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Zuhra K, Szabo C. The two faces of cyanide: an environmental toxin and a potential novel mammalian gasotransmitter. FEBS J 2022; 289:2481-2515. [PMID: 34297873 PMCID: PMC9291117 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cyanide is traditionally viewed as a cytotoxic agent, with its primary mode of action being the inhibition of mitochondrial Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase). However, recent studies demonstrate that the effect of cyanide on Complex IV in various mammalian cells is biphasic: in lower concentrations (nanomolar to low micromolar) cyanide stimulates Complex IV activity, increases ATP production and accelerates cell proliferation, while at higher concentrations (high micromolar to low millimolar) it produces the previously known ('classic') toxic effects. The first part of the article describes the cytotoxic actions of cyanide in the context of environmental toxicology, and highlights pathophysiological conditions (e.g., cystic fibrosis with Pseudomonas colonization) where bacterially produced cyanide exerts deleterious effects to the host. The second part of the article summarizes the mammalian sources of cyanide production and overviews the emerging concept that mammalian cells may produce cyanide, in low concentrations, to serve biological regulatory roles. Cyanide fulfills many of the general criteria as a 'classical' mammalian gasotransmitter and shares some common features with the current members of this class: nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Zuhra
- Chair of PharmacologySection of MedicineUniversity of FribourgSwitzerland
| | - Csaba Szabo
- Chair of PharmacologySection of MedicineUniversity of FribourgSwitzerland
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Li X, Xiao D, Sanders T, Tchounwou PB, Liu YM. Fast quantification of amino acids by microchip electrophoresis-mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:8131-6. [PMID: 23929191 PMCID: PMC3791608 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-7260-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A fast microchip electrophoresis-nano-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric method (MCE-nanoESI-MS) was developed for analysis of amino acids in biological samples. A glass/poly(dimethylsiloxane) hybrid microchip with a monolithic nanoESI emitter was used in the platform. The proposed MCE-nanoESI-MS analytical method showed high separation efficiency for amino acids. Baseline separation of an amino acid mixture containing Lys, Arg, Val, Tyr, and Glu was completed within 120 s with theoretical plate numbers of >7,500. The method was applied to study cellular release of excitatory amino acids (i.e., aspartic acid (Asp) and glutamic acid (Glu)) under chemical stimulations. Linear calibration curves were obtained for both Asp and Glu in a concentration range from 1.00 to 150.0 μM. Limits of detection were found to be 0.37 μM for Asp and 0.33 μM for Glu (S/N = 3). Assay repeatability (relative standard deviation, n = 6) was 4.2 and 4.5%, for Asp and Glu at 5.0 μM, respectively. In the study of cellular release, PC-12 nerve cells were incubated with alcohol at various concentrations for 1 h. Both extra- and intracellular levels of Asp and Glu were measured by the proposed method. The results clearly indicated that ethanol promoted the release of both Asp and Glu from the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtang Li
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch St., Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Dan Xiao
- College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Talia Sanders
- Department of Biology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch St., Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Paul B. Tchounwou
- Department of Biology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch St., Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Yi-Ming Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch St., Jackson, MS 39217, USA
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3
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Baskin SI, Rockwood GA. Neurotoxicological and Behavioral Effects of Cyanide and Its Potential Therapies. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2009. [DOI: 10.1207/s15327876mp1402_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven I. Baskin
- Pharmacology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
| | - Gary A. Rockwood
- Drug Assessment Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
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Cho SO, Seong YH. Protective effect of fangchinoline on cyanide-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells. Arch Pharm Res 2002; 25:349-56. [PMID: 12135109 DOI: 10.1007/bf02976638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study was performed to examine the effect of fangchinoline, a bis- benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, which exhibits the characteristics of a Ca2+ channel blocker, on cyanide-induced neurotoxicity using cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. NaCN produced a concentration-dependent reduction of cell viability, which was blocked by MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, verapamil, L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, and L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Pretreatment with fangchinoline over a concentration range of 0.1 to 10 microM significantly decreased the NaCN-induced neuronal cell death, glutamate release into medium, and elevation of [Ca2+]i and oxidants generation. These results suggest that fangchinoline may mitigate the harmful effects of cyanide-induced neuronal cell death by interfering with [Ca2+]i influx, due to its function as a Ca2+ channel blocker, and then by inhibiting glutamate release and oxidants generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Ok Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
