Calcium, Neuronal Function and Transmitter Release

This symposium entitled Calcium, Neuronal Function and Transmitter Re­ lease, was in the framework of the regional meeting of the International Union of Physiological Sciences, that took place in Jerusalem between August 26-31, 1984. The symposium dealt with the role of calcium ions in regulation of a large number of important processes in modern neurobiology, from molecular and cellular points of view. In this context, we consider heart and most cells as 'honorary neurons'. The meeting was comprised of lectures and quite intense discussions. We hope that the transcription of the discussions which follow the articles will give the reader a feeling of the intense, but pleasant atmosphere that per­ vaded during this symposium. It is our pleasure to thank Mrs. Miriam Silber, the assistant editor of this book, for her hard work in transcribing the discussions, retyping large portions of the book, and getting the approval of the authors. We express our thanks to Dr. Halina Meiri and Dr. Simona Ginsburg for their editorial assis­ tance. The unfailing help of Ms. Rachel Klein and Ms. Shoshana Wineberg is greatly appreciated. xxvii SECTION 1 CALCIUM CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS & CALCIUM REGULATED CHANNELS EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON SINGLE CHANNEL AND WHOLE CELL Ca CURRENTS A. M. BROWN, D. L. KUNZE, H.D. LUX AND D. L. WILSON INTRODUCTION Calcium tall currents have a large,fast component which Is not detectable when the currents are turned on or acti­ vated from the completely rested state (Brown et aI, 1983).

Section 1 Calcium Channels, Transporters & Calcium Regulated Channels.- Effects of Temperature on Single Channel and Whole Cell Ca Currents.- A Channel View at Ca Inactivation.- Modulation Of Calcium Channels In Cardiac Cells By Neurotransmitters.- Some Properties of Calcium Current in Mouse Motor Endings.- Molecular Properties of Isolated Ca2+ Transport Systems from Nerve Terminals.- Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Presynaptic Nerve Terminals.- Histamine as a Putative Transmitter of Presynaptic Inhibition: Effect onto the Ca Channel in Aplysia Neurons.- Persistent Inactivation of Potassium Currents by Elevation of Intracellular Calcium.- Section 2 Calcium & Transmitter Release.- Some Consequences of Intracellular Calcium Binding on Phasic Synaptic Transmitter Release.- Calcium Cooperativity in Calcium Entry and Calcium Action, and its Implications with Regard to Facilitation, at the Mouse Motor Nerve Terminal.- Resting Calcium Levels and Evoked Release at the Neuromuscular Junction.- Serendiptic Modulation of Transmitter Release: Extracellular Calcium Inhomogeneity.- Calcium Independent Quantal Transmitter Release at the Neuromuscular Junction.- On The Voltage Dependence of Neurotransmitter Release.- A Possible Involvement of the Na-Ca Exchanger in Regulation of Transmitter Release at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction.- Section 3 Calcium & Exocytosis.- Optical Studies of Excitation and Secretion in Vertebrate Nerve Terminals.- Physiological Bases for Differing Synaptic Efficacy in Frog Neuromuscular Junctions.- Neurotransmitter Release from Pc12 Cells.- Sub-Mepps, Skew-Mepps and the Subunit Hypothesis of Quantal Transmitter Release At The Neuromuscular Junction.- Frequency of Miniature End Plate Potentials Determined by an Extension of Campbell’s Theorem.- Markers for Membrane Components to Study “Recycling” at Neuromuscular Junctions.- The Role of Calcium In Triggering the Release of Transmitter at the Vertebrate Neuromuscular Junction. an Analysis of the Effects of Drugs.- Modulation of Presynaptic Transmitter Release by ATP Derived from Postsynaptic Sources.- Regulation of Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channels in Brain by Micromolar Affinity Benzodiazepine Receptors.- Section 4 Calcium Dependent Mechanisms.- The Mechanism of Bursting in Aplysia Pacemaker Neurons.- A Parametric Study of the Neuromuscular Junction During Ontogenesis and Under Different External Conditions.- Phenytoin, Transmitter Release and Calcium Flux.- Currents in the Synaptic Terminals of Barnacle Photoreceptors.- Calcium Channels Formation and Modulation in Secreting Basophils and Mast Cells.- Initial Characterization of the Calcium Channel Activated by the Crosslinking of the Receptors for Immunoglobulin E*.- Sequence of Development of Ionic Channels During Mouse Neuronal Differentiation: a Patch-Clamp Study.- Free Communications.- Calcium Currents and Potassium Conductance Changes Explain Low-Dose Sedative Drug Actions in Mammalian Hippocampal Neurons.- Interaction Between Corticosteroids and Presynaptic-Acting Toxins From Snake Venoms in Rat Phrenic Nerve Terminals.- Fluctuation Analysis Applied to Nonstationary Biological Processes.- Calcium Independent Depletion of Quanta and Synaptic Vesicles Induced by Ouabain.- Calmodulin Inhibitors and Transmitter Release at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction.- Studies on the Mechanism of the Inhibitory Action of Verapamil on Ca2+ Transport.- Manganese and Asynchronous Transmitter Release at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction.- Several Potassium Conductances Modulate the Excitability of Frog Motor Nerve Terminals.- Electrophysiological Examination of Glucose Transport into Motor Nerve Terminals in Mature Adult and Aged Rats.- The Asymmetry of Glucose Transport in Nerve Terminals; Possible Role in the Etiology of Diabetic Neuropathy.- The Role of Peptides Released by Small Cell Carcinoma of the Lung on Neuromuscular Transmission: Calcitonin.- Biphasic Effect of Calcium on Tetanic Potentiation at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction.