Pharmacological experiments indicated that PACAP triggers this antiproliferative effect through the activation of both PAC1 and VPACs, and the cAMP–PKA pathway. In addition, PACAP receptor activation decreased both cyclin D1 mRNA and protein content. Altogether, the data support the hypothesis that PACAP is a cell-extrinsic regulator with multiple roles during retinal development, including the regulation of proliferation in a subpopulation of retinal progenitor cells. “
“Neuronal
Ca2+ channels are rapidly inactivated by a mechanism that is termed Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI). In this study we investigated the influence of intracellular Ca2+ release on CDI of high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels in rat thalamocortical Ku 0059436 relay neurons by combining voltage-clamp, Ca2+ imaging and immunological techniques. Double-pulse protocols revealed CDI, which depended on the length of the conditioning pulses. Caffeine caused a concentration-dependent increase in CDI that was accompanied LBH589 purchase by an increase in the duration
of Ca2+ transients. Inhibition of ryanodine receptors and endoplasmic Ca2+ pumps (by thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid) resulted in a reduction of CDI. In contrast, inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate receptors by intracellular application of 2-aminoethoxy diphenyl borate or heparin did not influence CDI. The block of transient receptor potential channels by extracellular
application of 2-aminoethoxy diphenyl borate, however, resulted in a significant reduction of CDI. The central role of L-type Ca2+ channels was emphasized by the near-complete block of CDI by nifedipine, an effect only surpassed when Ca2+ was replaced by Ba2+ and chelated by 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′,-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). Trains of action potential-like Megestrol Acetate stimuli induced a strong reduction in high-voltage-activated Ca2+ current amplitude, which was significantly reduced when intracellular Ca2+ stores were made inoperative by thapsigargin or Ba2+/BAPTA. Western blotting revealed expression of L-type Ca2+ channels in thalamic and hippocampal tissue but not liver tissue. In summary, these results suggest a cross-signalling between L-type Ca2+ channels and ryanodine receptors that controls the amount of Ca2+ influx during neuronal activity. “
“Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is a trophic factor that is essential for the normal development and maintenance of proprioceptive sensory neurons and is widely implicated as an important modulator of synaptic function and development. We have previously found that animals lacking NT-3 have a number of structural abnormalities in peripheral nerves and skeletal muscles. Here we investigated whether haploinsufficiency-induced reduction in NT-3 resulted in impaired neuromuscular performance and synaptic function.