丁咯地尔抑制NE和Glu引起的单个脑细胞游离钙增高

目的：研究丁咯地尔对去甲肾上腺素(NE)和谷氨酸(Glu)引起大鼠单个脑细胞内游离钙增高的影响。方法：应用AR-CM-MIC阳离子测定系统测量细胞内游离钙([Ca2+]i)。结果：细胞外钙为1．3 mmol·L,丁咯地尔0．1,1．0,1 0．0μmol·L-1对细胞静息[Ca2+]i无明显影响,对NE诱导的[Ca2+]i增高明显抑制,对Glu诱导的[Ca2+]i增高具有一定的抑制作用。结论：丁咯地尔能抑制NE和Glu引起的单个脑细胞游离钙增高。     

大鼠星形胶质细胞的内质网钙库特征

用显微荧光测量技术研究了纯化培养的大鼠神经胶质细胞的内质网钙库的组成、特征.用IP3-敏感的和非IP3-敏感的钙库的激活剂乙酰甲胆碱(Acetyl-β-Methylcholine Chloride,MCh)和咖啡因(Caffeine,CAF)及线粒体解偶剂FCCP组成不同的刺激条件作用于细胞,观察胞内钙信号的变化.结果表明MCh和CAF均可使[Ca2+]i出现与刺激浓度依赖性的钙升高.快速重复的刺激可导致钙库的耗竭,而足够长的间隔时间可使钙库的Ca2+储存得到不同程度的恢复;用Thapsigargin耗竭内质网钙库后,MCh和CAF不能引起[Ca2+]i升高;线粒体的解偶剂FCCP可诱发中度的[Ca2+]i升高,并与MCh和CAF敏感的钙库相对独立.研究显示星形胶质细胞内的钙库包括:MCh和CAF敏感的两种内质网钙库,它们或相对独立或密切相关;线粒体钙库参与胞质内Ca2+缓冲系统.     

高糖对缺氧神经元的影响及钙相关机制研究

研究高糖对神经元缺氧的影响,并探讨其钙相关机制.利用SD大鼠大脑皮质神经元体外缺氧模型,通过对细胞活力的检测,观察浓度分别为22.7(对照组),30,40,50,60(高糖组)mmol/L的葡萄糖对神经元缺氧的影响;以Fura-2/Am为荧光指示剂,测定细胞内游离钙离子浓度([Ca2+]i.结果发现当培养基中葡萄糖浓度达到60 mmol/L时,高糖可引起缺氧神经元损伤;与对照组相比,有钙介质与无钙介质中静息[Ca2+]i均升高,P＜0.01;但对照组与高糖组在有钙介质中对氯化钾(KCl)、谷氨酸(Glu)刺激引起的[Ca2+]i升高无明显差异,P＞0.05;在无钙介质中,对氯化钙(CaCl2)引起的[Ca2+]i增高率无明显差别,P＞0.05.本研究表明:高糖对神经元的损伤作用可能与其促进细胞内钙离子释放,诱发细胞内钙超载有关.     

鲫鱼视网膜ON型双极细胞的轴突末梢中不存在ryanodine受体门控的钙库(英文)

以前结果表明 ,ryanodine受体 (ryanodinereceptors ,RyRs)门控的咖啡因敏感的钙库和钙引钙释放(Ca2 inducedCa2 release ,CICR)机制存在于鲫鱼视网膜ON型双极细胞的胞体中[1] 。采用RyRs的免疫细胞化学方法和细胞内钙测量技术 ,我们进一步研究了RyRs门控的钙库是否存在于这些细胞的轴突末梢中。视网膜纵切和分离细胞的免疫细胞化学研究显示 ,RyRs主要位于ON型双极细胞的胞体中。咖啡因浓度升至 4 0mmol/L在轴突末梢不能诱导钙信号。在细胞外K 浓度升至 10mmol/L引起静息 [Ca2 ]i 轻微升高后 ,咖啡因在轴突末梢也不能诱导钙信号。在forskolin或多巴胺引起细胞内cAMP浓度升高 ,进而cAMP依赖的磷酸化增强后 ,咖啡因在轴突末梢仍不能诱导钙信号。此外 ,50 μmol/Lryanodine对 65mmol/LK 作用 1min或 2min诱导的轴突末梢的钙信号没有产生任何效应。这些结果表明 ,在鲫鱼视网膜ON型双极细胞的轴突末梢中不存在RyRs门控的咖啡因敏感的钙库和CICR机制     

