Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels play an essential role in the transmission of peripheral nociception in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and alteration of Cav3.2 expression is associated with the development of peripheral painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). Several studies have previously documented the role of glycosylation in the expression and functioning of Cav3.2 and suggested that altered glycosylation of the channel may contribute to the aberrant expression of the channel in diabetic conditions. In this study, we aimed to analyze the expression of glycan-processing genes in DRG neurons from a leptin-deficient genetic mouse model of diabetes (db/db). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that several glycan-processing genes encoding for glycosyltransferases and sialic acid-modifying enzymes were upregulated in diabetic conditions. Functional analysis of these enzymes on recombinant Cav3.2 revealed an unexpected loss-of-function of the channel. Collectively, our data indicate that diabetes is associated with an alteration of the glycosylation machinery in DRG neurons. However, individual action of these enzymes when tested on recombinant Cav3.2 cannot explain the observed upregulation of T-type channels under diabetic conditions.Abbreviations: Galnt16: Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 16; B3gnt8: UDP-GlcNAc:betaGal beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 8; B4galt1: Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1; St6gal1: Beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase 1; Neu3: Sialidase-3.

• Keywords
• Cav3.2 channel, DRG neurons, Glycosylation, T-type channel, calcium channel, diabetes, transcriptome,
• MeSH
• Cell Line MeSH
• Electrophysiology methods   MeSH
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental metabolism   MeSH
• Glycosylation MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Polysaccharides metabolism   MeSH
• Ganglia, Spinal metabolism   MeSH
• Transcriptome genetics   MeSH
• Calcium Channels, T-Type genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cacna1h protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Polysaccharides MeSH
• Calcium Channels, T-Type MeSH

• Keywords
• Pain, T-type channel, calcium channel, glycosylation, phosphorylation, post-translational modifications, sumoylation, ubiquitinylation,
• MeSH
• Models, Biological MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neuralgia metabolism   MeSH
• Ganglia, Spinal metabolism   MeSH
• Calcium Channels, T-Type metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Calcium Channels, T-Type MeSH

Low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channels are important contributors to nervous system function. Post-translational modification of these channels has emerged as an important mechanism to control channel activity. Previous studies have documented the importance of asparagine (N)-linked glycosylation and identified several asparagine residues within the canonical consensus sequence N-X-S/T that is essential for the expression and function of Cav3.2 channels. Here, we explored the functional role of non-canonical N-glycosylation motifs in the conformation N-X-C based on site directed mutagenesis. Using a combination of electrophysiological recordings and surface biotinylation assays, we show that asparagines N345 and N1780 located in the motifs NVC and NPC, respectively, are essential for the expression of the human Cav3.2 channel in the plasma membrane. Therefore, these newly identified asparagine residues within non-canonical motifs add to those previously reported in canonical sites and suggest that N-glycosylation of Cav3.2 may also occur at non-canonical motifs to control expression of the channel in the plasma membrane. It is also the first study to report the functional importance of non-canonical N-glycosylation motifs in an ion channel.

• Keywords
• Asparagine-linked glycosylation, Calcium channel, N-glycosylation, Non-canonical glycosylation, T-type channel, Trafficking, cav3.2 Channel,
• MeSH
• Amino Acid Motifs MeSH
• Asparagine metabolism   MeSH
• Glycosylation MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Calcium Channels, T-Type chemistry   metabolism   MeSH
• Structure-Activity Relationship MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Asparagine MeSH
• CACNA1H protein, human MeSH Browser
• Calcium Channels, T-Type 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.

• Keywords
• aldosteronism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, calcium channels, cav3 channels, channelopathies, epilepsy, mutation, schizophrenia, t-type channels,
• MeSH
• Channelopathies genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• Calcium Channels genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Calcium Channels MeSH

Multiple voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) contribute to the processing of nociceptive signals in primary afferent fibers. In addition, alteration of calcium channel activity is associated with a number of chronic pain conditions. Therefore, VGCCs have emerged as prime target for the management of either neuropathic or inflammatory pain, and selective calcium channel blockers have been shown to have efficacy in animal models and in the clinic. However, considering that multiple calcium channels contribute pain afferent signaling, broad-spectrum inhibitors of several channel isoforms may offer a net advantage in modulating pain. Here, we have analyzed the ability of the compound surfen to modulate calcium channels, and assessed its analgesic potential. We show that surfen is an equipotent blocker of both low- and high-voltage-activated calcium channels. Furthermore, spinal (intrathecal) delivery of surfen to mice produces sustained analgesia against both acute and chronic pain. Collectively, our data establish surfen as a broad-spectrum calcium channel inhibitor with analgesic potential, and raise the possibility of using surfen-derived compounds for the development of new pain-relieving drugs.

• Keywords
• Calcium channel, Calcium channel blocker, DRG neuron, Inflammatory pain, Pain, Surfen,
• MeSH
• Analgesics pharmacology   MeSH
• Calcium Channel Blockers pharmacology   MeSH
• Chronic Pain drug therapy   MeSH
• Chronic Disease drug therapy   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Neuralgia drug therapy   MeSH
• Calcium metabolism   MeSH
• Calcium Signaling drug effects   MeSH
• Inflammation drug therapy   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Analgesics MeSH
• Calcium Channel Blockers MeSH
• Calcium 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
• Epilepsy, Absence genetics   MeSH
• Calnexin metabolism   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Mutation, Missense * MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Mutant Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Transport MeSH
• Calcium Channels, T-Type genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cacna1h protein, rat MeSH Browser
• Calnexin MeSH
• Mutant Proteins MeSH
• Calcium Channels, T-Type MeSH

Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) serve complex yet essential physiological functions via their pivotal role in translating electrical signals into intracellular calcium elevations and associated downstream signalling pathways. There are a number of regulatory mechanisms to ensure a dynamic control of the number of channels embedded in the plasma membrane, whereas alteration of the surface expression of VGCCs has been linked to various disease conditions. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms that control the trafficking of VGCCs to and from the plasma membrane, and discuss their implication in pathophysiological conditions and their potential as therapeutic targets.

• Keywords
• Stac adaptor proteins, ancillary subunit, calcium channels, glycosylation, trafficking, ubiquitination, voltage-gated calcium channels,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH