Interaction between the intracellular Ca2+ stores in rat dissociated hippocampal neurones

Enhanced desensitization followed by unusual resensitization in GABAA receptors in phospholipase C-related catalytically inactive protein-1/2 double-knockout mice

Phospholipase C-related catalytically inactive proteins (PRIP-1/2) are previously reported to be involved in the membrane trafficking of GABAA receptor (GABAAR) and the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. GABAAR-mediated currents can be regulated by the intracellular Ca(2+). However, in PRIP-1/2 double-knockout (PRIP-DKO) mice, it remains unclear whether the kinetic properties of GABAARs are modulated by the altered regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Here, we investigated whether GABAAR currents (IGABA) evoked by GABA puff in layer 3 (L3) pyramidal cells (PCs) of the barrel cortex are altered in PRIP-DKO mice. The deletion of PRIP-1/2 enhanced the desensitization of IGABA but induced a hump-like tail current (tail-I) at the GABA puff offset. IGABA and the hump-like tail-I were suppressed by GABAAR antagonists. The enhanced desensitization of IGABA and the hump-like tail-I in PRIP-DKO PCs were mediated by increases in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and were largely abolished by a calcineurin inhibitor and ruthenium red. Calcium imaging revealed that Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) and subsequent store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) are more potent in PRIP-DKO PCs than in wild-type PCs. A mathematical model revealed that a slowdown of GABA-unbinding rate and an acceleration of fast desensitization rate by enhancing its GABA concentration dependency are involved in the generation of hump-like tail-Is. These results suggest that in L3 PCs of the barrel cortex in PRIP-DKO mice, the increased calcineurin activity due to the potentiated CICR and SOCE enhances the desensitization of GABAARs and slows the GABA-unbinding rate, resulting in their unusual resensitization following removal of GABA.

Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Calcium Store in the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Neurons

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the largest single intracellular organelle, which is present in all types of nerve cells. The ER is an interconnected, internally continuous system of tubules and cisterns, which extends from the nuclear envelope to axons and presynaptic terminals, as well as to dendrites and dendritic spines. Ca2+release channels and Ca2+pumps residing in the ER membrane provide for its excitability. Regulated ER Ca2+release controls many neuronal functions, from plasmalemmal excitability to synaptic plasticity. Enzymatic cascades dependent on the Ca2+concentration in the ER lumen integrate rapid Ca2+signaling with long-lasting adaptive responses through modifications in protein synthesis and processing. Disruptions of ER Ca2+homeostasis are critically involved in various forms of neuropathology.

Neuronal endoplasmic reticulum acts as a single functional Ca2+ store shared by ryanodine and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors as revealed by intra-ER [Ca2+] recordings in single rat sensory neurones

We addressed the fundamentally important question of functional continuity of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) store in nerve cells. In cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurones we measured dynamic changes in free Ca(2+) concentration within the ER lumen ([Ca(2+)](L)) in response to activation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP(3)Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs). We found that both receptors co-exist in these neurones and their activation results in Ca(2+) release from the ER as judged by a decrease in [Ca(2+)](L). Depletion of Ca(2+) stores following an inhibition of sarco(endoplasmic)reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase by thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid completely eliminated Ca(2+) release via both InsP(3)Rs and RyRs. Similarly, when the store was depleted by continuous activation of InsP(3)Rs, activation of RyRs (by caffeine or 0.5 microM ryanodine) failed to produce Ca(2+) release, and vice versa, when the stores were depleted by activators of RyRs, the InsP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release disappeared. We conclude that in mammalian neurones InsP(3)Rs and RyRs share the common continuous Ca(2+) pool associated with ER.

