title: Determinants of postsynaptic Ca2+ signaling in Purkinje neurons.
abstract: Neuronal integration in Purkinje neurons involves many forms of Ca2+ signaling. Two afferent synaptic inputs, the parallel and the climbing fibers, provide a major drive for these signals. These two excitatory synaptic inputs are both glutamatergic. Postsynaptically they activate alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Unlike most other types of central neurons, Purkinje neurons do not express NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors (NMDARs). AMPARs in Purkinje neurons are characterized by a low permeability for Ca2+ ions. AMPAR-mediated synaptic depolarization may activate voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, mostly of the P/Q-type. The resulting intracellular Ca2+ signals are shaped by the Ca2+ buffers calbindin and parvalbumin. Ca2+ clearance from the cytosol is brought about by Ca2+-ATPases in the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum, as well as the Na+-Ca2+-exchanger. Binding of glutamate to mGluRs induces postsynaptic Ca2+-transients through two G protein-dependent pathways: involving (1) the release of Ca2+ ions from intracellular Ca2+ stores and (2) the opening of the cation channel TRPC1. Homer proteins appear to play an important role in postsynaptic Ca2+ signaling by providing a direct link between the plasma membrane-resident elements (mGluRs and TRPC1) and their intracellular partners, including the IP3Rs.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physiologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstr. 12, 80336 München, Germany.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konnerth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate