Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir2.3

Title: Mechanisms of Mg2+ influx, efflux and intracellular 'muffling' in leech neurones and glial cells.

Authors: D Günzel, W R Schlue

Journal, date & volume: , 2000 Jun , 13, 123-38

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10907230

Abstract
Mg2+ is known to influence conductance and gating properties of a multitude of ion channels and is thus able to modulate synaptic transmission. Therefore, a tight regulation of the intracellular free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) in neurones and glial cells is crucial for maintaining the functions of central nervous systems. [Mg2+]i is regulated through the balance of Mg2+ influx and Mg2+ efflux, together with heavy damping of [Mg2+]i changes through intracellular buffering and sequestration. To investigate the mechanisms involved in [Mg2+]i regulation, neurones and glial cells from the central nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis proved to be an ideal model system. The present article summarizes the evidence for a Mg2+ influx pathway which is distinct from that for Ca2+, for a dual regulation of Mg2+ efflux (a 1 Na+/1 Mg2+ antiport and a Na(+)-independent Mg2+ efflux mechanism), for pH-dependent Mg2+ buffering through ATP and other intracellular Mg2+ binding components and for the involvement of mitochondria in intracellular Mg2+ sequestration.