Abstract
The influence of calcium currents expressed at early stages on the subsequent development of calcium currents was studied in embryonic rat hypothalamic neurones in culture. Voltage-activated calcium currents and spontaneous fluctuations of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were monitored. Acute application of nickel chloride (0.1 mM) to 6- to 7-day-old cultures strongly reduced calcium currents and [Ca2+]i fluctuations. When cultures were maintained for 6-7 days in the presence of NiCl2 (0.05-0.1 mM), expression of the low voltage-activated current was strongly inhibited; this treatment did not affect high voltage-activated currents. Our results suggest that spontaneous activation of calcium currents early during development promotes calcium influx that regulates expression of calcium current in mature neurones.
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