Genetic background influences P/Q-type Ca2+ channel alpha1A subunit mRNA expression in olfactory bulb and reproductive ability of N-type Ca2+ channel alpha1B subunit-deficient mice.

The Ca2+ channel alpha1B subunit is a pore-forming component capable of generating N-type Ca2+ channel activity. Although the N-type Ca2+ channel plays a role in a variety of neuronal functions, alpha1B-deficient mice did not show apparent behavioral abnormality. In a previous study, we observed a compensatory increase of mRNA expression of the P/Q-type Ca2+ channel alpha1A subunit gene in olfactory bulb of alpha1B-deficient mice with a CBA x C57BL/6 background; these mice showed a normal reproductive ability.