Abstract

Voltage-gated calcium channels are one of the major ion channels distributed in the human central nervous system, and mediate an influx of extracellular Ca2+ in response to membrane depolarization. Calcium channels are of particular interest in a broad range of cellular functions including cell proliferation and differentiation, gene expression, neurite outgrowth, transmitter and hormone release, and brain plasticity. The dysfunction of calcium channels is related to a variety of clinical disorders such as migraine, hemiplegia, and epilepsy. Therefore, calcium channels have gained great pharmaceutical interest as a privileged target class for the treatment of a wide range of human diseases. This review will examine the known marketed peptide drugs for calcium channels and address the development of some important patented peptide molecules targeting calcium channels.

Keywords: Voltage-gated calcium channel, peptide drug, toxin, venom, small molecule drug