Voltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha-2-delta-2 (CACNA2D2) (CACNA2D2)

Voltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha-2-delta-2 (CACNA2D2) is an auxiliary subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) complex, primarily expressed in the central nervous system, including the cerebellum and cerebral cortex (UniProt Q9NY47). It is a disulfide-linked glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in regulating the trafficking of the pore-forming alpha-1 subunits to the plasma membrane and modulating the biophysical properties of the calcium current (PubMed: 15955521). By increasing current density and altering channel kinetics, CACNA2D2 is essential for maintaining normal neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Mutations in the CACNA2D2 gene are associated with severe neurological conditions, such as early infantile epileptic encephalopathy type 11 and cerebellar ataxia (PubMed: 22403575). This subunit is a high-affinity binding site for gabapentinoid drugs like gabapentin and pregabalin, which are used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain by reducing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (PubMed: 18223604). Additionally, CACNA2D2 has been identified as a potential tumor suppressor gene in several cancers, where its loss of expression is linked to increased cell proliferation (PubMed: 11283611).

Other names

Alpha2delta-2Calcium channel voltage-dependent subunit alpha 2 delta 2CACNA2D2Voltage-dependent calcium channel subunit alpha-2/delta-2

Binding to the alpha-2-delta-2 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, which leads to reduced cell-surface expression of the channel complex and subsequent inhibition of excitatory neurotransmitter release (PubMed: 18223604).