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Ca 2+ /calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II mediates the octopamine‐induced increase in sensitivity in spider VS‐3 mechanosensory neurons
Author(s) -
Torkkeli Päivi H.,
Panek Izabela,
Meisner Shan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07624.x
Subject(s) - octopamine (neurotransmitter) , calmodulin , microbiology and biotechnology , protein kinase a , sensitivity (control systems) , spider , neuroscience , kinase , biology , chemistry , biophysics , medicine , biochemistry , enzyme , receptor , zoology , serotonin , electronic engineering , engineering
G‐protein‐coupled octopamine (OA) receptors mediate their effects by Ca 2+ signaling or adjusting intracellular cAMP levels. Depending on OA concentration and cell type, activation of OA receptors in excitable cells triggers excitatory or inhibitory effects, but the mechanisms by which Ca 2+ or cAMP mediates these effects are not well understood. We investigated signaling mechanisms that are potentially activated by OA, and OA effects on excitability and frequency sensitivity in mechanosensory neurons innervating the VS‐3 slit sensilla on the patella of the spider Cupiennius salei . These neurons are directly innervated by octopaminergic efferents, and possess OA receptors that were immunoreactive to an antibody against an OA receptor highly expressed in mushroom bodies. OA application enhanced VS‐3 neuron sensitivity, especially at high stimulation frequencies. This enhancement lasted for at least 1 h after OA application. Changes in sensitivity were also detected when the Ca 2+ ionophore ionomycin or the cAMP analog 8‐Br‐cAMP was applied. However, the cAMP pathway was unlikely to mediate the OA effect, as the protein kinase A inhibitor RP‐cAMPS did not diminish this effect. In contrast, the OA‐induced sensitivity enhancement was significantly reduced by KN‐62, an inhibitor of Ca 2+ /calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and by the Ca 2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM. OA depolarized the neurons by 3.8 mV from resting potential, well below the threshold for opening of voltage‐activated Ca 2+ channels. OA also reduced the amplitudes of voltage‐activated K + currents. We propose that OA receptors in VS‐3 neurons activate inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate, leading to Ca 2+ release from intracellular stores. The Ca 2+ surge switches on CaMKII, which modulates voltage‐activated K + channels, resulting in persistent enhancement in excitability.