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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Vibrodissociation of Neurons from Rodent Brain Slices to Study Synaptic Transmission and Image Presynaptic Terminals
Published on: May 25, 2011
[Dynamic interaction between plasma membrane structures and intracellular calcium stores in neurons of the spinal
Abstract:
We studied the dynamic contribution of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria to depolarization-induced Ca2+ transients in small (18-24 microm) DRG neurons of rats. We have used the application of 10 microM of mitochondrial protonophore CCCP for switching off the calcium uptake by mitochondrial uniporter. For depletion of the store of endoplasmic reticulum we applied 1 microM of thapsigargin. Depolarization-induced transients in control conditions and in conditions when one of the mechanisms (mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum) does not participate in the forming of the shape of Ca2+ transient have been studied. This allowed us to clarify the kinetics of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum uptake and release of calcium in the process of the neuronal activity. We have determined the main characteristics of functioning of above-named calcium stores in the process of cell excitation, such as time of the beginning of uptake, time and duration of maximum activity etc. We concluded, that mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum are acting in opposite directions at least in the phase of the beginning of the transient. Mitochondria are limiting the amplitude of the transient during depolarization, at the same time the endoplasmic reticulum is increasing the amplitude of the transient by CICR (calcium-induced calcium release) mechanism. Mitochondria store calcium released from endoplasmic reticulum by application of 30 mM caffeine. Inhibition of the mitochondrial uniporter results in reduction of amplitude of repetitive caffeine application compared with control conditions. We have compared the kinetics of mitochondrial participation in the formation of calcium signal when the initial sources of calcium ions were different. Our results allow us to suggest a close functional dynamic interactions between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum during calcium signaling in sensory neurons.
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