Estrogens directly potentiate neuronal L-type Ca2+ channels.

ABSTRACT: L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+)channels (VGCC) play an important role in dendritic development, neuronal survival, and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have demonstrated that the gonadal steroid estrogen rapidly induces Ca(2+) influx in hippocampal neurons, which is required for neuroprotection and potentiation of LTP. The mechanism by which estrogen rapidly induces this Ca(2+) influx is not clearly understood. We show by electrophysiological studies that extremely low concentrations of estrogens acutely potentiate VGCC in hippocampal neurons, hippocampal slices, and HEK-293 cells transfected with neuronal L-type VGCC, in a manner that was estrogen receptor (ER)-independent. Equilibrium, competitive, and whole-cell binding assays indicate that estrogen directly interacts with the VGCC. Furt

SUBMITTER: Sarkar SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2575342 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature