Spike-Mediated and Graded Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission Between Leech Interneurons: Evidence for Shared Release Sites

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei I. Ivanov ◽  
Ronald L. Calabrese
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Release Site ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Graded Release

Inhibitory synaptic transmission between leech heart interneurons consist of two components: graded, gated by Ca2+ entering by low-threshold [low-voltage–activated (LVA)] Ca channels and spike-mediated, gated by Ca2+ entering by high-threshold [high-voltage–activated (HVA)] Ca channels. Changes in presynaptic background Ca2+ produced by Ca2+ influx through LVA channels modulate spike-mediated transmission, suggesting LVA channels have access to release sites controlled by HVA channels. Here we explore whether spike-mediated and graded transmission can use the same release sites and thus how Ca2+ influx by HVA and LVA Ca channels might interact to evoke neurotransmitter release. We recorded pre- and postsynaptic currents from voltage-clamped heart interneurons bathed in 0 mM Na+/5 mM Ca2+ saline. Using different stimulating paradigms and inorganic Ca channel blockers, we show that strong graded synaptic transmission can occlude high-threshold/spike-mediated synaptic transmission when evoked simultaneously. Suppression of LVA Ca currents diminishes graded release and concomitantly increases the ability of Ca2+ entering by HVA channels to release transmitter. Uncaging of Ca chelator corroborates that graded release occludes spike-mediated transmission. Our results indicate that both graded and spike-mediated synaptic transmission depend on the same readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles. Thus Ca2+, entering cells through different Ca channels (LVA and HVA), acts to gate release of the same synaptic vesicles. The data argue for a closer location of HVA Ca channels to release sites than LVA Ca channels. The results are summarized in a conceptual model of a heart interneuron release site.

Graded Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission Between Leech Interneurons: Assessing the Roles of Two Kinetically Distinct Low-Threshold Ca Currents

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 218-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei I. Ivanov ◽  
Ronald L. Calabrese
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Ca Channel Blockers ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Ca Currents

In leeches, two pairs of reciprocally inhibitory heart interneurons that form the core oscillators of the pattern-generating network for heartbeat possess both high- and low-threshold (HVA and LVA) Ca channels. LVA Ca current has two kinetically distinct components (one rapidly activating/inactivating, ICaF, and another slowly activating/inactivating, ICaS) that mediate graded transmission, generate plateau potentials driving burst formation, and modulate spike-mediated transmission between heart interneurons. Here we used different stimulating protocols and inorganic Ca channel blockers to separate the effects of ICaF and ICaS on graded synaptic transmission and determine their interaction and relative efficacy. Ca2+ entering by ICaF channels is more efficacious in mediating release than that entering by ICaS channels. The rate of Ca2+ entry by LVA Ca channels appears to be as critical as the amount of delivered Ca2+ for synaptic transmission. LVA Ca currents and associated graded transmission were selectively blocked by 1 mM Ni2+, leaving spike-mediated transmission unaffected. Nevertheless, 1 mM Ni2+ affected homosynaptic enhancement of spike-mediated transmission that depends on background Ca2+ provided by LVA Ca channels. Ca2+ provided by both ICaF and ICaS depletes a common pool of readily releasable synaptic vesicles. The balance between availability of vesicles and Ca2+ concentration and its time course determine the strength of inhibitory transmission between heart interneurons. We argue that Ca2+ from multichannel domains arising from ICaF channels, clustered near but not directly associated with the release trigger, and Ca2+ radially diffusing from generally distributed ICaS channels interact at common release sites to mediate graded transmission.

scholarly journals Fast-deactivating calcium channels in chick sensory neurons.

1988 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Swandulla ◽  
C M Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Low Voltage ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Test Pulse ◽  
Tail Current ◽  
Channel Currents ◽  
Significant Size

Whole-cell Ca and Ba currents were studied in chick dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells kept 6-10 in culture. Voltage steps with a 15-microseconds rise time were imposed on the membrane using an improved patch-clamp circuit. Changes in membrane current could be measured 30 microseconds after the initiation of the test pulse. Currents through Ca channels were recorded under conditions that eliminate Na and K currents. Tail currents, associated with Ca channel closing, decayed in two distinct phases that were very well fitted by the sum of two exponentials. The time constants tau f and tau s were near 160 microseconds and 1.5 ms at -80 mV, 20 degrees C. The tail current components, called FD and SD (fast-deactivating and slowly deactivating), are Ca channel currents. They were greatly reduced when Mg2+ replaced all other divalent cations in the bath. The SD component inactivated almost completely as the test pulse duration was increased to 100 ms. It was suppressed when the cell was held at membrane potentials positive to -50 mV and was blocked by 100-200 microM Ni2+. This behavior indicates that the SD component was due to the closing of the low-voltage-activated (LVA) Ca channels previously described in this preparation. The FD component was fully activated with 10-ms test pulses to +20 mV at 20 degrees C, and inactivated to approximately 30% during 500-ms test pulses. It was reduced in amplitude by holding at -40 mV, but was only slightly reduced by micromolar concentrations of Ni2+. Replacement of Ca2+ with Ba2+ increased the FD tail current amplitudes by a factor of approximately 1.5. The deactivation kinetics did not change (a) as channels inactivated during progressively longer pulses or (b) when the degree of activation was varied. Further, tau f was affected neither by changing the holding potential nor by varying the test pulse amplitude. Lowering the temperature from 20 to 10 degrees C decreased tau f by a factor of 2.5. In all cases, the FD component was very well fitted by a single exponential. There was no indication of an additional tail component of significant size. Our findings indicate that the FD component is due to closing of a single class of Ca channels that coexist with the LVA Ca channel type in chick DRG neurons.

scholarly journals The dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel subtype in cone photoreceptors.

1996 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 621-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
M F Wilkinson ◽  
S Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Channel Current ◽  
Ca Channel Blockers ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
P Type ◽  
Ca Channel Current

High-voltage activated Ca channels in tiger salamander cone photoreceptors were studied with nystatin-permeabilized patch recordings in 3 mM Ca2+ and 10 mM Ba2+. The majority of Ca channel current was dihydropyridine sensitive, suggesting a preponderance of L-type Ca channels. However, voltage-dependent, incomplete block (maximum 60%) by nifedipine (0.1-100 microM) was evident in recordings of cones in tissue slice. In isolated cones, where the block was more potent, nifedipine (0.1-10 microM) or nisoldipine (0.5-5 microM) still failed to eliminate completely the Ca channel current. Nisoldipine was equally effective in blocking Ca channel current elicited in the presence of 10 mM Ba2+ (76% block) or 3 mM Ca2+ (88% block). 15% of the Ba2+ current was reversibly blocked by omega-conotoxin GVIA (1 microM). After enhancement with 1 microM Bay K 8644, omega-conotoxin GVIA blocked a greater proportion (22%) of Ba2+ current than in control. After achieving partial block of the Ba2+ current with nifedipine, concomitant application of omega-conotoxin GVIA produced no further block. The P-type Ca channel blocker, omega-agatoxin IVA (200 nM), had variable and insignificant effects. The current persisting in the presence of these blockers could be eliminated with Cd2+ (100 microM). These results indicate that photoreceptors express an L-type Ca channel having a distinguishing pharmacological profile similar to the alpha 1D Ca channel subtype. The presence of additional Ca channel subtypes, resistant to the widely used L-, N-, and P-type Ca channel blockers, cannot, however, be ruled out.

Modulation of Ca by agents affecting voltage-sensitive Ca channels in mesangial cells

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (6) ◽  
pp. F1094-F1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. M. Yu ◽  
F. Lermioglu ◽  
A. Hassid
Keyword(s):  
Mesangial Cells ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Bay K 8644 ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
High K ◽  
Ca Channel Blockers ◽  
Lanthanum Ion ◽  
Channel Activator

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of depolarizing media and of Ca-channel activators and blockers on cytosolic free Ca in cultured rat mesangial cells. Membrane depolarizing media, containing 10–100 mM K+, dose dependently increased cytosolic Ca, and this effect was sustained and reversible. Nifedipine and lanthanum ion inhibited this increase, whereas verapamil was ineffective. A Ca-channel activator, BAY K 8644, dose dependently increased resting Ca levels, and nifedipine inhibited this effect. Moreover, the increase of Ca induced by maximally effective high K+ and BAY K 8644 was additive, suggesting differential mechanisms of action for the two channel activators. Nifedipine and verapamil decreased resting Ca levels by up to 35–40%. The results support the idea that mesangial cells have spontaneously active Ca channels that can be further activated by membrane depolarization or by the Ca-channel activator, BAY K 8644, and inhibited by the Ca-channel blockers, nifedipine or verapamil. Voltage-sensitive Ca channels in mesangial cells may play a role in the regulation of the glomerular filtration rate.