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Sun P, Rane SG, Gunasekar PG, Borowitz JL, Isom GE. Cyanide interaction with redox modulatory sites enhances NMDA receptor responses. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2000; 13:253-9. [PMID: 10402559 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0461(1999)13:5<253::aid-jbt5>3.0.co;2-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Activation of NMDA receptors plays an important role in cyanide neurotoxicity. Cyanide indirectly activates the receptor by inducing neuronal release of glutamate and also enhances receptor-mediated responses by a direct interaction with the receptor complex. This study investigated the mechanism in cerebellar granule cells by which cyanide enhances NMDA-induced Ca2+ influx. Cyanide (50 microM) increased the influx of Ca2+ over the NMDA concentration range of 0.5-500 microM. Experiments showed that cyanide does not interact with the receptor's glycine or PKC mediated phosphorylation regulatory sites. N-ethylmaleimide, a thiol alkylating agent which inactivates the redox regulatory sites of the receptor, blocked the enhancing effect of cyanide. Pretreatment of cells with 5,5-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), a compound that oxidizes the receptor redox sites, had no effect on the response to cyanide. On the other hand, the nonpermeant reducing agents, dithiothreitol or cysteine, further increased the cyanide effect. These observations can be explained by cyanide interacting with redox sensitive disulfide groups that are not accessible to the non-permeant reducing agents. It is proposed that cyanide interacts with a redox site(s) located either on the intracellular receptor domain or in the transmembrane hydrophobic domain. Furthermore the enhancement by cyanide of the excitotoxic actions of NMDA involves receptor sites that are sensitive to oxidation/reduction and this interaction contributes to the neurotoxic action of cyanide.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1334, USA
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Abstract
The rapid suppression of CNS function produced by cyanide (CN) was studied by field, intracellular, and whole-cell recording in hippocampal slices (at 33-34 degrees C). Population spikes and field EPSPs were depressed by 4-5 min bath applications of 50-100 microM CN (IC50 was 18 miroM for spikes and 72 microM for EPSPs). The actions of CN were reversibly suppressed by the adenosine antagonists 8-sulfophenyltheophylline (8-SPT; 10 microM) and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 0.2 microM), potentiated by the adenosine transport inhibitor dipyridamole (0.5 microM), but unaffected by the KATP channel blocker glyburide (10 microM). Therefore the CN-induced reductions of synaptic efficacy and postsynaptic excitability-demonstrated by synaptic input:output plots-are mediated mainly by adenosine. In whole-cell or intracellular recordings, CN depressed EPSCs and elicited an increase in input conductance and an outward current, the reversal potential of which was approximately -90 mV (indicating that K+ was the major carrier). These effects also were attenuated by 8-SPT. In the presence of 1 mM Ba, CN had no significant postsynaptic action; Cs (2 mM) also prevented CN-induced outward currents but only partly blocked the increase in conductance. Another 8-SPT-sensitive action of CN was to depress hyperpolarization-activated slow inward relaxations (Q current). At room temperature (22-24 degrees C), although it did not change holding current and slow inward relaxations, CN raised the input conductance; this effect also was prevented by 8-SPT (10 microM), but not by glyburide (10 microM). Adenosine release thus appears to be the major link between acute CN poisoning and early depression of CNS synaptic function.
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Arden SR, Sinor JD, Potthoff WK, Aizenman E. Subunit-specific interactions of cyanide with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:21505-11. [PMID: 9705279 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.34.21505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyanide can potentiate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated physiological responses in neurons. Here we show that this phenomenon may be attributable to a subunit-specific chemical modification of the receptor directly by the toxin. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (30 microM)-induced whole cell responses in mature (22-29 days in vitro) rat cortical neurons were potentiated nearly 2-fold by a 3-5-min treatment with 2 mM potassium cyanide, as did a similar treatment with 4 mM dithiothreitol. A 1-min incubation with the thiol oxidant 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (0.5 mM) readily reversed the potentiation induced by either cyanide or dithiothreitol. Cyanide did not increase further currents previously potentiated by dithiothreitol nor was it able to potentiate responses during brief co-application with the agonist. Transient expression studies in Chinese hamster ovary cells with wild-type and mutated recombinant N-methyl-D-aspartate subunits (NR) demonstrated that cyanide selectively potentiated NR1/NR2A receptors, presumably via the chemical reduction of NR2A. In contrast, currents mediated by NR1/NR2B receptors were somewhat diminished by the metabolic inhibitor. Some of the effects of cyanide on NR1/NR2B receptors may be mediated by the formation of a thiocyanate adduct with a cysteine residue located in NR1. Cyanide thus is able to distinguish chemically between two different N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtypes and produce diametrically opposing functional effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Arden
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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Sengpiel B, Preis E, Krieglstein J, Prehn JH. NMDA-induced superoxide production and neurotoxicity in cultured rat hippocampal neurons: role of mitochondria. Eur J Neurosci 1998; 10:1903-10. [PMID: 9751160 DOI: 10.1046/j.1460-9568.1998.00202.