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The effects of innervation on the developmental expression of Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents in embryonic
1Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306-4075, USA.
Abstract:
Chronic blockade of synaptic transmission in ovo using mecamylamine, a neuronal nicotinic receptor antagonist, caused a large increase in naturally occurring cell death in the embryonic chick ciliary ganglion. However, the Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents in embryonic day 13 mecamylamine-treated ciliary ganglion neurons were indistinguishable from those of saline-treated controls. Therefore, the trophic effect of preganglionic innervation on the developmental expression of Ca(2+)-activated K+ current is not dependent upon intact nicotinic cholinergic synaptic transmission and may instead be mediated by a nerve terminal-derived differentiation factor.