Rebound excitation triggered by synaptic inhibition in cerebellar nuclear neurons is suppressed by selective T-type calcium channel block

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 2653-2661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Boehme ◽  
Victor N. Uebele ◽  
John J. Renger ◽  
Christine Pedroarena
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Chloride Ions ◽  
Synaptic Inhibition ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Whole Cell Recordings ◽  
Rebound Excitation

Following hyperpolarizing inputs, many neurons respond with an increase in firing rate, a phenomenon known as rebound excitation. Rebound excitation has been proposed as a mechanism to encode and process inhibitory signals and transfer them to target structures. Activation of low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channels and the ensuing low-threshold calcium spikes is one of the mechanisms proposed to support rebound excitation. However, there is still not enough evidence that the hyperpolarization provided by inhibitory inputs, particularly those dependent on chloride ions, is adequate to deinactivate a sufficient number of T-type calcium channels to drive rebound excitation on return to baseline. Here, this issue was investigated in the deep cerebellar nuclear neurons (DCNs), which receive the output of the cerebellar cortex conveyed exclusively by the inhibitory Purkinje cells and are also known to display rebound excitation. Using cerebellar slices and whole cell recordings of large DCNs, we show that a novel piperidine-based compound that selectively antagonizes T-type calcium channel activity, 3,5-dichloro- N-[1-(2,2-dimethyl-tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl)-4-fluoro-piperidin-4-ylmethyl]-benzamide (TTA-P2), suppressed rebound excitation elicited by current injection as well as by synaptic inhibition, whereas other electrophysiological properties of large DCNs were unaltered. Furthermore, TTA-P2 suppressed transient high-frequency rebounds found in DCNs with low-threshold spikes as well as the slow rebounds present in DCNs without low-threshold spikes. These findings demonstrate that chloride-dependent synaptic inhibition effectively triggers T-type calcium channel-mediated rebounds and that the latter channels may support slow rebound excitation in neurons without low-threshold spikes.

scholarly journals Inhibition of L-type calcium-channel activity by thapsigargin and 2,5-t-butylhydroquinone, but not by cyclopiazonic acid

1994 ◽  
Vol 302 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
E J Nelson ◽  
C C R Li ◽  
R Bangalore ◽  
T Benson ◽  
R S Kass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Cyclopiazonic Acid ◽  
Calcium Currents ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
Channel Current ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Ic50 Values

Thapsigargin (TG), 2,5-t-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) all inhibit the initial Ca(2+)-response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) by depleting intracellular Ca2+ pools sensitive to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). Treatment of GH3 pituitary cells for 30 min with 5 nM TG, 500 nM tBHQ or 50 nM CPA completely eliminated the TRH-induced spike in intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). Higher concentrations of TG and tBHQ, but not CPA, were also found to inhibit strongly the activity of L-type calcium channels, as measured by the increase in [Ca2+]i or 45Ca2+ influx stimulated by depolarization. TG and tBHQ blocked high-K(+)-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake, with IC50 values of 10 and 1 microM respectively. Maximal inhibition of L-channel activity was achieved 15-30 min after drug addition. Inhibition by tBHQ was reversible, whereas inhibition by TG was not. TG and CPA did not affect spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations when tested at concentrations adequate to deplete the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ pool. However, 20 microM TG and 10 microM tBHQ blocked [Ca2+]i oscillations completely. The effect of drugs on calcium currents was measured directly by using the patch-clamp technique. When added to the external bath, 10 microM CPA caused a sustained increase in the calcium-channel current amplitude over 8 min, 10 microM tBHQ caused a progressive inhibition, and 10 microM TG caused an enhancement followed by a sustained block of the calcium current over 8 min. In summary, CPA depletes IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores and does not inhibit voltage-operated calcium channels. At sufficiently low concentrations, TG depletes IP3-sensitive stores without inhibiting L-channel activity, but, for tBHQ, inhibition of calcium channels occurs at concentrations close to those needed to block agonist mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.

Mechanism underlying rebound excitation in retinal ganglion cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 709-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
PRATIP MITRA ◽  
ROBERT F. MILLER
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cells ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Retinal Ganglion ◽  
Action Potential Firing ◽  
Potential Firing ◽  
Sufficient Magnitude ◽  
Rebound Excitation

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) display the phenomenon of rebound excitation, which is observed as rebound sodium action potential firing initiated at the termination of a sustained hyperpolarization below the resting membrane potential (RMP). Rebound impulse firing, in contrast to corresponding firing elicited from rest, displayed a lower net voltage threshold, shorter latency and was invariably observed as a phasic burst-like doublet of spikes. The preceding hyperpolarization leads to the recruitment of a Tetrodotoxin-insensitive depolarizing voltage overshoot, termed as the net depolarizing overshoot (NDO). Based on pharmacological sensitivities, we provide evidence that the NDO is composed of two independent but interacting components, including (1) a regenerative low threshold calcium spike (LTCS) and (2) a non-regenerative overshoot (NRO). Using voltage and current clamp recordings, we demonstrate that amphibian RGCs possess the hyperpolarization activated mixed cation channels/current,Ih, and low voltage activated (LVA) calcium channels, which underlie the generation of the NRO and LTCS respectively. At the RMP, theIhchannels are closed and the LVA calcium channels are inactivated. A hyperpolarization of sufficient magnitude and duration activatesIhand removes the inactivation of the LVA calcium channels. On termination of the hyperpolarizing influence,Ihadds an immediate depolarizing influence that boosts the generation of the LTCS. The concerted action of both conductances results in a larger amplitude and shorter latency NDO than either mechanism could achieve on its own. The NDO boosts the generation of conventional sodium spikes which are triggered on its upstroke and crest, thus eliciting rebound excitation.

