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Characterizing the expression of voltage gated calcium channels in rat superior cervical ganglia
Author(s) -
Scott Mallory,
Kammermeier Paul
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.933.6
Subject(s) - heterologous expression , superior cervical ganglion , protein subunit , calcium channel , r type calcium channel , microbiology and biotechnology , voltage dependent calcium channel , chemistry , n type calcium channel , biophysics , dorsal root ganglion , patch clamp , calcium , t type calcium channel , biology , neuroscience , anatomy , biochemistry , recombinant dna , spinal cord , gene , receptor , organic chemistry
Voltage gated calcium channels (Ca v ) are comprised of several different subunits necessary to achieve proper function. Some of the subunits (β, α2‐γ) contribute to not only channel properties, but to trafficking. In heterologous expression systems that lack endogenous Ca v channels, pore‐forming subunits must be co‐expressed with accessory subunits for channel localization to the plasma membrane and for proper function. In some neurons expression of an exogenous pore, without co‐expression of its respective subunits, can result in a functional channel. We investigate the channel expression in the cell body of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons (SCG) using whole cell patch clamping. SCG neurons express mainly type 2 Ca v channels. Interestingly, when the cDNA encoding Ca v pore‐forming subunits are injected intranuclearly into SCG neurons, large increases in current density corresponding to recombinant Ca v channel expression are observed in a subunit specific manner. These data suggest that pre‐formed, sub‐unit specific “slots” exist in SCG neurons to allow for the expression, trafficking and function of certain Ca v channel subunits, but not others. Using this approach, we observe significant increases in calcium current density following the expression of Ca v 2.1, mCa v 2.3, Ca v 1.3 subunits, but no increase in current density when Ca v 2.2 or Ca v 1.2 are injected. RO1 GM101023