimately facilitating calcium ion influx in response to depolarization. The gene is expressed in cardiac, neural, and various other tissues. Mutations in CACNB2 are implicated in several inherited disorders, including Brugada syndrome (a cardiac arrhythmia syndrome), hypertension, and psychiatric/neurodevelopmental diseases such as autism and bipolar disorder. While many clinically used calcium channel blockers target the channel complex, pharmacological modulation primarily acts through the pore-forming subunit with CACNB2 influencing drug effects indirectly through its regulatory role.

Other names

Voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit beta-2Calcium channel voltage-dependent subunit beta 2CACNLB2MYSBCAB2CAVB2Calcium channel, voltage-dependent, beta 2 subunitLambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome antigen BConotoxin Receptor beta2L-type calcium channel beta 2aCavbeta2Cchb2

Modulation of channel gating and kinetics (by altering alpha1 subunit behavior, drugs can impact electrophysiological properties but do not directly bind CACNB2)