Expression of the alpha 1D subunit of the L-type voltage gated calcium channel in human liver

Calcium channel blocker is useful for a variety of purposes and is effectiv e for preventing hepatitis elicited by different inducers, suggesting its p ossible clinical application for treating hepatitis. The alpha -subunit of the dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channel is a target of calcium channel blocker. For clinical application of calcium channel blocker, it i s important to analyze the expression of the L-type calcium channel in the liver. However, the subtype of the L-type calcium channel alpha -subunit ex pressed in the liver was not known. In the present study, the alpha -subuni t of the calcium channel expressed in human liver was systematically analyz ed. The alpha 1D subunit of the dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type voltage ga ted calcium channel is expressed relatively strongly in the liver and may p lay an important role in the liver.