Increased expression of L-type high voltage-gated calcium channel α1 and α2/δ subunits in mouse brain after chronic nicotine administration

We investigated the effect of chronic nicotine administration on high voltage-gated calcium channels (HVCCs) in the mouse cerebral cortex. The treatment significantly increased expression of α1C, α1D, α1F, and α2/δ1 subunits with no changes of β4 subunit of L-type HVCCs. [3H]Diltiazem binding to the particulate fractions increased with increased Bmax value. These results indicate that chronic nicotine treatment up-regulates L-type HVCCs, which is due to increased expression of α1 and α2/δ1 subunits.