Enhanced long-term potentiation in the hippocampus of rats expressing mutant presenillin-1 is age related

Electrophysiological recordings were made from Fischer rats engineered to express the human presenilin 1 gene carrying the M146V mutation. Extracellular recordings of field excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSPs) were made to investigate EPSP properties, paired pulse responses, posttetanic potentiation, and long-term potentiation in the stratum radiatum and dentate gyrus of hippocampal slices maintained in vitro. Transgenic rats aged approximately 6 months showed no differences from their wild-type littermates in any of these properties. However, at 18 months, long-term potentiation in the CA1 was facilitated in the transgenic rats with a different pattern of synaptic enhancement. No changes were observed in paired pulse facilitation (PPF) or post-tetanic potentiation (PPT) and no changes were seen in the dentate gyrus. Field potential amplitudes were significantly greater and PPF was enhanced in the CA1 of all older rats. Intracellular recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells of the older group of rats revealed no differences in the passive or active membrane properties of cells in the two groups, but intracellularly recorded EPSPs were significantly longer.

The endoplasmic reticulum and neuronal calcium signalling

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional signalling organelle regulating a wide range of neuronal functional responses. The ER is intimately involved in intracellular Ca(2+) signalling, producing local or global cytosolic calcium fluctuations via Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) or inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca(2+) release (IICR). The CICR and IICR are controlled by two subsets of Ca(2+) release channels residing in the ER membrane, the Ca(2+)-gated Ca(2+) release channels, generally known as ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and InsP(3)-gated Ca(2+) release channels, referred to as InsP(3)-receptors (InsP(3)Rs). Both types of Ca(2+) release channels are expressed abundantly in nerve cells and their activation triggers cytoplasmic Ca(2+) signals important for synaptic transmission and plasticity. The RyRs and InsP(3)Rs show heterogeneous localisation in distinct cellular sub-compartments, conferring thus specificity in local Ca(2+) signals. At the same time, the ER Ca(2+) store emerges as a single interconnected pool fenced by the endomembrane. The continuity of the ER Ca(2+) store could play an important role in various aspects of neuronal signalling. For example, Ca(2+) ions may diffuse within the ER lumen with comparative ease, endowing this organelle with the capacity for "Ca(2+) tunnelling". Thus, continuous intra-ER Ca(2+) highways may be very important for the rapid replenishment of parts of the pool subjected to excessive stimulation (e.g. in small compartments within dendritic spines), the facilitated removal of localised Ca(2+) loads, and finally in conveying Ca(2+) signals from the site of entry towards the cell interior and nucleus.

Ca2+ store-dependent potentiation of Ca2+-activated non-selective cation channels in rat hippocampal neurones in vitro

1. Potentiation of calcium-activated non-selective cation (CAN) channels was studied in rat hippocampal neurones. CAN channels were activated by IP3-dependent Ca2+ release following metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) stimulation either by Schaffer collateral input to CA1 neurones in brain slices in which ionotropic glutamate and GABAA receptors, K+ channels, and the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger were blocked or by application of the mGluR antagonist ACPD in cultured hippocampal neurones. 2. The CAN channel-dependent depolarization (DeltaVCAN) was potentiated when [Ca2+]i was increased in neurones impaled with Ca2+-containing microelectrodes. 3. Fura-2 measurements revealed a biphasic increase in [Ca2+]i when 200 microM ACPD was bath applied to cultured hippocampal neurones. This increase was greatly attenuated in the presence of Cd2+. 4. Thapsigargin (1 microM) caused marked potentiation of DeltaVCAN in CA1 neurones in the slices and of the CAN current (ICAN) measured in whole cell-clamped cultured hippocampal neurones. 5. Ryanodine (20 microM) also led to a potentiation of DeltaVCAN while neurones pretreated with 100 microM dantrolene failed to show potentiation of DeltaVCAN when impaled with Ca2+-containing microelectrodes. 6. The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (2 microM) also caused a potentiation of DeltaVCAN. 7. CAN channels are subject to considerable potentiation following an increase in [Ca2+]i due to Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive, Ca2+-sensitive, or mitochondrial Ca2+ stores. This ICAN potentiation may play a crucial role in the 'amplification' phase of excitotoxicity.

