Vesicular and carrier-mediated depolarization-induced release of [3H]GABA: inhibition by amiloride and verapamil

Sertraline inhibits pre-synaptic Na⁺ channel-mediated responses in hippocampus-isolated nerve endings

In the present study, a possible sertraline action on cerebral pre-synaptic Na(+) channels was investigated. For this purpose, the effect of sertraline on responses induced by the Na(+) channel opener, veratridine, namely the increase in Na(+) and in neurotransmitter release in hippocampus-isolated nerve endings was investigated. Results show that sertraline in the low μM range (1.5-25 μM) progressively inhibits the rise in Na(+) and the release of pre-loaded [(3) H]Glu as well as the release of endogenous 5-HT, Glu and GABA (detected by HPLC) induced by veratridine depolarization either under external Ca(2+) -free conditions or in the presence of external Ca(2+) . In addition, under non-depolarized conditions, sertraline (25 μM) increased the external concentration of 5-HT at expense of its internal concentration, and unchanged the external and internal concentrations of the amino acid neurotransmitters and of the 5-HT main metabolite, 5-HIAA. This result is consistent with the sertraline inhibitory action of the serotonin transporter. However, sertraline is unlikely to inhibit pre-synaptic Na(+) channels permeability by increasing external 5-HT. Because 5-HT in a wide concentration range (1-1000 μM) did not change the veratridine-induced increase in Na(+) . In summary, present findings demonstrate that besides the inhibition of 5-HT reuptake, sertraline is an effective inhibitor of pre-synaptic Na(+) channels controlling neurotransmitter release.

Hypertonic shrinking but not hypotonic swelling increases sodium concentration in rat brain synaptosomes

Neurotransmitter release is dependent on both calcium and sodium influx. Hypotonic swelling and hypertonic shrinking of neurons evokes calcium-independent exocytosis of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. To date, there are not too much data available on relationship between extracellular osmolarity and sodium concentration in presynaptic endings. In the present study we investigated the effects of hypotonic swelling and hypertonic shrinking on sodium levels, as measured using fluorescent dyes SBFI-AM and Sodium Green in rat brain synaptosomes. Reduction of incubation medium osmolarity from 310 to 230 mOsm did not raise the intrasynaptosomal sodium concentration. An increase of osmolarity from 310 to 810 mOsm is accompanied by a dose-dependent elevation of sodium concentration from 8.1+/-0.5 to 46.5+/-2.8mM, respectively. This effect was insensitive to several channel inhibitors such as: tetrodotoxin, an inhibitor of voltage-gated sodium channels, bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) cotransport, gadolinium, an inhibitor of nonselective mechanosensitive channels, ruthenium red, an inhibitor of transient receptor potential channel and amiloride, an inhibitor of epithelial sodium channel/degenerin. Additionally, using the fluorescent dye BCECF-AM, we have shown that hypertonic shrinking caused a dose-dependent acidification of intrasynaptosomal cytosol, which suggests that the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger is not involved in the effect of increased osmolarity on cytosolic sodium levels. The increase in intrasynaptosomal sodium concentrations following increases in osmolarity is probably due to sodium influx through another sodium channels.

Characterization of the participation of sodium channels on the rise in Na+ induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in synaptosomes

The participation of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels (VSSC) on the changes on internal (i) Na+, K+, Ca2+, and on DA, Glu, and GABA release caused by different concentrations of 4-AP was investigated in striatum synaptosomes. TTX, which abolished the increase in Na(i) (as determined with SBFI), induced by 0.1 mM 4-AP only inhibited by 30% the rise in Na(i) induced by 1 mM 4-AP. One millimolar 4-AP markedly decreased the fluorescence of the K+ indicator dye PBFI but 0.1 mM 4-AP did not. Like 1 mM 4-AP, ouabain decreased PBFI fluorescence and increased a considerable fraction of Na(i) in a TTX-insensitive manner. In contrast with the different TTX sensitivity of the rise in Na(i) induced by 0.1 and 1 mM 4-AP, the rise in Ca(i) (as determined with fura-2) induced by the two concentrations of 4-AP was markedly inhibited by TTX, as well as by omega-agatoxin in combination with omega-conotoxin GVIA, indicating that only the TTX-sensitive fraction of the rise in Na(i) induced by 4-AP is linked with the activation of presynaptic Ca2+ channels. It is concluded that the TTX-sensitive fraction of neurotransmitter release evoked by 4-AP is released by exocytosis, and the TTX insensitive fraction involves reversal of the neurotransmitters transporters. This contrasts with the exocytosis evoked by high K+ that is unchanged by TTX and with the neurotransmitter-transporter-mediated release evoked by veratridine, which is highly TTX sensitive and does not require activation of Ca2+ channels.

