Analysis of calcium channels in single spines using optical fluctuation analysis

ABSTRACT Most synapses form on small, specialized postsynaptic structures known as dendritic spines1. The influx of Ca2+ ions into such spines—through synaptic receptors and

voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCCs)—triggers diverse processes that underlie synaptic plasticity2. Using two-photon laser scanning microscopy3, we imaged action-potential-induced

transient changes in Ca2+ concentration in spines and dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices4. Through analysis of the large trial-to-trial fluctuations in these

transients, we have determined the number and properties of VSCCs in single spines. Here we report that each spine contains 1–20 VSCCs, and that this number increases with spine volume. We

are able to detect the opening of a single VSCC on a spine. In spines located on the proximal dendritic tree, VSCCs normally open with high probability (∼0.5) following dendritic action

potentials. Activation of GABAB receptors reduced this probability in apical spines to ∼0.3 but had no effect on VSCCs in dendrites or basal spines. Our studies show that the spatial

distribution of VSCC subtypes and their modulatory potential is regulated with submicrometre precision. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription

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ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS MECHANICAL ACTIONS OF DENDRITIC-SPINE

ENLARGEMENT ON PRESYNAPTIC EXOCYTOSIS Article 24 November 2021 PHOTOACTIVATABLE CAMKII INDUCES SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY IN SINGLE SYNAPSES Article Open access 02 February 2021 TRACEABLE

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1673–1680 (1970). Article  ADS  Google Scholar  Download references ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank B. J. Burbach and P. O'Brien for help with experiments, and Z. Mainen, R. Malinow, M. 

Maravall, W. Regehr, R. Weinberg and R. Yasuda for comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by the Pew, Klingenstein and Mathers Foundations, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute,

NIH and a Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor,

11724, New York, USA Bernardo L. Sabatini & Karel Svoboda Authors * Bernardo L. Sabatini View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Karel

Svoboda View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to Karel Svoboda. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and

permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Sabatini, B., Svoboda, K. Analysis of calcium channels in single spines using optical fluctuation analysis. _Nature_ 408, 589–593 (2000).

https://doi.org/10.1038/35046076 Download citation * Received: 19 June 2000 * Accepted: 25 September 2000 * Issue Date: 30 November 2000 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/35046076 SHARE THIS

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