15-HETE影响大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度的机制

目的 观察15-羟化二十烷四烯酸(15-HETE)对脑动脉平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度([Ca2+]i)的影响,进一步探讨15-HETE引起[Ca2+]i变化的钙来源,从而明确15-HETE引起脑动脉平滑肌收缩的机制. 方法 酶法分离大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞,分为15-HETE组与对照组,15-HETE组添加15-HETE处理;对照组正常培养,不做其他处理.激光共聚焦技术测定15-HETE对[Ca2+]i的影响;进一步通过阻断外钙内流和耗竭内钙,探明15-HETE引起钙动员的来源;应用血管环技术从功能上判定细胞外钙对15-HETE引起的颈内动脉环收缩有无影响. 结果 15-HETE组与对照组相比,[Ca2+]i明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);预先加入硝苯地平、镧离子及改用无钙液阻断外钙内流后,15-HETE组[Ca2+]i仍明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);而预先加入咖啡因耗竭细胞内钙后,15-HETE组[Ca2+]i较对照组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);采用无钙液去除细胞外钙后,15-HETE引起的血管环张力增加与有钙液中比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05). 结论 15-HETE可通过促使内钙释放而使[Ca2+]i增加,进而引起大鼠脑动脉平滑肌收缩.     

慢性癫癎模型海马神经元内钙稳态和钙动力学的长期变化

目的 探讨海马神经元内长期钙离子([Ca2+]i)和动力学变化在癫疴发生机制中的作用.方法 建立氯化锂-匹罗卡品慢性癫癎模型,于致痫后6 h和1、3、7、14、30 d不同时间点应用激光共聚焦显微镜观察离体海马神经元内[Ca2+]i的变化以及谷氨酸负荷后神经元内[Ca2+]i恢复速度的变化.结果 正常对照组大鼠急性分离海马神经元[Ca2+]i为(95.4±22.1)nmol/L,致癎后急剧升高至(867.6±35.2)nmol/L,第7天降低(292.8±18.3)mnol/L,此后持续在此水平,30 d后降至(220.8±17.6)nmol/L,仍高于对照组(t=12.55,P<0.01);正常对照组大鼠92%的海马神经元内[Ca2+]i处于正常范围内(25～150 nmol/L),致癎后6 h,所有神经元[Ca2+]i均有升高,并且85%的神经元高于500 nmol/L,致癎7、14、30 d后分别有75%、60%、52%的神经元[Ca2+]i高于正常值,但高于500 nmol/L者逐渐减少;经接触5 μmol/L谷氨酸人工脑脊液2 min后,对照组神经元可在(9.5±3.4)min内恢复至基线水平,而急性期、潜伏期、慢性期的癫癎神经元均存在明显延迟(t=5.08、4.56、4.21,P<0.01).结论 氯化锂-匹罗卡品致疴后可造成海马神经元内长期的[Ca2+]i和钙动力学改变,该种长期可塑性改变在慢性癫癎模型的诱发和维持中起着重要作用.     

ATP敏感性K^＋通道在海马缺氧损伤中的作用

目的研究ATP敏感性K 通道阻断剂glipizide（GLI）对缺氧后海马脑片损伤以及海马神经元[Ca(2 )]i变化的影响。方法以大鼠离体海马脑片和体外分散培养的海马神经元为标本，分别采用电生理微电极记录技术以及激光扫描共聚焦显微镜监测神经元[Ca(2 )]i的方法。结果预先用GLI（20μmol／L）灌流的海马脑片缺氧后PV持续时间较对照组显著缩短，提示其加重了海马不可逆缺氧损伤的发生；另外急性缺氧可诱导海马神经元[Ca(2 )]i迅速升高，而预先加入GLI（20μmol／L）能显著加剧[Ca(2 )]i的升高程度。结论ATP敏感性K 通道在缺氧过程中的开放对大鼠海马脑区具有重要的保护作用，它可显著降低缺氧所致神经元[Ca(2 )]i升高，提高海马脑片的抗缺氧能力。这可能是其对抗海马缺氧损伤的主要作用机制之一。     

