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J Neurophysiol 91: 1450-1454, 2004. First published November 26, 2003; doi:10.1152/jn.01015.2003
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Low-Threshold L-type Calcium Channels in Rat Dopamine Neurons

P. Durante1, C. G. Cardenas1, J. A. Whittaker2, S. T. Kitai1 and R. S. Scroggs1

1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163; and 2Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30310

Submitted 21 October 2003; accepted in final form 18 November 2003

Ca2+ channel subtypes expressed by dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) were studied using whole cell patch-clamp recordings and blockers selective for different channel types (L, N, and P/Q). Nimodipine (Nim, 2 µM), {omega}-conotoxin GVIA (Ctx, 1 µM), or {omega}-agatoxin IVA (Atx, 50 nM) blocked 27, 36, and 37% of peak whole cell Ca2+ channel current, respectively, indicating the presence of L-, N-, and P-type channels. Nim blocked approximately twice as much Ca2+ channel current near activation threshold compared with Ctx or Atx, suggesting that small depolarizations preferentially opened L-type versus N- or P-type Ca2+ channels. N- and L-channels in DA neurons opened over a significantly more negative voltage range than those in rat dorsal root ganglion cells, recorded from using identical conditions. These data provide an explanation as to why Ca2+-dependent spontaneous oscillatory potentials and rhythmic firing in DA neurons are blocked by L-channel but not N-channel antagonists and suggest that pharmacologically similar Ca2+ channels may exhibit different thresholds for activation in different types of neurons.

Address for reprint requests: R. Scroggs, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 855 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 38163 (E-mail: rscroggs{at}nb.utmem.edu).




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