Olfactory neurons respond to odors with a change in conductance that mediates an influx of cations including Ca2+. The concomitant increase in [Cai] has been postulated to play a role in the adaptation to maintained odorant stimulation (Kurahashi, T., and T. Shibuya. 1990. Brain Research. 515:261-268. Kramer, R. H., and S. A. Siegelbaum. 1992. Neuron. 9:897-906. Zufall, F., G. M. Shepherd, and S. Firestein. 1991. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B. 246:225-230.) We have imaged the distribution of [Cai] in rat olfactory neurons (RON) using the Ca2+ indicator fura-2. A large percentage of the RON (42%, n = 35) responded to odorants with an increase in [Cai]. About half of the responding neurons displayed an increase in [Cai] at the apical end of the cell, but not at the soma. Moreover, in those cells that responded to odors with a standing [Cai] gradient, the gradient could be maintained for long periods of time (minutes) provided that the cells were continuously stimulated. In contrast, K(+)-induced depolarization elicited a more homogeneous increase in [Cai]. The spatially inhomogeneous increase in [Cai] elicited by odorants in some cells has important implications for the role of Ca2+ in adaptation because channels and enzymes regulated by Ca2+ will be affected differently depending on their location.
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November 01 1993
Odorant-regulated Ca2+ gradients in rat olfactory neurons.
D Restrepo,
D Restrepo
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
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Y Okada,
Y Okada
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
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J H Teeter
J H Teeter
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
Search for other works by this author on:
D Restrepo
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
Y Okada
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
J H Teeter
Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
Online ISSN: 1540-7748
Print ISSN: 0022-1295
J Gen Physiol (1993) 102 (5): 907–924.
Citation
D Restrepo, Y Okada, J H Teeter; Odorant-regulated Ca2+ gradients in rat olfactory neurons.. J Gen Physiol 1 November 1993; 102 (5): 907–924. doi: https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.102.5.907
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