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Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VGCC) represent the principal source of Ca2+ ions driving evoked neurotransmitter release at presynaptic boutons. In mammals, presynaptic Ca2+ influx is mediated mainly via P/Q-type and N-type VGCC, which differ in their properties. Changes in their relative contributions tune neurotransmission both during development and in Hebbian plasticity. However, whether this represents a functional motif also present in other forms of activity-dependent regulation is unknown. Here, we study the role of VGCC in homeostatic plasticity (HSP) in mammalian hippocampal neurons using optical techniques. We find that changes in evoked Ca2+ currents specifically through P/Q-type, but not N-type, VGCC mediate bidirectional homeostatic regulation of both neurotransmitter release efficacy and the size of the major synaptic vesicle pools. Selective dependence of HSP on P/Q-type VGCC in mammalian terminals has important implications for phenotypes associated with P/Q-type channelopathies, including migraine and epilepsy.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.061

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell Rep

Publication Date

10/10/2017

Volume

21

Pages

341 - 350

Keywords

P/Q-type channelopathy, homeostatic plasticity, neurotransmitter release, pHluorin, synapse, voltage-gated calcium channel, Animals, Calcium Channels, L-Type, Calcium Channels, P-Type, Cells, Cultured, Hippocampus, Homeostasis, Mice, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Presynaptic Terminals, Rats, Synaptic Vesicles