Neuron
Volume 2, Issue 5, May 1989, Pages 1419-1426
Journal home page for Neuron

Article
Two types of calcium channels coexist in peptide-releasing vertebrate nerve terminals

https://doi.org/10.1016/0896-6273(89)90187-6Get rights and content

Abstract

The properties of the Ca2+ channels mediating transmitter release in vertebrate neurons have not yet been described with voltage-clamp techniques. Several types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are known to exist on neuronal somata, but the small size and in-accessibility of most vertebrate nerve endings have precluded direct characterization of the presynaptic channels. However, large nerve endings, which release the peptides oxytocin and vasopressin in a Ca2+-dependent manner, can be dissociated from the rat neurohypophysis. Using both single-channel and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, we have characterized two types of Ca2+ channels that coexist in these terminals. One is a large-conductance, high-threshold, dihydropyridine-sensitive channel that contributes a slowly inactivating current. The second is a smaller conductance channel, which is also activated at high thresholds, but underlies a rapidly inactivating, dihydropyridine-insensitive current. Both types of Ca2+ channels may participate in the peptide release process.

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