Calcium channel beta subunits differentially modulate recovery of the channel from inactivation.

We examined the effects of calcium channel beta subunits upon the recovery from inactivation of alpha(1) subunits expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Recovery of the current carried by the L-type alpha(1) subunit (cyCa(v)1) from the jellyfish Cyanea capillata was accelerated by coexpression of any beta subunit, but the degree of potentiation differed according to which beta isoform was coexpressed. The Cyanea beta subunit was most effective, followed by the mammalian b(3), b(4), and beta(2a) subtypes. Recovery of the human Ca(v)2.3 subunit was also modulated by beta subunits, but was slowed instead. beta(3) was the most potent subunit tested, followed by beta(4), then beta(2a), which had virtually no effect. These results demonstrate that different beta subunit isoforms can affect recovery of the channel to varying degrees, and provide an additional mechanism by which beta subunits can differentially regulate alpha(1) subunits.