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Inhibition of ATP-Induced Ca2+ Influx by Corticosterone in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

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Abstract

In addition to the classic genomic effects, it is well known that glucocorticoids also have rapid, nongenomic effects on neurons. In the present study, the effect of corticosterone (CORT) on ATP-induced Ca2+ mobilization in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were detected with confocal laser scanning microscopy using fluo-4/AM as a calcium fluorescent indicator that could monitor real-time alterations of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). ATP, an algesic agent, caused [Ca2+]i increase in DRG neurons by activation of P2X receptor. Pretreatment with CORT (1 nM–1 μM for 5 min) inhibited ATP-induced [Ca2+]i increase in DRG neurons. The rapid inhibition of ATP-induced Ca2+ response by CORT was concentration-dependent, reversible and could be blocked by glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486 (10 μM). Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of CORT was abolished by protein kinase A inhibitor H89 (10 μM), but was not influenced by protein kinase C inhibitor Chelerythrine chloride (10 μM). On the other hand, membrane-impermeable bovine serum albumin-conjugated corticosterone had no effect on ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients. These observations suggest that a nongenomic pathways may be involved in the effect of CORT on ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients in cultured DRG neurons.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30672022).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, College of Medicine, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, 400038, Shapingba District, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaohong Liu, Junwei Zeng, Yandong Zhao, Zhi Xiao & Huaizhen Ruan

  2. Department of Physiology, Zunyi Medical College, 563003, Zunyi, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaohong Liu, Junwei Zeng & Zhi Xiao

  3. Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 400038, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

    Chuanqing Fang

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  1. Xiaohong Liu
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  2. Junwei Zeng
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  3. Yandong Zhao
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  4. Zhi Xiao
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  5. Chuanqing Fang
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  6. Huaizhen Ruan
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Correspondence to Chuanqing Fang or Huaizhen Ruan.

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X. Liu and J. Zeng have contributed equally to this study.

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Liu, X., Zeng, J., Zhao, Y. et al. Inhibition of ATP-Induced Ca2+ Influx by Corticosterone in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. Neurochem Res 35, 804–810 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0138-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0138-y

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