Characterization of vinpocetine effects on DA and DOPAC release in striatal isolated nerve endings

The effect of vinpocetine, a nootropic drug with anti-ischemic potential, on the release of DA and its main metabolite, DOPAC, was investigated in striatum isolated nerve endings under resting and depolarized conditions. Vinpocetine does not modify the baseline release of DA or the exocytotic release of DA evoked by high K(+), but inhibits the release of DA evoked by veratridine reversal of the DA transporter. In addition to these results, which confirm the vinpocetine selective blockade of voltage-sensitive presynaptic Na(+) channels (VSSC) previously reported [Neurochem. Res. 24 (1999) 1585], vinpocetine increases DOPAC release either under resting, veratridine or high K(+) depolarized conditions. This latter effect, which does not involve VSSC, was characterized. The parallel determination of the released and retained catecholamine concentrations revealed that vinpocetine increases DOPAC release at the expense of internal DA in a dose-dependent manner (low microM range). In contrast to vinpocetine, the selective MAO-A inhibitor, clorgyline, increases DA and decreases DOPAC formation. The combined action of vinpocetine and clorgyline does not indicate, however, that the activation of MAO is the mechanism responsible for the increase in DOPAC caused by vinpocetine. Reserpine, although more potent and efficient than vinpocetine, qualitatively exerts the same pattern of changes on DA and DOPAC concentrations. It is concluded that, in addition to the inhibition of presynaptic VSSC permeability, which selectively inhibits the transporter-mediated release of all neurotransmitters, vinpocetine increases DOPAC by impairing the vesicular storage of DA. Our results indicate that the cytoplasm extravesicular DA is metabolized by MAO to DOPAC. Most of the DOPAC formed is exported to the extracellular medium.

Metabolic distinction between vesicular and cytosolic GABA in cultured GABAergic neurons using 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy

GABA exists in at least two different intracellular pools, i.e., a cytoplasmic or metabolic pool and a vesicular pool. This study was performed to gain information about the quantitative role of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in biosynthesis of GABA from glutamine when GABA was selectively released from either one of these two pools. Cultured cerebral cortical neurons (GABAergic) were incubated in a medium containing 0.5 mM [U-13C]glutamine and subsequently depolarized for release of GABA from either the vesicular or the cytoplasmic pool. The vesicular release was induced by 55 mM K+ in the presence of tiagabine, a nontransportable inhibitor of the plasma membrane GABA carriers, whereas the cytoplasmic release via a reversal of the GABA carrier was induced by exposure to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA; 50 microM) in the presence of (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionate (AMPA; 50 microM). Cell extracts were analyzed by 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy subsequent to the incubation or depolarization. The percentage of GABA generated from glutamine via the TCA cycle decreased from 60% to 46% during depolarization, inducing GABA release from the cytoplasmic pool, whereas a significant change in this parameter was not observed after release from the vesicular pool. These observations indicate that, during release from the cytoplasmic pool, the fraction of GABA synthesized directly from glutamine without involvement of the TCA cycle is more pronounced than that occurring during resting conditions and when release occurs from the vesicular pool. This might be explained by differences in the regulation of the two isoforms of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD(65) and GAD(67)), which presumably play different roles in the maintenance of GABA in the two pools. Both isoforms were found in the cultured cerebral cortical neurons, as shown by Western blotting employing an antibody recognizing GAD(65) as well as GAD(67).

