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A Ni2+-sensitive component of the ERG b-wave from the isolated bovine retina is related to E-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels

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Abstract

Background

Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels trigger and control important cellular processes like neurotransmitter release and secretion, long-term potentiation, and gene expression in excitable cells. During retinal signal perception and processing, presynaptic Ca2+ channels facilitate neurotransmitter release in photoreceptors and bipolar neurons, at nonspiking synapses which generate graded potentials.

Methods

The nature of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels involved in retinal signal transduction is investigated in the present report by recording the electroretinogram (ERG) from the isolated and perfused bovine retina. Transcripts of the E/R- and T-type Ca2+ channels are detected by RT-PCR.

Results

Using the Ca2+ channel antagonists (±)-isradipine, NiCl2, mibefradil, and SNX-482 results in either stimulatory or inhibitory effects on the ERG b-wave amplitude. On the transcript level, mRNA is detected for the E/R-type and a T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel containing Cav2.3 and Cav3.1 as ion-conducting subunits, respectively.

Conclusion

Blocking of the E/R-type Ca2+ channels by NiCl2 (10 μM) and SNX-482 (30 nM) contributes to the stimulatory effect, whereas antagonism of T-type as well as L-type Ca2+ channels meditates the inhibitory action on the b-wave amplitude. Thus, a novel function for E/R-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is probably associated with the visual signal transduction in the mammalian retina.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ms Renate Clemens, Ms Petra Müller, Ms Claudia Zynthek, Mr Christoph Korsing, and Mr Moritz Haustein for their continuing technical assistance. The work was financially supported by the Köln Fortune Program / Faculty of Medicine, University of Köln and the Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne / Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin Köln (Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Förderkennzeichen 01 KS 9502, to T.S. and J.H.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany

    Matthias Lüke, Margit Henry, Thea Lingohr, Mehran Maghsoodian, Jürgen Hescheler, Marco Weiergräber, Werner Sickel & Toni Schneider

  2. Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch Str. 39, 50931, Cologne, Germany

    Jürgen Hescheler, Marco Weiergräber & Toni Schneider

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  1. Matthias Lüke
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Correspondence to Toni Schneider.

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Professor Sickel passed away on 18 December 2004

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Lüke, M., Henry, M., Lingohr, T. et al. A Ni2+-sensitive component of the ERG b-wave from the isolated bovine retina is related to E-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 243, 933–941 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-1145-6

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