We have examined the mechanisms by which cultured central neurones from embryonic rat brain buffer intracellular Ca2+ loads following kainate receptor activation using fluorescent indicators of [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i. Stimulation of cultured forebrain neurones with 100 μm kainate produced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i that displayed a variable rate of recovery. Kainate also increased [Na+]i with a response that was slightly slower in onset and markedly slower in recovery. The recovery of [Ca2+]i to baseline was not very sensitive to the [Na+]i. The magnitude of the increase in [Na+]i in response to kainate did not correlate well with the [Ca2+]i recovery time, and experimental manipulations that altered [Na+]i did not have a large impact on the rate of recovery of [Ca2+]i. The recovery of [Ca2+]i to baseline was accelerated by the mitochondrial Na+‐Ca2+ exchange inhibitor CGP‐37157, suggesting that the recovery rate is influenced by release of Ca2+ from a mitochondrial pool and also that variation in the recovery rate is related to the extent of mitochondrial Ca2+ loading. Kainate did not alter the mitochondrial membrane potential. These studies reveal that mitochondria have a central role in buffering neuronal [Ca2+]i changes mediated by non‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors, and that the variation in recovery times following kainate receptor activation reflects a variable degree of mitochondrial Ca2+ loading. However, unlike NMDA receptor‐mediated Ca2+ loads, kainate receptor activation has minimal effects on mitochondrial function.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.