Simultaneous action of MK-801 (dizclopine) on dopamine, glutamate, aspartate and GABA release from striatum isolated nerve endings

The simultaneous effect of MK-801 on the baseline- and depolarization (20 microM veratridine or 30 mM high K+)-evoked release of endogenous dopamine, glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), and GABA is investigated in the same preparation of rat striatum isolated nerve endings. MK-801, in the microM range, selectively increases the baseline and high K+ depolarization-evoked release of dopamine, without causing any effect on the baseline or on the high K+-evoked release of Glu, Asp and GABA. In addition to this selective action on dopamine release, MK-801 inhibits the veratridine depolarization-evoked release of all the neurotransmitters tested, including dopamine. In SBFI and fura-2 preloaded striatal synaptosomes, MK-801 inhibits the elevation of internal Na+ (Na(i)) and the elevation of internal Ca2+ (Ca(i)) induced by veratridine depolarization. The elevation of Ca(i) induced by high K+ depolarization is unchanged by MK-801. This study reveals two separate MK-801 actions. (1) The voltage-independent action, which increases dopamine release selectively, and might contribute to the effects of MK-801 on motor coordination. (2) The voltage-dependent action, which inhibits all the veratridine-evoked responses including the evoked release of the excitatory amino acids (which are particularly concentrated in striatum nerve endings), and might contribute to the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of MK-801.

Vinpocetine selectively inhibits neurotransmitter release triggered by sodium channel activation

The effects of vinpocetine on internal Na+ (Na(i)), cAMP accumulation, internal Ca2+ (Ca(i)) and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters release, under resting and under depolarized conditions, was investigated in rat striatum synaptosomes. Veratridine (20 microM) or high K+ (30 mM) were used as depolarizing agents. Results show that vinpocetine in the low microM range inhibits the elevation of Na(i), the elevation of Ca(i) and the release of glutamate and aspartate induced by veratridine depolarization. In contrast, vinpocetine fails to inhibit the rise of Ca(i) and the neurotransmitter release induced by high K+, which are both TTX insensitive responses. Results also show that the inhibition exerted by vinpocetine on all the above veratridine-induced responses is not reflected in PDE activity. Our interpretation of these results is that vinpocetine inhibits neurotransmitter release triggered by veratridine activation of voltage sensitive Na+ channels, but not that triggered by a direct activation of VSCC. Thus, the main mechanism involved in the neuroprotective action of vinpocetine in the CNS is unlikely to be due to a direct inhibition of Ca2+ channels or PDE enzymes, but rather the inhibition of presynaptic Na+ channel-activation unchained responses.

Chronic verapamil modifies striatal and frontal cortex dopamine levels

In an attempt to elucidate if a change in dopamine (DA) levels was involved in the antimanic action of verapamil reported in various clinical studies, monoamine concentrations in three brain regions (striatum, frontal cortex and hippocampus) obtained from verapamil-treated rats (10 mg/kg i.p. per day for 21 days) were quantified by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection, and compared with monoamine concentrations in haloperidol-treated animals (5 mg/kg i.p. per day for 21 days). We have found that verapamil and haloperidol, when injected for 3 weeks to rats sacrificed 2 h after the last injection, decreased the striatal DA concentration to a similar extent. This decrease was not observed in short-term (one injection 2 h before sacrifice) verapamil- or haloperidol-treated rats. Moreover, after such a single injection of verapamil the striatal DA concentration was even increased. The striatal concentration of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was increased about two-fold by haloperidol, but not by verapamil. This haloperidol-induced increase in striatal DOPAC was similar after one injection and after 21 days of haloperidol administration. Neither verapamil nor haloperidol modified the concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) or 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) in the striatum. In the frontal cortex, chronic verapamil increased the concentrations of DA two-fold, and chronic haloperidol increased the concentration of DOPAC two-fold. The other DA metabolites, namely HVA and 3-MT were not significantly changed. The concentration of serotonin (5-HT) and its main metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in control, verapamil- and haloperidol-treated rats were similar in the three brain regions studied. We conclude that DA autoreceptors are implicated in verapamil's effects on frontal cortex and striatum DA levels; and that the presumed antimanic action exerted by verapamil is due to its long-term effect on these receptors.

Effects of external pH variations on brain presynaptic sodium and calcium channels; repercussion on the evoked release of amino acid neurotransmitters