scholarly journals Inhibitory synaptic vesicles have unique dynamics and exocytosis properties

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chungwon Park ◽  
Xingxiang Chen ◽  
Chong-Li Tian ◽  
Gyu Nam Park ◽  
Nicolas Chenouard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Synaptotagmin 1 ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Travel Length

AbstractMaintaining the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition is essential for proper function of the central nervous system, with inhibitory synaptic transmission playing an important role. Although inhibitory transmission has higher kinetic demands compared to excitatory transmission, its properties are poorly understood. In particular, the dynamics and exocytosis of single inhibitory vesicles have not been investigated, due largely to both technical and practical limitations. Using a combination of quantum dots (QDs) conjugated to antibodies against the luminal domain of the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) to selectively label GABAergic (i.e., inhibitory) vesicles together with dual-focus imaging optics, we tracked the real-time three-dimensional position of single inhibitory vesicles up to the moment of exocytosis (i.e., fusion). Using three-dimensional trajectories, we found that inhibitory synaptic vesicles traveled a short distance prior to fusion and had a shorter time to fusion compared to synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1)-labeled vesicles, which were mostly from excitatory neurons. Moreover, our analysis revealed a close correlation between the release probability of inhibitory vesicles and both the proximity to their fusion site and the total travel length. Finally, we found that inhibitory vesicles have a higher prevalence of kiss-and-run fusion compared than Syt1-labeled vesicles. These results indicate that inhibitory synaptic vesicles have a unique set of dynamics and fusion properties to support rapid synaptic inhibition, thereby maintaining a tightly regulated balance between excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system.SignificanceDespite playing an important role in maintaining brain function, the dynamics of inhibitory synaptic vesicles are poorly understood. Here, we tracked the three-dimensional position of single inhibitory vesicles up to the moment of exocytosis in real time by loading single inhibitory vesicle with QDs-conjugated to antibodies against the luminal domain of the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT). We found that inhibitory synaptic vesicles have a smaller total travel length before fusion, a shorter fusion time, and a higher prevalence of kiss-and-run than synaptotagmin-1-lableled vesicles. Our findings provide the first evidence that inhibitory vesicles have a unique set of dynamics and exocytosis properties to support rapid inhibitory synaptic transmission.

scholarly journals Stable and Flexible Synaptic Transmission Controlled by the Active Zone Protein Interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11775
Author(s):  
Sumiko Mochida
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Active Zone ◽  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis ◽  
Vesicle Exocytosis ◽  
Presynaptic Plasma Membrane ◽  
Sensor Proteins

An action potential triggers neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles docking to a specialized release site of the presynaptic plasma membrane, the active zone. The active zone is a highly organized structure with proteins that serves as a platform for synaptic vesicle exocytosis, mediated by SNAREs complex and Ca2+ sensor proteins, within a sub-millisecond opening of nearby Ca2+ channels with the membrane depolarization. In response to incoming neuronal signals, each active zone protein plays a role in the release-ready site replenishment with synaptic vesicles for sustainable synaptic transmission. The active zone release apparatus provides a possible link between neuronal activity and plasticity. This review summarizes the mostly physiological role of active zone protein interactions that control synaptic strength, presynaptic short-term plasticity, and homeostatic synaptic plasticity.

