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Inhibition of striatal dopamine release by the L-type calcium channel inhibitor isradipine co-varies with risk factors for Parkinson’s

Output Details

Preprint August 15, 2023

Published November 8, 2023

Ca2+ entry into nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons and axons via L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) contributes, respectively, to pacemaker activity and DA release and has long been thought to contribute to vulnerability to degeneration in Parkinson's disease. LTCC function is greater in DA axons and neurons from substantia nigra pars compacta than from ventral tegmental area, but this is not explained by channel expression level. We tested the hypothesis that LTCC control of DA release is governed rather by local mechanisms, focussing on candidate biological factors known to operate differently between types of DA neurons and/or be associated with their differing vulnerability to parkinsonism, including biological sex, α-synuclein, DA transporters (DATs) and calbindin-D28k (Calb1). We detected evoked DA release ex vivo in mouse striatal slices using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and assessed LTCC support of DA release by detecting the inhibition of DA release by the LTCC inhibitors isradipine or CP8. Using genetic knockouts or pharmacological manipulations, we identified that striatal LTCC support of DA release depended on multiple intersecting factors, in a regionally and sexually divergent manner. LTCC function was promoted by factors associated with Parkinsonian risk, including male sex, α-synuclein, DAT and a dorsolateral co-ordinate, but limited by factors associated with protection, that is, female sex, glucocerebrosidase activity, Calb1 and ventromedial co-ordinate. Together, these data show that LTCC function in DA axons and isradipine effect are locally governed and suggest they vary in a manner that in turn might impact on, or reflect, the cellular stress that leads to parkinsonian degeneration.
Identifier (DOI)
10.1111/ejn.16180
Tags
  • Alpha-synuclein
  • Calcium
  • Dopamine
  • Electrophysiology
  • Ex Vivo
  • Ion channels and receptors
  • Mouse
  • Original Research
  • VGCCs (Voltage gated calcium channels)
  • Voltammetry

Meet the Authors

  • Katherine Brimblecombe, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Cragg

    University of Oxford

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    Natalie Connor-Robson

    External Collaborator

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    Carole J. R. Bataille,

    External Collaborator

  • User avatar fallback logo

    Bradley M. Roberts

    External Collaborator

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    Bethan O’Connor, BSc

    Key Personnel: Team Cragg

    University of Oxford

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    Rebecca te Water Naude

    External Collaborator

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    Gayathri Karthik

    External Collaborator

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    Angela J. Russell

    External Collaborator

  • Richard Wade-Martins, PhD

    Co-PI (Core Leadership): Team Cragg

    University of Oxford

  • Stephanie Cragg, PhD

    Lead PI (Core Leadership): Team Cragg

    University of Oxford

Aligning Science Across Parkinson's
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