1. A voltage-activated, sustained calcium current in white bass retinal cone horizontal cells was characterized on the basis of electrophysiological and pharmacological criteria. Studies were performed with the use of a combination of whole cell and single-channel analysis of outside-out excised patches from isolated, cultured retinal horizontal cells. 2. We found that the white bass sustained calcium channel represents a unique type of calcium channel. On the basis of our analysis, it does not fall into any current classification scheme. The horizontal cell channel shares some biophysical and pharmacological properties with the typical high-voltage-activated L-type channel, but it also has features in common with the P-type channel. 3. The biophysical characteristics of the channel were most typical of an L-type channel. It activated above -30 mV membrane potential and only very slowly inactivated. It had a single-channel conductance of 25 pS. 4. Like the typical L-type current, the horizontal cell current was sensitive to the dihydropyridine agonist Bay K 8644. It prolonged the channel open time, which resulted in a large increase in macroscopic current flow into the cell. However, unlike the typical L current, dihydropyridine antagonists (nifedipine, nimodipine, etc.) as well as the specific L-channel inhibitor diltiazem were only moderately effective at best. 5. In a previous study, we found the current was antagonized by a factor found in funnel-web spider toxin. Here we show that the current is completely blocked by low doses of omega-agatoxin IVA. These are characteristics of the P-type calcium channel. But unlike the P current, the horizontal cell current is relatively insensitive to low or high doses of omega-conotoxin MVIIC. 6. The overall combination of calcium channel characteristics sets apart the calcium channel in bass horizontal cells from previously described channels. It appears to be a unique, tissue-specific ion channel, which we have labeled the PL channel.

White bass (Roccus chrysops) retinal horizontal cells possess two types of voltage-activated calcium currents which have recently been characterized with regard to their voltage dependence and pharmacology (Sullivan, J., and E. M.Lasater. 1992. Journal of General Physiology. 99:85-107). A low voltage-activated transient current was identified which resembles the T-type calcium current described in a number of other preparations, along with a sustained high threshold, long-lasting calcium current that resembles the L-type calcium current. Here we report on the modulation of horizontal cell calcium channels by dopamine. Under whole-cell voltage clamp conditions favoring the expression of both calcium currents, dopamine had opposing actions on the two types of voltage-sensitive calcium currents in the same cone-type horizontal cell. The L-type calcium current was significantly potentiated by dopamine while the T-type current was simultaneously reduced. Dopamine had no effect on calcium currents in rod-type horizontal cells. Both of dopamine's actions were mimicked with the D 1 receptor agonist, SKF 38393, and blocked by application of the D1 specific antagonist, SCFI 23390. Dopamine's actions on the two types of calcium currents in white bass horizontal cells are mimicked by the cell membrane-permeant cyclic AMP derivative, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cyclic AMP, suggesting that dopamine's action is linked to a cAMP-mediated second messenger system. Furthermore, the inhibitor of cAMPdependent protein kinase blocked both of dopamine's actions on the voltagedependent calcium channels when introduced through the patch pipette. This indicates that protein phosphorylation is involved in modulating horizontal cell calcium channels by dopamine. Taken together, these results show that dopamine has differential effects on the voltage-dependent calcium currents in retinal horizontal cells. The modulation of these currents may play a role in shaping the response properties of horizontal cells.

A central principle of neural integration is that excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters effect the opening of distinct classes of membrane ionic channels and that integration consists of the summation of the opposing ionic currents on the postsynaptic membrane. In tangential cells of crayfish optic lobes, a hyperpolarizing, biphasic synaptic potential is produced by the concurrent action of acetylcholine and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Acetylcholine hyperpolarizes the cell and increases chlorine conductance. GABA depolarizes the cell by closing some of the same chloride channels. Therefore, in this case integration is achieved by the antagonistic actions of two transmitters on the same ionic channel.

Identified crayfish visual interneurons respond to illumination with a compound EPSP of up to 40 mV. L-glutamate, quisqualate, and kainate mimic the depolarizing action of the natural transmitter. In reduced Mg2+, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) elicits a depolarization with a reversal potential (Erev) = -60 mV. Erev is independent of extracellular calcium but shifts to +4 mV if potassium conductances are blocked by intracellular CS+. The results suggest that NMDA may gate more than one class of ionic channel. The NMDA-elicited response is enhanced and prolonged by glycine, and kynurenate competitively blocks the action of glycine. The NMDA antagonist, D-AP7, selectively blocks the NMDA response while enhancing the EPSP. The actions of NMDA are consistent with a role in the neural mechanisms of visual adaptation. This is the first description of an NMDA receptor in an invertebrate.

Two voltage-activated calcium currents, a transient T-type and a PL-sustained type, have been measured in isolated, cultured white bass horizontal cells. These two voltage-activated calcium currents were found to be modulated by two independent second-messenger systems. Furthermore, activation of either second-messenger system led to similar changes in calcium current activity. Activation of the cyclic AMP second-messenger pathway or the sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) second-messenger system resulted in a significant decrease in the amplitude of the transient current and a simultaneous large increase in the amplitude of the sustained current. Both second-messenger systems achieved their effects through protein phosphorylation. The cyclic AMP pathway resulted in the activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and the DAG pathway worked to activate protein kinase C (PKC). Two protein kinase inhibitors were analyzed in this study for their ability to inhibit second-messenger activated protein kinase activity and separate the two pathways. The peptide cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor and staurosporine were found to be nonspecific at high concentrations and inhibited both second-messenger pathways. At low concentrations however, staurosporine specifically inhibited only PKC, whereas adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase inhibitor was selective for PKA. Both second-messenger systems were activated by the neuromodulator, dopamine. Thus one agonist can initiate multiple second-messenger systems leading to similar changes in voltage-activated calcium current activity. The modulatory action on calcium currents produced by one second-messenger system added to the modulatory action resulting from activation of the other second-messenger system. The effect is to alter the magnitude of the horizontal cell calcium currents.