Identification of a sphingosine-sensitive Ca2+ channel in the plasma membrane of Leishmania mexicana

► A Ca2+ channel was identified in the plasma membrane of Leishmania mexicana. ► The channel has features similar to the human L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel. ► Ca2+ entry is blocked by verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem. ► Bay K 8644, a VGCC agonist, opened this trypanosomatid channel. ► Different to its human counterpart, sphingosine was able to open this channel.