Ethanol physical dependence is accompanied by up-regulated expression of L-type high voltage-gated calcium channel α1 subunits in mouse brain

We investigated how functional changes in high voltage-gated calcium channels (HVCCs) occurred in the cerebral cortex of mouse with ethanol physical dependence. The continuous treatment of mice with ethanol vapor for 8 days significantly increased the expressions of α1C, α1D, and α2/δ1 subunits of L-type HVCCs in association with decreased level of β4 subunit of L-type HVCCs, although α1A and α1B subunits of P/Q- and N-type HVCCs, respectively, showed no alterations. [3H]Diltiazem binding to the particulate fractions increased with increased Bmax value and no changes of Kd value. These results indicate that ethanol physical dependence accompanies the up-regulation of L- type HVCCs, which is due to increased expression of α1C, α1D, and α2/δ1 subunits.