Abstract
THEmodulation of voltage-dependent calcium channels by various neurotransmitters has been demonstrated in many neurons1–4. Because of the critical role of Ca2+ in transmitter release and, more generally, in transmembrane signalling, this modulation has important functional implications. Hippocampal neurons possess low-threshold (T-type) Ca2+ channels and both L- and N-type high voltage-activated Ca2+ channels.5–7N-type Ca2+ channels are blocked selectively by ω-conotoxin 8,9 and adenosine 10,11. These substances both block excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus12–13, whereas dihydropyridines, which selectively block L-type channels14, are ineffective12. Excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus displays a number of plasticity phenomena that are initiated by Ca2+ entry through ionic channels operated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors15,16. Here we report that NMDA receptor agonists selectively and effectively depress N-type Ca2+ channels which are involved in neurotransmit-ter release from presynaptic sites. The inhibitory effect is eliminated by the competitive NMDA antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, does not require Ca2+ entry into the cell, and is probably receptor-mediated. This phenomenon may provide a negative feedback between the liberation of excitatory transmitter and entry of Ca2+ into the cell, and could be important in presynaptic inhibition and in the regulation of synaptic plasticity.
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Chernevskaya, N., Obukhov, A. & Krishtal, O. NMDA receptor agonists selectively block N-type calcium channels in hippocampal neurons. Nature 349, 418–420 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/349418a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/349418a0
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