Cacna1b alternative splicing impacts excitatory neurotransmission and is linked to behavioral responses to aversive stimuli

Presynaptic Ca V 2.2 channels control calcium entry that triggers neurotransmitter release at both central and peripheral synapses. The Cacna1b gene encodes the α1-pore forming subunit of Ca V 2.2 channels. Distinct subsets of splice variants of Ca V 2.2 derived from cell-specific alternative splicing of the Cacna1b pre-mRNA are expressed in specific subpopulations of neurons. Four cell-specific sites of alternative splicing in Cacna1b that...