Low-threshold calcium currents contribute to locomotor-like activity in neonatal mice

J Neurophysiol. 2012 Jan;107(1):103-13. doi: 10.1152/jn.00583.2011. Epub 2011 Oct 12.

Abstract

In this study, we examined the contribution of a low-threshold calcium current [I(Ca(T))] to locomotor-related activity in the neonatal mouse. Specifically, the role of I(Ca(T)) was studied during chemically induced, locomotor-like activity in the isolated whole cord and in a genetically distinct population of ventromedial spinal interneurons marked by the homeobox gene Hb9. In isolated whole spinal cords, cycle frequency was decreased in the presence of low-threshold calcium channel blockers, which suggests a role for I(Ca(T)) in the network that produces rhythmic, locomotor-like activity. Additionally, we used Hb9 interneurons as a model to study the cellular responses to application of low-threshold calcium channel blockers. In transverse slice preparations from transgenic Hb9::enhanced green fluorescent protein neonatal mice, N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced membrane potential oscillations in identified Hb9 interneurons also slowed in frequency with application of nickel when fast, spike-mediated, synaptic transmission was blocked with TTX. Voltage-clamp and immunolabeling experiments confirmed expression of I(Ca(T)) and channels, respectively, in Hb9 interneurons located in the ventromedial spinal cord. Taken together, these results provide support that T-type calcium currents play an important role in network-wide rhythm generation during chemically evoked, fictive locomotor activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels, T-Type / physiology*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Differential Threshold / physiology
  • Interneurons / physiology*
  • Locomotion / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, T-Type
  • Calcium