CaV2.2 - "Characterization of CaV2.2 on Nanion's Port-a-Patch"
Port-a-Patch application note: 
(0.6 MB)
Cells were kindly provided by Millipore.
Summary:
The voltage gated N-type calcium channel (CaV2.2) is encoded by the gene CACNA1B. CaV2.2 is a high voltage activated calcium channel. CaV2.2 is found mainly in the brain, where it mediates neurotransmitter release at the synapse. The strong depolarization of neuronal action potentials causes the opening of the channel. Calcium can then enter the cell and initiates the fusion of the neurotransmitter vesicles with the membrane. CaV2.2 is inhibited by w-conotoxin, a neurotoxin of the fish hunting snail, with high specificity. CaV2.2 has been implicated in the transmission of pain. Pharmacological block of CaV2.2 by compounds based on w-conotoxin has been shown to be effective against strong chronical pain. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of the cells are presented in this Application Note.
