title: Differential effects of NGF and BDNF on voltage-gated calcium currents in embryonic basal forebrain neurons.
abstract: A number of studies have begun to describe the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and the closely related brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the function of basal forebrain neurons. Little is known, however, about the effects of neurotrophins on membrane calcium conductances, which may play a role in growth factor signal transduction as well as regulation of neuronal excitability. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we investigated the effects of both NGF and BDNF on voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channel currents in cultured embryonic basal forebrain neurons. Exposure for 4-6 d to NGF significantly increased both the L-type and N-type components of the whole-cell current. Conversely, similar exposure to BDNF had no effect on Ca(2+)-channel currents. Consequently, one of the important effects of NGF may be to enhance calcium entry via voltage-dependent channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854, USA.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Dreyfus
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Plummer
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D007700:Kinetics; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010455:Peptides; C038806:1,4-dihydropyridine; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA