Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
09:07
Genetic Manipulation of Cerebellar Granule Neurons In Vitro and In Vivo to Study Neuronal Morphology and Migration
Published on: March 17, 2014
Functional cGMP-gated channels in cerebellar granule cells
Ma Elena Lopez-Jimenez1, Jose C González, Ignacio Lizasoain
1Facultad de Veterinaria, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Cellular Physiology
|August 3, 2011
Summary
Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) in rat cerebellar granule cells are crucial for synaptic function and neuronal development. Blocking these channels impairs synaptic bouton number and alters growth cone morphology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGCs) are vital signal transducers in sensory neurons.
- They play roles in growth cone guidance and synaptic plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of CNGCs in rat cerebellar granule cells.
- To determine the role of CNGCs in synaptic function and neuronal development.
Main Methods:
- RT-PCR to detect mRNA expression.
- Immunofluorescence to localize protein expression.
- Patch-clamp electrophysiology to assess channel function.
- FM1-43 dye imaging to evaluate synaptic bouton activity.
- Pharmacological blockade with L-cis-diltiazem.
Main Results:
- CNGC subunits (CNGA1, CNGB1) are expressed in rat cerebellar granule cells, forming functional channels.
- Channels are localized at synapses and respond to cGMP with Ca(2+) influx.
- Chronic blockade reduces functional synaptic boutons and alters unloading kinetics.
- CNGCs are present during early development, with CNGA1 found in growth cones.
- L-cis-diltiazem treatment alters growth cone morphology, affecting lamellipodia and filopodia formation.
Conclusions:
- CNGCs are essential for synaptic integrity and neuronal development in cerebellar granule cells.
- These channels mediate Ca(2+) influx crucial for synaptic function and growth cone morphology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
01:21G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision. The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory organs,...
Sensory organs,...
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...