title: Computational estimation of the distribution of L-type Ca(2+) channels in motoneurons based on variable threshold of activation of persistent inward currents.
abstract: In the presence of neuromodulators such as serotonin and noradrenaline, motoneurons exhibit persistent inward currents (PICs) that serve to amplify synaptic inputs. A major component of these PICs is mediated by L-type Ca(2+) channels. Estimates based on electrophysiological studies indicate that these channels are located on the dendrites, but immunohistochemical studies of their precise distribution have yielded different results. Our goal was to determine the distribution of these channels using computational methods. A theoretical analysis of the activation of PICs by a somatic current injection in the absence or presence of synaptic activity suggests that L-type Ca(2+) channels may be segregated to discrete hot spots 25-200 microm long and centered 100-400 microm from the soma in the dendritic tree. Compartmental models based on detailed anatomical measurements of the structure of feline neck motoneurons with L-type Ca(2+) channels incorporated in these regions produced plateau potentials resulting from PIC activation. Furthermore, we replicated the experimental observation that the somatic threshold at which PICs were activated was depolarized by tonic activation of inhibitory synapses and hyperpolarized by tonic activation of excitatory synapses. Models with L-type Ca(2+) channels distributed uniformly were unable to replicate the change in somatic threshold of PIC activation. Therefore we conclude that the set of L-type Ca(2+) channels mediating plateau potentials is restricted to discrete regions in the dendritic tree. Furthermore, this distribution leads to the compartmentalization of the dendritic tree of motoneurons into subunits whose sequential activation lead to the graded amplification of synaptic inputs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Botterell Hall, Queen's University, Kingston K7L 3N6, Canada.
authors.forename: Tuan V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ter-Mikaelian
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bedrossian
authors.forename: P Ken
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004056:Differential Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type