Ca_Vβ2- and Ca_Vβ3-specific signal transduction

The Ca_Vβ-subunits chaperon the α1 pore of high voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (Ca_Vs) and modulate current properties. We showed that Ca_Vβ2 is essential for the integrity of the photoreceptor synapse and that the Ca_Vβ3 determines skin wound healing, bone mineralization and insulin sensitivity.

We hypothesize that these are Ca_V -independent functions of Ca_Vβs. We will pursue studies to elucidate the underlying Ca_Vβ-dependent mechanisms which may be related to primary cells like fibroblasts, dendritic cells, vascular endothelial cells, osteoclasts, osteoblasts and lymphocytes, which are devoid of functional voltage-gated Ca²⁺ entry but do express, as we have already shown, Ca_Vβ2.