Low-voltage-activated Cav3 calcium channels (T-type) play an essential role in the functioning of the nervous system where they support oscillatory activities that relie on several channel molecular determinants that shape their unique gating properties. In a previous study, we documented the important role of the carboxy proximal region in the functioning of Cav3.3 channels. Here, we explore the ability of a TAT-based cell penetrating peptide containing this carboxy proximal region (TAT-C3P) to modulate the activity of Cav3 channels. We show that chronic application of TAT-C3P on tsA-201 cells expressing Cav3 channels selectively inhibits Cav3.3 channels without affecting Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 channels. Therefore, the TAT-C3P peptide described in this study represents a new tool to address the specific physiological role of Cav3.3 channels, and to potentially enhance our understanding of Cav3.3 in disease.

中文翻译：

---

基于TAT的通道肽对神经元Cav3.3 T型钙通道的选择性抑制。

低压激活的Cav3钙通道（T型）在神经系统的功能中起着至关重要的作用，它们支持振荡活动，这些活动依赖于形成其独特门控特性的几个通道分子决定簇。在以前的研究中，我们记录了羧基近端区域在Cav3.3通道功能中的重要作用。在这里，我们探索包含此羧基近端区域（TAT-C3P）的基于TAT的细胞穿透肽调节Cav3通道活性的能力。我们表明，在表达Cav3通道的tsA-201细胞上TAT-C3P的长期应用选择性抑制Cav3.3通道，而不影响Cav3.1和Cav3.2通道。因此，本研究中描述的TAT-C3P肽代表一种解决Cav3.3通道特定生理作用的新工具，