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Description

"Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (vscc) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1c gives rise to l-type calcium currents. Long-lasting (l-type) calcium channels belong to the ""high-voltage activated"" (hva) group. They are blocked by dihydropyridines (dhp), phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and by omega-agatoxin-IIIA (omega-aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to omega-conotoxin- gvia (omega-ctx-gvia) and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-aga-IVA). Calcium channels containing the alpha-1C subunit play an important role in excitation-contraction coupling in the heart. The various isoforms display marked differences in the sensitivity to dhp compounds (Swiss Prot)."