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Article
Decreased Synaptic Activity Shifts the Calcium Dependence of Release at the Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction In Vivo
The Journal of Neuroscience
  • Xueyong Wang, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Kathrin L. Engisch, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Yingjie Li
  • Martin J. Pinter
  • Timothy C. Cope, Wright State University - Main Campus
  • Mark M. Rich, Wright State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-24-2004
Abstract

We examined the mechanism underlying increased quantal content after block of activity at the mouse neuromuscular junction in vivo. We found that, when quantal content was measured in solution containing normal extracellular calcium, block of activity had no effect on either quantal content or the response to repetitive stimulation. However, when quantal content was measured in low extracellular calcium, there was a large increase in quantal content after block of activity. The increase in quantal content was accompanied by increased depression during repetitive stimulation. The explanation for these findings was that there was a shift in the calcium dependence of release after block of activity that manifested as an increase in probability of release in low extracellular calcium. Block of presynaptic P/Q channels eliminated the increase in probability of release. We propose that activity-dependent regulation of presynaptic calcium entry may contribute to homeostatic regulation of quantal content.

DOI
10.1523/​JNEUROSCI.2755-04.2004
Citation Information
Xueyong Wang, Kathrin L. Engisch, Yingjie Li, Martin J. Pinter, et al.. "Decreased Synaptic Activity Shifts the Calcium Dependence of Release at the Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction In Vivo" The Journal of Neuroscience Vol. 24 Iss. 47 (2004) p. 10687 - 10692 ISSN: 1529-2401
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/timothy_cope/22/