Inventors:
Philip M. Best - Urbana IL, US
Janice Jones - Champaign IL, US
Jared P. Hansen - Peoria IL, US
Zuojun Lin - Urbana IL, US
Karen E. Weis - Champaign IL, US
Po-Ju Chu - Taipei, TW
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois - Urbana IL
International Classification:
A61K 38/00, C07H 21/04, C12P 21/06, C12N 5/00
US Classification:
530324, 514 121, 536 235, 435 691, 435325
Abstract:
Calcium channels in a variety of tissues may contain different subunits, including several different γ (gamma) subunits. We report studies regarding structural features of certain gamma subunits, for example the N-terminal first transmembrane domain (TM1) of the subunit γ6. We disclose that certain structural motifs, for example a GxxxG-like structural motif as described herein, can mediate subunit function for calcium channels. A particular peptide motif that has been identified as significant for the ability to mediate a decrease in calcium current is GxxxA. Compositions and methods are disclosed which are useful in modifying calcium regulation in mammalian cells. In various embodiments, calcium current is modified.