Fig. 5
Effects of siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cav2.2 or Cav3.1 on VGCC currents in unstimulated AVP neurons. a Representative fluorescence phase-contrast images among GFP-expressing AVP neurons transfected with DY547-labeled siRNAs for negative control (Control: left), Cav2.2 (ΔCav2.2: middle), and Cav3.1 (ΔCav3.1: right). We selected yellowish AVP neurons expressing GFP (green) and DY547 (red) together. Scale bar in the left panel indicates 10 μm. b Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of the expression of Cav2.2 and Cav3.1 in AVP neurons transfected with siRNAs specific to Cav2.2 (ΔCav2.2: left panel) and Cav3.1 (ΔCav3.1: right panel) as well as in negative control siRNA-transfected (Control) AVP neurons. Rat GAPDH mRNA was used as an internal control (n = 5–6). *P < 0.05 vs. Control. c Representative traces of current responses to step pulses from – 60 to + 70 mV in AVP neurons transfected with siRNAs specific to Cav2.2 (ΔCav2.2: middle panel) and Cav3.1 (ΔCav3.1: right panel) as well as in negative control siRNA-transfected (Control: left panel) AVP neurons in normotonic solution containing 50 mM Ba2+. d Current–voltage relationships for peak VGCC currents in AVP neurons transfected with siRNAs for Cav2.2 (ΔCav2.2) and Cav3.1 (ΔCav3.1) as well as with negative control siRNA (Control) (n = 8–19). *P < 0.05 vs. Control