title: Spatiotemporal distribution of Ca2+ following axotomy and throughout the recovery process of cultured Aplysia neurons.
abstract: This study investigates the alterations in the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) during axotomy and throughout the recovery process of cultured Aplysia neurons, and correlates these alterations with changes in the neurons input resistance and trans-membrane potential. For the experiments, the axons were transected while imaging the changes in [Ca2+]i with fura-2, and monitoring the neurons' resting potential and input resistance (Ri) with an intracellular microelectrode inserted into the cell body. The alterations in the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of [Ca2+]i were essentially the same in the proximal and the distal segments, and occurred in two distinct steps: concomitantly with the rupturing of the axolemma, as evidenced by membrane depolarization and a decrease in the input resistance, [Ca2+]i increased from resting levels of 0.05-0.1 microM to 1-1.5 microM along the entire axon. This is followed by a slower process in which a [Ca2+]i front propagates at a rate of 11-16 microns/s from the point of transection towards the intact ends, elevating [Ca2+]i to 3-18 microM. Following the resealing of the cut end 0.5-2 min post-axotomy, [Ca2+]i recovers in a typical pattern of a retreating front, travelling from the intact ends towards the cut regions. The [Ca2+]i recovers to the control level 7-10 min post-axotomy. In Ca(2+)-free artificial sea water (2.5 mM EGTA) axotomy does not lead to increased [Ca2+]i and a membrane seal is not formed over the cut end. Upon reperfusion with normal artificial sea water, [Ca2+]i is elevated at the tip of the cut axon and a membrane seal is formed. This experiment, together with the observations that injections of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ into intact axons do not induce the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, indicates that Ca2+ influx through voltage gated Ca2+ channels and through the cut end are the primary sources of [Ca2+]i following axotomy. However, examination of the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of [Ca2+]i following axotomy and during the recovery process indicates that diffusion is not the dominating process in shaping the [Ca2+]i gradients. Other Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms seem to be very effective in limiting these gradients, thus enabling the neuron to survive the injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Ziv
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Spira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003714:Denervation; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D016257:Fura-2; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium; D016257:Fura-2