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Calcium Channels: Unanswered Questions

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Abstract

Despite decades of intensive research, many questions remain unresolved regarding the structure and function of voltage-dependent calcium channels. This review considers some of those questions: Where is the activation gate? Where are the inactivation gates? How are the voltage sensors coupled to the gates? Are bacterial K+ channels good models for the Ca2+ channel pore? Are protein–protein interactions fundamental to Ca2+ channel function? Do voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels regulate basal intracellular Ca2+? Are N and P/Q channels specialized for fast neurotransmitter release?

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Jones, S.W. Calcium Channels: Unanswered Questions. J Bioenerg Biomembr 35, 461–475 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBB.0000008020.86004.28

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