Figure 3. The retrograde signal inhibits tonic release coupled to UNC-2/CaV2 channels.
In mir-1 mutants (where the retrograde signal is activated), tonic release was significant reduced and this effect was blocked by mutations inactivating UNC-2/CaV2 (A–B) and by those inactivating UNC-36/α2δ (C–D) but was unaffected by Nemadipine (an EGL-19/CaV1 antagonist) (A–B). Tonic ACh release was assessed by recording mEPSCs from adult body muscles of the indicated genotypes. Representative mEPSC traces (A,C) and mean mEPSC rates (B,D) are shown. Values that differ significantly are indicated (***, p <0.001; n.s., not significant). The number of animals analyzed is indicated for each genotype. Error bars indicate SEM.