Voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) mediate the entry of calcium ions into excitable cells and are also involved in a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell motility, cell division and cell death. The isoform alpha-1b gives rise to N-type calcium currents. N-type calcium channels belong to the 'high-voltage activated' (hva) group and are blocked by omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-ctx-GVIA) and by omegaagatoxin-IIIA (omega-aga-IIIA). They are however insensitive to dihydropyridines (dhp), and omega-agatoxin-IVA (omegaaga-IVA). Calcium channels containing alpha-1b subunit may play a role in directed migration of immature neurons.Synonyms: Brain calcium channel III, CACH5, CACNL1A5, Calcium channel L type alpha-1 polypeptide isoform 5, Cav2.2, Voltage-dependent N-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1B, Voltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha