Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis
Published on: February 18, 2020
[Changes of intracellular calcium regulatory signals in PC12 cells during the activation and desensitization induced
Zhihong Zhang1, Weidong Qu, Guoguang Chen
1School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Objective:
To investigate changes of the intracellular calcium regulative signals during the activation and desensitization of neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptor induced by anatoxin-A (ANTX-A).
Methods:
The intracellular calcium concentration and the calcium-calmodulin dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin(CaN, PP2B) activity were determined by Fluo-3-AM fluorescence method and luminescence substrate method in the process of cell activation and desensitization.
Results:
During the activation and desensitization of PC12 cells stimulated by ANTX-A, [Ca2+]i raised obviously than that of the control group(P < 0.05). And it was decreased by L-voltage sensitive calcium channel (VSCC) inhibitor verapamil (VRP). While the intracellular PP2B activity was lower than that of the control group during the activation, and was higher during the desensitization, and displayed dose-response and time-dependent relation (P < 0.05) that was blocked by nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine(MEC).
Conclusion:
During the activation and desensitization of PCI2 cells evoked by AMTX-A, [Ca2+]i, was both increased obviously. PP2B activity was decreased in the activation and improved in the desensitization. It is suggested that [Ca2+]i and PP2B may be involved in the intracellular signal transduction pathway of the activation and desensitization of neural micotinic receptors induced by ANTX-A.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...
GPCR Desensitization
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.

