Activation of a capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway by store depletion in cultured hippocampal neurones

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Abstract
Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) changes were measured in cell bodies of cultured rat hippocampal neurones with the fluorescent indicator Fluo‐3. In the absence of external Ca2+, the cholinergic agonist carbachol (200 μM) and the sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin (0.4 μM) both transiently elevated [Ca2+]i. A subsequent addition of Ca2+ into the bathing medium caused a second [Ca2+]i change which was blocked by lanthanum (50 μM). Taken together, these experiments indicate that stores depletion can activate a capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway in cultured hippocampal neurones and further demonstrate the existence of such a Ca2+ entry in excitable cells.