ISSN:
1460-9568
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The existence of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in type I vestibular hair cells of mammals has not been conclusively proven. Furthermore, Ca2+ channels present in type II vestibular hair cells of mammals have not been pharmacologically identified. Fura-2 fluorescence was used to estimate, in both cell types, intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) variations induced by K+ depolarization and modified by specific Ca2+ channel agonists and antagonists. At rest, [Ca2+]i was 90 ± 20 nm in both cell types. Microperifusion of high-K+ solution (50 mm) for 1 s increased [Ca2+]i to 290 ± 50 nm in type I (n = 20) and to 440 ± 50 nm in type II cells (n = 10). In Ca2+-free medium, K+ did not alter [Ca2+]i. The specific L-type Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K, and antagonist, nitrendipine, modified in a dose-dependent manner the K+-induced [Ca2+]i increase in both cell types with maximum effect at 2 μm and 400 nm, respectively. Ni2+, a T-type Ca2+ channel blocker, reduced K+-evoked Ca2+ responses in a dose-dependent manner. For elevated Ni2+ concentrations, the response was differently affected by Ni2+ alone, or combined to nitrendipine (500 nm). In optimal conditions, nitrendipine and Ni2+ strongly depressed by 95% the [Ca2+]i increases. By contrast, neither ω-agatoxin IVA (1 μm), a specific P- and Q-type blocker, nor ω-conotoxin GVIA (1 μm), a specific N-type blocker, affected K+-evoked Ca2+i responses. These results provide the first direct evidence that L- and probably T-type channels control the K+-induced Ca2+ influx in both types of sensory cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1460-9568.1998.00107.x
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