Selective changes in cell bodies and growth cones of nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells induced by...

Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in differentiated PC12 cells to test whether chemical hypoxia selectively alters intracellular Ca2+ in growth cones and cell bodies. Hypoxia increased [Ca2+]i and exaggerated its response to K+ depolarization in both parts of the cells. [Ca2+]i in the cell bodies was greater than that in the growth cones under resting conditions and in response to K+ or hypoxia. Ca2+-channel blockers selectively altered these responses. The L-channel blocker nifedipine reduced [Ca2+]i following K+ depolarization by 67% in the cell bodies but only 25% in the growth cones. In contrast, the N-channel blocker omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTX) diminished K+-induced changes in [Ca2+]i only in the growth cones. During hypoxia, nifedipine was more effective in the cell bodies than in the growth cones. During hypoxia, omega-CgTX diminished K+-induced changes by 50-75% in both parts of the cell, but only immediately after depolarization. The combination of nifedipine and omega-CgTX diminished the [Ca2+]i response to K+ with or without hypoxia by >90% in the cell body and 70% in the growth cones. Thus, the increased Ca2+ entry with K+ during hypoxia is primarily through L channels in the cell bodies, whereas in growth cones influx through L and N channels is about equal. The results show that chemical hypoxia selectively alters Ca2+ regulation in the growth cone and cell body of the same cell.