GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT CALCIUM CHANNELS

Molecular cloning of calcium channel subunit genes has identified an u nexpectedly large number of genes and splicing variants, and a central problem of calcium channel biology is to now understand the functiona l significance of this genetic complexity. While electrophyisological. pharmacological, and molecular cloning techniques are providing one l evel of understanding, a complete understanding will require many addi tional kinds of studies, including genetic studies done in intact anim als. In this regard, an intriguing variety of episodic diseases have r ecently been identified that result from defects in calcium channel ge nes. A study of these diseases illustrates the kind of insights into c alcium channel function that can be expected from this method of inqui ry.