The effects of external pH (pHout) variations on the Na+ and on the Ca2+ dependent fractions of the evoked amino acid neurotransmitter release were separately investigated, using GABA as a model transmitter. In [3H]GABA loaded mouse brain synaptosomes, the external acidification (pHout 6.0) markedly decreased the Na+ dependent fraction of [3H]GABA release evoked by veratridine (10 microM) in the absence of external Ca2+, as well as the Ca2+ dependent fraction of [3H]GABA release evoked by high (20 mM) K+ in the absence of external Na+. The depolarization-induced elevation of [Na(i)] (monitored in synaptosomes loaded with the Na+ indicator dye, SBFI) and the depolarization-induced elevation of [Ca(i)] (monitored in synaptosomes loaded with the Ca2+ indicator dye fura-2) were also markedly decreased at pHout 6. On the contrary, the external alkalinization (pHout 8) facilitated all the above responses. A slight increase of the baseline release of the [3H]GABA was observed when pHout was changed from 7.4 to 8. This effect was only observed in the presence of Ca2+. pHout changes from 7.4 to 6 or to 7 did not modify the baseline release of the transmitter. All the effects of pHout variations on [3H]GABA release were independent on the presence of HCO3-. It is concluded that external H+ regulate amino acid neurotransmitter release by their actions on presynaptic Na+ channels, as well as on presynaptic Ca2+ channels.

Study on the possible involvement of protein kinases in the modulation of brain presynaptic sodium channels; comparison with calcium channels

A possible modulatory role of kinases on voltage sensitive Na+ channels of presynaptic brain nerve endings was investigated by testing the effect of several kinase activators and inhibitors on the elevation of [Nai] induced by veratridine in mouse brain synaptosomes loaded with a selective Na+ indicator dye. Veratridine (20 microM) increases the basal [Nai] level (20 mM) more than twofold. This increase is independent of external Ca2+, but abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 microM). Activation of cAMP dependent protein kinase with forskolin or cAMP analogs, or of protein kinase C with diacylglycerol did not affect the veratridine-induced elevation in [Nai]. Drugs reported to inhibit calmodulin-dependent events, as well as the regulatory domain of protein kinase C, were potent and effective inhibitors of the increase in [Nai] induced by veratridine, as well as other veratridine induced responses, namely elevation of [Cai] (monitored with the Ca2+ indicator dye fura-2) and neurotransmitter (GABA) release. Drugs that inhibit kinases by binding to the catalytic site were ineffective, however, as was the phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid. A selective inhibitor of Ca2+ and calmodulin dependent protein kinase II also did not affect the elevation of [Nai] induced by veratridine, but markedly diminished the elevation of [Cai] induced by depolarization either with veratridine or with high K+ (15 and 30 mM). On the basis of these results it is concluded that, the dramatic inhibition exerted by some of the drugs tested on the elevation of [Nai] induced by veratridine is not due to their effects on kinases, but to a possible interaction of these compounds with an intracellular site of the Na+ channel. On the other hand, while Ca2+ and calmodulin dependent protein kinase II is unable to modulate brain presynaptic voltage sensitive Na+ channels, it facilitates the activation of brain presynaptic voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Nigericin-induced Na+/H+ and K+/H+ exchange in synaptosomes: effect on [3H]GABA release

The effect of the putative K+/H+ ionophore, nigericin on the internal Na+ concentration ([Nai]), the internal pH (pHi), the internal Ca2+ concentration ([Cai]) and the baseline release of the neurotransmitter, GABA was investigated in Na+-binding benzofuran isophtalate acetoxymethyl ester (SBFI-AM), 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6) carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM, fura-2 and [3H]GABA loaded synaptosomes, respectively. In the presence of Na+ at a physiological concentration (147 mM), nigericin (0.5 microM) elevates [Nai] from 20 to 50 mM, increases the pHi, 0.16 pH units, elevates four fold the [Cai] at expense of external Ca2+ and markedly increases (more than five fold) the release of [3H]GABA. In the absence of a Na+ concentration gradient (i.e. when the external Na+ concentration equals the [Nai]), the same concentration (0.5 microM) of nigericin causes the opposite effect on the pHi (acidifies the synaptosomal interior), does not modify the [Nai] and is practically unable to elevate the [Cai] or to increase [3H]GABA release. Only with higher concentrations of nigericin than 0.5 microM the ionophore is able to elevate the [Cai] and to increase the release of [3H]GABA under the conditions in which the net Na+ movements are eliminated. These results clearly show that under physiological conditions (147 mM external Na+) nigericin behaves as a Na+/H+ ionophore, and all its effects are triggered by the entrance of Na+ in exchange for H+ through the ionophore itself. Nigericin behaves as a K+/H+ ionophore in synaptosomes just when the net Na+ movements are eliminated (i.e. under conditions in which the external and the internal Na+ concentrations are equal). In summary care must be taken when using the putative K+/H+ ionophore nigericin as an experimental tool in synaptosomes, as under standard conditions (i.e. in the presence of high external Na+) nigericin behaves as a Na+/H+ ionophore.

