title: Localization of L-type Ca2+ channels at perisynaptic glial cells of the frog neuromuscular junction.
abstract: The presence of L-type Ca2+ channels at the frog neuromuscular junction (nmj) was studied by monitoring changes in intracellular Ca2+ evoked in presynaptic terminals and perisynaptic Schwann cells (PSCs) and by studying the distribution of Ca2+ channels using a monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha 2/delta subunit of L channels. L-type Ca2+ channel agonist and antagonist had no effect on resting level of fluorescence and nerve-evoked Ca2+ responses in presynaptic terminals. However, depolarization of PSCs induced by KCl (25 mM) produced entry of Ca2+, which was prevented by L-type Ca2+ channel blockers, in (+)R Bay K 8644 of nimodipine. Labeling of Ca2+ channels revealed an intracellular epitope with an irregular and spotty distribution along the endplate. Similar results were obtained with a fluorescent phenylalkylamine [(-)DM-BODIPY-PAA], a blocker of L-type Ca2+ channels. Ca2+ channel labeling remained in absence of nerve terminals but was absent after mechanical removal of nerve terminals and PSCs. Most Ca2+ channel spots were distributed in between bands of cholinergic receptors labeled with alpha-bungarotoxin-TRITC. Cross sections of motor endplates revealed that labeling of Ca2+ channels was found only at the level of the synaptic cleft and not all around the PSCs. We conclude that L-type Ca2+ channels are located in perisynaptic glial cells in an appropriate location to sense depolarization induced by neurotransmitters and thus may support possible roles of glial cells on synaptic function.
authors.affiliation: Département de Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robitaille
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bourque
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandaele
mesh_terms: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001896:Boron Compounds; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000737:chemistry*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000737:chemistry*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology; D011894:Rana pipiens; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C095489:4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D001896:Boron Compounds; D002120:Calcium Channel Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D002118:Calcium