Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons provide a powerful platform for studying motor neuron diseases. These cells enable human-specific modeling of disease mechanisms and high-throughput drug screening. While commercially available iPSC-derived motor neurons offer a convenient alternative to time-intensive differentiation protocols, their electrophysiological properties and maturation require comprehensive evaluation to validate their utility for research and therapeutic applications. In this study, we characterized the electrophysiological properties of commercially available iPSC-derived motor neurons. Immunofluorescence confirmed the expression of motor neuron-specific biomarkers, indicating successful differentiation and maturation. Electrophysiological recordings revealed stable passive membrane properties, maturation-dependent improvements in action potential kinetics, and progressive increases in repetitive firing. Voltage-clamp analyses confirmed the functional expression of key ion channels, including high- and low-voltage-activated calcium channels, TTX-sensitive and TTX-insensitive sodium channels, and voltage-gated potassium channels. While the neurons exhibited hallmark features of motor neuron physiology, high input resistance, depolarized resting membrane potentials, and limited firing capacity suggest incomplete electrical maturation. Altogether, these findings underscore the potential of commercially available iPSC-derived motor neurons as a practical resource for MND research, while highlighting the need for optimized protocols to support prolonged culture and full maturation.

• Klíčová slova
• Motor neuron, action potential, calcium current, iPSC, potassium current, sodium current,
• MeSH
• akční potenciály MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace MeSH
• elektrofyziologické jevy MeSH
• indukované pluripotentní kmenové buňky * cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• motorické neurony * cytologie   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

T-type calcium channels perform crucial physiological roles across a wide spectrum of tissues, spanning both neuronal and non-neuronal system. For instance, they serve as pivotal regulators of neuronal excitability, contribute to cardiac pacemaking, and mediate the secretion of hormones. These functions significantly hinge upon the intricate interplay of T-type channels with interacting proteins that modulate their expression and function at the plasma membrane. In this review, we offer a panoramic exploration of the current knowledge surrounding these T-type channel interactors, and spotlight certain aspects of their potential for drug-based therapeutic intervention.

• Klíčová slova
• Calcium channels, Channelosome, Ion channels, T-type channels,
• MeSH
• blokátory kalciových kanálů MeSH
• neurony metabolismus   MeSH
• vápník * metabolismus   MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T * metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• blokátory kalciových kanálů MeSH
• vápník * MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T * MeSH

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) stands as the most prevalent and severe form of motor neuron disease, affecting an estimated 2 in 100,000 individuals worldwide. It is characterized by the progressive loss of cortical, brainstem, and spinal motor neurons, ultimately resulting in muscle weakness and death. Although the etiology of ALS remains poorly understood in most cases, the remodelling of ion channels and alteration in neuronal excitability represent a hallmark of the disease, manifesting not only during the symptomatic period but also in the early pre-symptomatic stages. In this review, we delve into these alterations observed in ALS patients and preclinical disease models, and explore their consequences on neuronal activities. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of ion channels as therapeutic targets in the context of ALS.

• Klíčová slova
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Ion channels, Motor neurons, Neurodegeneration, Neuronal excitability,
• MeSH
• amyotrofická laterální skleróza * MeSH
• iontové kanály MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• motorické neurony MeSH
• svalová slabost MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• iontové kanály MeSH

T-type calcium channelopathies encompass a group of human disorders either caused or exacerbated by mutations in the genes encoding different T-type calcium channels. Recently, a new heterozygous missense mutation in the CACNA1H gene that encodes the Cav3.2 T-type calcium channel was reported in a patient presenting with epilepsy and hearing loss-apparently the first CACNA1H mutation to be associated with a sensorineural hearing condition. This mutation leads to the substitution of an arginine at position 132 with a histidine (R132H) in the proximal extracellular end of the second transmembrane helix of Cav3.2. In this study, we report the electrophysiological characterization of this new variant using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in tsA-201 cells. Our data reveal minor gating alterations of the channel evidenced by a mild increase of the T-type current density and slower recovery from inactivation, as well as an enhanced sensitivity of the channel to external pH change. To what extend these biophysical changes and pH sensitivity alterations induced by the R132H mutation contribute to the observed pathogenicity remains an open question that will necessitate the analysis of additional CACNA1H variants associated with the same pathologies.

• Klíčová slova
• CACNA1H, Calcium channels, Cav3.2, Channelopathy, Epilepsy, Hearing, Ion channels, Mutation, T-type channels,
• MeSH
• epilepsie * genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace genetika   MeSH
• mutace genetika   MeSH
• nedoslýchavost * MeSH
• vápníkové kanály MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vápníkové kanály MeSH

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a rare form of chronic neuropathic pain characterized by spontaneous or elicited paroxysms of electric shock-like or stabbing pain in a region of the face. While most cases occur in a sporadic manner and are accompanied by intracranial vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve root, alteration of ion channels has emerged as a potential exacerbating factor. Recently, whole exome sequencing analysis of familial TN patients identified 19 rare variants in the gene CACNA1H encoding for Cav3.2T-type calcium channels. An initial analysis of 4 of these variants pointed to a pathogenic role. In this study, we assessed the electrophysiological properties of 13 additional TN-associated Cav3.2 variants expressed in tsA-201 cells. Our data indicate that 6 out of the 13 variants analyzed display alteration of their gating properties as evidenced by a hyperpolarizing shift of their voltage dependence of activation and/or inactivation resulting in an enhanced window current supported by Cav3.2 channels. An additional variant enhanced the recovery from inactivation. Simulation of neuronal electrical membrane potential using a computational model of reticular thalamic neuron suggests that TN-associated Cav3.2 variants could enhance neuronal excitability. Altogether, the present study adds to the notion that ion channel polymorphisms could contribute to the etiology of some cases of TN and further support a role for Cav3.2 channels.

• Klíčová slova
• CACNA1H, Calcium channel, Cav3.2 channel, Channelopathy, Ion channel, Trigeminal neuralgia,
• MeSH
• elektrofyziologické jevy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové potenciály MeSH
• neuralgie trigeminu * genetika   MeSH
• neurony MeSH
• vápníkové kanály MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CACNA1H protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• vápníkové kanály MeSH

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of severe epilepsies that are characterized by seizures and developmental delay. DEEs are primarily attributed to genetic causes and an increasing number of cases have been correlated with variants in ion channel genes. In this study, we report a child with an early severe DEE. Whole exome sequencing showed a de novo heterozygous variant (c.4873-4881 duplication) in the SCN8A gene and an inherited heterozygous variant (c.952G > A) in the CACNA1H gene encoding for Nav1.6 voltage-gated sodium and Cav3.2 voltage-gated calcium channels, respectively. In vitro functional analysis of human Nav1.6 and Cav3.2 channel variants revealed mild but significant alterations of their gating properties that were in general consistent with a gain- and loss-of-channel function, respectively. Although additional studies will be required to confirm the actual pathogenic involvement of SCN8A and CACNA1H, these findings add to the notion that rare ion channel variants may contribute to the etiology of DEEs.

• Klíčová slova
• CACNA1H, Calcium channel, Cav3.2 channel, Channelopathy, Encephalopathy, Epilepsy, Ion channels, Nav1.6 channel, SCN8A, Sodium channel,
• MeSH
• aktivační mutace MeSH
• bodová mutace MeSH
• duplikace genu MeSH
• epilepsie tonicko-klonická genetika   MeSH
• gating iontového kanálu genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace MeSH
• mnohočetné abnormality genetika   MeSH
• napěťově řízený sodíkový kanál, typ 6 genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• refrakterní epilepsie genetika   MeSH
• rodokmen MeSH
• skolióza genetika   MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• vývojové poruchy u dětí genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CACNA1H protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• napěťově řízený sodíkový kanál, typ 6 MeSH
• SCN8A protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• vápníkové kanály - typ T MeSH