Characterization of the type of calcium channel primarily regulating GABA exocytosis from brain nerve endings

In an attempt to further characterize the type of Ca2+ channels primarily regulating GABA exocytosis, the effects of increasing concentrations of omega CTx MVIIC,-omega-Aga IVA and other Ca2+ channel blockers (nitrendipine, Cd2+ and Ni2+), commonly used for pharmacologically discerning among the various types of Ca2+ channels, were tested on the dissected Ca2+ dependent fraction of the depolarization evoked release of GABA from mouse brain synaptosomes. Our results show that omega-CTx MVIIC inhibits GABA exocytosis with a calculated IC50 of 3 microM and omega-Aga IVA with a calculated IC50 of 50 nM. The divalent cation Cd2+ only diminishes GABA exocytosis at 70 microM, but does not modify this response at lower concentrations (i.e. 1 and 10 microM). Neither nitrendipine (10 microM) nor Ni2+ (100 microM and 500 microM) modified GABA exocytosis. The failure of nitrendipine at a high concentration to inhibit GABA exocytosis discards L-type Ca2+ channels as the main regulators of this response; likewise that of Ni2+ discards Ca2+ channels of the N-type, and the failure of nM concentrations of omega-CTx MVIIC or 500 microM Ni2+, also discards alpha 1A/Q-type Ca2+ channels as the main regulators of the GABA response. On the basis of these results and in particular of the higher potency of omega-Aga IVA than omega-CTx MVIIC, it is concluded that the type of Ca2+ channels that primarily determine the exocytosis of GABA belong to a P-like type of Ca2+ channels.

omega-Aga IVA selectively inhibits the calcium-dependent fraction of the evoked release of [3H]GABA from synaptosomes

The effect of omega-Aga IVA, a P-type Ca2+ channel blocker, on the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and on the elevation of Cai induced by depolarization was investigated in [3H]GABA and fura-2 preloaded mouse brain synaptosomes, respectively. Two strategies (i.e. 20 mM external K+ and veratridine) that depolarize by different mechanisms the preparation were used. High K+ elevates Cai and induces [3H]GABA release in the absence of external Na+ and in the presence of TTX, conditions that abolish veratridine induced responses. The effect of omega-Aga IVA on the Ca2+ and Na+ dependent fractions of the depolarization evoked release of [3H]GABA were separately investigated in synaptosomes depolarized with high K+ in the absence of external Na+ and with veratridine in the absence of external Ca2+, respectively. The Ca2+ dependent fraction of the evoked release of [3H]GABA and the elevation of Ca2+ induced by high K+ are markedly inhibited (about 50%) in synaptosomes exposed to omega-Aga IVA (300 nM) for 3 min before depolarization, whereas the Na+ dependent, Ca2+ independent carrier mediated release of [3H]GABA induced by veratridine, which is sensitive to verapamil and amiloride, is not modified by omega-Aga IVA. Our results indicate that an omega-Aga IVA sensitive type of Ca2+ channel is highly involved in GABA exocytosis.

Effects of verapamil on the release of different neurotransmitters

The effect of verapamil on resting and depolarization-induced monoamine release was investigated in rat hippocampal synaptosomes prelabeled with [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine (HT) or [3H]-norepinephrine (NE) and rat striatal synaptosomes prelabeled with [3H]-dopamine (DA). Verapamil (50 microM) completely abolishes high K(+)-induced [3H]-NE release, but paradoxically facilitates high K(+)-induced [3H]-5-HT and [3H]-DA release. All these high K(+)-evoked responses were Ca2+ dependent. Verapamil does not modify [3H]-NE baseline release, but increases dose dependently [3H]-5-HT and [3H]-DA baseline release. Verapamil (10 microM, for 5 min) increases endogenous DA release (70%) and endogenous 5-HT release (40%) independently on the presence of external Ca2+. The total amount of these monoamines (released plus retained by the preparation) and their metabolites (DOPAC and 5-HIAA) was similar in control and verapamil-treated synaptosomes. Verapamil displaces [3H]-spiroperidol specific binding (Ki of 2.4 x 10(-6) M) and [3H]-SCH-23390 specific binding (Ki of 9 x 10(-6) M) from striatal synaptosomal membranes, and [3H]-5-HT specific binding (Ki of 3 x 10(-5) M) from hippocampal synaptosomal membranes. It is concluded that in addition to the Ca2+ antagonistic properties of verapamil on the Ca(2+)-dependent, depolarization-induced release of some neurotransmitters [gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA and NE)], another mechanism probably mediated by presynaptic receptors underlies the effects of verapamil on DA and 5-HT release from discrete brain regions.

