Modulation of the sensitivity of nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia

This article reviews some of the evidence suggesting that a variety of endogenous substances either facilitates or inhibits the sensitivity of nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors at the subsynaptic membrane of cholinergic synapses. It is noteworthy that 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine act as competitive antagonists, like curare, presumably changing the affinity of ACh for the specific binding site on the nicotinic receptor. Catecholamine, neuropeptides, prostaglandin and glucocorticoids act as non-competitive antagonists on an allosteric site on the receptor-ionic channel complex. ATP and LH-RH (in a subpopulation of sympathetic neurons) caused a facilitation of the sensitivity of nicotinic receptors. The mode of actions of endogenous substances which modulate the nicotinic receptor-sensitivity is similar to those of pharmacological agents. Therefore, these neurotransmitters and neurohormones have been termed endogenous 'antagonists' or 'sensitizers'.

Delayed rectifier potassium current in dissociated bullfrog primary afferent neurons

Cultured bullfrog dorsal root ganglion cells were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration. The classical delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) was separated from other ionic currents. Tetraethylammonium (1-50 mM) depressed the amplitude of IK in a concentration-dependent manner, a complete block occurring with 30 mM. With the concentration of potassium ions in the superfusate at 20 mM, the reversal potential of IK amounted to about -30mV. IK was activated between -30 and +70 mV. The half activation of IK occurred at +15 mV. The amplitude of IK was increased e-fold with 13.6 mV depolarization. The time constant of IK de-activation was shortened with membrane hyperpolarization (tau congruent to 4 ms at -100 mV). Finally, reciprocal time constant (tau -1) of the de-activating IK was increased e-fold with congruent to 13 mV hyperpolarization. It appears that the properties of IK in amphibian afferent neurons are comparable to those which have been observed with respect to the IK of the squid giant axons (Hodgkin and Huxley, 1952).

Presynaptic inhibition of cholinergic transmission by peptidergic neurons in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia

Intracellular recordings were made from sympathetic B neurons to investigate an interaction between peptidergic and cholinergic responses in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. Simultaneous stimulations of 3rd-5th and 8th spinal nerves evoked the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) superimposed with the late slow EPSP at the same sympathetic neuron. The amplitude of fast EPSPs was reduced during the course of the late slow EPSP in a majority of sympathetic neurons. A nicotinic depolarization produced by an ionophoretic application of ACh (ACh potential) was not significantly affected during the late slow EPSP. The quantal content of the fast EPSP calculated by the variance method was depressed during the late slow EPSP. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), a putative transmitter for the late slow EPSP decreased the amplitude and the quantal content of the fast EPSP. [D-Phe2,6, Pro3]-LH-RH, and [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]-LH-RH, antagonists for LH-RH receptors prevented the inhibition of the fast EPSP induced by the late slow EPSP and LH-RH. These results suggest that cholinergic nicotinic transmission is inhibited during the late slow EPSP by a decreased ACh-release from nerve terminals in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia.

Norepinephrine inhibits calcium action potential through alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rabbit vesical parasympathetic neurons

Intracellular and voltage-clamp recordings were made from neurons in rabbit vesical parasympathetic ganglia (VPG) maintained in vitro. Norepinephrine (NE, 10 nM-10 microM) reduced the Ca2+ component of the action potential and the afterhyperpolarization. Clonidine and UK14304, the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, mimicked the inhibitory effects of NE on the action potential. NE and UK14304 blocked the Ca2+ spike elicited in the presence of tetrodotoxin and tetraethylammonium. UK14304 suppressed the inward Ca2+ current induced by depolarizing step command under the voltage-clamp condition. These inhibitory actions were antagonized by yohimbine and idazoxan but not by prazosin and propranolol. It is suggested that alpha 2-adrenoceptors mediate the inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry during the action potential.

