Ca2+ channel currents of cortical neurons from pure and mixed cultures

Abstract

Voltage-gated Ca 2? channels (VGCCs) are key regulators of many neuronal functions, and involved in multiple central nervous system diseases. In the last 30 years, a large number of injury and disease models have been established based on cultured neurons. Culture with serum develops a mixture of neurons and glial cells, while culture without serum develops pure neurons. Both of these neuronal-culture methods are widely used. However, the properties of Ca 2? currents in neurons from these two cultures have not been compared. In this study, we cultured rat cortical neurons in serum-containing orfree medium and then recorded the Ca 2? channel currents using patch-clamp technique. Our results showed that there were significant differences in the amplitude and activation properties of whole-cell Ca 2? channel currents, and of non-L-type Ca 2?channel currents between the neurons from these two culture systems. Our data suggested that the difference of whole-cell Ca 2? currents may result from the differences in non-L-type currents. Understanding of these properties will considerably advance studies of VGCCs in neurons from pure or mixed culture.

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