Cacna1a Gene Summary [Rat]
Enables calmodulin binding activity and high voltage-gated calcium channel activity. Involved in calcium ion import; chemical synaptic transmission; and regulation of voltage-gated calcium channel activity. Located in perikaryon. Part of voltage-gated calcium channel complex. Is active in calyx of Held and presynaptic active zone membrane. Used to study childhood absence epilepsy. Biomarker of temporal lobe epilepsy. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in brain disease (multiple) and episodic ataxia type 2. Orthologous to human CACNA1A (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 A). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Jul 2025]
Details
| Type | Protein Coding |
| Official Symbol | Cacna1a |
| Official Name | calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 A [Source:RGD Symbol;Acc:2244] |
| Ensembl ID | ENSRNOG00000052707 |
| Bio databases IDs | |
| Aliases | calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 A |
| Synonyms | Alpha1 2.1, alpha1A, APCA, BccA1, BI, Caca1a, Cach4, CACN3, CACNA1A RBA, CACNL1A4, calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit, calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, α 1A subunit, calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 A, CAV2.1, Ccha1a, DEE42, EA2, EIEE42, FHM, HPCA, la, LOC688360, MHP, MHP1, nmf352, rbA-1, rkr, SCA6, smrl, tg, Vdcc α 1a, α-1a calcium channel subunit |
| Species | Rat, Rattus norvegicus |
| Orthologies |
Protein Domains
A protein domain is a distinct structural or functional region within a protein that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. These domains in rat Cacna1a often fold into stable, three-dimensional structures and are associated with specific biological functions, such as binding to DNA, other proteins, or small molecules.
- Voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel, IQ-associated
- intracellular loop
- Ion transport protein
- calmodulin binding
- high voltage-gated calcium channel
- Proline-rich protein
- protein binding
- ion channel
- syntaxin binding
- voltage-gated calcium channel
- Voltage gated calcium channel IQ domain
- ankyrin binding domain
- calretinin binding domain
- cytoplasmic domain
- IQ-like motif
- polyglutamine repeat
- intracellular linker
- Polycystin cation channel
- DII/III loop domain
Pathways
Biological processes and signaling networks where the Cacna1a gene in rat plays a role, providing insight into its function and relevance in health or disease.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Signaling
- Calcium Signaling
- Cardiac β-adrenergic Signaling
- CCR5 Signaling in Macrophages
- CDK5 Signaling
- Cellular Effects of Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Circadian Rhythm Signaling
- Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Signaling
- Dopamine-DARPP32 Feedback in cAMP Signaling
- FcγRIIB Signaling in B Lymphocytes
- G Beta Gamma Signaling
- GABA Receptor Signaling
- GNRH Signaling
- GPCR-Mediated Nutrient Sensing in Enteroendocrine Cells
- Gustation Pathway
- Maturity Onset Diabetes of Young (MODY) Signaling
- Netrin Signaling
- Nitric Oxide Signaling in the Cardiovascular System
- nNOS Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Cells
- PKCθ Signaling in T Lymphocytes
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus Signaling
Top Findings
The most significant associations for this gene, including commonly observed domains, pathway involvement, and functional highlights based on current data.
disease
- endometriosis
- cancer
- HIV infection
- obesity
- episodic ataxia type 2
- chronic postoperative pain
- familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 with progressive cerebellar ataxia
- early infantile epileptic encephalopathy 42
- diabetes mellitus
- childhood epilepsy
role in cell
- cell death
- depolarization
- expression in
- apoptosis
- formation
- loss
- quantity
- transmembrane potential
- binding
- degeneration
Subcellular Expression
Locations within the cell where the protein is known or predicted to be active, providing insight into its function and cellular context.
- Plasma Membrane
- glutaminergic synapse
- Cytoplasm
- cell surface
- postsynaptic region
- cellular membrane
- Nucleus
- apical cell surfaces
- intramembrane particles
- presynaptic membrane
- postsynaptic membrane
- synaptic vesicles
- neuromuscular junctions
- nerve ending
- synaptosomes
- cellular protrusions
- perikaryon
- dendrites
- axon terminals
Gene Ontology Annotations
Describes the biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with the rat Cacna1a gene, providing context for its role in the cell.
Biological Process
Functions and activities the gene product is involved in
- calcium ion transmembrane transport
- regulation of synaptic transmission
- synaptic transmission
- elevation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration
Cellular Component
Where in the cell the gene product is active
- nucleus
- cytoplasm
- membrane
- voltage-gated calcium channel complex
- neuronal cell body
- synapse
- cell projection
- plasma membrane
Molecular Function
What the gene product does at the molecular level
- protein binding
- high voltage-gated calcium channel activity
- syntaxin binding
- metal ion binding
- voltage-gated calcium channel activity
- beta-amyloid binding