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Developmental variation of the permeability to Ca2+ of AMPA receptors in presumed hilar glial precursor cells

  • Original Article
  • Neurophysiology, Muscle and Sensory Organs
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Abstract

Glial cells in the hilus of the dentate gyrus of the rat were investigated using the patch-clamp technique in acute slices of the hippocampal formation. According to their voltage-gated current patterns, two classes of glial cells — putative astrocytes and presumed glial precursor cells — were apparent. The glutamate receptor agonists kainate, glutamate, and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) evoked inward currents at a holding potential of −70 mV in astrocytes and presumed glial precursor cells. Inward currents could also be induced in nucleated patches, indicating a direct action on glial receptors. In presumed hilar glial precursor cells, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX; 10 μM) blocked the kainate-induced current, while it was partially inhibited by Zn2+ (2 mM) and Evans Blue (10 μM). Cyclothiazide (100 μM), in contrast, potentiated this current, indicating the presence of AMPA receptors. In 90% of the presumed glial precursor cells the excitatory amino-acid-evoked current voltage (I/V) relations were linear or outwardly rectifying and reversed close to 0 mV, which is characteristic for non-specific cation channels. To determine the permeability to Ca2+, I/V relations were determined in a Na+-free solution containing 40 mM Ca2+ and showed reversal potentials of a wide variation ranging from −63 mV to + 1 mV with corresponding P Ca/ P Cs permeability ratios of between 0.09 and 2.10. Statistical analysis revealed that the permeability to Ca2+ significantly decreased with an advance in age (r=−0.596; n=21; P<0.01). These data suggest that the Ca2+ influx mediated by the activation of AMPA receptors expressed in presumed hilar glial precursor cells is dependent on the developmental stage.

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Author notes

  1. Thomas Berger

    Present address: Institute of Physiology, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 7, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, University of Freiburg, PO Box 111, D-79001, Freiburg, Germany

    Thomas Berger

  2. Department of General Zoology, FB Biology, University of Kaiserslautern, PO Box 3049, D-67653, Kaiserslautern, Germany

    Kurt Harald Backus

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  2. Thomas Berger
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Backus, K.H., Berger, T. Developmental variation of the permeability to Ca2+ of AMPA receptors in presumed hilar glial precursor cells. Pflugers Arch. 431, 244–252 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410197

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410197

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