大鼠星形胶质细胞的内质网钙库特征

用显微荧光测量技术研究了纯化培养的大鼠神经胶质细胞的内质网钙库的组成、特征。用IP3 敏感的和非IP3 敏感的钙库的激活剂乙酰甲胆碱 (Acetyl β MethylcholineChloride ,MCh)和咖啡因 (Caffeine ,CAF)及线粒体解偶剂FCCP组成不同的刺激条件作用于细胞 ,观察胞内钙信号的变化。结果表明MCh和CAF均可使[Ca2 ]i出现与刺激浓度依赖性的钙升高。快速重复的刺激可导致钙库的耗竭 ,而足够长的间隔时间可使钙库的Ca2 储存得到不同程度的恢复 ;用Thapsigargin耗竭内质网钙库后 ,MCh和CAF不能引起 [Ca2 ]i升高 ;线粒体的解偶剂FCCP可诱发中度的 [Ca2 ]i升高 ,并与MCh和CAF敏感的钙库相对独立。研究显示星形胶质细胞内的钙库包括 :MCh和CAF敏感的两种内质网钙库 ,它们或相对独立或密切相关 ;线粒体钙库参与胞质内Ca2 缓冲系统。     

阿魏酸钠对培养的皮质神经细胞内游离Ca2+的影响

目的 :研究阿魏酸钠对谷氨酸诱导培养的皮质神经细胞损伤的作用。方法 :采用新生大鼠皮质神经细胞原代培养建立谷氨酸神经细胞损伤模型 ,用Ca2 +指示剂Fura 2 /AM检测神经细胞内游离钙浓度 ( [Ca2 +] i)的变化 ,并观察反映神经细胞受损程度的培养液中乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)的释放量的变化。结果 :阿魏酸钠 40～ 10 0 μmol·L-1能剂量依赖性抑制谷氨酸钠所引起的 [Ca2 +] i 升高及LDH释放。结论 :阿魏酸钠通过抑制谷氨酸钠所引起的 [Ca2 +] i 升高可能是其抗氧化性神经损伤作用的重要机制     

凝血酶对原代培养海马神经元游离钙浓度的影响

目的研究原代培养的海马神经元内游离Ca2 水平及凝血酶的影响.方法大鼠海马神经元进行体外原代培养,用钙离子指示剂Fura-2双波长法测定海马神经元内游离[Ca2 ]i及不同浓度的凝血酶作用后细胞内[Ca2 ]i.结果原代培养的海马神经元生长旺盛,密度高,符合实验要求.在胞外Ca2 浓度为0.0 mmol/L时,静息状态下海马神经元游离[Ca2 ]i为(79.83±18.78)nmol/L.当胞外Ca2 浓度为1.3 mmol/L时,海马神经元游离[Ca2 ]i为(106.41±22.53)nmo1/L.(1～40)U/ml凝血酶可使海马神经元内游离Ca2 水平显著升高,与对照组相比均有显著性差异(P＜0.01).随凝血酶浓度的增加,胞内游离[Ca2 ]i之呈剂量依赖性增加.结论凝血酶可使原代培养的海马神经元内游离Ca2 浓度明显升高.     

Swelling-activated calcium signalling in cultured mouse primary sensory neurons

The effects of hypo-osmotic membrane stretch on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), cell volume and cellular excitability were investigated in cultured mouse primary sensory trigeminal neurons. Hypotonic solutions (15--45%) led to rapid cell swelling in all neurons. Swelling was accompanied by dose-dependent elevations in [Ca(2+)](i) in a large fraction of neurons. Responses could be classified into three categories. (i) In 57% of the neurons [Ca(2+)](i) responses had a slow rise time and were generally of small amplitude. (ii) In 21% of the neurons, responses had a faster rise and were larger in amplitude. (iii) The remaining cells (22%) did not show [Ca(2+)](i) responses to hypo-osmotic stretch. Slow and fast [Ca(2+)](i) changes were observed in trigeminal neurons of different sizes with variable responses to capsaicin (0.5 microM). The swelling-induced [Ca(2+)](i) responses were not abolished after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores with cyclopiazonic acid or preincubation in thapsigargin, but were suppressed in the absence of external Ca(2+). They were strongly attenuated by extracellular nickel and gadolinium. Hypotonic stimulation led to a decrease in input resistance and to membrane potential depolarization. Under voltage-clamp, the [Ca(2+)](i) elevation produced by hypotonic stimulation was accompanied by the development of an inward current and a conductance increase. The time course and amplitude of the [Ca(2+)](i) response to hypo-osmotic stimulation showed a close correlation with electrophysiological properties of the neurons. Fast [Ca(2+)](i) responses were characteristic of trigeminal neurons with short duration action potentials and marked inward rectification. These findings suggest that hypo-osmotic stimulation activates several Ca(2+)-influx pathways, including Gd(3+)-sensitive stretch-activated ion channels, in a large fraction of trigeminal ganglion neurons. Opening of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels also contributes to the response. The pattern and rate of Ca(2+) influx may be correlated with functional subtypes of sensory neurons.     

