BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR OPENS CALCIUM-PERMEABLE CHANNELS IN QUAIL MESENCEPHALIC NEURAL CREST NEURONS

In order to investigate the action of basic fibroblast growth factor ( bFGF) in the nervous system, we have studied the ionic signals elicite d by this peptide in cultured quail mesencephalic neural crest neurons using patch-clamp and cytofluorimetric techniques. In this preparatio n stimulation with bFGF induced, with a delay of some tens of seconds, an inward cationic current. Single-channel experiments provided evide nce for the activation of a calcium-permeable channel. In single-cell cytofluorimetric measurements, a sustained rise in [Ca2+](i) was obser ved, which was dependent on the presence of external calcium. These ev ents may play a role in the developmental effects of bFGF.