Contribution of presynaptic calcium-activated potassium currents to transmitter release regulation in cultured Xenopus nerve-muscle synapses.

Using Xenopus nerve-muscle co-cultures, we have examined the contribution of calcium-activated potassium (K(Ca)) channels to the regulation of transmitter release evoked by single action potentials. The presynaptic varicosities that form on muscle cells in these cultures were studied directly using patch-clamp recording techniques. In these developing synapses, blockade of K(Ca) channels with iberiotoxin or charybdotoxin decreased transmitter release by an average of 35%. This effect would be expected to be caused by changes in the late phases of action potential repolarization. We hypothesize that these changes are due to a reduction in the driving force for calcium that is normally enhanced by the local hyperpolarization at the active zone caused by potassium current through the K(Ca) channels that co-localize with calcium channels. In support of this hypothesis, we have shown that when action potential waveforms were used as voltage-clamp commands to elicit calcium current in varicosities, peak calcium current was reduced only when these waveforms were broadened beginning when action potential repolarization was 20% complete. In contrast to peak calcium current, total calcium influx was consistently increased following action potential broadening. A model, based on previously reported properties of ion channels, faithfully reproduced predicted effects on action potential repolarization and calcium currents. From these data, we suggest that the large-conductance K(Ca) channels expressed at presynaptic varicosities regulate transmitter release magnitude during single action potentials by altering the rate of action potential repolarization, and thus the magnitude of peak calcium current.

Role of synaptic inputs in determining input resistance of developing brain stem motoneurons.

The contribution of synaptic input to input resistance was examined in 208 developing genioglossal motoneurons in 3 postnatal age groups (5-7 day, 13-16 day, and 18-24 day) using sharp electrode recording in a slice preparation of the rat brain stem. High magnesium (Mg(2+); 6 mM) media generated significant increases (21-38%) in both the input resistance (R(n)) and the first time constant (tau(0)) that were reversible. A large percent of the conductance blocked by high Mg(2+) was also sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX). Little increase in resistance was attained by adding blockers of specific amino acid (glutamate, glycine, and GABA) transmission over that obtained with the high Mg(2+). Comparing across age groups, there was a significantly larger percent change in R(n) with the addition of high Mg(2+) at postnatal days 13 to 15 (P13-15; 36%) than that found at P5-6 (21%). Spontaneous postsynaptic potentials were sensitive to the combined application of glycine receptor antagonist, strychnine, and the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline. Application of either 10 microM strychnine or bicuculline separately produced a reversible increase in both R(n) and tau(0). Addition of 10 microM bicuculline to a strychnine perfusate failed to further increase either R(n) or tau(0). The strychnine/bicuculline-sensitive component of the total synaptic conductance increased with age so that this form of neurotransmission constituted the majority (>60%) of the observed percent decrease in R(n) and tau(0) in the oldest age group. The proportion of change in tau(0) relative to R(n) following strychnine or high magnesium perfusate varied widely from cell to cell and from age to age without pattern. Based on a model from the literature, this pattern indicates a nonselective distribution of the blocked synaptic conductances over the cell body and dendrites. Taken together, the fast inhibitory synapses (glycine, GABA(A)) play a greater role in determining cell excitability in developing brain stem motoneurons as postnatal development progresses. These findings suggest that synaptically mediated conductances effect the membrane behavior of developing motoneurons.

Variations in onset of action potential broadening: effects on calcium current studied in chick ciliary ganglion neurones.

1. The voltage dependence and kinetic properties of stage 40 ciliary ganglion calcium currents were determined using short (10 ms) voltage steps. These properties aided the interpretation of the action potential-evoked calcium current described below, and the comparison of our data with those observed in other preparations. 2. Three different natural action potential waveforms were modelled by a series of ramps to generate voltage clamp commands. Calcium currents evoked by these model action potentials were compared before and after alterations in the repolarization phase of each action potential. 3. Abrupt step repolarizations from various time points were used to estimate the time course of calcium current activation during each action potential. Calcium current evoked by fast action potentials (duration at half-amplitude, 0.5 or 1.0 ms) did not reach maximal activation until the action potential had repolarized by 40-50 %. In contrast, calcium current evoked by a slow action potential (duration at half-amplitude, 2.2 ms) was maximally activated near the peak of the action potential. 4. Slowing the rate of repolarization of the action potential (broadening) from different times was used to examine effects on peak and total calcium influx. With all three waveforms tested, broadening consistently increased total calcium influx (integral). However, peak calcium current was either increased or decreased depending on the duration of the control action potential tested and the specific timing of the initiation of broadening the repolarization phase. 5. The opposite effects on peak calcium current observed with action potential broadening beginning at different time points in repolarization may provide a mechanism for the variable effects of potassium channel blockers on transmitter release magnitude.

A single cDNA encodes all three Aedes leucokinins, which stimulate both fluid secretion by the malpighian tubules and hindgut contractions.

A cDNA encoding preproleucokinin was isolated from a cDNA library of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The deduced amino acid sequence of Aedes preproleucokinin contains a putative signal peptide of 18 amino acid residues and a 210-amino acid residue proleucokinin. Within the proleucokinin are encoded one copy each of the Aedes leucokinins 1, 2, and 3 isolated previously from this species (Veenstra, J. A. (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 202, 715-719). All three Aedes leucokinins depolarize the transepithelial voltage of the malpighian tubule in concentrations of less than 10(-9) M and increase the frequency of hindgut contractions at concentrations above 10(-8) M. At higher concentrations the Aedes leucokinins 1 and 3 but not Aedes leucokinin 2 are also able to increase the rate of fluid secretion by the malpighian tubules. The differences of the three Aedes leucokinins in their potencies to induce fluid secretion or depolarizations in the malpighian tubules suggest that there may be more than one type of leucokinin receptor in this tissue.