Potent antagonists at the L-AP4- and (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors in the neonatal rat spinal cord

Antisense ablation of type I metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1 inhibits spinal nociceptive transmission

Electrophysiological and behavioral studies point to a role of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1 and mGluR5) in mediating spinal nociceptive responses in rats. However, antagonists with a high degree of specificity for each of these sites are not yet available. We, therefore, examined the effects of antisense deletion of spinal mGluR1 expression in assays of behavioral analgesia and of electrophysiological responses of dorsal horn neurons. Rats treated with an mGluR1 antisense oligonucleotide reagent, delivered continuously to the intrathecal space of the lumbar spinal cord, developed marked analgesia as measured by an increase in the latency to tail-flick (55 degreesC) over a period of 4-7 d. This correlated with a selective reduction in mGluR1, but not mGluR5, immunoreactivity in the superficial dorsal horn compared with untreated control rats, in parallel with a significant reduction in the proportion of neurons activated by the mGluR group I agonist 3, 5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), whereas the proportion of cells excited by the mGluR5 agonist, trans-azetidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (t-ADA) remained unaffected. In contrast, rats treated with mGluR1 sense or mismatch probes showed none of these changes compared with untreated, control rats. Furthermore, multireceptive dorsal horn neurons in mGluR1 antisense-treated rats were strongly excited by innocuous stimuli to their peripheral receptive fields, but showed severe reductions in their sustained excitatory responses to the selective C-fiber activator mustard oil and in responses to DHPG.

Cloning and characterization of alternative mRNA forms for the rat metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR7 and mGluR8

Novel mRNA isoforms for two members of the group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), called mGluR7b and mGluR8b, were identified from rat brain cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In both cases, the alternative splicing is generated by a similar out-of-frame insertion in the carboxyl-terminus that results in the replacement of the last 16 amino acids of mGluR7 and mGluR8 by 23 and 16 different amino acids, respectively. Distribution analysis for mGluR7 and mGluR8 isoforms revealed that the two splice variants are generally coexpressed in the same brain areas. The few exceptions were the olfactory bulb, in which only the mGluR7a form could be detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the lateral reticular and ambiguous nuclei, which showed only mGluR8a labelling. Despite expression in the same regions, different mRNA abundance for the two variants of each receptor were observed. When transiently coexpressed in HEK 293 cells with the phospholipase C-activating chimeric G alpha qi9-G-protein, the a and b forms for both receptor subtypes showed a similar pharmacological profile. The rank order of potencies for both was: DL-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate > L-serine-O-phosphate > glutamate. However, the agonist potencies were significantly higher for mGluR8a, b compared with mGluR7a,b. In Xenopus oocytes, glutamate evoked currents only with mGluR8 when coexpressed with Kir 3.1 and 3.4. Glutamate-induced currents were antagonized by the group II/III antagonist (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine. In conclusion, the two isoforms of each receptor have identical pharmacological profiles when expressed in heterologous systems, despite structural differences in the carboxyl-terminal domains.

L-Cysteinesulfinic acid modulates cardiovascular function in the periaqueductal gray area of rat

L-Cysteinesulfinic acid (CSA) involvement in modulating periaqueductal gray (PAG) pressor neurons has been evaluated in the rat. Intra-PAG CSA induced an increase in mean blood pressure partially antagonized by (2S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGA), a group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) antagonist. Conversely, the NMDA antagonist, DL-AP5, or the mGluRs antagonists, (+)-MCPG, UPF523, or (RS)-alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate (MSOP), were devoid of any activity on the CSA effect. These data show that the excitatory amino acid CSA, probably by stimulating an mGluR, contributes with glutamate in modulating cardiovascular function at the PAG matter.

Bidirectional synaptic plasticity in the rat basolateral amygdala: characterization of an activity-dependent switch sensitive to the presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist 2S-alpha-ethylglutamic acid

This study examines forms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the basolateral amygdala in vitro and demonstrates that a brief high frequency stimulus (HFS) train can induce a switch in the direction of the enduring change in synaptic strength induced by subsequent low-frequency stimulation (LFS). LFS (1 Hz, 15 min) of the external capsule (EC) induced a persistent 1.7-fold enhancement in the amplitude of synaptic potentials recorded intracellularly in basolateral amygdala neurons. The enhancement occurred gradually during the stimulation and was maintained for >30 min after termination of the stimulus train. LFS-induced enduring synaptic facilitation was not affected by the NMDA receptor antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (APV; 100 microM). Brief high-frequency EC stimulation (HFS; 100 Hz, 1 sec) induced APV-sensitive short-term potentiation (2.5-fold) that generally decayed within 10 min. When LFS was applied after recovery from the short-term potentiating effect of HFS (HFS/LFS), there was an initial transient (<10 min) enhancement of the synaptic response followed by persistent synaptic depression (synaptic potential amplitude reduced by 22% at 30 min). This represents the first demonstration of stimulus-dependent long-lasting synaptic depression in the amygdala. Application of the presynaptic (group II) metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist 2S-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU; 50 microM) prevented the HFS-dependent switch from synaptic facilitation to depression. Thus, LFS in the in vitro amygdala slice can induce either enduring synaptic potentiation or depression, depending on whether a priming HFS train has been applied. This experience-dependent switch, a novel form of metaplasticity, is not dependent on NMDA receptors but may require group II metabotropic glutamate receptors. In the amygdala, experiential modification of activity-dependent long-term synaptic plasticity adds flexibility to the ways in which synaptic strength can be modified and could play a role in diverse amygdala-dependent processes, including the formation, storage, and extinction of emotional memory and the regulation of epileptogenesis.

(+)-MCPG blocks induction of LTP in CA1 of rat hippocampus via agonist action at an mGluR group II receptor

We investigated the effect of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) ligands on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in CA1 of rat hippocampus, in particular the manner by which the nonsubtype selective mGluR ligand alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [(+)-MCPG] blocks LTP induction. Normalized control LTP was blocked by (+)-MCPG (250 microM), but not by the mGluRI selective antagonist (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (4-CPG), the mGluRII selective antagonist 1/(2S,3S, 4S)-2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl) glycine (MCCG), or the mGluRIII antagonist (S)-2-amino-2-methyl-4-phosphonobutanoic acid/alpha-methyl (MAP4). In contrast the mGluRII agonist ((1S, 3S)-1-aminocyclopentante-1,3-dicarboxylic acid -(1S,3S)-ACPD-; 10 or 25 microM) completely and consistently blocked LTP. The block of LTP by both (1S,3S)-ACPD and (+)-MCPG could be prevented by preincubation with the mGluRII antagonist MCCG. These studies demonstrate that (+)-MCPG blocks LTP induction through an agonist action at an mGluRII receptor and not through a nonselective antagonist action.

Multiple pathways for regulation of the KCl-induced [3H]-GABA release by metabotropic glutamate receptors, in primary rat cortical cultures

In rat cortical primary cultures, group II- and III-metabotropic glutamate receptor-selective agonists concentration-dependently reduced KCl-induced [3H]GABA release, with IC50 values of 11 nM for LY354740, 80 nM for L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4), 180 nM for DCG-IV, and 330 nM for L-SOP. The group II antagonists, LY341495 and EGLU, reversed the effect of LY354740, and the group III antagonist MTPG reversed the effect of L-AP4. In the presence of omega-conotoxin GVIA, LY354740 inhibited the remaining [3H]GABA release, whereas L-AP4 was inactive. In contrast, in the presence of nifedipine, L-AP4 inhibited the remaining [3H]GABA release, but LY354740 was no longer active. The PKA inhibitor, H89, blocked the effects of both L-AP4 and LY354740, whereas the PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220 blocked only the effect of LY354740. Both Ro 31-8220 and H89 reduced the [3H]GABA release to 60% of control. In whole-cell, voltage-clamp experiments, LY354740 and L-AP4 inhibited voltage-gated calcium channel currents with IC50 values of 28 nM and 22 microM, respectively. The results suggest that, in these cells, KCl-induced [3H]GABA release is modulated by two different mechanisms, one involving group II receptors and a direct control of the Ca2+ channel activity, and the other mediated by group III receptors and possibly involving a regulation located downstream of the Ca2+ channel activation.

Presynaptic depression at a calyx synapse: the small contribution of metabotropic glutamate receptors

Synaptic depression of evoked EPSCs was quantified with stimulation frequencies ranging from 0.2 to 100 Hz at the single CNS synapse formed by the calyx of Held in the rat brainstem. Half-maximal depression occurred at approximately 1 Hz, with 10 and 100 Hz stimulation frequencies reducing EPSC amplitudes to approximately 30% and approximately 10% of their initial magnitude, respectively. The time constant of recovery from depression elicited by 10 Hz afferent fiber stimulation was 4.2 sec. AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs depressed in parallel at 1-5 Hz stimulation frequencies, suggesting that depression was induced by presynaptic mechanism(s) that reduced glutamate release. To determine the contribution of autoreceptors to depression, we studied the inhibitory effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists (1S, 3S)-ACPD and L-AP4 and found them to be reversed in a dose-dependent manner by (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (CPPG), a novel and potent competitive antagonist of mGluRs. At 300 microM, CPPG completely reversed the effects of L-AP4 and (1S, 3S)-ACPD, but reduced 5-10 Hz elicited depression by only approximately 6%. CPPG-sensitive mGluRs, presumably activated by glutamate spillover during physiological synaptic transmission, thus contribute on the order of only 10% to short-term synaptic depression. We therefore suggest that the main mechanism contributing to the robust depression elicited by 5-10 Hz afferent fiber stimulation of the calyx of Held synapse is synaptic vesicle pool depletion.

Group 1 and 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors play differential roles in hippocampal long-term depression and long-term potentiation in freely moving rats

This study examined the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in hippocampal long-term depression (LTD) in vivo. The group 1 mGluR antagonist (S)4-carboxyphenylglycine (4CPG), group 1/2 antagonist (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), and group 2 antagonists (RS)-alpha-methylserine-O-phos-phate monophenyl ester (MSOPPE) and (2S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU) were used. The NMDA receptor antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) was used to examine the NMDA receptor contribution to the observed LTD. Adult male Wistar rats underwent implantation of stimulating and recording electrodes into the Schaffer collaterals and CA1 stratum radiatum, respectively. After recovery of 5-7 d, the field EPSP was measured from freely moving animals. Drugs were applied either before or after 1 Hz low-frequency train (LFT) or 100 Hz stimulation via a cannula implanted in the lateral cerebral ventricle. Nine hundred pulses at 1 Hz produced an LTD that was marked and long-lasting. This LTD was completely inhibited by pre-LFT application of AP5. MCPG inhibited LTD from 2 hr post-LFT. 4CPG partially impaired LTD. MSOPPE and EGLU completely blocked induction of LTD, although short-term depression remained intact. MSOPPE did not block long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by 100 Hz stimulation, whereas 4CPG produced a significant inhibition. When MSOPPE was present, LTD could not be induced either before or after LTP induction, whereas LTD could be induced in an identical protocol in vehicle-injected animals. These results suggest a differential role for mGluRs in NMDA receptor-dependent hippocampal LTD in vivo. Group 1 mGluRs may play a role in both LTD and LTP, whereas group 2 mGluRs may be critically involved only in LTD induction.

The effects of (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine ((RS)-CPPG), a potent and selective metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist

1. In this study we describe the potent antagonist activity of a novel metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor antagonist (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine ((RS)-CPPG) which exhibits selectivity for mGlu receptors (group II and III) negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in the adult rat cortex. 2. Both the L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) and (2S, 1'S, 2'S)-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-1) inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation were potently reversed by (RS)-CPPG (IC50 values: 2.2 +/- 0.6 nM and 46.2 +/- 18.2 nM, respectively). 3. In contrast, (RS)-CPPG acted as a weak antagonist against group I mGlu receptors. In neonatal rat cortical slices, (RS)-CPPG antagonized (KB = 0.65 +/- 0.07 mM) (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ((1S,3R)-ACPD)-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis. (RS)-CPPG (100 microM) failed to influence L-quisqualate-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in cultured cerebellar granule cells. 4. In the rat cerebral cortex, (RS)-CPPG is the most potent antagonist of group II/III mGlu receptors yet described (with 20 fold selectivity for group III mGlu receptors), having negligible activity at group I mGlu receptors.