title: Rapid neuromodulatory actions of integrin ligands.
abstract: Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and their receptors, the integrins, actively participate in the control of many fundamental cellular functions in the developing nervous system, including the regulation of cell migration, differentiation, and survival and the control of neurite outgrowth. ECM-integrin interactions in the mature nervous system are commonly considered to be more static in nature and of little importance in the regulation of neuronal function. In contrast, we demonstrate that integrins and their ligands are capable of rapid neuromodulatory actions. Specifically, we show that integrin ligands can alter neuronal pacemaker properties, intracellular free Ca2+ levels, and voltage-gated Ca2+ currents in a matter of minutes. These findings indicate that ECM-integrin interactions play a dynamic role in regulating the physiological status of mature neurons, a process that may contribute to synaptic plasticity, neural regeneration, and neuropathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Neuroscience Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1 Canada. wilderin@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Willem C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wildering
authors.forename: Petra M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: Andrew G M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bulloch
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008195:Lymnaea; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016023:Integrins; D008024:Ligands; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C047981:arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid; D002118:Calcium