Properties of Q-type calcium channels in neostriatal and cortical neurons are correlated with beta subunit expression.

ABSTRACT: In brain neurons, P- and Q-type Ca(2+) channels both appear to include a class A alpha1 subunit. In spite of this similarity, these channels differ pharmacologically and biophysically, particularly in inactivation kinetics. The molecular basis for this difference is unclear. In heterologous systems, alternative splicing and ancillary beta subunits have been shown to alter biophysical properties of channels containing a class A alpha1 subunit. To test the hypothesis that similar mechanisms are at work in native systems, P- and Q-type currents were characterized in acutely isolated rat neostriatal, medium spiny neurons and cortical pyramidal neurons using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. Cells were subsequently aspirated and subjected to single-cell RT-PCR (scRT-PCR) analysis of calcium

SUBMITTER: Mermelstein PG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6782517 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature