RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Calcium directly permeates kainate/alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4- isoxazolepropionic acid receptors in cultured cerebellar Purkinje neurons. JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 603 OP 608 VO 41 IS 4 A1 J R Brorson A1 D Bleakman A1 P S Chard A1 R J Miller YR 1992 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/41/4/603.abstract AB In cultures of rat cerebellar neurons that were enriched in Purkinje cells, the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor agonist kainate (KA) stimulated Ca2+ influx into all neurons in Na(+)-containing solutions. A large Ca2+ influx was also observed in most neurons when KA was applied in Na(+)-free solutions, even when the cells were voltage-clamped at negative potentials. KA also stimulated Co2+ uptake into both Purkinje and non-Purkinje neurons. The KA-induced Ca2+ influx was insensitive to pharmacological antagonists of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels and antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Thus, different types of cerebellar neurons possess KA-gated ionophores that are permeable to Ca2+. This Ca2+ conductance may play an important role in glutamate-mediated physiological and pathological events in the cerebellum.