Analysis of calcium channels in single spines using optical fluctuation analysis
Abstract
Most synapses form on small, specialized postsynaptic structures known as dendritic spines. The influx of Ca2+ ions into such spines--through synaptic receptors and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCCs)--triggers diverse processes that underlie synaptic plasticity. Using two-photon laser scanning microscopy, we imaged action-potential-induced transient changes in Ca2+ concentration in spines and dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices. Through analysis of the large trial-to-trial fluctuations in these transients, we have determined the number and properties of VSCCs in single spines. Here we report that each spine contains 1-20 VSCCs, and that this number increases with spine volume. We are able to detect the opening of a single VSCC on a spine. In spines located on the proximal dendritic tree, VSCCs normally open with high probability (approximately 0.5) following dendritic action potentials. Activation of GABA(B) receptors reduced this probability in apical spines to approximately 0.3 but had no effect on VSCCs in dendrites or basal spines. Our studies show that the spatial distribution of VSCC subtypes and their modulatory potential is regulated with submicrometre precision.
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Activating VDCCs, which are present in spines, evokes cytosolic spine Ca2+ transients and the activation of cytosolic spine CaMKII.
“Activating VDCCs, which are present in spines, evokes cytosolic spine Ca2+ transients (185–187) and the activation of cytosolic spine CaMKII (188).”
From Synaptic memory and CaMKII (2023) · cites this paper as [187]
Cites
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“Activating VDCCs, which are present in spines, evokes cytosolic spine Ca 2 1 transients (185 – 187) and the activation of cytosolic spine CaMKII (188).”
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- Authors
- Sabatini, B. L., & Svoboda, K.
- Affiliations
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Svoboda, Karel
- Venue
- Nature
- Published
- 2000-11
- Volume
- 408
- Issue
- 6812
- Pages
- 589-593
- ISSN
- 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4687
- OpenAlex
- W1574935607
- Cited by
- 269
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 6.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nature (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Institutional Repository (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Keywords
- voltage-gated calcium channels, dendritic spines, calcium influx, synaptic plasticity, GABAB receptors, CA1 pyramidal neurons, hippocampus, dendritic action potentials
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Dendrites, Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Membranes, Calcium Channels, Pyramidal Cells, Receptors, GABA-B, Microscopy, Confocal, Rats, In Vitro Techniques
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