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Updated: May 22, 2026

Genetic Manipulation of Cerebellar Granule Neurons In Vitro and In Vivo to Study Neuronal Morphology and Migration
Published on: March 17, 2014
Bergmann glia modulate cerebellar Purkinje cell bistability via Ca2+-dependent K+ uptake
Fushun Wang1, Qiwu Xu, Weishan Wang
1Division of Glial Disease and Therapeutics, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. fushun_wang@urmc.rochester.edu
Abstract:
Recent studies have shown that cerebellar Bergmann glia display coordinated Ca(2+) transients in live mice. However, the functional significance of Bergmann glial Ca(2+) signaling remains poorly understood. Using transgenic mice that allow selective stimulation of glial cells, we report here that cytosolic Ca(2+) regulates uptake of K(+) by Bergmann glia, thus providing a powerful mechanism for control of Purkinje cell-membrane potential. The decline in extracellular K(+) evoked by agonist-induced Ca(2+) in Bergmann glia transiently increased spike activity of Purkinje cells in cerebellar slices as well as in live anesthetized mice. Thus, Bergmann glia play a previously unappreciated role in controlling the membrane potential and thereby the activity of adjacent Purkinje cells.
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