Expression of single calcium channels in Xenopus oocytes after injection of mRNA from rat heart

1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (4) ◽  
pp. H985-H991 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Moorman ◽  
Z. Zhou ◽  
G. E. Kirsch ◽  
A. E. Lacerda ◽  
J. M. Caffrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rat Heart ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Average Current ◽  
Single Calcium Channels

Oocytes of Xenopus laevis, after microinjection with mRNA from rat heart, display typical high-threshold calcium (Ca) whole cell currents. To prepare to study structure-function relationships of the cardiac Ca channel molecule, we examined the fidelity of expression of biophysical and pharmacological properties at the molecular level. Cell-attached gigaseal recordings in five K-depolarized oocytes injected with adult rat heart mRNA showed single channel Ba currents with mean amplitude 1.3-1.5 pA at 0 mV, slope conductance 18-25 pS, and extrapolated reversal potential 57-68 mV. Openings were predominantly brief (mean 1.2 ms) but longer openings (mean 9 ms) were greatly enhanced in 10(-6) M BAY-K 8644, increasing the ensemble average current at 0 mV by more than fivefold. These features are typical of high-threshold cardiac Ca channels. In two patches from one injected oocyte, we saw multiple Ca channel conductances, as recently observed in other preparations. We conclude that X. laevis oocytes injected with adult rat heart mRNA produce high-threshold cardiac Ca channels with molecular properties identical to native cells.

Carbenoxolone Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Ca Channels and Synaptic Transmission in the Retina

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 1252-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Vessey ◽  
Melanie R. Lalonde ◽  
Hossein A. Mizan ◽  
Nicole C. Welch ◽  
Melanie E. M. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Horizontal Cell ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Voltage Gated ◽  
Channel Current ◽  
Inhibitory Feedback ◽  
Ca Channel Current

We show that carbenoxolone, a drug used to block hemichannels in the retina to test the ephaptic model of horizontal cell inhibitory feedback, has strong inhibitory effects on voltage-gated Ca channels. Carbenoxolone (100 μM) reduced photoreceptor-to-horizontal cell synaptic transmission by 92%. Applied to patch-clamped, isolated cone photoreceptors, carbenoxolone inhibited Ca channels with an EC50 of 48 μM. At 100 μM, it reduced cone Ca channel current by 37%, reduced depolarization-evoked [Ca2+] signals in fluo-4 loaded retinal slices by 57% and inhibited Ca channels in Müller cells by 52%. A synaptic transfer model suggests that the degree of block of Ca channels accounts for the reduction in synaptic transmission. These results suggest broad inhibitory actions for carbenoxolone in the retina that must be considered when interpreting its effects on inhibitory feedback.

Influence of Voltage-sensitive Ca++Channel Drugs on Bupivacaine Infiltration Anesthesia in Mice

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 1189-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forrest L. Smith ◽  
Richard W. Davis ◽  
Richard Carter
Keyword(s):  
Motor Block ◽  
Radiant Heat ◽  
Tail Flick ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Ca Channel ◽  
Ca Channels ◽  
Duration Of Action ◽  
Bayk 8644 ◽  
Infiltration Anesthesia

Background Local anesthesia has been traditionally associated with blockade of voltage-sensitive sodium (Na(+)) channels. Yet in vitro evidence indicates that local anesthetic mechanisms are more complex than previously understood. For example, local anesthetics bind and allosterically modify 1,4-dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca(++) channels and can reduce Ca(++) influx in tissues. The current study examines the influence of voltage-sensitive Ca(++) channels in bupivacaine infiltration anesthesia. Methods Baseline tail-flick latencies to radiant heat nociception were obtained before subcutaneous infiltration of bupivacaine and Ca(++)-modulating drugs in the tails of mice. No musculature is contained in the tail that could result in motor block. The magnitude of infiltration anesthesia over time, as well as the potency of bupivacaine alone or in the presence of Ca(++)-modulating drug, was assessed by obtaining test latencies. Results The 1,4-dihydropyridine L-type Ca(++) channel agonist S(-)-BayK-8644 reduced the duration of action and potency of bupivacaine anesthesia. In opposite fashion, nifedipine and nicardipine increased the effects of bupivacaine. Neither nifedipine nor nicardipine alone elicited anesthesia. Alternatively, the phenylalkylamine L-type blocker verapamil elicited concentration-dependent anesthesia. Other Ca(++) channel subtype blockers were investigated as well. The N-, T-, P-, and Q-type channel blockers, omega-conotoxin GVIA, flunarizine, omega-agatoxin IVA, and omega-conotoxin MVIIC, respectively, were unable to modify bupivacaine anesthesia. Conclusions These results indicate that heat nociception stimulates Ca(++) influx through L-type channels on nociceptors in skin. Although other voltage-sensitive Ca(++) channels may be located on skin nociceptors, only the L-type channel drugs affected bupivacaine in the radiant heat test.

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