Single-channel properties of high- and low-voltage-activated calcium channels in rat pituitary melanotropic cells

1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 840-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Keja ◽  
K. S. Kits
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Kinetic Analysis ◽  
Calcium Current ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Test Pulse ◽  
Channel Properties

1. Single-channel properties of voltage-dependent calcium channels were investigated in rat melanotropes in short-term primary culture. Unitary currents were resolved using the cell-attached configuration. 2. Depolarizations higher than -50 mV activated a population of 8.1-pS calcium channels [low-voltage activated (LVA)]. The LVA channel ensembles displayed a monoexponential time course of inactivation and a sigmoidal time course of activation fitted best by an m2h Hodgkin-Huxley-type model. Microscopic kinetic analysis suggested that at least one open state, two closed states, and one inactivated state are involved in channel gating. 3. At potentials positive to -20 mV a second class of calcium channels was activated with a conductance of 24.7 pS [high-voltage activated (HVA)]. HVA channels display different gating modes. Gating with high open probability (mode 2) and low open probability (mode 1) as well as blank traces (mode 0) are observed. The HVA channels were heterogeneous with respect to their inactivation properties. Ensembles that decayed entirely during a 300-ms test pulse as well as nondecaying ensembles were observed. Both HVA channel subtypes displayed sigmoidal activation, which was fitted by an m2 model. Microscopic kinetic analysis suggested that at least one open state and two closed states are involved in mode two gating of both HVA channel subtypes. 4. Depolarizing prepulses did not recruit or facilitate calcium channel activity in response to a test pulse, but inactivating HVA channel activity was strongly reduced. Depolarizing prepulses (+50 mV) did not affect the probability of opening of the noninactivating HVA channel. 5. The voltage dependence and kinetics of the LVA as well as both HVA channels are in good agreement with previously published data on the properties of the various calcium current components derived from whole-cell recordings of rat melanotropes. The data suggest that a T-type as well as two L-type channels (an inactivating and noninactivating channel) underlie the calcium current in these cells.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of the Cav3.2 T-type calcium channel directly regulates its gating properties

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (44) ◽  
pp. 13705-13710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iulia Blesneac ◽  
Jean Chemin ◽  
Isabelle Bidaud ◽  
Sylvaine Huc-Brandt ◽  
Franck Vandermoere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Absence Epilepsy ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Major Mechanism ◽  
Voltage Dependent

Phosphorylation is a major mechanism regulating the activity of ion channels that remains poorly understood with respect to T-type calcium channels (Cav3). These channels are low voltage-activated calcium channels that play a key role in cellular excitability and various physiological functions. Their dysfunction has been linked to several neurological disorders, including absence epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Recent studies have revealed that T-type channels are modulated by a variety of serine/threonine protein kinase pathways, which indicates the need for a systematic analysis of T-type channel phosphorylation. Here, we immunopurified Cav3.2 channels from rat brain, and we used high-resolution MS to construct the first, to our knowledge, in vivo phosphorylation map of a voltage-gated calcium channel in a mammalian brain. We identified as many as 34 phosphorylation sites, and we show that the vast majority of these sites are also phosphorylated on the human Cav3.2 expressed in HEK293T cells. In patch-clamp studies, treatment of the channel with alkaline phosphatase as well as analysis of dephosphomimetic mutants revealed that phosphorylation regulates important functional properties of Cav3.2 channels, including voltage-dependent activation and inactivation and kinetics. We also identified that the phosphorylation of a locus situated in the loop I-II S442/S445/T446 is crucial for this regulation. Our data show that Cav3.2 channels are highly phosphorylated in the mammalian brain and establish phosphorylation as an important mechanism involved in the dynamic regulation of Cav3.2 channel gating properties.

Cytoskeletal elements link calcium channel activity and the cell cycle in early sea urchin embryos

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 1827-1831
Author(s):  
I. Yazaki ◽  
E. Tosti ◽  
B. Dale
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Cytochalasin B ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
M Phase ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements

Using the whole-cell clamp technique, we show that L-type calcium channels are activated in early sea urchin blastomeres during M-phase and subsequently inactivated in S-phase. This cyclical channel behaviour occurs in the absence of the nucleus suggesting cytoplasmic regulation independent of the centrosome cycle. Puromycin at 100–400 micromolar does not prevent inactivation of the current showing that this phase, at least, does not require protein synthesis. Cytochalasin B at 2 microgram/ml inhibits the cyclical activity in both M and S phases, while 100 microgram/ml of colchicine inactivates the L-type current in M-phase and activates a large T-type calcium current in S-phase, suggesting that channel behaviour is regulated by cytoskeletal elements. Since, fragmentation experiments show the calcium channels to be clustered in the apical membrane, and some L-type calcium channel inhibitors induced a significant delay in the cell cycle, the channel may play a role in regulating cytokinesis possibly by contributing to local intracellular calcium gradients.

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