4-Aminopyridine-induced synaptic GABAB currents in granule cells of the guinea-pig hippocampus

Unitary synaptic currents between lacunosum-moleculare interneurones and pyramidal cells in rat hippocampus

1. Unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (uIPSCs) were characterised between 23 synaptically coupled interneurones at the border of stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare (LM) and CA1 pyramidal cells (PYR) using dual whole-cell recordings and morphological identification in rat hippocampal slices. 2. LM interneurones presented a morphology typical of stellate cells, with a fusiform soma as well as dendritic and axonal arborisations in stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare. 3. Single spikes in interneurones triggered uIPSCs in pyramidal cells that were blocked by the GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline and mediated by a chloride conductance. The latency, rise time, duration and decay time constant of uIPSCs were a function of amplitude in all pairs, suggesting a homogeneity in the population sampled. 4. During paired pulse stimulation, individual LM-PYR connections exhibited facilitation or depression. The paired pulse ratio was inversely related to the amplitude of the first response. The transition from facilitation to depression occurred at 26 % of the maximal amplitude of the first uIPSC. Paired pulse depression was not modified by CGP 55845 and thus was GABA(B) receptor independent. 5. CGP 55845 failed to modify the amplitude of uIPSCs, suggesting an absence of tonic presynaptic GABA(B) inhibition at LM-PYR connections. 6. Increasing GABA release by repetitive activation of interneurones failed to induce GABA(B) IPSCs. With extracellular minimal stimulation, increasing stimulation intensity above threshold, or repetitive activation, evoked GABA(B) IPSCs, probably as a result of coactivation of several GABAergic fibres. 7. Thus, dendritic inhibition by LM interneurones involves GABA(A) uIPSCs with kinetics dependent on response amplitude and subject to GABA(B)-independent paired pulse plasticity.

Impaired inhibition of epileptiform activity by baclofen, but not by adenosine in the weaver hippocampus

The weaver defect results in a loss of baclofen- and adenosine-gated K+ conductance in the hippocampus of adult homozygous (wv/wv) mice. In addition, suppression of hippocampal epileptiform activity by baclofen is impaired (Jarolimek, W., Bäurle, J., Misgeld, U., 1998. Pore mutation in a G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit causes loss of K+ dependent inhibition in weaver hippocampus. Journal of Neuroscience 18, 4001-4007). We used wv/wv and wild-type (+/+) mice to determine whether K+ conductance increases are essential for the suppression of epileptiform activity by R-baclofen and adenosine in disinhibited hippocampal slices. In wv/wv mice R-baclofen was less potent by two orders of magnitude in reducing the frequency of spontaneous synchronous burst discharges than in +/+ mice. Endogenous adenosine and adenosine A1 receptor agonists differed only slightly in their efficacy to inhibit spontaneous synchronous burst discharges in wv/wv and +/+ mice. The findings on adenosine A1 receptors suggest that the varied efficacy of R-baclofen in wv/wv and +/+ mice may not be explained solely on the basis of a loss of ligand-gated K+ conductance. Therefore, we investigated the affinity of GABA(B) receptors for the antagonist CGP55845A in wv/wv and +/+ hippocampi. Schild plot analysis revealed a K(D) for the GABA(B) antagonist CGP55845A 10 fold higher in wv/wv than in +/+ mice. The data suggest that an alteration of GABA(B) receptors could contribute to the reduced efficacy of R-baclofen to suppress hippocampal epileptiform activity in weaver mice, while the suppression by adenosine remains largely unaffected.

