title: On the usefulness of Fura-2 measurements of intrasynaptosomal calcium levels in rat cortical synaptosomes to study mechanisms of presynaptic function.
abstract: Levels of [Ca2+]i in rat cortex synaptosomes were measured using the Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. Ca2+ influx was induced by veratridine in a concentration-dependent manner (1-10 microM). The resulting increase in [Ca2+]i was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX). K+ (18 mM) increased the [Ca2+]i which was not influenced by TTX. K(+)-channel blockers such as 4-aminopyridine, alpha- and delta-dendrotoxin pre se were ineffective. The veratridine-induced Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes was reduced by L-type Ca(2+)-channel blockers, such as felodipine, nifedipine and PN-200-110, verapamil and diltiazem. omega-Conotoxin, and N-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker, did not inhibit the veratridine-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase. Bay K 8644, and L-channel agonist, stimulated an increase of [Ca2+]i in synaptosomes which was not sensitive to TTX. R-N6-Phenyl-isopropyl-adenosine (R-PIA) and clonidine, agonists at adenosine A1-receptors and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, respectively, did not influence the veratridine-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase. R-PIA did not interact with Bay K 8644-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase in synaptosomes. The results for all the substances used show major differences between the effects on Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes and on the electrically evoked neurotransmitter release in slice preparations. Thus, the synaptosome preparation is not a generally applicable experimental model for the study of Ca2+ mechanisms of presynaptic neuromodulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D016257:Fura-2; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D058914:Purinergic Antagonists; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D058914:Purinergic Antagonists; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D014701:Veratridine; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D002118:Calcium; D016257:Fura-2