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Three types of neuronal calcium channel with different calcium agonist sensitivity

Nature volume 316, pages 440–443 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

How many types of calcium channels exist in neurones? This question is fundamental to understanding how calcium entry contributes to diverse neuronal functions such as transmitter release, neurite extension, spike initiation and rhythmic firing1–3. There is considerable evidence for the presence of more than one type of Ca conductance in neurones4–13 and other cells14–18. However, little is known about single-channel properties of diverse neuronal Ca channels, or their responsiveness to dihydropyridines, compounds widely used as labels in Ca channel purification19–21. Here we report evidence for the coexistence of three types of Ca channel in sensory neurones of the chick dorsal root ganglion. In addition to a large conductance channel that contributes long-lasting current at strong depolarizations (L), and a relatively tiny conductance that underlies a transient current activated at weak depolarizations (T), we find a third type of unitary activity (N) that is neither T nor L. N-type Ca channels require strongly negative potentials for complete removal of inactivation (unlike L) and strong depolarizations for activation (unlike T). The dihydropyridine Ca agonist Bay K 8644 strongly increases the opening probability of L-, but not T- or N-type channels.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Martha C. Nowycky

    Present address: Department of Anatomy, The Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19129, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Neuroanatomy, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA

    Martha C. Nowycky

  2. Department of Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA

    Aaron P. Fox & Richard W. Tsien

Authors
  1. Martha C. Nowycky
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  2. Aaron P. Fox
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  3. Richard W. Tsien
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Nowycky, M., Fox, A. & Tsien, R. Three types of neuronal calcium channel with different calcium agonist sensitivity. Nature 316, 440–443 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/316440a0

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