FIGURE 1.

Physiological roles for Ca_v1.2 and Ca_v1.3 L‐type Ca²⁺‐channels (LTCCs). Ca_v1.2 and Ca_v1.3 are expressed in most excitable tissues and in most cases even together in the same cells. They can support different physiological functions due to their distinct gating properties (Ca_v1.3 channels are ‘low‐voltage‐activated LTCCs’), subcellular localization and/or protein‐interactions. Ca_v1.1 and Ca_v1.4 show more restricted expression in skeletal muscle and retinal cells and serve key functions for skeletal muscle contraction and photoreceptor signalling, respectively (Zamponi et al., 2015). AV‐node, atrioventricular node; I_Ca, inward Ca²⁺ current, IHC, inner hair cells; LTP, long‐term potentiation; OHC, outer hair cells. Adapted from Zamponi et al. (2015), redrawn with permission.