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of cortical, brain stem and spinal motor neurons that leads to muscle weakness and death. A previous study implicated CACNA1H encoding for Cav3.2 calcium channels as a susceptibility gene in ALS. In the present study, two heterozygous CACNA1H variants were identified by whole genome sequencing in a small cohort of ALS patients. These variants were functionally characterized using patch clamp electrophysiology, biochemistry assays, and molecular modeling. A previously unreported c.454GTAC > G variant produced an inframe deletion of a highly conserved isoleucine residue in Cav3.2 (p.ΔI153) and caused a complete loss-of-function of the channel, with an additional dominant-negative effect on the wild-type channel when expressed in trans. In contrast, the c.3629C > T variant caused a missense substitution of a proline with a leucine (p.P1210L) and produced a comparatively mild alteration of Cav3.2 channel activity. The newly identified ΔI153 variant is the first to be reported to cause a complete loss of Cav3.2 channel function. These findings add to the notion that loss-of-function of Cav3.2 channels associated with rare CACNA1H variants may be risk factors in the complex etiology of ALS.

• Klíčová slova
• ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Biophysics, CACNA1H, Calcium channel, Cav3.2 channel, Motor neuron disease, Mutation, T-type channel,
• MeSH
• amyotrofická laterální skleróza * genetika   MeSH
• dominantní geny MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci * MeSH
• genetické asociační studie * MeSH
• heterozygot MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace * genetika   MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
• strukturní homologie proteinů MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T * chemie   genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CACNA1H protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• vápníkové kanály - typ T * MeSH

T-type channels are low-voltage-activated calcium channels that contribute to a variety of cellular and physiological functions, including neuronal excitability, hormone and neurotransmitter release as well as developmental aspects. Several human conditions including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, motor neuron disorders and aldosteronism have been traced to variations in genes encoding T-type channels. In this short review, we present the genetics of T-type channels with an emphasis on structure-function relationships and associated channelopathies.

• Klíčová slova
• aldosteronism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, calcium channels, cav3 channels, channelopathies, epilepsy, mutation, schizophrenia, t-type channels,
• MeSH
• kanálopatie genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• vápníkové kanály genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vápníkové kanály MeSH

Neuromuscular disorders encompass a wide range of conditions often associated with a genetic component. In the present study, we report a patient with severe infantile-onset amyotrophy in whom two compound heterozygous variants in the gene CACNA1H encoding for Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels were identified. Functional analysis of Cav3.2 variants revealed several alterations of the gating properties of the channel that were in general consistent with a loss-of-channel function. Taken together, these findings suggest that severe congenital amyoplasia may be related to CACNA1H and would represent a new phenotype associated with mutations in this gene.

• Klíčová slova
• CACNA1H, Ca3.2 channel, Congenital amyotrophy, T-type channel, calcium channel, mutations,
• MeSH
• brachiální neuritida genetika   patofyziologie   MeSH
• elektrofyziologie MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• heterozygot MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace * MeSH
• sekvenování exomu MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T chemie   genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CACNA1H protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• vápníkové kanály - typ T MeSH

Low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channels are essential contributors to the functioning of thalamocortical neurons by supporting burst-firing mode of action potentials. Enhanced T-type calcium conductance has been reported in the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat from Strasbourg (GAERS) and proposed to be causally related to the overall development of absence seizure activity. Here, we show that calnexin, an endoplasmic reticulum integral membrane protein, interacts with the III-IV linker region of the Cav3.2 channel to modulate the sorting of the channel to the cell surface. We demonstrate that the GAERS missense mutation located in the Cav3.2 III-IV linker alters the Cav3.2/calnexin interaction, resulting in an increased surface expression of the channel and a concomitant elevation in calcium influx. Our study reveals a novel mechanism that controls the expression of T-type channels, and provides a molecular explanation for the enhancement of T-type calcium conductance in GAERS.

• MeSH
• absentní epilepsie genetika   MeSH
• kalnexin metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• missense mutace * MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• mutantní proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transport proteinů MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• Cacna1h protein, rat MeSH Prohlížeč
• kalnexin MeSH
• mutantní proteiny MeSH
• vápníkové kanály - typ T MeSH