Abstract
Ryanodine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ channels (RyRs) are present in suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) neurons, but the functions served by these channels are not known. Here we addressed whether mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores through the RyRs may be a link between the molecular clock and the firing rate in SCN neurons. Activation of the RyRs by administration of either 1 mM caffeine or 100 nM ryanodine increased the firing frequency, whereas inhibition of RyRs by 10 microM dantrolene or 80 microm ryanodine decreased firing rate. Similar results were obtained in experiments conducted at either midday or midnight. Furthermore, these effects were not mediated by synaptic transmission as blockade of GABA A, AMPA and NMDA receptors did not prevent the excitatory or inhibitory effects induced by either dose of ryanodine on SCN firing. We conclude that gating of RyRs is a key element of the intricate output pathway from the circadian clock within SCN neurons in rats.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / drug effects
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Action Potentials / physiology
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Animals
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Biological Clocks / drug effects
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Biological Clocks / physiology*
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Caffeine / pharmacology
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Calcium Signaling / drug effects
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Calcium Signaling / physiology*
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Circadian Rhythm / drug effects
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Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
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Dantrolene / pharmacology
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Ion Channel Gating / drug effects
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Ion Channel Gating / physiology
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Male
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Muscle Relaxants, Central / pharmacology
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Receptors, GABA-A / drug effects
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Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
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Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects
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Receptors, Glutamate / metabolism
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Ryanodine / pharmacology
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Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / drug effects
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Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / metabolism*
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Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / drug effects
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Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism*
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Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
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Synaptic Transmission / physiology
Substances
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Muscle Relaxants, Central
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Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
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Receptors, GABA-A
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Receptors, Glutamate
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Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel
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Ryanodine
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Caffeine
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Dantrolene