This gene encodes a member of the beta subunit family, a protein in the voltage-dependent calcium channel complex. Calcium channels mediate the influx of calcium ions into the cell upon membrane polarization and consist of a complex of alpha-1, alpha-2/delta, beta, and gamma subunits in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. Various versions of each of these subunits exist, either expressed from similar genes or the result of alternative splicing. The protein described in this record plays an important role in calcium channel function by modulating G protein inhibition, increasing peak calcium current, controlling the alpha-1 subunit membrane targeting and shifting the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation. Alternate transcriptional splice variants of this gene, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.[2]
↑Walker, D; Bichet D; Campbell K P; De Waard M (Jan 1998). "A beta 4 isoform-specific interaction site in the carboxyl-terminal region of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel alpha 1A subunit". J. Biol. Chem. United States. 273 (4): 2361–7. doi:10.1074/jbc.273.4.2361. ISSN0021-9258. PMID9442082.
↑Walker, D; Bichet D; Geib S; Mori E; Cornet V; Snutch T P; Mori Y; De Waard M (Apr 1999). "A new beta subtype-specific interaction in alpha1A subunit controls P/Q-type Ca2+ channel activation". J. Biol. Chem. United States. 274 (18): 12383–90. doi:10.1074/jbc.274.18.12383. ISSN0021-9258. PMID10212211.
Further reading
Volsen SG, Day NC, McCormack AL, et al. (1997). "The expression of voltage-dependent calcium channel beta subunits in human cerebellum". Neuroscience. 80 (1): 161–74. doi:10.1016/S0306-4522(97)00115-2. PMID9252229.
Taviaux S, Williams ME, Harpold MM, et al. (1997). "Assignment of human genes for beta 2 and beta 4 subunits of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to chromosomes 10p12 and 2q22-q23". Hum. Genet. 100 (2): 151–4. doi:10.1007/PL00008704. PMID9254841.
Walker D, Bichet D, Campbell KP, De Waard M (1998). "A beta 4 isoform-specific interaction site in the carboxyl-terminal region of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel alpha 1A subunit". J. Biol. Chem. 273 (4): 2361–7. doi:10.1074/jbc.273.4.2361. PMID9442082.
Betz R, Leibiger B, Farnebo F, et al. (1998). "Mapping of the human Ca2+ channel beta 4 subunit to 2q22-23 and its expression in developing mouse". Mamm. Genome. 9 (4): 310–1. doi:10.1007/s003359900755. PMID9530629.
Day NC, Volsen SG, McCormack AL, et al. (1998). "The expression of voltage-dependent calcium channel beta subunits in human hippocampus". Brain Res. Mol. Brain Res. 60 (2): 259–69. doi:10.1016/S0169-328X(98)00186-7. PMID9757060.
Walker D, Bichet D, Geib S, et al. (1999). "A new beta subtype-specific interaction in alpha1A subunit controls P/Q-type Ca2+ channel activation". J. Biol. Chem. 274 (18): 12383–90. doi:10.1074/jbc.274.18.12383. PMID10212211.
Helton TD, Horne WA (2002). "Alternative splicing of the beta 4 subunit has alpha1 subunit subtype-specific effects on Ca2+ channel gating". J. Neurosci. 22 (5): 1573–82. PMID11880487.
Chen YH, Li MH, Zhang Y, et al. (2004). "Structural basis of the alpha1-beta subunit interaction of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels". Nature. 429 (6992): 675–80. doi:10.1038/nature02641. PMID15170217.
Vendel AC, Terry MD, Striegel AR, et al. (2006). "Alternative splicing of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel beta4 subunit creates a uniquely folded N-terminal protein binding domain with cell-specific expression in the cerebellar cortex". J. Neurosci. 26 (10): 2635–44. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0067-06.2006. PMID16525042.
von Brevern M, Ta N, Shankar A, et al. (2006). "Migrainous vertigo: mutation analysis of the candidate genes CACNA1A, ATP1A2, SCN1A, and CACNB4". Headache. 46 (7): 1136–41. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00504.x. PMID16866717.
Kobayashi T, Yamada Y, Fukao M, et al. (2007). "The GK domain of the voltage-dependent calcium channel beta subunit is essential for binding to the alpha subunit". Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 360 (3): 679–83. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.06.112. PMID17618603.