calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 S
Last updated 18 Aug 2020
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The CACNA1S gene provides instructions for making the main piece (subunit) of a structure called a calcium channel. Channels containing the CACNA1S protein are found in muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles). These skeletal muscle calcium channels play a key role in a process called excitation-contraction coupling, by which electrical signals (excitation) trigger muscle tensing (contraction).
Normal function
The CACNA1S gene provides instructions for making the main piece (subunit) of a structure called a calcium channel. Channels containing the CACNA1S protein are found in muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles). These skeletal muscle calcium channels play a key role in a process called excitation-contraction coupling, by which electrical signals (excitation) trigger muscle tensing (contraction).
Calcium channels made with the CACNA1S subunit are located in the outer membrane of muscle cells, so they can transmit electrical signals from the cell surface to inside the cell. The channels interact with another type of calcium channel called ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) channels (produced from the RYR1 gene). RYR1 channels are located in the membrane of a structure inside the cell that stores calcium ions. Signals transmitted by CACNA1S-containing channels turn on (activate) RYR1 channels, which then release calcium ions inside the cells. The resulting increase in calcium ion concentration within muscle cells stimulates muscles to contract, allowing the body to move.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
CAC1S_HUMAN
CACH1
CACN1
CACNL1A3
calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1S subunit
Cav1.1
CCHL1A3
DHPR
dihydropyridine receptor
dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channel alpha-1 subunit
HOKPP
HypoKPP
hypoPP
MHS5
Voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1S
voltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha Cav1.1
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Further reading and references
- calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 S; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Fouad G, Dalakas M, Servidei S, Mendell JR, Van den Bergh P, Angelini C, Alderson K, Griggs RC, Tawil R, Gregg R, Hogan K, Powers PA, Weinberg N, Malonee W, Ptacek LJ. Genotype-phenotype correlations of DHP receptor alpha 1-subunit gene mutations causing hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Neuromuscul Disord. 1997 Jan;7(1):33-8. doi: 10.1016/s0960-8966(96)00401-4.
- Lehmann-Horn F, Jurkat-Rott K, Rudel R. Periodic paralysis: understanding channelopathies. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2002 Jan;2(1):61-9. doi: 10.1007/s11910-002-0055-9.
- Miller TM, Dias da Silva MR, Miller HA, Kwiecinski H, Mendell JR, Tawil R, McManis P, Griggs RC, Angelini C, Servidei S, Petajan J, Dalakas MC, Ranum LP, Fu YH, Ptacek LJ. Correlating phenotype and genotype in the periodic paralyses. Neurology. 2004 Nov 9;63(9):1647-55. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000143383.91137.00.
- Monnier N, Procaccio V, Stieglitz P, Lunardi J. Malignant-hyperthermia susceptibility is associated with a mutation of the alpha 1-subunit of the human dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type voltage-dependent calcium-channel receptor in skeletal muscle. Am J Hum Genet. 1997 Jun;60(6):1316-25. doi: 10.1086/515454.
- Riazi S, Biesecker LG, Rosenberg H, Dirksen RT. Nonsyndromic Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility. 2003 Dec 19 [updated 2025 Aug 7]. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1146/
- Stewart SL, Hogan K, Rosenberg H, Fletcher JE. Identification of the Arg1086His mutation in the alpha subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1S) in a North American family with malignant hyperthermia. Clin Genet. 2001 Mar;59(3):178-84. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.2001.590306.x.
- Venance SL, Cannon SC, Fialho D, Fontaine B, Hanna MG, Ptacek LJ, Tristani-Firouzi M, Tawil R, Griggs RC; CINCH investigators. The primary periodic paralyses: diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment. Brain. 2006 Jan;129(Pt 1):8-17. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh639. Epub 2005 Sep 29.
- Wang Q, Liu M, Xu C, Tang Z, Liao Y, Du R, Li W, Wu X, Wang X, Liu P, Zhang X, Zhu J, Ren X, Ke T, Wang Q, Yang J. Novel CACNA1S mutation causes autosomal dominant hypokalemic periodic paralysis in a Chinese family. J Mol Med (Berl). 2005 Mar;83(3):203-8. doi: 10.1007/s00109-005-0638-4. Epub 2005 Feb 22.
- Weber F, Lehmann-Horn F. Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis. 2002 Apr 30 [updated 2018 Jul 26]. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1338/
- Yamakage M, Namiki A. Calcium channels--basic aspects of their structure, function and gene encoding; anesthetic action on the channels--a review. Can J Anaesth. 2002 Feb;49(2):151-64. doi: 10.1007/BF03020488.
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