Voltage-gated calcium channels are assemblies of several subunits that are essential for ion selectivity, conductivity, and trafficking of the calcium channel. The extracellular α2δ-subunits contribute to the trafficking of calcium channels to the cell membrane and communicate with other surface molecules.
Within the membrane, α2δ-subunits team up with adhesion molecules and promote synaptogenesis. The expression of α2δ-subunits is found to be altered under several pathological conditions like during development of chronic pain, epilepsy or in autism spectrum disorders.
Using single-molecule tracking in combination with functional readouts, we want to understand the different, partially channel-independent, functions of α2δ-proteins in synaptic activity and neuronal excitability.
Further, we focus on the idea that specific α2δ-subunits could bind specific pore forming α1-subunit, and thus, regulate the subcellular localization of calcium channel subtypes.
Related publications:
Brockhaus J, Schreitmüller M, Repetto D, Klatt O, Reissner C, Elmslie K, Heine M, Missler M. (2018)
α-Neurexins Together with α2δ-1 Auxiliary Subunits Regulate Ca2+ Influx through Cav2.1 Channels. J Neurosci 38: 8277-8294.
Voigt A, Freund R, Heck J, Missler M, Obermair GJ, Thomas U, Heine M (2016)
Dynamic association of calcium channel subunits at the cellular membrane. Neurophotonics 3: 041809.