Ca_v1.3

Post-transcriptional alternative splicing of Ca_v1.3 is an extensive and vital regulatory mechanism. Alternative splicing can significantly affect the gating properties of the channel. Comparable to alternative splicing of Ca_v1.2 transcripts, which confers functional specificity,[9] it has recently been discovered that alternative splicing, particularly in the C-terminus, affects the pharmacological properties of Ca_v1.3.[10][11] Strikingly, up to 8-fold differences in dihydropyridine sensitivity between alternatively spliced isoforms have been reported.[12][13]

Ca_v1.3 channels are regulated by negative feedback to achieve Ca²⁺ homeostasis. Calcium ions are a critical second messenger, intrinsic to intracellular signal transduction. Extracellular calcium levels are approximated to be 12000-fold greater than intracellular levels. During calcium-dependent processes, the intracellular level of calcium rises by up to 100-fold. It is vitally important to regulate this calcium gradient, not least because high levels of calcium are toxic to the cell, and can induce apoptosis.

Ca²⁺-bound calmodulin (CaM) interacts with Ca_v1.3 to induce calcium-dependent inactivation (CDI). Recently, it has been shown that RNA editing of Ca_v1.3 transcripts is essential for CDI.[14] Contrary to expectation, RNA editing does not simply attenuate the binding of CaM, but weakens the pre-binding of Ca²⁺-free calmodulin (apoCaM) to channels. The upshot is that CDI is continuously tuneable by changes in levels of CaM.

Ca_v1.3 channels are widely expressed in humans.[15] Notably, their expression predominates in cochlea inner hair cells (IHCs). Ca_v1.3 have been shown through patch clamp experiments to be essential for normal IHC development and synaptic transmission.[16] Therefore, Ca_v1.3 are required for proper hearing.[17]

Ca_v1.3 are densely expressed in chromaffin cells. The low-voltage activation and slow inactivation of these channels makes them ideal for controlling excitability in these cells. Catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells is particularly sensitive to L-type currents, associated with Ca_v1.3. Catecholamines have many systemic effects on multiple organs. In addition, L-type channels are responsible for exocytosis in these cells.[18]

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, in which the death of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra of the midbrain leads to impaired motor function, perhaps best characterised by tremor. Recent evidence suggests that L-type Ca_v1.3 Ca²⁺ channels contribute to the death of dopaminergic neurones in patients with Parkinson's disease.[8] The basal activity of these neurones is also dependent on L-type Ca²⁺ channels, such as Ca_v1.3. Continuous pacemaking activity drives permanent intracellular dendritic and somatic calcium transients, which appears to make the dopaminergic substantia nigra neurones vulnerable to stressors that contribute to their death. Therefore inhibition of L-type channels, in particular Ca_v1.3 is protective against the pathogenesis of Parkinson's in some animal models.[8][19] A clinical phase III trial (STEADY-PD III) testing this hypothesis in patients with early Parkinsons's failed to show efficacy in slowing the progression of Parkinson's.[20]

Inhibition of Ca_v1.3 can be achieved using calcium channel blockers, such as dihydropyridines (DHPs). These drugs are used since decades to treat arterial hypertension and angina. This is due to their potent vasorelaxant properties, which are mediated by the inhibition of Ca_v1.2 L-type calcium channels in arterial smooth muscle.[15] Therefore, hypotensive reactions (and leg edema) are regarded dose-limiting side effects when using DHPs for inhibiting Ca_v1.3 channel in the brain.[21] In the face of this issue, attempts have been made to discover selective Ca_v1.3 channel blockers. One candidate has been claimed to be a potent and highly selective inhibitor of Ca_v1.3. This compound, 1-(3-chlorophenethyl)-3-cyclopentylpyrimidine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione was therefore put forward as a candidate for the future treatment of Parkinson's.[22] However, its selectivity and potency could not be confirmed in two independent studies from two other groups.[23] One of them even reported gating changes induced by this drug., which indicate channel activating rather than blocking effects.[24]

Recent evidence from immunostaining experiments shows that CACNA1D is highly expressed in prostate cancers compared with benign prostate tissues. Blocking L-type channels or knocking down gene expression of CACNA1D significantly suppressed cell-growth in prostate cancer cells.[25] It is important to recognise that this association does not represent a causal link between high levels of α1D protein and prostate cancer. Further investigation is needed to explore the role of CACNA1D gene overexpression in prostate cancer cell growth.

De novo somatic mutations in conserved regions within the channel's activation gate of its pore-forming α1-subunit (CACNA1D) cause excessive aldosterone production in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) resulting in primary aldosteronism, which causes treatment - resistant arterial hypertension. These mutations allow increased Ca²⁺ influx through Cav1.3, which in turn triggers Ca²⁺ - dependent aldosterone production.[26][27] The number of validated APA mutations is constantly growing.[28] In rare cases, APA mutations have also been found as germline mutations in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders of different severity, including autism spectrum disorder.[26][28][29]