| First Author | Lee SC | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 99 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | 3276-81 |
| PubMed ID | 11854466 | Mgi Jnum | J:81788 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2450008 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.052697799 |
| Citation | Lee SC, et al. (2002) Molecular basis of R-type calcium channels in central amygdala neurons of the mouse. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99(5):3276-81 |
| abstractText | R-type Ca2+ channels play a critical role in coupling excitability to dendritic Ca2+ influx and neuronal secretion. Unlike other types of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (L, N, P/Q, and T type), the molecular basis for the R-type Ca2+ channel is still unclear, thereby limiting further detailed analyses of R-type Ca2+ channel physiology. The prevailing hypothesis is that alpha(1E) (Ca(V)2.3) gene encodes for R-type Ca2+ channels, but the dearth of critical evidence has rendered this hypothesis controversial. Here we generated alpha1E-deficient mice (alpha1E-/-) and examined the status of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ currents in central amygdala (CeA) neurons that exhibit abundant alpha1E expression and R-type Ca2+ currents. The majority of R-type currents in CeA neurons were eliminated in alpha1E-/- mice whereas other Ca2+ channel types were unaffected. These data clearly indicate that the expression of alpha1E gene underlies R-type Ca2+ channels in CeA neurons. Furthermore, the alpha1E-/- sign mice exhibited signs of enhanced fear as evidenced by their vigorous escaping behavior and aversion to open-field conditions. These latter findings imply a possible role of alpha1E-based R-type Ca2+ currents in amygdala physiology associated with fear. |