A role for calcium/calmodulin kinase(s) in the regulation of GABA exocytosis

A possible role for protein kinases in the regulation of GABA exocytosis in nerve endings was investigated. The effect on the release of the radioactive neurotransmitter ([3H]GABA) from mouse brain synaptosomes of several protein kinase inhibitors was estimated after treatment with 37 mM K+ in the absence of external Na+, a condition under which [3H]GABA release is completely Ca2+ dependent. Among the inhibitors one group inhibit the kinases by the catalytic site (i.e. staurosporine and H7) and others (TFP, sphingosine and W7) act on the regulatory site of protein kinases. The compounds of the second group, which are reported to inhibit calmodulin dependent events and the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai) induced by high K+ depolarization, were the most efficient inhibitors of [3H]GABA release. The selective inhibitor of CaMPK II, KN-62, also markedly diminished [3]GABA release as well as the increase in Cai induced by high K+. The kinase inhibitors from the first group that are unable to diminish the increase in Cai induced by high K+ were also less efficient inhibitors of [3H]GABA release even at high concentrations. The present results indicate that at the doses tested all the drugs inhibit to some extent the release of the Ca2+ dependent fraction of [3H]GABA perhaps by inhibiting a CaMPK II mediated phosphorylation step triggered by depolarization and facilitated by the elevation of Cai. In addition, the second group of antagonists and KN-62 inhibit the elevation of Cai to high K+ thus exhibiting a higher efficiency on [3H]GABA release than the first group of antagonists.

Dopamine transporter mediated release of dopamine: role of chloride

Using a rapid (0.5 ml/min) flow rate superfusion system, the dopamine (DA) transporter mediated release of DA is further explored, and compared to the depolarization evoked release of DA in rat striatal synaptosomes preloaded with radioactive DA (3H-DA). In this system external DA in the low microM range efficaciously releases the preloaded transmitter, the maximal response being reached at 3 microM DA. The external DA stimulated release is Ca(2+)-independent, Cl(-)-dependent, and blocked by both bupropion and nomifensine. The atypical antidepressant bupropion inhibits 3H-DA accumulation to rat striatal synaptosomes with a calculated IC50 of 1.3 x 10(-6) M. Among DA uptake blockers some are known to act as DA releasing agents. Here we found that the DA uptake blocker nomifensine (30 microM) is unable to modify the baseline release of 3H-DA, whereas bupropion (10 microM) clearly elevates the baseline release of 3H-DA in a Ca(2+)-independent and Cl(-)-dependent manner. The non releasing agent nomifensine blocks the release of 3H-DA induced by bupropion. The Ca(2+)-dependent, high K+ depolarization evoked release of 3H-DA is not modified by nomifensine and does not depend on the external Cl- concentration. When the depolarizing medium contains DA the carrier mediated release of 3H-DA induced by the external DA is additive to the high K+ induced response. A drastic drop in the external Cl- concentration induces 3H-DA release. This release of 3H-DA induced by low external Cl- levels is completely blocked by nomifensine, which only slightly diminished the release of 3H-DA induced by the absence of external Na+. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that: 1) Rapid perfusion flow rates eliminate DA reuptake. 2) DA uptake inhibitors either with or without DA releasing capabilities block the release of DA induced by microM levels of external DA. 3) By preventing translocation of the DA transporter mobile moiety, nomifensine may inhibit the release of DA induced by external DA or bupropion and by drastic drops in the external Cl- concentration. 4) In the absence of nomifensine, the DA transporter works under both resting and depolarized conditions, but in contrast to the GABA transporter (Sitges et al.: Neurochem Res 18:1081-1087, 1993), the DA transporter does not contribute to the amount of the DA released by depolarization. 5) Reversal of the DA uptake carrier is favored by conditions increasing the internal DA levels. 6) Cl- rather than Na+ is a major determinant in 3H-DA movements through the DA transporter.