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Distinct aspects of neuronal differentiation encoded by frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ transients

Nature volume 375, pages 784–787 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

STIMULATION of transient increases in intracellular calcium (Cai2+) activates protein kinases1–3, regulates transcription4–9 and influences motility and morphology10–12. Developing neurons generate spontaneous Cai2+ transients, but their role in directing neuronal differentiation and the way in which they encode information are unknown. Here we image Ca2+ in spinal neurons throughout an extended period of early development, and find that two types of spontaneous events, spikes and waves, are expressed at distinct frequencies. Neuronal differentiation is altered when they are eliminated by preventing Ca2+ influx. Reimposing different frequency patterns of Ca2+ elevation demonstrates that natural spike activity is sufficient to promote normal neurotransmitter expression and channel maturation, whereas wave activity is sufficient to regulate neurite extension. Suppression of spontaneous Ca2+ elevations by BAPTA loaded intracellularly indicates that they are also necessary for differentiation. Ca2+ transients appear to encode information in their frequency, like action potentials, although they are 104 times longer in duration and less frequent, and implement an intrinsic development programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology & Center for Molecular Genetics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093-0357, USA

    Xiaonan Gu & Nicholas C. Spitzer

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  1. Xiaonan Gu
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  2. Nicholas C. Spitzer
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Gu, X., Spitzer, N. Distinct aspects of neuronal differentiation encoded by frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ transients. Nature 375, 784–787 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/375784a0

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