title: Somatostatin blocks a calcium current in acutely isolated adult rat superior cervical ganglion neurons.
abstract: Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity has been reported to occur in the postganglionic neurons of sympathetic ganglia. We therefore investigated the effect of somatostatin (SOM) on the Ca2+ current in sympathetic neurons. Voltage-clamp recordings, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, were made from acutely isolated adult rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons in solutions (external and internal) designed to isolate Ca2+ currents. Application of 0.001-1.0 microM [D-Trp8]SOM resulted in a rapid, reversible and concentration-dependent decrease in the amplitude of the Ca2+ current evoked from a holding potential of -80 mV. The concentration-response relationship for SOM could be fitted to a single-site binding model with an apparent dissociation constant of 11 nM; the maximal attainable block of Ca2+ current by SOM was 50%. SOM also produced a pronounced slowing of the Ca2+ current rising phase, especially at more depolarized potentials. At higher concentrations (0.03-1.0 microM), prolonged application of SOM resulted in a progressive decrease in blocking ability. The results are consistent with a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator role for SOM in the sympathetic nervous system.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013004:Somatostatin; D002118:Calcium