Differential effects of methylmercury on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor currents in rat cerebellar granule and cerebral cortical neurons in culture.

Cerebellar granule cells are particularly sensitive to inhibition by methylmercury (MeHg) on GABA(A) receptor function. This is manifested as a more rapid block of inhibitory postsynaptic currents/inhibitory postsynaptic potentials than for Purkinje cells. The underlying mechanism(s) for differential sensitivity of GABAergic transmission to MeHg in cerebellar neurons is unknown.

Acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions of adult tottering mice is controlled by N-(cav2.2) and R-type (cav2.3) but not L-type (cav1.2) Ca2+ channels.

The mutation in the alpha(1A) subunit gene of the P/Q-type (Ca(v)2.1) Ca(2+) channel present in tottering (tg) mice causes ataxia and motor seizures that resemble absence epilepsy in humans. P/Q-type Ca(2+)channels are primarily involved in acetylcholine (ACh) release at mammalian neuromuscular junctions.