Estrogen suppresses the impact of glucose deprivation on astrocytic calcium levels and signaling independently of the nuclear estrogen receptor

Glucose deprivation of astrocytes results in an elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) [Kahlert, S., Reiser, G., 2000. Requirement of glycolytic and mitochondrial energy supply for loading of Ca2+ stores and InsP3-mediated Ca2+ signaling in rat hippocampus astrocytes. J. Neurosci. Res. 61, 409-420; Silver, I.A., Deas, J., Erecinska, M., 1997. Ion homeostasis in brain cells: differences in intracellular ion responses to energy limitation between cultured neurons and glial cells. Neuroscience 78, 589-601] equivalent to an impairment of astrocytic energy metabolism and function. Superfusion of fura-2 loaded primary cortical astrocytes with glucose-free solution triggered a slow and progressive, 56-fold increase of the [Ca2+]i from 60 nM up to 3.3 microM within 2 h. Re-addition of glucose led to a rapid drop of [Ca2+]i, yet [Ca2+]i did not fully recover to the low levels recorded prior to glucose deprivation and, moreover, astrocytic Ca2+ signaling was impaired: adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) were no longer able to trigger a transient Ca2+ response as recorded in controls. 17beta-estradiol protected astrocytes from the glucose deprivation-induced [Ca2+]i increase and the impaired signaling independently of the nuclear estrogen receptor, as the antiestrogen tamoxifen and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide did not impede the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol.     

Calcium-independent inhibition of GABA(A) current by caffeine in hippocampal slices

Although inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) mediated by GABA(A) receptor is thought to be affected by intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), origin or route of [Ca2+]i increment has not been well elucidated. Reports on the effect of [Ca2+]i elevation on GABA(A)ergic IPSCs per se are also controversial. In this study, effects of caffeine and several other [Ca2+]i-mobilizing drugs were examined on the IPSCs in acute slices of rat hippocampus. Using the patch clamp recording method, spontaneous and evoked currents were recorded from CA3 neurons. Caffeine strongly inhibited both extra-synaptic and synaptic GABAergic IPSCs, regardless of the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. This inhibition was not relieved by the intracellular application of EGTA or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). This inhibition by caffeine was not prevented by preequilibration with caffeine. Ca2+ store depletion caused by thapsigargin or repetitive stimulation by caffeine could not prevent the inhibition. Moreover, ruthenium red and ryanodine could not overcome the inhibition. On the contrary, GABA(A)ergic currents were not inhibited by stimulation with several Ca2+-mobilizing agonists. Forskolin could not mimic the effect of caffeine on the IPSC, and caffeine inhibited the IPSC in the presence of adenosine. These results suggest that intracellular Ca2+ mobilization through ryanodine-sensitive store stimulation does not significantly affect GABAergic IPSCs, and most of the inhibitory effect of caffeine is independent of [Ca2+]i elevation under the present experimental conditions.     

