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N-type and L-type calcium channels mediate glycinergic synaptic inputs to retinal ganglion cells of tiger salamanders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2004

MARK C. BIEDA  and
DAVID R. COPENHAGEN
MARK C. BIEDA
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco Current address of Mark C. Bieda: Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
DAVID R. COPENHAGEN
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco
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Abstract

Synaptically localized calcium channels shape the timecourse of synaptic release, are a prominent site for neuromodulation, and have been implicated in genetic disease. In retina, it is well established that L-type calcium channels play a major role in mediating release of glutamate from the photoreceptors and bipolar cells. However, little is known about which calcium channels are coupled to synaptic exocytosis of glycine, which is primarily released by amacrine cells. A recent report indicates that glycine release from spiking AII amacrine cells relies exclusively upon L-type calcium channels. To identify calcium channel types controlling neurotransmitter release from the population of glycinergic neurons that drive retinal ganglion cells, we recorded electrical and potassium evoked inhibitory synaptic currents (IPSCs) from these postsynaptic neurons in retinal slices from tiger salamanders. The L-channel antagonist nifedipine strongly inhibited release and FPL64176, an L-channel agonist, greatly enhanced it, indicating a significant role for L-channels. ω-Conotoxin MVIIC, an N/P/Q-channel antagonist, strongly inhibited release, indicating an important role for non-L channels. While the P/Q-channel blocker ω-Aga IVA produced only small effects, the N-channel blocker ω-conotoxin GVIA strongly inhibited release. Hence, N-type and L-type calcium channels appear to play major roles, overall, in mediating synaptic release of glycine onto retinal ganglion cells.

Keywords

Amacrine cellRetinaGlycineExocytosisCalcium channel
Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , July 2004 , pp. 545 - 550
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press

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