5-Hydroxytryptamine facilitates GABA-induced depolarization in bullfrog primary afferent neurons

Intracellular and voltage-clamp recordings were made from sensory neurons in bullfrog dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Bath-application of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10 microM to 1 mM) reversibly increased the amplitude of depolarizing responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and muscimol. 5-HT also increased the amplitude of chloride current activated by GABA. An analysis with dose-response curves revealed that 5-HT potentiated the maximum GABA current (Vmax), while it produced no significant change in the apparent dissociation constant (Km). It is suggested that 5-HT increases the sensitivity of the GABAA receptor, acting on an allosteric site for the receptor-ionophore complex.

Calcium-activated chloride conductance in parasympathetic neurons of the rabbit urinary bladder

Intracellular recordings were made from vesical pelvic ganglion cells of the rabbit in a Krebs solution containing tetrodotoxin (1 microM). Experiments were carried out during complete suppression of the calcium-dependent potassium conductance by tetraethylammonium (greater than or equal to 20 mM) and/or intracellular injection of cesium ions. The action potential was followed by a depolarizing afterpotential which lasted for 0.3-10 s and had a peak amplitude of 5-20 mV at about -50 mV. The afterdepolarization (ADP) could not be observed when the preceding calcium-dependent action potential was blocked in a nominally calcium-free solution. Intracellular injection of ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or total substitution of extracellular calcium ions with barium ions selectively blocked the ADP. The ADP, associated with an increased membrane conductance, reversed its polarity at -17 mV, when ganglion cells were impaled with microelectrodes filled with potassium chloride or cesium chloride. This reversal level was similar to that of the depolarization induced by gamma-aminobutyric acid. The reversal potential shifted to about -50 mV when acetate or sulphate were injected as counter anions. The peak amplitude and the total duration of the ADP was increased by substitution of external sodium chloride with sucrose or sodium isethionate. These results suggest that the ADP results from calcium entry during the spike and subsequent opening of chloride channels in parasympathetic neurons of the rabbit.

Calcium-dependent potassium conductance in neurons of rabbit vesical pelvic ganglia

Intracellular recordings were made from neurons of vesical pelvic (parasympathetic) ganglia (VPG) isolated from the rabbit urinary bladder. Spontaneous hyperpolarizations (SH), occurring at intervals of 30 s to 5 min, could be recorded from 53% of VPG neurons in Krebs solution. The action potential was associated with inward sodium and calcium currents and was followed by fast and slow afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs). The action potential also evoked an additional hyperpolarization which was identical to the SH. The SH and the AHPs were associated with a decrease in the input resistance and reversed their polarity close to the potassium equilibrium potential. Intracellular cesium ions blocked the AHPs and the SH. Superfusing the preparation with a calcium-free solution produced a depolarization associated with an increased input resistance. The outward rectification activated at the resting membrane potential was depressed in the calcium-free solution. The removal of extracellular calcium ions also depressed both the SH and the spike AHPs. Bath-application of caffeine (1-3 mM) increased the frequency of the appearance of the SH. Injection of EGTA into VPG neurons caused a depolarization due to a blockade of the outward rectification. EGTA also depressed the slow AHP and the SH. These results suggest that the neuronal membrane of the rabbit VPG is endowed with a calcium-dependent potassium conductance (gKCa). Apamin (0.3-5 nM) and (+)-tubocurarine (30-300 microM) blocked the slow AHP and the SH without affecting the fast AHP and the resting membrane potential. Tetraethylammonium (TEA, 0.3-5 mM) suppressed the fast AHP and the SH without affecting the outward rectification. TEA augmented the slow AHP. Barium ions (0.1-1 mM) depressed the AHPs, the SH and the outward rectification. These pharmacological properties imply that at least 3 kinds of gKCa systems underlie the generation of the outward rectification, the spike AHPs and the SH.

