Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Ca(2+)-dependent neurotransmitter release was originally thought to occur only following activation of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels after a presynaptic action potential. Recent evidence suggests that not only opening of voltage-gated but also ligand-gated ion channels, such as neurotransmitter receptors, can trigger exocytosis, as well as Ca(2+) release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores. It was shown that activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on presynaptic interneurons led to increases in GABA release from these neurons onto postsynaptic Purkinje cells in rat cerebellum in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), suggesting a presynaptic location for the underlying NMDA receptors. However, the mechanism for the NMDA-induced increase in GABA release remained unclear. The present study addresses the question whether Ca(2+) influx through presynaptic NMDA receptors alone is sufficient to trigger presynaptic GABA release at this synapse or whether activation of presynaptic NMDA receptors leads to opening of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, thereby increasing exocytosis. The results suggest that the NMDA-induced increase in presynaptic GABA release neither requires activation of presynaptic voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels nor Ca(2+) release from presynaptic Ca(2+) stores. It is concluded that Ca(2+) influx through the NMDA receptor alone is sufficient to drive presynaptic GABA release at the rat interneuron-Purkinje cell synapse.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.10.024

Type

Journal article

Journal

Neuroscience

Publication Date

24/01/2008

Volume

151

Pages

403 - 409

Keywords

Animals, Cadmium, Calcium, Calcium Channel Blockers, Calcium Channels, Calcium Signaling, Cerebellum, Electrophysiology, Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists, Interneurons, N-Methylaspartate, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Purkinje Cells, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Receptors, Presynaptic, Synapses, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid