High-voltage-activated calcium (Ca V 1/Ca V 2) channels translate action potentials into Ca 2+ influx in excitable cells to control essential biological processes that include; muscle contraction, synaptic transmission, hormone secretion and activity-dependent regulation of gene expression. Modulation of Ca V 1/Ca V 2 channel activity is a powerful mechanism to regulate physiology, and there are a host of intracellular signalling molecules that tune different aspects of Ca V channel trafficking and gating for this purpose. Beyond normal physiological regulation, the diverse Ca V channel modulatory mechanisms may potentially be co-opted or interfered with for therapeutic benefits. Ca V 1/Ca V 2 channels are potently inhibited by a four-member sub-family of Ras-like GTPases known as RGK (Rad, Rem, Rem2, Gem/Kir) proteins. Understanding the mechanisms by which RGK proteins inhibit Ca V 1/Ca V 2 channels has led to the development of novel genetically encoded Ca V channel blockers with unique properties; including, chemoand optogenetic control of channel activity, and blocking channels either on the basis of their Henry M. Colecraft, PhD, is the John C. Dalton Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr Colecraft's laboratory focuses on modulation of voltage-gated ion channels (by intracellular signalling proteins, auxiliary subunits and posttranslational modifications) and understanding molecular/biophysical mechanisms underlying diseases caused by ion channel mutations (ion channelopathies). His lab has used protein engineering approaches to develop genetically encoded molecules to inhibit or modulate the activity of ion channels for customized applications.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 1684 H. M. Colecraft J Physiol 598.9subcellular localization or by targeting an auxiliary subunit. These genetically encoded Ca V channel inhibitors have outstanding utility as enabling research tools and potential therapeutics.Abstract figure legend RGK proteins are small Ras-like GTPases that potently inhibit voltage-gated calcium (CaV) channels by binding their auxiliary b subunits. Mechanistic insights into how RGK proteins inhibit CaV channels has been exploited to develop novel genetically-encoded CaV channel inhibitors that can be acutely activated by small molecules or light, or produce constitutive inhibition via targeted ubiquitination using CaVb-binding nanobodies. Advantages of such genetically-encoded CaV channel inhibitors include their ability to be selectively targeted to specific tissue, cell types, sub-cellular localization, and distinct CaV channel macromolecular complexes.