Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine
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T-type calcium channels regulate neuronal excitability and are important contributors of pain processing. CaV3.2 channels are the major isoform expressed in nonpeptidergic and peptidergic nociceptive neurons and are emerging as promising targets for pain treatment. ⋯ Targeting the proteins that regulate the trafficking or transcription, and the ones that modify the channels via post-translational modifications are alternative means to regulate expression and function of CaV3.2 channels and hence to develop new drugs to control pain. Here we synthesize data supporting a role for CaV3.2 in numerous pain modalities and then discuss emerging opportunities for the indirect targeting of CaV3.2 channels.