Cellular calcium handling in brain slices from calbindin D(28K)- deficient mice

CELLULAR calcium handling was examined in brain slices from transgenic antisense mice with a regional deficiency in the neuronal calcium binding protein calbindin D(28k) and from their non transgenic wild type litter mate controls. Depolarization of brain slices with NMDA or potassium produced a prolonged elevation of neuronal calcium signal in neurons in brain slices from calbindin D(28k)-deficient transgenic mice. This effect was selective and was seen only in brain areas where the antisense construct produced a significant depletion of calbindin D(28k) protein. In other regions where calbindin D(28k) protein was not modified by the construct and in all glial cells whether from wild type or transgenic mice, cellular calcium handling was normal.