Dual intracellular recordings and computational models of slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in rat neocortical and hippocampal slices

Dual intracellular recordings in slices of adult rat neocortex and hippocampus investigated slow, putative GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. In most pairs tested in which the interneuron elicited a fast inhibitory postsynaptic potential in the pyramid, this GABA(A) receptor mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potential was entirely blocked by bicuculline or picrotoxin (3:3 in neocortex, 6:8 in CA1, all CA1 basket cells), even when high-frequency presynaptic spike trains were elicited. However, in three of 85 neocortical paired recordings involving an interneuron, although no discernible response was elicited by single presynaptic interneuronal spikes, a long latency (> or =20 ms) inhibitory postsynaptic potential was elicited by a train of > or =3 spikes at frequencies > or =50-100 Hz. This slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential was insensitive to bicuculline (one pair tested). In neocortex, slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential duration reached a maximum of 200 ms even with prolonged presynaptic spike trains. In contrast, summing fast, GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, elicited by spike trains, lasted as long as the train. Between four and 10 presynaptic spikes, mean peak slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential amplitude increased sharply to 0.38, 2.6 and 2.9 mV, respectively, in the three neocortical pairs (membrane potential -60 to -65 mV). Thereafter increases in spike number had little additional effect on amplitude. In two of eight pairs in CA1, one involving a presynaptic basket cell and the other a putative bistratified interneuron, the fast inhibitory postsynaptic potential was blocked by bicuculline revealing a slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential that was greatly reduced by 100 microM CGP 35348 (basket cell pair). The sensitivity of this slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential to spike number was similar to that of neocortical 'pure' slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, but was of longer duration, its plateau phase outlasting 200 ms spike trains and its maximum duration exceeding 400 ms. Computational models of GABA release, diffusion and uptake suggested that extracellular accumulation of GABA cannot alone account for the non-linear relationship between spike number and inhibitory postsynaptic potential amplitude. However, cooperativity in the kinetics of GABA(B) transduction mechanisms provided non-linear relations similar to experimental data. Different kinetic models were considered for how G-proteins activate K+ channels, including allosteric models. For all models, the best fit to experimental data was obtained with four G-protein binding sites on the K+ channels, consistent with a tetrameric structure for the K+ channels associated with GABA(B) receptors. Thus some inhibitory connections in neocortex and hippocampus appear mediated solely by fast GABA(A) receptors, while others appear mediated solely by slow, non-ionotropic, possibly GABA(B) receptors. In addition, some inhibitory postsynaptic potentials arising in proximal portions of CA1 pyramidal cells are mediated by both GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors. Our data indicate that the GABA released by a single interneuron can saturate the GABA(B) receptor mechanism(s) accessible to it and that 'spillover' to extrasynaptic sites need not necessarily be proposed to explain these slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential properties.

Switched single-electrode voltage-clamp amplifiers allow precise measurement of gap junction conductance

Measurement of gap junction conductance (gj) with patch-clamp amplifiers can, due to series resistance problems, be subject to considerable errors when large currents are measured. Formulas developed to correct for these errors unfortunately depend on exact estimates of series resistance, which are not always easy to obtain. Discontinuous single-electrode voltage-clamp amplifiers (DSEVCs) were shown to overcome series resistance problems in single whole cell recording. With the use of two synchronized DSEVCs, the simulated gj in a model circuit can be measured with a maximum error of <5% in all recording situations investigated (series resistance, 5-47 MOmega; membrane resistance, 20-1,000 MOmega; gj, 1-100 nS). At a very low gj of 100 pS, the error sometimes exceeded 5% (maximum of 15%), but the error was always <5% when membrane resistance was >100 MOmega. The precision of the measurements is independent of series resistance, membrane resistance, and gj. Consequently, it is possible to calculate gj directly from Ohm's law, i.e., without using correction formulas. Our results suggest that DSEVCs should be used to measure gj if large currents must be recorded, i.e., if cells are well coupled or if membrane resistance is low.