Propranolol blocks recurrent synaptic activation in paravertebral sympathetic ganglia of bullfrogs

Intracellular recordings were made from neurons in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. Orthodromic, intracellular and antidromic stimulations evoked recurrent depolarizing responses accompanied by a spontaneous firing of the action potential in type 2 neurons. The depolarizing response elicited by intracellular and antidromic stimulations was selectively blocked by propranolol (1 microM), but not by yohimbine and phenoxybenzamine. Propranolol did not block the 'nicotinic' fast excitatory postsynaptic potential evoked by orthodromic stimulation. These results suggest that excitatory beta-adrenoceptors mediate the recurrent synaptic facilitation of nicotinic transmission in type 2 neurons of bullfrog sympathetic ganglia.

5-hydroxytryptamine inhibits cholinergic transmission through 5-HT1A receptor subtypes in rabbit vesical parasympathetic ganglia

Intracellular recordings were made from parasympathetic neurons of the rabbit vesical pelvic ganglia (VPG) maintained in vitro. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) inhibited cholinergic transmission in the VPG by reducing the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) evoked by stimulations of pelvic nerves. 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino) tetralin hydrochloride mimicked the inhibitory effect of 5-HT on the ganglionic transmission. 5-HT-induced inhibition of the fast EPSP was antagonized by spiperone. The results suggest that 5-HT1A receptor subtypes mediate the inhibition of cholinergic transmission in the rabbit VPG.

Peptidergic inhibition of cholinergic transmission in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia

Intracellular and voltage-clamp recordings were made from sympathetic B neurons to investigate an interaction between peptidergic and cholinergic responses in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. Stimulations of both 3rd-5th (0.2 Hz) and 8th (30 Hz) spinal nerves evoked the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) superimposed with the late slow EPSP at the same sympathetic neuron. The amplitude of fast EPSPs was decreased during the course of the late slow EPSP in a majority of sympathetic neurons. The mean depression of the fast EPSP amplitude was 51 +/- 4% (n = 24). The quantal content of the fast EPSP was also depressed by 54 +/- 3% (n = 10) during the late slow EPSP. Acetylcholine-induced depolarization (ACh potential) and current (ACh current) produced by an ionophoretic application of ACh were not reduced during the late slow EPSP. Bath-application of LH-RH (40 nM-4 microM) depressed the fast EPSP in a concentration-dependent manner; at a concentration of 1 microM, it produced a 63 +/- 8% (n = 8) depression of the quantal content of the fast EPSP. LH-RH (1-4 microM) depressed the frequency of the miniature (M) EPSPs by 25 +/- 4% (n = 5) of control. Antagonists for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) receptor, [D-Phe2,6, Pro3]-LH-RH and [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]-LH-RH, prevented the presynaptic inhibition of the fast EPSP induced by LH-RH. These results suggest that the fast EPSP is depressed during the late slow EPSP by decreasing the evoked release of ACh from presynaptic nerve terminals in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia.

Adrenaline depolarization in paravertebral sympathetic neurones of bullfrogs

Responses to adrenaline (Ad) and their ionic mechanisms were analysed using intracellular recording and voltage-clamp methods in neurones of bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. Ad (5 microM-1 mM) applied directly to sympathetic neurones by pressure ejection through a micropipette produced three types of depolarizing responses (2-20 mV). Under voltage-clamp conditions, Ad (100 microM) produced fast, slow and mixed types of inward currents (AdIs) with amplitude of 2.9 +/- 1.3 nA. beta-Adrenoceptors may be responsible for the generation of these AdDs. The slow AdI which lasted for 1-5 min was associated with a decreased membrane conductance. The slow AdI decreased at hyperpolarized potential level and eventually nullified at -70 mV. No reversal of the slow AdI polarity was observed in the Ringer solution. Injection of Cs2+ into the ganglion cells produced a marked depression of the amplitude of the slow AdI. The slow AdI was blocked by bath-applied Ba2+ but not by TEA. Ad reduced the slow current relaxation, the M current, associated with voltage jumps in the membrane potential range -35 to -55 mV. The fast Ad response was associated with an increase in membrane conductance. When the membrane was depolarized, the fast AdI decreased and reversed its polarity at -36 +/- 8.3 mV. Removal of Cl ion from superfusing solution depressed the fast AdI, suggesting that activation of Cl- conductances may be involved in the generation of the fast AdI. The mixed type of Ad response exhibited characteristics of both the fast and slow Ad responses. The results suggest that Ad increases the excitability of neurones in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia.

