Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling Mediates Rhythmic Extracellular ATP Accumulation in Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Astrocytes

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.6576-10.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-06-08T19:22:46Z
• Authors: J. F. Burkeen; A. D. Womac; D. J. Earnest; M. J. Zoran
• Keywords: Calcium Signaling

The master circadian pacemaker located within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) controls neural and neuroendocrine rhythms in mammalian brain. Astrocytes are abundant SCN, this cell type displays clock gene expression extracellular accumulation of ATP. Still, intracellular signaling pathways that link SCN clockworks to ATP remain unclear. Because release from astrocytes is a calcium-dependent process, we investigated relationship between Ca²⁺ have demonstrated levels fluctuate an antiphase with rhythmic rat SCN2.2 cultures. Furthermore, mitochondrial were maximal precise peak cytosolic Ca²⁺. In contrast, our finding occurred during suggests these cellular rhythms. Inhibition uniporter disrupted production ATP, calcium, biological affect division been implicated death processes. Nonetheless, was not by cycle arrest correlated caspase activity Together, results demonstrate mediates suggest role for gliotransmission function.