T-type calcium channel expression in cultured human neuroblastoma cells

Human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) have similar structures and functions as neural cells and have been frequently used for cell culture studies of neural cell functions.Previous studies have revealed L-and N-type calcium channels in SH-SY5Y cells.However,the distribution of the low-voltage activated calcium channel (namely called T-type calcium channel,including Cav3.1,Cav3.2,and Cav3.3) in SH-SY5Y cells remains poorly understood.The present study detected mRNA and protein expres-sion of the T-type calcium channel (Cav3.1,Cav3.2,and Cav3.3) in cultured SH-SY5Y cells using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis.Results revealed mRNA and protein expression from all three T-type calcium channel subtypes in SH-SY5Y cells.Moreover,Cav3.1 was the predominant T-type calcium channel subtype in SH-SY5Y cells.