Voltage-clamp studies of the inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid response by glucocorticoids in bullfrog primary afferent neurons

Acute effects of glucocorticoids on the response to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were examined in primary afferent neurons in bullfrog spinal ganglia, using intracellular and voltage-clamp recording techniques. Prednisolone and hydrocortisone (5 microM to 1 mM) caused a dose-dependent decrease in the amplitude of GABA-induced depolarization, while having no effect on the membrane potential and resistance of the neuron. Prednisolone depressed the muscimol-induced depolarization. Nipecotic acid, a blocker of GABA uptake, did not influence the inhibitory action of prednisolone. Voltage-clamp analyses showed that the inward current induced by an iontophoretic application of GABA (GABA current) was suppressed by prednisolone and hydrocortisone. The depression of the GABA current is neither due to a blockage of open channels nor a facilitation of the desensitization of GABA receptors. Prednisolone shifted the dose-response curve of the GABA current downward. The double-reciprocal (Lineweaver-Burk) plot showed that the maximum GABA current was reduced by prednisolone, suggesting a non-competitive antagonism. These results suggest that glucocorticoids suppress the GABA-induced chloride current, decreasing the number of functional channels associated with GABAA receptor.

Mianserin blocks alpha 2 adrenoceptors in submucous neurones of the guinea-pig caecum

Intracellular recordings were made from submucous plexus neurones of the guinea-pig caecum in vitro. The peak amplitude of the adrenergic inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) was depressed by mianserin in a dose-dependent manner (300 nM-100 microM). This was due to a direct blockade of postsynaptic alpha 2 adrenoceptors. The nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and the non-cholinergic EPSP were not affected by mianserin (100 microM). The presynaptic inhibition of the release of acetylcholine, mediated by presynaptic alpha 2 receptors, was also blocked by mianserin (30 microM). The results suggest that mianserin antagonizes both pre- and post-synaptic alpha 2 adrenoceptors in enteric plexus neurones.

Activation of 5-HT3 receptor subtypes causes rapid excitation of rabbit parasympathetic neurones

Intracellular recordings were made from parasympathetic neurones of the rabbit vesical pelvic ganglia maintained in vitro. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) caused a membrane depolarization which was antagonized by ICS 205-930 ([3 alpha-tropanyl]-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester) but not by methysergide. ICS 205-930 caused a parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve for 5-HT. These results suggest that the 5-HT3 receptor is involved in the membrane depolarization.

Postsynaptic inhibition of the frog neuromuscular transmission by prostaglandin E1

Intracellular recordings were made from the frog sartorius muscle end plate. Prostaglandin (PG) E1 (100 nM-10 microM) decreased the amplitude of the end plate potential (EPP). PGE1 decreased the quantal size of EPPs, while it rather increased the quantum content. The frequency of miniature (m) EPPs was not affected by PGE1. PGE1 depressed the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced depolarization, as well as the amplitude of mEPPs. These results suggest that PGE1 decreases the sensitivity of nicotinic ACh receptors at the end plate membrane, resulting in postsynaptic depressions of neuromuscular transmission.

Evidence for epinephrine-induced depolarization in neurons of bullfrog sympathetic ganglia

The response to epinephrine (EP) was determined for neurons in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia by intracellular and voltage-clamp recording techniques. EP (5 microM-1 mM) produced a concentration-dependent depolarization mediated through beta-adrenoceptors. The EP-induced depolarization (EPD) was associated with a decrease in the membrane conductance. The EP-induced current (EP1) was decreased at hyperpolarizing potential levels and nullified at -70 mV. No reversal of the EPI polarity was seen. It is concluded that the EPD is generated by the suppression of a voltage-dependent gK, probably the M-channel.

5-Hydroxytryptamine decreases the sensitivity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in bull-frog sympathetic ganglion cells

The post-synaptic effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were examined in neurones of bull-frog sympathetic ganglia with intracellular micro-electrode and voltage-clamp recording techniques. Atropine (1 microM) was used to block the muscarinic cholinoceptors. 5-HT reduced the amplitude of the fast excitatory post-synaptic potential (fast e.p.s.p.). 5-HT also reduced the mean amplitude of the miniature excitatory post-synaptic potentials (m.e.p.s.p.s) without affecting their frequency. Voltage-clamp studies showed that 5-HT decreased in a dose-dependent manner the amplitude of the acetylcholine (ACh) current produced by ionophoretic application of ACh to sympathetic neurones. The relationship between the log of the ACh dose, applied ionophoretically, and the peak ACh current (the dose-response curve) was examined in voltage-clamped neurones. 5-HT caused a parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve for ACh. Analysis using a double reciprocal plot (Lineweaver-Burk plot) revealed that 5-HT increased the apparent dissociation constant (Km) of ACh for the receptor without changing the maximum ACh current (Vmax), suggesting a competitive antagonism. The relationship between the 5-HT dose and the magnitude of inhibition of the ACh current was obtained using two different amplitudes for the ACh response. The dose-response curve of 5-HT-induced inhibition using a relatively high amplitude ACh current, S1, was parallel with that for a relatively low amplitude ACh current, S2. The Dixon plot of these two curves yielded an apparent inhibition constant (Ki) of 42 microM. Both fast excitatory post-synaptic currents (fast e.p.s.c.s) and miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (m.e.p.s.c.s) had single-exponential decay time courses. The time constants of fast e.p.s.c. decay (tau e) and m.e.p.s.c. decay (tau m) were not altered by 5-HT, suggesting that 5-HT does not change the kinetics of opening and closing of the ionic channel associated with the nicotinic receptor. 5-HT did not alter the reversal potential of the fast e.p.s.c. These results suggest that 5-HT decreases the sensitivity of the nicotinic receptor of sympathetic neurones, by interfering with ACh binding at the active site on the receptor-ionic-channel complex. 5-HT may physiologically inhibit cholinergic transmission as it is an endogenous substance which antagonizes the nicotinic receptor in post-ganglionic neurones of bull-frog sympathetic ganglia.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone inhibits nicotinic transmission in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia

Intracellular and voltage-clamp recordings were made from neurons in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia to investigate the effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on nicotinic transmission. LH-RH (50 nM-4 microM) decreased the amplitude of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential (fast EPSP) in a dose-dependent manner. LH-RH (1-4 microM) reduced the quantal content of the fast EPSP by 60-85%. LH-RH did not change the frequency of the miniature (m) EPSP, but it slightly depressed the mEPSP amplitude. LH-RH (1-4 microM) caused a 22-32% decrease in the amplitude of the acetylcholine-induced synaptic responses due to the iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh) to neurons in the presence of atropine (1 microM). These results suggested that LH-RH decreased nicotinic transmission in the bullfrog sympathetic ganglion, primarily by reducing the release of ACh from the preganglionic nerve terminals.

Presynaptic effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on neuromuscular transmission in the frog

Intracellular recordings were obtained from the frog sartorius muscle end-plate to investigate the effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on cholinergic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. A brief bath-application of CCK-8 (1 microM) produced a depression, followed by a long-lasting facilitation, of the amplitude and the quantal content of the end-plate potential (epp). CCK-8 had a biphasic effect, an initial depression followed by an augmentation of the frequency of the miniature epps. CCK-8 did not affect the sensitivity of the nicotinic receptor at the end-plate. These results suggest a significant role for CCK-8 in cholinergic transmission, possibly as a modulator of the evoked release of acetylcholine from motor nerve terminals.

