In the retina, somatostatin (SST), an inhibitory peptide
that influences neuronal activity, is predominantly expressed
by sparsely occurring amacrine cells. The SST subtype 2A
receptor is expressed by rod bipolar cells, including their
axonal terminals. We used Ca2+-imaging techniques
and the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator dye fura-2
AM to investigate Ca2+ dynamics in rod bipolar
cell terminals. Depolarization of rod bipolar cells by
the addition of high K+ (50 or 100 mM) elicited
a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i
in rod bipolar terminals that returned to basal levels
following K+ removal. The Ca2+ response
was dependent on extracellular Ca2+, and was
inhibited by the Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+
and by the selective L-type Ca2+ channel blocker,
nimodipine. SST inhibited a K+ depolarization-induced
[Ca2+]i response in rod
bipolar terminals. This inhibition was observed with 1
nM SST and was maximal with 1 μM SST. These findings
indicate that SST may regulate transmitter release from
rod bipolar terminals by activating the SST subtype 2A
receptor through modulation of intracellular Ca2+.