Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Their Roles in Cardiac Electrophysiology

In cardiomyocytes voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are major players in cardiac cellular electrophysiology and cellular excitation-contraction coupling. Accordingly, Ca2+ channel dysfunction contributes to the development of cardiac arrhythmias and impaired cardiac contractile function. In addition, Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is an important regulator of gene transcription and cardiac cellular metabolism. In order to fulfil these tasks reliably, Ca2+ channels are highly regulated by specific subunit compositions and various signaling pathways. This chapter provides an overview of the role of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in cardiac cellular electrophysiology and summarizes their molecular composition, biophysical properties, and regulatory mechanisms, with a special focus on L-type Ca2+ channels.