title: Ultrastructural evidence for pre- and postsynaptic localization of Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels in the rat hippocampus.
abstract: In the hippocampal formation, Ca(v)1.2 (L-type) voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels mediate Ca(2+) signals that can trigger long-term alterations in synaptic efficacy underlying learning and memory. Immunocytochemical studies indicate that Ca(v)1.2 channels are localized mainly in the soma and proximal dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons, but electrophysiological data suggest a broader distribution of these channels. To define the subcellular substrates underlying Ca(v)1.2 Ca(2+) signals, we analyzed the localization of Ca(v)1.2 in the hippocampal formation by using antibodies against the pore-forming alpha(1)-subunit of Ca(v)1.2 (alpha(1)1.2). By light microscopy, alpha(1)1.2-like immunoreactivity (alpha(1)1.2-IR) was detected in pyramidal cell soma and dendritic fields of areas CA1-CA3 and in granule cell soma and fibers in the dentate gyrus. At the electron microscopic level, alpha(1)1.2-IR was localized in dendrites, but also in axons, axon terminals, and glial processes in all hippocampal subfields. Plasmalemmal immunogold particles representing alpha(1)1.2-IR were more significant for small- than large-caliber dendrites and were largely associated with extrasynaptic regions in dendritic spines and axon terminals. These findings provide the first detailed ultrastructural analysis of Ca(v)1.2 localization in the brain and support functionally diverse roles of these channels in the hippocampal formation.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors: Alyssa L
authors: AL
authors: Tippens
authors: Jean-Francois
authors: JF
authors: Pare
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Langwieser
authors: Sven
authors: S
authors: Moosmang
authors: Teresa A
authors: TA
authors: Milner
authors: Yoland
authors: Y
authors: Smith
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; C419385:L-type calcium channel alpha(1C); D021122:Protein Subunits