The effects of substance P on neuromuscular transmission in the frog

The effects of substance P (SP) on cholinergic transmission were studied at the neuromuscular junction of frogs by intracellular and voltage-clamp recording methods. Bath application of SP increased the amplitude of end-plate potential (e.p.p.) evoked in either low-Ca2+ -high Mg2+ or curare-containing solution. SP at a concentration of 0.1-1 microM produced a dose-dependent increase in the quantal content of the e.p.p., while having no significant effects on the quantal size. The frequency of m.e.p.p. was increased by SP. SP (1 microM) did not change the sensitivity of nicotinic receptors at the end-plate. These results suggest that SP presynaptically facilitates the neuromuscular transmission, increasing the evoked release of ACh from motor nerve terminals.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide depolarizations in cat bladder parasympathetic ganglia

The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the neuronal membranes of isolated cat vesical pelvic ganglia and its underlying ionic mechanism were examined by means of intracellular recording and voltage-clamp techniques. Application of VIP (0.05-50 microM) to the neurones by pressure 'puff' ejection through a micropipette placed close to the neurones produced a depolarizing response (2-15 mV) in 83% of neurones tested; this effect was concentration dependent. The VIP-induced depolarization frequently evoked spontaneous action potentials in quiescent neurones and increased the frequency of action potentials in spontaneously firing neurones. The VIP depolarization was not blocked in a Ca2+-free, high-Mg2+ solution or in a solution containing hexamethonium (1 mM) and atropine (1 microM). Tetrodotoxin (TTX; 1 microM) also did not affect the VIP depolarization. The VIP depolarization was associated with an increase in membrane resistance and the slope of a current-voltage relation (I-V curve) was increased by VIP. Conditioning hyperpolarization and depolarization of the membrane increased and decreased the amplitude of the VIP depolarization, respectively. The VIP depolarization reversed polarity around--100 mV. The reversal potential shifted about 20 mV to a more positive level in a high-K+ (10 mM) solution in accord with the Nernst equation. Substituting Cl- with isethionate in the superfusate did not affect the reversal potential of the VIP depolarization. Closure of M-channels does not underlie VIP action since the VIP depolarization was enhanced by muscarine (10 microM) and unchanged in the presence of Ba (5 mM), or intracellular or extracellular Cs+, conditions known to block the M-channels (Adams, Brown & Constanti, 1982a, b). Tetraethylammonium (TEA; 20 mM) also did not affect the VIP depolarization. Voltage-clamp analyses showed that VIP applied by pressure ejection produced an inward current of 80-110 pA associated with a decrease in membrane conductance (from 2.8 to 3.5 nS) at a holding potential of--60 mV. VIP inward current was diminished by either repetitive or continuous application of VIP (5 microM) suggesting desensitization of the VIP receptor. It is concluded that VIP produces a depolarization in neurones of bladder parasympathetic ganglia by decreasing a K+ conductance, the pharmacological characteristics of which are unlike previously described K+ conductance mechanisms.

Glucocorticoid modulates the sensitivity of the GABAA receptor on primary afferent neurons of bullfrogs

With intracellular and voltage-clamp recording techniques, we have demonstrated that the glucocorticoids, prednisolone and hydrocortisone at a concentration of 5 microM to 1 mM, reversibly depressed gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced responses on primary afferent neurons of bullfrogs. An analysis with dose-response curves revealed that the glucocorticoids decreased the sensitivity of the GABAA receptor in a non-competitive manner. We suggest that glucocorticoids act as an antagonist of the GABAA receptor on primary afferent neurons, probably by reducing the number of functional GABAA receptor ionic channel complexes.