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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis
Published on: February 18, 2020
Plasticity of neuronal responses induced by low concentrations of exogenous ligands affecting cellular calcium stores
O I Epstein1, T A Zapara, O G Simonova
1Materia Medica Holding Research and Production Company, Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
Modification of reactions caused by repeated influences (plasticity) is a fundamental property of cell. In this study, we have revealed effects of low concentrations of two exogenous modulators of cellular processes (caffeine and cyclosporin A) on neuronal plastic properties. The study was carried out on isolated neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis. It was found that low concentrations of caffeine or cyclosporin A did not cause any changes of the membrane potential (MP) of isolated neurons. However, pretreatment of neurons with low concentrations of caffeine or cyclosporin A reduced the amplitude of MP changes caused by the action of physiological concentrations of these ligands on the average by 30.8% and 29.1%, respectively. The findings permitted implying a significant role of low ligand concentrations in the formation of cell memory and neuronal plastic properties.
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