Presynaptic BK type Ca2+-activated K+ channels are involved in prostanoid TP receptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release from the rat gastric sympathetic nerves

A synaptic mechanism for network synchrony

Within neural networks, synchronization of activity is dependent upon the synaptic connectivity of embedded microcircuits and the intrinsic membrane properties of their constituent neurons. Synaptic integration, dendritic Ca²⁺ signaling, and non-linear interactions are crucial cellular attributes that dictate single neuron computation, but their roles promoting synchrony and the generation of network oscillations are not well understood, especially within the context of a defined behavior. In this regard, the lamprey spinal central pattern generator (CPG) stands out as a well-characterized, conserved vertebrate model of a neural network (Smith et al., 2013a), which produces synchronized oscillations in which neural elements from the systems to cellular level that control rhythmic locomotion have been determined. We review the current evidence for the synaptic basis of oscillation generation with a particular emphasis on the linkage between synaptic communication and its cellular coupling to membrane processes that control oscillatory behavior of neurons within the locomotor network. We seek to relate dendritic function found in many vertebrate systems to the accessible lamprey central nervous system in which the relationship between neural network activity and behavior is well understood. This enables us to address how Ca²⁺ signaling in spinal neuron dendrites orchestrate oscillations that drive network behavior.

Interactions between thromboxane A₂, thromboxane/prostaglandin (TP) receptors, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization

Endothelium-dependent smooth muscle hyperpolarization (EDH) increasingly predominates over endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) as a participant in vasodilation as vessel size decreases. Its underlying nature is highly variable between vessel types, species, disease states, and exact experimental conditions, and is variably mediated by one or more transferable endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors and/or the electrotonic spread of endothelial hyperpolarization into the media via gap junctions. Although generally regarded (and studied) as a mechanism that is independent of NO and prostanoids, evidence has emerged that the endothelium-derived contracting factor and prostanoid thromboxane A2 can modulate several signalling components central to EDH, and therefore potentially curtail vasodilation through mechanisms that are distinct from those putatively involved in direct smooth muscle contraction. Notably, vascular production of thromboxane A2 is elevated in a number of cardiovascular disease states that promote endothelial dysfunction. This review will therefore discuss the mechanisms through which thromboxane A2 interacts with and modulates EDH, and will also consider the implications of such cross-talk in vasodilator control in health and disease.

Involvement of presynaptic voltage-dependent Kv3 channel in endothelin-1-induced inhibition of noradrenaline release from rat gastric sympathetic nerves

We previously reported that two types of K(+) channels, the BK type Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel coupled with phospholipase C (PLC) and the voltage-dependent K(+) channel (Kv channel), are, respectively, involved in the prostanoid TP receptor- and muscarinic M(2) receptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline (NA) release from rat gastric sympathetic nerves. In the present study, therefore, we examined whether these K(+) channels are involved in endothelin-1-induced inhibition of NA release, using an isolated, vascularly perfused rat stomach. The gastric sympathetic postganglionic nerves around the left gastric artery were electrically stimulated twice at 2.5 Hz for 1 min, and endothelin-1 was added during the second stimulation. Endothelin-1 (1, 2 and 10 nM) dose-dependently inhibited gastric NA release. Endothelin-1 (2 nM)-induced inhibition of NA release was neither attenuated by PLC inhibitors [U-73122 (3 μM) and ET-18-OCH(3) (3 μM)] nor by Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel blockers [charybdotoxin (0.1 μM) (a blocker of BK type K(+) channel) and apamin (0.3 μM) (a blocker of SK type K(+) channel)]. The endothelin-1-induced inhibitory response was also not attenuated by α-dendrotoxin (0.1 μM) (a selective inhibitor of Kv1 channel), but abolished by 4-aminopyridine (20 μM) (a selectively inhibitory dose for Kv3 channel). These results suggest the involvement of a voltage-dependent Kv3 channel in the endothelin-1-induced inhibition of NA release from the gastric sympathetic nerves in rats.