Activation of P-type calcium channel regulates a unique thapsigargin-sensitive calcium pool in embryonic motoneurons

By regulating voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, electrical activity plays a central role in motoneuron development. Dissociated cultures of purified embryonic rat motoneurons were used to explore the molecular mechanisms by which Ca2+ influx control [Ca2+]i transients in these neurons. Thapsigargin (250 nm) and cyclopiazonic acid (10 micro m), which deplete Ca2+ stores in the endoplasmic reticulum, decrease by 30% the depolarization-induced [Ca2+]i transients in motoneurons without affecting voltage-activated calcium currents. This thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool differs from other previous described Ca2+ stores that are sensitive to ryanodine or caffeine, inositol triphosphate, insulin and from mitochondrial Ca2+ pools. Thapsigargin affected the Cav2.1 P-type Ca2+ channel component of the depolarization-induced [Ca2+]i transient in motoneurons but spared [Ca2+]i transient induced by Cav1 L-type and Cav2.2 N-type Ca2+ channel components, suggesting a close functional relationship between Cav2.1 subunit and this unique thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ store. Altogether the present results demonstrate a new pathway, used by embryonic motoneurons, to regulate Ca2+ signalling through voltage-activated (Cav2.1) Ca2+ channels.     

Mechanisms of orexin A-evoked changes of intracellular calcium in primary cultured cortical neurons

We have investigated the effect of orexin A on the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultured cortical neurons and explored the exact mechanisms of orexin A-evoked changes of [Ca2+]i. In the present study, changes of [Ca2+]i induced by orexin A in primary cultured cortical neurons were first detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy using Ca2+-sensitive dye fluo-4 as a novel calcium fluorescent probe. Our results showed that 1-0.1 microM orexin A induced the increase in [Ca2+]i in cortical neurons. The increase in [Ca2+]i by acute application of orexin A occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Orexin A-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was not observed under the condition of Ca2+-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Pretreatment on the cells with 1 microM thapsigargin did not block orexin A-evoked response. These findings first illuminated the fact that orexin A-induced increase in [Ca2+]i may be mainly from extracellular calcium influx in cortical neurons.     

Mobilization of intracellular calcium stores participates in the rise of [Ca2+]i and the toxic actions of the HIV coat protein GP120

The HIV envelope glycoprotein, GP120, increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration and induces degeneration of human and animal neurons in culture. Using patch-clamp recordings and Ca2+ imaging techniques, we have now examined the contribution of intracellular stores of calcium in the effects of GP120. We report that in rat hippocampal neuronal cultures, GP120 induces a dramatic and persistent increase in [Ca2+]i which is prevented by drugs that either deplete (caffeine, carbachol, thapsigargin) or block (dantrolene) Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. In contrast, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors or voltage-dependent calcium channels do not participate in these effects, as: (i) the increase in [Ca2+]i was not affected by NMDA receptor antagonists or calcium channel blockers; and (ii) and GP120 did not generate any current in whole-cell recording. Dantrolene, a ryanodine stores inhibitor, also prevented neuronal death induced by GP120. Our results show that the GP120-induced rise in [Ca2+]i originates from intracellular calcium stores, and suggest that intracellular stores of calcium may play a determinant role in the pathological actions of GP120.     

Hydrogen sulphide regulates calcium homeostasis in microglial cells

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which is produced endogenously from L-cysteine in mammalian tissues, has been suggested to function as a neuromodulator in the brain. However, the role of H2S in microglial cells is unclear. In this study, the effect of exogenous and endogenous H2S on intracellular calcium homeostasis was investigated in primary cultured microglial cells. Sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), a H2S donor, caused a concentration-dependent (0.1-0.5 mM) increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). This effect was significantly attenuated in the presence of a calcium-free extracellular solution, Gd3+ (100 microM), a nonselective Ca2+ channel blocker, or thapsigargin (2 microM), an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase. These observations suggest that the increase in [Ca2+]i in response to H2S involves both calcium influx across the plasma membrane and calcium release from intracellular stores. The H2S-induced calcium elevation is partly attenuated by H-89, a selective cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor, but not by U73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, and chelerythrine, a selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of cAMP/PKA, but not PLC/PKC/phosphoinositol-3,4,5-inositol (IP3) pathway. Using RT-PCR, only cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), a H2S producing enzyme, was detected in primary cultures of microglia. Lowering endogenous H2S level with, D,L-propargylglycine and beta-cyano-L-alanine, two CSE inhibitors, significantly decreased [Ca2+]i, suggesting that endogenous H2S may have a positive tonic influence on [Ca2+]i homeostasis. These findings support the possibility that H2S may serve as a neuromodulator to facilitate signaling between neurons and microglial cells.     

