title: The exponent of the calcium power function is reduced during steady-state facilitation in neuron R15 of Aplysia.
abstract: Stimulation of the right pleurovisceral connective at frequencies greater than 0.2 Hz produces a steady-state facilitation of the Input 1 excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in neuron R15 of Aplysia. The magnitude of facilitation is reduced by increases in the concentration of extracellular calcium. Unfacilitated EPSPs (EPSP1) exhibited a power function dependence on the concentration of extracellular calcium with an exponent (XEPSP1) of approximately 3. The exponent for facilitated release (XEPSPss) was examined by comparing steady-state EPSP amplitudes obtained in different static concentrations of calcium (Method A), or by changing the calcium concentration during continuous stimulation and determining changes in steady state EPSP amplitudes (Method B). Method A failed to reveal any dependence of XEPSPss on stimulation frequency, while Method B revealed frequency-dependent changes in XEPSPss consistent with the hypothesis that presynaptic calcium accumulation is at least partly responsible for steady-state facilitation. At a stimulation frequency of 0.5 Hz, the XEPSPss value was significantly reduced to 2/3 of the XEPSP1 value.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jacklet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006706:Homeostasis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002118:Calcium