Voltage gated calcium channel beta-subunit anchoring regulator protein and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel gene encoding a protein termed voltage gated calcium channels β subunit anchoring regulator protein (VDCC BARP) or a peptide fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of VDCC BARP in modulation of voltage gated calcium channels via altering the concentration of VDCC BARP or a peptide fragments thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a condition characterised by calcium imbalance, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a VDCC BARP polypeptide that comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6 or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide inhibits or reduces the activity of a voltage gated calcium channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of: ataxia, migraine, epilepsy, neurodegeneration, hypertension, cardiac disorders, and diabetes. 
     
     
         4 . A method of modulating activity of a voltage gated calcium channel in a subject, the method comprising varying, in the subject, the concentration of a VDCC BARP polypeptide that comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the varying step comprises inhibiting or reducing the activity of the voltage gated calcium channel. 
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a patient afflicted with a disorder, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of a VDCC BARP polypeptide that comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, capable of varying the concentration or subcellular location of the polypeptide, wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a condition characterised by calcium imbalance, (ii) a condition linked to VGCC function or activity, (iii) ataxia, (iv) migraine, (v) epilepsy, (vi) neurodegeneration, (vii) hypertension, (viii) a cardiac disorder, and (ix) diabetes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the modulator is an antibody. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the composition further comprises an adjuvant capable of inducing an immune response.