Intracellular pathways of V(1) and V(2) receptors activated by arginine vasopressin in rat hippocampal neurons

To explore the intracellular pathways activated by vasopressin receptors, the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its analogues mediating glycine (Gly)-induced Cl(-) currents (I(Gly)) were examined in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons using the whole-cell patch recording technique. AVP and its analogues inhibited I(Gly) in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory actions of AVP(4-9) (AVP metabolite) and NC-1900 (AVP(4-9) analogue) were reversed by a V(1) receptor antagonist, or pretreatment with 1,2-bis(2-amino-5-fluorophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid. In contrast, these blocking procedures had no effect on the 1-desamino-8-D-AVP (DDAVP; V(2) agonist) action. A V(2) receptor antagonist did not block the inhibitory action of AVP(4-9) or NC-1900, but blocked that of DDAVP. The inhibitory action of AVP was completely blocked by the co-application of the V(1) and V(2) antagonists. The inhibitory action of NC-1900 was not affected by perfusion with a Ca(2+)-free external solution, but was strongly blocked by thapsigargin. The intracellular application of heparin or anti-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)) also blocked the NC-1900 action. Furthermore, Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors blocked the NC-1900 action, while a CaM-dependent kinase II inhibitor and PKC modulators had no effect. 2',5'-Dideoxyadenosine (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor), H-89, and Rp-cAMPS blocked the inhibitory actions of NC-1900 and DDAVP. These results suggest that the activation of the V(1) receptor in the hippocampal neurons induces the production of IP(3), which releases Ca(2+) from the IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) storage sites. The Ca(2+) binds to CaM, resulting in the activation of Ca(2+/)CaM-sensitive adenylate cyclases. The activation of protein kinase A through the adenylate cyclase inhibits I(Gly).

Neuronal calcium stores

Neuronal calcium stores associated with specialized intracellular organelles, such as endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, dynamically participate in generation of cytoplasmic calcium signals which accompany neuronal activity. They fulfil a dual role in neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis being involved in both buffering the excess of Ca2+ entering the cytoplasm through plasmalemmal channels and providing an intracellular source for Ca2+. Increase of Ca2+ content within the stores regulates the availability and magnitude of intracellular calcium release, thereby providing a mechanism which couples the neuronal activity with functional state of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Apart of 'classical' calcium stores (endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria) other organelles (e.g. nuclear envelope and neurotransmitter vesicles) may potentially act as a functional Ca2+ storage compartments. Calcium ions released from internal stores participate in many neuronal functions, and might be primarily involved in regulation of various aspects of neuronal plasticity.

Neurotransmitter activation of inwardly rectifying potassium current in dissociated hippocampal CA3 neurons: interactions among multiple receptors

We characterized potassium current activated by G-protein-coupled receptors in acutely dissociated hippocampal CA3 neurons. Agonists for serotonin, adenosine, and somatostatin receptors reliably activated a potassium-selective conductance that was inwardly rectifying and that was blocked by 1 mM external Ba2+. The conductance had identical properties to that activated by GABAB receptors in the same cells. In one-half of the CA3 neurons that were tested, the metabotropic glutamate agonist 1S,3R-ACPD also activated inwardly rectifying Ba2+-sensitive potassium current. Activation of the current by serotonin and adenosine agonists occurred with a time constant of 200-700 msec after a lag of 50-100 msec; on removal of agonist the current deactivated with a time constant of 1-2 sec after a lag of 200-400 msec. These kinetics are similar to GABAB-activated current and consistent with a direct action of G-protein on the channels. For somatostatin, both activation and deactivation were approximately fourfold slower, probably limited by agonist binding and unbinding. The half-maximally effective agonist concentrations were approximately 75 nM for somatostatin, approximately 100 nM for serotonin, and approximately 400 nM for 2-chloroadenosine. Dose-response relationships had Hill coefficients of 1.2-1.9, suggesting cooperativity in the receptor-to-channel coupling mechanism. At saturating concentrations of agonists, the combined application of baclofen and either somatostatin, serotonin, or 2-chloroadenosine produced effects that were subadditive and often completely occlusive. However, at subsaturating concentrations the effects of baclofen and 2-chloroadenosine were supra-additive. Thus, low levels of different transmitters can act synergistically in activating inwardly rectifying potassium current.