Selective role of N-type calcium channels in neuronal migration.
Analysis of neuronal migration in mouse cerebellar slice preparations by a laser scanning confocal microscope revealed that postmitotic granule cells initiate their migration only after the expression of N-type calcium channels on their plasmalemmal surface. Furthermore, selective blockade of these channels by addition of omega-conotoxin to the incubation medium curtailed cell movement. In contrast, inhibitors of L- and T-type calcium channels, as well as those of sodium and potassium channels, had no effect on the rate of granule cell migration. These results suggest that N-type calcium channels, which have been predominantly associated with neurotransmitter release in adult brain, also play a transient but specific developmental role in directed migration of immature neurons before the establishment of their synaptic circuits.
Komuro
H
H
Section of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
Rakic
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D020960:omega-Conotoxins
D015220:Calcium Channels; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D020960:omega-Conotoxins; C053423:Conus magus toxin; D002118:Calcium