Morphometric and autoradiographic analysis of crude synaptosomal preparations from rat cerebral cortex

Effects of cocaine on sodium dependent dopamine uptake in rat striatal synaptosomes

Initial velocity of uptake of dopamine (DA) has been measured in the presence of 1 microM cocaine as a function of both [DA] and [Na]. Although DA uptake is overwhelmingly dependent on sodium, it appears that a small amount of DA uptake takes place in the absence of sodium. This contrasts with a previous study of the sodium dependence of uptake without cocaine (referred to below as control), in which uptake was found to be 100% sodium dependent. The data were fitted to several rapid equilibrium models and the minimal best fit model identified. The interaction of transporter (C), DA (S), and Na+ (Na) in this present model is identical to the reaction scheme found previously to fit control data (no cocaine). Whereas the control model required translocation only as CNa2S, in the presence of cocaine (I), two additional translocated species are required to fit the data (CS and CNaS). Another previous study of the interaction of carrier and cocaine at a constant [Na]0 predicted that cocaine interacts with a transporter site other than the DA binding site and that uptake takes place as CS and CSI. The present results are consistent with the assumption that the CS and CNaS forms of the present model are actually CSI and CNaSI, since they are required to fit a model of the sodium dependence in the presence of cocaine, but are not required in the absence of cocaine.

A model of the sodium dependence of dopamine uptake in rat striatal synaptosomes

Initial velocity of uptake of dopamine (DA) has been measured in rat striatal synaptosomes as a function of both [DA] and [Na]. Carrier mediated uptake is totally dependent on external sodium. The data were fitted to a rapid equilibrium model which has been found in previous studies to fit, with appropriate simplification, uptake data for glutamate, GABA, and choline in several brain regions under varying conditions. This model also gives a good fit to the dopamine data. The minimal best fit simplification of this model allows for DA uptake along with two sodium ions and predicts that apparent maximal velocity of uptake should increase with [Na], while the Michaelis-Menten constant should decrease. The minimal best fit model for DA, and a number of kinetic parameters which quantitate the model, are compared to those for the GABA, glutamate, and choline transporters. The results are consistent with a symmetrical, rapid equilibrium model, which has been presented previously for other neurotransmitters and precursors (18). This model offers a unifying basis for understanding the sodium and membrane potential dependence of neurotransmitter transport and the possible participation of transporters in depolarization induced release throughout the CNS.

Dopamine uptake in five structures of the brain: comparison of rate, sodium dependence and sensitivity to cocaine

The rate of uptake of dopamine (DA) per microgram protein and the sensitivity of uptake to sodium ([Na]o) and cocaine, have been measured in synaptosomes from five structures in the brain of the rat: striatum, nucleus accumbens, neocortex, limbic cortex and thalamus. Probably reflecting the number of DA terminals, there was a wide variation in the rate of uptake in the different structures: uptake was far greater in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (10-20-fold) than in the neocortex, limbic cortex or thalamus. Uptake in all structures was inhibited by cocaine. With high [Na]o, the IC50's varied from 1.10 microM for the thalamus to 3.32 microM for the nucleus accumbens. Maximum percentage inhibition varied from 76.0 for limbic cortex to 96.8 for nucleus accumbens and 97.7 for striatum; thus most uptake was carrier-mediated. With low [Na]o, IC50 for the nucleus accumbens was unchanged, while the IC50's for the striatum and limbic cortex were less. Maximum percentage inhibition was similar to that found for high [Na]o. Although the sensitivity to [Na] varied, synaptosomes from all areas showed Na-dependent uptake; lowering [Na] in the incubation medium from 133.2 to 9.5 mM reduced the uptake by a minimum of 36.9% in the neocortex to a maximum of 78.0% in striatum. Neither the rate of uptake nor the Na-dependence correlated precisely with the sensitivity to cocaine but the two structures which showed the greatest rate of uptake (nucleus accumbens and striatum) also showed the greatest sensitivity to [Na]o. Generally, the rate of uptake correlated with the density of DA terminals and number of cocaine binding sites as reported by others.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of Ca2+, Mg2+, and depolarizing agents, on the 32Pi-labeling and degradation of phosphatidylinositols in rat brain synaptosomes

In isolated synaptosomes from rat brain, 100 microM antimycin A and 10 microM oxamic acid inhibit the 32Pi-labeling of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP) by 90% and 95-99% respectively. 10 mM sodium fluoride inhibits the labeling by 50-60% and 10 mM A23187 inhibits the labeling by 63-70%. Phospholipase A2 inhibits the labeling of PIP2 and PIP by 93-94% and stimulates their degradation by 84-92%. Depolarization of synaptosomes with 75 mM K+ or 100 microM veratrine decreases the labeling of PIP2 and PIP by 66-74%. The decreased labeling results in large part from the Ca(2+)-dependent degradation of 32P-labeled PIP2 and PIP as shown by pulse-chase experiments in which PIP2 and PIP were prelabeled with 32Pi. Depolarization of synaptosomes results in the stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake with the concomitant hydrolysis of PIP and PIP2. Addition of 1 mM Ca2+ accounts for 25% of the enhanced degradation whereas depolarization with 75 mM K+ accounts for 75% of the enhanced degradation of PIP2 and PIP. Depolarization with 100 mM veratrine results in a 223% increase in inositol trisphosphate as evidenced by stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake. EGTA (10 mM) and Mg2+ (5-10 mM) inhibit the degradation of PIP and PIP2 and counteract the action of 1 mM Ca2+. Our data demonstrate that 45Ca2+, Mg2+, and membrane depolarization play an important role in the turnover of membrane phosphatidylinositols.

The effect of cocaine on membrane potential, on membrane depolarization by veratridine or elevated [K]o and on sodium/potassium permeability ratios in synaptosomes from the limbic cortex of the rat

Effects of cocaine on the synaptosomal membrane potential (Em), on membrane depolarization induced by veratridine or elevated [K]o and on sodium/potassium permeability ratios (pNa/pK), have been measured in buffer containing either low or high [Na]. Fluorescence of the dye rhodamine 6G was used to measure the membrane potential. Cocaine began to reduce the Em (depolarized) at concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-5) M in low [Na] buffer and between 10(-5) and 10(-4) M in high [Na] buffer. Maximum depolarization (with 10(-3) M cocaine) was 21 mV in low [Na] buffer and 11 mV in high [Na] buffer. Cocaine also reduced the depolarization caused by veratridine or elevated [K]o; the effective concentration of cocaine in reducing the response to veratridine was one-tenth that necessary to reduce the response to elevated [K]o. The antagonism by cocaine of the response to veratridine was similar to that found by other investigators; however, this action would tend to oppose depolarization and thus cannot explain the depolarizing effect of cocaine alone. The antagonism by cocaine of the depolarization caused by elevated [K] was consistent with a reduction in pK; such a change in pK could explain the observed reduction in Em caused by cocaine alone. The effect of cocaine (10(-3) M) on the Em was also measured as a function of [K]o at low and high [Na]o. Cocaine caused membrane depolarization at all [K]o's (3.9-19.2 mV), an effect that was somewhat greater in the low [Na] medium. These measurements of Em were fitted to the Goldman equation and the ratio of pNa/pK estimated. The presence of cocaine increased the estimate of pNa/pK by 45.7%, presumably by reducing pK.

Are there both low- and high-affinity glutamate transporters in rat cortical synaptosomes?

Kinetics of sodium dependent glutamic acid transport have been studied in rat cortical synaptosomes at sufficiently high glutamic acid concentrations ([G]) to delineate the "low affinity" transporter. Computer optimization techniques were used to fit the data to models which account for the sodium and substrate dependence of uptake. The data fit about equally well models consisting of two carriers (Model 1) or one carrier plus a linear component (Model 2). However, the results of further studies were inconsistent with Model 1, but totally consistent with Model 2. Thus the results are incompatible with the presence of both high- and low-affinity carriers. The carrier model found in previous studies of high affinity glutamate transport predicts the effects of high [G] and [Na] observed in the present study. The biphasic effect of [Na] on velocity of uptake is the logical consequence of the operation of this model. The rate equation for this model has been utilized to define and compute kinetic parameters which characterize the transporter. These kinetic functions are remarkably similar in shape and magnitude to previous estimates from the studies of the high affinity transport (low [G]). The results of other studies by the author which corroborate and expand the predictions of the kinetic model are discussed. These have been combined with the present results to formulate a rather comprehensive model of glutamate function. This model can be used to describe function in terms of mathematical equations and to make predictions from these equations. These equations relate velocity of uptake and the kinetic parameters to sodium and substrate concentration, velocity to membrane potential, distribution ratio to the electrochemical potential, and release to time, compartment sizes, and exchange constants. Such processes as concentration in the presynaptic terminal, depolarization induced release, re-uptake following stimulus induced release, and postsynaptic depolarization are all possible consequences of the operation of this model. The wide applicability of the model to the transport of other substrates in addition to glutamate is discussed.

Endogenous GABA concentration in cortical synaptosomes from young and aged rats

The objectives of this study are threefold: to compare the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration of a preparation of cortical synaptosomes from young male rats to that of aged rats; to compare the GABA concentration in synaptosomes retained by Millipore filtration for young and aged rats; and to compare the GABA concentration in the synaptosomal preparation to that in synaptosomes retained by Millipore filtration for young and aged rats. The GABA concentration is measured in cortical synaptosomes from Long-Evans rats at 2 months and 30 months of age. Concentration of the synaptosomal preparation declined significantly from 2.97 mM in 2-month animals to 2.68 mM in 30-month animals. In order to compare the results with previous studies of GABA transport, in which Millipore filters are used to separate synaptosomes from incubation medium, the GABA concentration is also measured following placement of synaptosomes on 0.65 mu pore size Millipore filters. For both young and aged animals, this population of synaptosomes is found to contain GABA at a concentration more than triple that in the overall population. This is the expected result if the filtration process reduces the non-synaptosomal component of the total preparation, since GABA uptake is known to be a function of the nerve-ending component. Comparison of 2-month and 30-month synaptosomes reveals that the GABA concentration of those synaptosomes retained by the filtration process declined to a greater extent in the aged group than did the content of the overall population (from 9.33 mM to 8.37 mM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Time course of the aging of the high affinity L-glutamate transporter in rat cortical synaptosomes

Initial velocities of cortical synaptosomal glutamate uptake are measured as a function of both glutamate and sodium concentration in 10- and 18-month old animals and compared to previous results from 2- and 30-month old animals. As a percentage of 2-month values, mean velocity of uptake falls to 87% in the 10-month group and to 79% in the 18-month group, with no further change between 18 and 30 months. The data give minimal best fit to the same model for interaction of carrier with glutamate and sodium as found previously for 2- and 30-month old animals. Thus the basic mechanisms involved in transport do not change with age. However, the kinetic parameters which describe the transporter do change with age, the primary changes being in those parameters reflective of the transport capacity of the carrier. Va, apparent maximal velocity of uptake, declines most rapidly between 2 and 30 months, continues to decline rapidly between 10 and 18 months, and then declines slowly between 18 and 30 months. Jm, rate of uptake at infinite sodium concentration, declines most rapidly between 2 and 10 months, with a much slower decline between 10 and 30 months. Kt, apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, changes but little with age; at 30 months, Kt is only 6-11% less than at 2 months. Although the total change is only 9-10%, there appears to be a slow, steady decline in KNa, the sodium concentration giving an uptake equal to Jm/2, between 2 and 30 months of age.