Pathophysiological Roles of Auxiliary Calcium Channel α2δ Subunits

α2δ1-mediated maladaptive sensory plasticity disrupts adipose tissue homeostasis following spinal cord injury

“…We and others have demonstrated a remarkable convergence between the rearrangement of neuronal circuits and the expression of neuronal α2δ subunits of VGCC during development and after trauma. 16 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 34 , 35 , 36 Of the different α2δ subunits expressed in adult DRG neurons, α2δ1 is the dominant form, 20 , 37 primarily expressed in nociceptor lineage neurons. 38 , 39 Given that α2δ subunits positively regulate neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminals by increasing plasma membrane expression of VGCC, 20 , 22 , 40 enhanced α2δ1 expression following axonal injury 26 , 41 is often associated with aberrant neuron activities.…”