Distinct GABAB actions via synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors in rat hippocampus in vitro

Intracellular recordings were obtained from pyramidal cells to examine gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABAB)-mediated synaptic mechanisms in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. To investigate if heterogeneous ionic mechanisms linked to GABAB receptors originate from distinct sets of inhibitory fibers, GABAB-mediated monosynaptic late inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were elicited in the presence of antagonists of ionotropic glutamate and GABAA receptors and of an inhibitor of GABA uptake and were compared after direct stimulation of inhibitory fibers in three different CA1 layers: stratum oriens, radiatum, and lacunosum-moleculare. No significant differences were found in mean amplitude, rise time, or time to decay to half-amplitude of IPSPs evoked from the three layers. Mean equilibrium potential (Erev) of late IPSPs was similar for all groups and close to the equilibrium potential of K+. Bath application of the GABAB antagonist CGP55845A blocked all monosynaptic late IPSPs. During recordings with micropipettes containing guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS), the mean amplitude of all GABAB IPSPs gradually was reduced. Bath application of Ba2+ completely eliminated monosynaptic late IPSPs evoked from any of the stimulation sites. Late IPSPs were blocked completely during Ba2+ applications that reduced the GABAB-mediated hyperpolarizations elicited by local application of exogenous GABA only by approximately 50%. These results indicate that heterogenous K+ conductances activated by GABAB receptors do not originate from separate sets of inhibitory fibers in these layers. To examine if synchronous release of GABA from a larger number of inhibitory fibers could activate heterogeneous GABAB mechanisms, giant GABAB IPSPs were induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in the presence of antagonists of ionotropic glutamate and GABAA receptors. The amplitude and time course 4-AP-induced late IPSPs were approximately double that of evoked monosynaptic late IPSPs, but their voltage sensitivity, Erev, and antagonism by the GABAB antagonist CGP55845A and intracellular GTPgammaS were similar. Ba2+ completely abolished 4-AP-induced late IPSPs, whereas responses elicited by exogenous GABA were only reduced by approximately 50% in the same cells. These results indicate that synchronous activation of large numbers of inhibitory fibers, as induced by 4-AP, may not activate heterogenous GABAB-mediated conductances. Similarly, Ba2+ almost completely blocked late inhibitory postsynaptic currents evoked by stimulus trains. Overall, our results show that exogenous GABA can activate heterogenous K+ conductances via GABAB receptors, but that GABA released synaptically, either by electrical stimulation or 4-AP application, can only activate K+ conductances homogeneously sensitive to Ba2+. Thus GABAB receptors located at synaptic and extrasynaptic sites on hippocampal pyramidal cells may be linked to distinct K+ conductances.

Pore mutation in a G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit causes loss of K+-dependent inhibition in weaver hippocampus

Weaver (wv) mice carry a point mutation in the pore region of a G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel subunit (Kir3.2). wvKir3.2 conducts inward currents that may cause the loss of neurons in the cerebellum and substantia nigra. Although Kir3.2 is widely expressed in the CNS, significant morphological or physiological changes have not been reported for other brain areas. We studied the role of wvKir3.2 in hippocampal slices of young [postnatal day (P) 4-18] and adult wv/wv (>/=P24) mice, because protein levels of Kir 3. 1 and Kir3.2 appear to be normal in the first 3 postnatal weeks and only decrease thereafter. In disinhibited slices, the GABAB receptor agonist R-baclofen reduced burst activity in wv/wv mice but was much more potent in wild-type mice. Mean resting membrane potential, slope input resistance, and membrane time constant of CA3 neurons of adult wv/wv and wild-type mice were indistinguishable. However, R-baclofen or chloroadenosine did not induce K+ currents or any other conductance change in wv/wv mice. Moreover, electrical or chemical stimulation of inhibitory neurons did not evoke slow IPSPs in adult wv/wv mice. Only in a few cells of young wv/wv mice did GABAB receptor activation by R-baclofen or presynaptic stimulation induce small inward currents, which were likely caused by a Na+ ion influx through wvKir3.2 channels. The data show that the pore mutation in wvKir3.2 channels results in a hippocampal phenotype resembling Kir3.2-deficient mutants, although it is not associated with the occurrence of seizures.

Increase in gap junction conductance by an antiarrhythmic peptide

Impaired cellular coupling is thought to be a very important factor for the genesis of cardiac arrhythmia. Cellular coupling is mediated by gap junctions. However, there are no therapeutic agents or experimental substances yet that increase cellular coupling. In addition, it has been shown that most antiarrhythmic drugs available now possess serious adverse effects. Thus, there is an urgent need for new antiarrhythmic agents. Previous studies using epicardial mapping in isolated rabbit hearts provided indirect evidence supporting the hypothesis that a newly synthesised antiarrhythmic peptide (Gly-Ala-Gly-4Hyp-Pro-Tyr-CONH2 = AAP10) might act via an increase in cellular, i.e., gap junctional coupling. The aim of the present study was to test this hypothesis. Measurement of the stimulus-response interval in papillary muscle showed a decrease of about 10% after application of 1 microM AAP10. These results are compatible with the hypothesis of AAP10 acting on gap junctions. In order to prove this hypothesis, gap junction conductance was measured directly by performing double-cell voltage-clamp experiments in isolated pairs of guinea-pig myocytes. During a 10 min control period gap junction conductance slowly decreased with a rate of -2.5 +/- 2.0 nS/min. After application of 10 nM AAP10 this behaviour reversed and gap junction conductance now increased with +1.0 +/- 0.7 nS/min. Upon washout of AAP10 gap junction conductance again decreased with a rate similar to that under control conditions. Another important finding was that we could not detect any other actions of AAP10 on cardiac myocytes. All parameters of the transmembrane action potential remained unchanged and, similarly, no changes in the IV relationship of single cardiac myocytes treated with 10 nM AAP10 could be observed. We conclude that AAP10 increases gap junction conductance, i.e., cellular coupling in the heart. This finding might be the first step towards the development of a new class of antiarrhythmic agents.

Rapid coating of glass-capillary microelectrodes for single-electrode voltage-clamp

The single-electrode voltage-clamp technique requires sharp glass-capillary microelectrodes, whose electrical properties often limit the capabilities of the recording system. Here, we describe a rapid and simple way of coating fine microelectrodes with Dricote and Vaseline that improves their performance during voltage-clamp. The coating prevented clogging of the tips, improved the capacitance compensation of the electrodes, helped to seal the electrode tips into cell membranes and allowed visualization of the tips under saline solution. This new coating method led to greatly improved recordings and better characterization of the transduction and voltage-activated currents in an isolated preparation of spider mechanosensory neurons.

Suppression by GABAB receptors of 4-aminopyridine-induced hyperactivity in guinea-pig dentate neurons

Double intracellular recording from granule cells and hilar neurons was performed in hippocampal slices to study the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor antagonists on the activity induced by the convulsant 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in the dentate gyrus. 4-AP evoked GABA-mediated responses in granule cells and burst discharges in hilar neurons. In the presence of GABAB but not GABAA receptor antagonists, 4-AP evoked discharge activity in dentate granule cells. When both GABAA and GABAB receptors were blocked 4-AP induced synchronous 'paroxysmal depolarizing shift'-like activity in granule cells and hilar neurons. Our data indicate that GABAB receptor-mediated mechanisms protect dentate cells against the convulsant effects of 4-AP.

A physiological role for GABAB receptors and the effects of baclofen in the mammalian central nervous system

The inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA acts in the mammalian brain through two different receptor classes: GABAA and GABAB receptors. GABAB receptors differ fundamentally from GABAA receptors in that they require a G-protein. GABAB receptors are located pre- and/or post-synaptically, and are coupled to various K+ and Ca2+ channels presumably through both a membrane delimited pathway and a pathway involving second messengers. Baclofen, a selective GABAB receptor agonist, as well as GABA itself have pre- and post-synaptic effects. Pre-synaptic effects comprise the reduction of the release of excitatory and inhibitory transmitters. GABAergic receptors on GABAergic terminals may regulate GABA release, however, in most instances spontaneous inhibitory synaptic activity is not modulated by endogenous GABA. Post-synaptic GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition is likely to occur through a membrane delimited pathway activating K+ channels, while baclofen, in some neurons, may activate K+ channels through a second messenger pathway involving arachidonic acid. Some, but not all GABAB receptor-gated K+ channels have the typical properties of those G-protein-activated K+ channels which are also gated by other endogenous ligands of the brain. New, high affinity GABAB antagonists are now available, and some pharmacological evidence points to a receptor heterogeneity. The pharmacological distinction of receptor subtypes, however, has to await final support from a characterization of the molecular structure. The function importance of post-synaptic GABAB receptors is highlighted by a segregation of GABAA and GABAB synapses in the mammalian brain.

Electrophysiology of the neurons in the area of the enkephalinergic magnocellular dorsal nucleus of the guinea-pig hypothalamus, studied by intracellular and whole-cell recordings

The electrophysiological characteristics of 103 hypothalamic neurons in the area of the guinea-pig enkephalinergic magnocellular dorsal nucleus were studied in a thick slice preparation with sharp microelectrodes (63 neurons) and patch pipettes for whole-cell recordings (40 neurons). Of the sampled cells, 79.6% displayed tetrodotoxin-resistant, calcium-dependent slow-depolarizing potentials when the membrane potential was hyperpolarized to approximately -70 mV (type I neurons). Half of them showed robust slow depolarizing potentials, generating bursts of fast action potentials. In the remaining neurons, the slow-depolarizing potentials did not cause burst-firing action potentials but triggered single action potentials. The other class of neurons (20.4% of the sample: type II neurons) did not exhibit calcium-dependent slow-depolarizing potentials. Resting potential, input resistance and the membrane time constant did not distinguish among the two classes of neurons. Current-voltage relationships were heterogeneous. A transient outward rectification was observed in the two classes. This was not totally blocked by 2 mM 4-aminopyridine but was abolished when using perfusion with cobalt instead of calcium. Input resistance and the time constant were higher when measured in the whole-cell mode but the other electrical parameters and the sampling of the recorded neurons were strikingly similar between the two methods of recording. Intracellular staining of 22 neurons retrogradely labelled from the lateral septum allowed confirmation of their location within the magnocellular dorsal nucleus. The study indicates that the electrical properties of these neurons did not differ from those of neurons found throughout the area explored. It also indicates the presence of distinct electrophysiological types of cells in the magnocellular dorsal nucleus, although the nucleus is composed of a single type of enkephalinergic neuron. It provides a basis for the study of the regulation of activity of the neurons at the origin of an enkephalinergic tractus which is involved in neuroendocrine, psychoneuroendocrine and immune processes.

Differences in the Cs block of baclofen and 4-aminopyridine induced potassium currents of guinea pig CA3 neurons in vitro

Single-electrode current- and voltage-clamp techniques were employed to study responses elicited by (-)baclofen or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in CA3 pyramidal neurons in guinea pig hippocampal slices. All drugs were applied by the bath to submerged slices in which fast synaptic transmission was blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (10 microM), bicuculline (50 microM), and picrotoxin (50 microM). (-)Baclofen (0.5 microM) and GABA (1 mM) induced equivalent-sized hyperpolarizations and input resistance decreases. The agonist induced hyperpolarization or current and 4-AP induced hyperpolarizations or currents (4-AP induced K-IPSPs or IPSCs) reversed in sign near the K-equilibrium potential (EK). The GABAB receptor antagonists, OH-saclofen (500 microM) and CGP 35348 (100 microM), reduced (-)baclofen responses, and 4-AP induced K-IPSPs, suggesting that they were mediated by GABAB receptors. Intracellular tetraethylammonium-, and extracellular barium-ions (1 mM) diminished the (-)baclofen induced current and 4-AP induced K-IPSCs. Intracellular Cs-ions blocked the (-)baclofen induced outward current at resting membrane potential but did not grossly affect the inward current recorded at membrane potentials negative to EK. 4-AP induced inwardly or outwardly directed K-IPSCs were not blocked by intracellular Cs-ions. Extracellular Cs-ions (5 mM) blocked the (-)baclofen induced inward K-current, but did not block 4-AP induced inwardly directed K-IPSCs. In conclusion, we found differences in the Cs block of activated by (-)baclofen or the endogenous transmitter GABA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)