Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-3-16
pubmed:abstractText
Neurotransmitter release at many synapses is regulated by P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels containing the alpha(1A) pore-forming subunit. Mutations in alpha(1A) cause cerebral disorders including familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and ataxia in humans. Tottering (tg) alpha(1A) mutant mice display ataxia and epilepsy. It is not known whether alpha(1A) mutations induce impairment of synaptic function, which could underlie the symptoms of these cerebral disorders. To assess whether alpha(1A) mutations influence neurotransmitter release, we studied P-type Ca(2+) channel-mediated acetylcholine (ACh) release at tg neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) with micro-electrode measurements of synaptic potentials. We found a Ca(2+)-, Mg(2+)- and K(+)-dependent increase of spontaneous ACh release at both homo- and heterozygote tg NMJs. Furthermore, there was increased run-down of high-rate evoked release at homozygous tg NMJs. In isotonic contraction experiments this led to block of synaptic transmission at lower concentrations of the ACh antagonist tubocurarine than were needed in wild-type muscles. Our results suggest that in tg motor nerve terminals there is increased influx of Ca(2+) under resting conditions. This study shows that functional consequences of alpha(1A) mutations causing cerebral disorders can be characterized at the NMJ.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0006-8950
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
123 Pt 3
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
463-71
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Acetylcholine, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Calcium, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Calcium Channels, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Calcium Channels, N-Type, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Calcium Channels, P-Type, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Calcium Channels, Q-Type, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Electrophysiology, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Female, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Heterozygote, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Homozygote, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Magnesium, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Male, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Membrane Potentials, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Mice, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Mice, Inbred C57BL, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Mice, Neurologic Mutants, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Nerve Tissue Proteins, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Neuromuscular Junction, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Peripheral Nervous System Diseases, pubmed-meshheading:10686170-Synaptic Transmission
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
Abnormal transmitter release at neuromuscular junctions of mice carrying the tottering alpha(1A) Ca(2+) channel mutation.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Physiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article