The role of calcium in M-current inhibition by muscarinic agonists in rat sympathetic neurons.

I have investigated the role of Ca2+ on M-current (IK(M)) inhibition by the muscarinic agonist oxo-M using the perforated patch voltage clamp technique. Oxo-M inhibited IK(M) in cultured SCG cells with an IC50 of 1.2 microM in 2 mM [Ca2+]o, and 13.1 microM in nominally Ca(2+)-free external solution. BAPTA-AM, ryanodine and thapsigargin (substances which modulate [Ca2+]i) did not affect IK(M) or the inhibitory action of oxo-M in either 2 or 0 mM extracellular Ca2+. Caffeine (10 mM) inhibited M current by approximately 30% in both 2 and 0 mM [Ca2+]o; this inhibition was not affected by [Ca2+]i modulators. Unexpectedly, the effect of oxo-M (10 microM) was enhanced after application of caffeine (10 mM) in either 2 or 0 mM [Ca2+]o. Thus, the effect of muscarinic agonists on IK(M) was blunted in Ca(2+)-free extracellular solutions, but neither oxo-M nor caffeine appeared to inhibit IK(M) through an elevation of [Ca2+]i. I suggest that resting levels of [Ca2+]i are necessary for a normal inhibition, with lower levels inducing an impairment of the inhibition of IK(M) by muscarinic agonists.     

The properties of intracellular calcium stores in cultured rat cerebellar neurons.

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons contain a remarkable array of cellular components potentially concerned with regulation of the free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i. These include high concentrations of Ca(2+)-binding proteins, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP3R), and ryanodine receptors (RyR). The latter two molecules are thought to be associated with intracellular Ca2+ stores. We have examined the properties of such stores in cultured rat cerebellar neurons taken from 16 d rat embryos. In this system, about half of the neurons could be identified as Purkinje-like cells, as indicated by staining for the Ca(2+)-binding protein calbindin D-28k, as well as for IP3R and RyR. In double immunofluorescent staining, the IP3R and RyR immunoreactivity primarily colocalized with the staining for calbindin. The cells responded to glutamate, kainate, and quisqualate with large increases in the somatic [Ca2+]i but failed to respond directly to NMDA (10-50 microM). Furthermore, the neurons expressed active membrane conductances, repetitive action potential firing, and spontaneous firing patterns similar to those reported for cerebellar Purkinje neurons in vivo. Action potential firing produced changes in somatic [Ca2+]i that were quite small or absent in most cells. However, blocking spike repolarization with tetraethylammonium (5 mM) produced substantial transient elevations in somatic [Ca2+]i, suggesting the expression of some Ca2+ channels in the somatic membrane. Caffeine (10 mM) released Ca2+ from intracellular stores in about one-half of the cultured neurons. This effect could be repeated if the stores were first reloaded by a depolarization-induced elevation in [Ca2+]i. The effects of caffeine were reduced by prolonged application of ryanodine (10 microM). We were also able to demonstrate that the caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores could regulate electrophysiological events in some cells, altering patterns of spontaneous activity. Furthermore, in the presence of caffeine, [Ca2+]i signals induced by an evoked spike train were larger and accompanied by long-lasting after hyperpolarizations. We conclude that in addition to providing a releasable pool of Ca2+, the caffeine-sensitive stores also influence cellular events by their contribution to Ca2+ buffering.     

ATP potentiates neurotransmission in the rat trigeminal subnucleus caudalis

Ionotropic purine receptors (P2X) have been implicated in nociceptive neurotransmission. In this study, we examine the actions of the P2X receptor agonist alpha,beta methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate on excitatory neurotransmission in neurons in the deep and superficial laminae of the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), which receives nociceptive inputs from the craniofacial region. Alpha, beta methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate caused an increase in spontaneous excitatory neurotransmission (miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents) in neurons in deep but not superficial laminae of Vc; this effect could be inhibited by the P2X receptor antagonist 2,3-O-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-ATP. Conversely, the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin caused an increase in miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in neurons in the superficial but not deep laminae. These data suggest that alpha,beta methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate acts on presynaptic terminals to increase glutamatergic neurotransmission in deep Vc neurons.