The cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+](i)) was studied in
Fura-2/AM loaded granule neurones in acutely prepared cerebellar slice
s isolated from neonatal (6 days old) and adult (30 days old) mice. Ba
th application of elevated (10-50 mM) KCl-containing extracellular sol
utions evoked [Ca2+](i) rise which was dependent on extracellular Ca2. The K+-induced [Ca2+](i) elevation was inhibited to different extend
s by verapamil, nickel and omega-conotoxin suggesting the coexpression
of different subtypes of plasmalemmal voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Ba
th application of caffeine (10-40 mM) elevated [Ca2+](i) by release of
Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Caffeine-induced [Ca2+](i) elevation
was inhibited by 100 mu M ryanodine and 500 nM thapsigargin. Depletion
of internal Ca2+ stores by caffeine, or blockade of Ca2+ release chan
nels by ryanodine, did not affect depolarization-induced [Ca2+](i) tra
nsients, suggesting negligible involvement of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ releas
e in [Ca2+](i) signal generation following cell depolarization. Extern
al application of 100 mu M glutamate, but not acetylcholine (1-100 mu
M), carbachol (10-100 mu M) or (1S,3R)-ACPD (100-500 mu M) evoked [Ca2
+](i) elevation. Part of glutamate-triggered [Ca2+](i) transients in n
eurones from neonatal mice was due to Ca2+ release (presumably via ino
sitol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate-sensitive mechanisms) from internal Ca2+ s
tores. In adult animals, glutamate-triggered [Ca2+](i) elevation was e
xclusively associated with plasmalemmal Ca2+ influx via both voltage-g
ated and glutamate-gated channels.