Experiments on neuromuscular synapses from frog skin/chest muscle preparations in conditions of extracellular recording addressed changes in the spontaneous and evoked transmitter secretion after long-term (1.5-6 h) maintenance of preparations in calcium-free solution containing EGTA. Use of three microelectrodes for recording of single-quantum postsynaptic signals showed that calcium-free solution altered the characteristic topography of transmitter secretion in nerve terminals, with widening and fusion of groups of transmitter release. These changes persisted after preparations were returned to the initial solution. These data suggest that calcium-free solutions lead to disorganization of the active zones of nerve endings, At initially low extracellular Ca ion concentrations (0.15-0.4 mM), disorganization of active zones induced by prolonged maintenance of preparations in calcium-free solutions led to decreases in the mean amplitude of endplate currents (EPC) because of decreases in their quantum composition, increases in the time course of transmitter secretion, and decreases in the frequency of miniature endplate currents. The relationship between quantum composition of EPC and the extracellular Ca ion concentration showed a sharp displacement towards higher concentrations, without significant changes in the slope of the relationship. At high initial Ca concentrations (1.8 mM), long-term exposure to calcium-free solutions led to a less marked decrease in EPC amplitude. It is suggested that the extra- and intracellular Ca ion concentrations support the maintenance of the characteristic morphofunctional organization of the apparatus responsible for transmitter secretion in frog nerve endings. Disorganization of the active zones leads to disruption of elements involved in transmitter secretion and decreases in the efficiency of secretion.
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.