Abstract: Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are essential to neuronal excitation and signal transduction. They are multimeric in structure and comprised of an alpha subunit that functions as a calcium pore and two additional subunits: an alpha2delta subunit and a cytoplasmic beta subunit. To better understand the role of VGCCs in the retina we used immunohistochemical methods to determine the distribution of VGCC β subunits in normal and mutant mice. To verify the specificity of each antibody and to examine the potential for subunit redistribution when beta subunit expression is perturbed, we used 4 mutant mouse lines that each lack a specific β subunit isoform (β1–β4). We found the β1 subunit distributed on cell bodies in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and on processes within both the inner and outer limiting membrane; the β2 subunit localized to the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL); the β3 subunit was localized to three narrow and distinct bands within the IPL; the β4 subunit was localized to three diffuse bands within the IPL. Loss of one β subunit affected labeling intensity but not general distribution patterns of other β subunits. It is likely that VGCCs critical for retinal signal transmission are comprised of the β2 subunit in the OPL and any of the 4 β subunits in the IPL. Our results suggest that within the OPL the α1F subunit pairs predominantly with the β2 subunit while within the IPL it may pair with either any β subunit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]