Neuromuscular transmission in Ca2+-free extracellular solution

Resumo

The review brings together the data on neuromuscular transmission upon substitution of different alkaline earth metals for Ca²⁺ ions. It is known that due to the low selectivity of calcium channels and their ability to conduct other divalent cations, a considerable presynaptic current carried by strontium or barium may develop, which under certain conditions may lead to the neuromuscular transmission. The review illustrates how the equimolar substitution of external Ca²⁺ by other polyvalent cations affects the parameters of nonquantum, spontaneous, and induced quantum exocytosis of the neuromediator, as well as endocytosis and the activities of acetylcholinesterase and postsynaptic receptors. The effects of the modulators of synaptic transmission under these conditions are also considered.