Splicing of alpha(1A) subunit gene generates phenotypic variants of P- andQ-type calcium channels

P-type and Q-type calcium channels mediate neurotransmitter release at many synapses in the mammalian nervous system. The or,, calcium channel has bee n implicated in the etiologies of conditions such as episodic ataxia, epile psy and familial migraine, and shares several properties with native P- and Q-type channels. However, the exact relationship between alpha(1A) and P- and Q-type channels is unknown. Here we report that alternative splicing of the alpha(1A) subunit gene results in channels with distinct kinetic, phar macological and modulatory properties. Overall, the results indicate that a lternative splicing of the alpha(1A) gene generates P-type and Q-type chann els as well as multiple phenotypic variants.