Abstract
L type calcium channels (LTCCs) are prevalent in different systems and hold immense importance for maintaining/performing selective functions. In the nervous system, CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 are emerging as critical modulators of neuronal functions. Although the general role of these calcium channels in modulating synaptic plasticity and memory has been explored, their role in olfactory learning is not well understood. In this review article we first discuss the role of LTCCs in olfactory learning especially focusing on early odor preference learning in neonate rodents, presenting evidence that while NMDARs initiate stimulus-specific learning, LTCCs promote protein-synthesis dependent long-term memory (LTM). Norepinephrine (NE) release from the locus coeruleus (LC) is essential for early olfactory learning, thus noradrenergic modulation of LTCC function and its implication in olfactory learning is discussed here. We then address the differential roles of LTCCs in adult learning and learning in aged animals.
Highlights
L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), characterized by their long-lasting activity and sensitivity to dihydropyridine, are members of the high voltage gated calcium channel family
Calcium-dependent AMPAR insertion is critical for the formation of both short and long olfactory preference memories, and in line with behavioral results, blocking NMDA Receptors (NMDARs) with APV in the anterior piriform cortex (aPC) prevented the increase in synaptic expression of AMPARs required for short-term memory (STM) (Mukherjee and Yuan, 2016)
These findings suggest that L type calcium channels (LTCCs) activity serves as an important postsynaptic correlate of NE’s facilitating action on olfactory memory
Summary
L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), characterized by their long-lasting activity and sensitivity to dihydropyridine, are members of the high voltage gated calcium channel family. Like other calcium channels of this type, they are composed of multiple subunits including α1, the pore-forming subunit containing the voltage sensor, which dictates the nomenclature of the channel subtype. LTCCs function to facilitate coupling, mainly excitation-contraction, excitation-secretion and excitation-transcription; the latter being crucial for neuronal function and memory formation including olfactory memory (Jerome et al, 2012; Berger and Bartsch, 2014; Ghosh et al, 2017). We present evidence of the functional roles of LTCCs in synaptic plasticity and learning, focusing on olfactory learning as a model system. The role of norepinephrine (NE) via β-adrenoceptors (βARs) in modulating LTCCs and early odor preference learning are detailed. The differential roles of LTCCs in learning during development and aging are discussed
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