The T-type calcium channel is a type of voltage-gated calcium channel. "T" stands for transient referring to the length of activation. As with other sub-types of voltage-gated calcium channel, the α1 subunit is the one that determines most of the channel's properties. T-type calcium channels may contain one of three α1 subunits, α1G (Cav3.1), α1H (Cav3.2) or α1I (Cav3.3).
Along with sodium "funny current," the T-type calcium channel produces the pacemaker potential in the SA node of the heart. Similarly in the CNS, T-type calcium channels and H-type "funny current" cation channels contribute to tonic bursting activity in thalamus. and in low-threshold spikes.
T-type calcium channel blockers including ethosuximide are used primarily as antiepileptics.
Pharmacological evidence suggests a role for T-type calcium channels in animal models of pulmonary hypertension.
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Other articles related to "channels":
... The T-type calcium channel is found in neurons throughout the brain ... These channels produce particularly large currents in thalamic, septal, and sensory neurons ... T-type channels play a secondary pacemaker role in neurons that have resting membrane potential between -90 and -70 mV as they have an important role in the genesis of burst firing ...
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