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Excitotoxic mechanisms are believed to be involved in the death of neurons after trauma, epileptic seizures and cerebral ischaemia. We investigated the role of mitochondrial superoxide production in excitotoxic cell death of cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Brief exposure to the selective glutamate agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA; 100-300 microM, 10 min) induced significant neuronal death, which was sensitive to cycloheximide (1 microM) and the caspase-1 inhibitor, acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone (10 microM). Intracellular superoxide production was monitored semiquantitatively on sister cultures from the same platings using the oxidation-sensitive probe, hydroethidine. Brief exposures to toxic NMDA concentrations induced significant increases in superoxide production which correlated with the degree of neuronal injury. However, subtoxic NMDA exposures also produced moderate, yet statistically significant increases in superoxide production. Both NMDA-induced superoxide production and neurotoxicity were reduced by inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport using either sodium cyanide (1 mM), or a combination of rotenone (2 microM) and oligomycin (2 microM). The mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP, 1 microM) mimicked the effect of NMDA on mitochondrial superoxide production. Both NMDA-induced superoxide production and neurotoxicity were potentiated by FCCP (1 microM). Exposure to FCCP alone (1-10 microM, 10 min), however, failed to produce any toxicity. Our data suggest that mitochondrial superoxide production per se is not sufficient to trigger the degeneration of cultured hippocampal neurons, but that manipulation of mitochondrial activity alters NMDA-induced superoxide production and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sengpiel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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9
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Chao KF, Liu SH, Lin-Shiau SY. Suppression of potassium currents by cyanide on the mouse motor nerve terminals. Neurosci Lett 1996; 203:105-8. [PMID: 8834104 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)12273-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
NaCN at low concentrations markedly depressed the potassium currents in the motor nerve terminal of mouse triangularis sterni neuromuscular junction pretreated with potassium channel blockers 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), tetraethylammonium (TEA) or glucose-free medium. Neither azide nor dinitrophenol nor ouabain mimicked the effect of cyanide. This inhibitory effect of cyanide on nerve terminal spikes was correlated to its dramatic increase in spontaneous transmitter release under glucose-free condition. These results suggest that the effect of cyanide on the electrogenesis of nerve terminals is due to the direct suppression of ATP-sensitive K+ current since the effect was antagonized by ATP-sensitive K+ channels opener diazoxide and this may modulate the transmitter release.
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Affiliation(s)
- K F Chao
- Department of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei
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Pavlaković G, Rathinavelu A, Isom GE. MK-801 prevents cyanide-induced changes of Fos levels in rat brain. Neurochem Res 1994; 19:1289-94. [PMID: 7891846 DOI: 10.1007/bf01006820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The effect of acute cyanide intoxication on levels of transcriptional regulatory proteins Fos and c-Jun in rat cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and brain stem was studied. Western blot analysis showed a differential effect of cyanide on Fos levels in the selected brain areas. The most prominent changes were seen 60 min. following ip. injection of KCN in all brain areas except the brain stem, which showed the maximal change 120 min. following cyanide. Fos levels were doubled in cortex and cerebellum and decreased to below 70% of the control levels in hippocampus. Levels of c-Jun were not altered 60 min. following cyanide treatment. Pretreatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, prevented the cyanide-induced changes of Fos. The differential effect of cyanide on Fos levels in different brain areas and the blockade of these changes by MK-801 suggest involvement of multiple neuronal pathways, including the excitatory amino acid (EAA) neurotransmitter system. It is concluded that cyanide alters levels of the transcriptional regulatory protein Fos through activation of the EAA neurotransmitter system and, thus, may affect gene expression in neuronal or glia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pavlaković
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1334
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Abstract
The effect of cyanide on NMDA-activated ion current and MK801 binding was studied in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In microfluorometric analysis using fura-2, removal of extracellular Mg2+ resulted in a five-fold increase in NMDA-induced peak of [Ca2+]i. One mM NaCN enhanced the peak NMDA responses in the presence, but not in the absence of extracellular Mg2+. Cyanide enhanced the immediate rise in [Ca2+]i produced by NMDA, followed over a 1-5 min period by a gradual increase of [Ca2+]i. Similar results were obtained in whole-cell patch clamp recordings from hippocampal neurons. One mM KCN enhanced the NMDA-activated current in the presence, but not in the absence of extracellular Mg2+. This effect was independent of cyanide-mediated metabolic inhibition since the recording pipette contained ATP (2 mM). In binding assays NaCN (1 mM) increased the binding affinity of [3H]MK-801 to rat forebrain membranes in the presence of Mg2+, whereas in the absence of Mg2+, NaCN did not influence binding. These results indicate that cyanide enhances NMDA-mediated Ca2+ influx and inward current by interacting with the Mg2+ block of the NMDA receptor. The effect of cyanide can be explained by an initial interaction with the Mg2+ block of the NMDA receptor/ionophore which appears to be energy-independent, followed by a gradual increase in Ca2+ influx resulting from cellular energy reserve depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Patel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1334
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12
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Beani L, Tomasini C, Govoni BM, Bianchi C. Fluorimetric determination of electrically evoked increase in intracellular calcium in cultured cerebellar granule cells. J Neurosci Methods 1994; 51:1-7. [PMID: 7514700 DOI: 10.1016/0165-0270(94)90020-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A technique is described to measure the electrically evoked increase in intracellular calcium in cerebellar granule cells cultured on glass coverslips and preloaded with FURA-2. To minimize light scattering, the coverslip containing the granules was placed in the fluorimeter cuvette at a 30 degrees angle to the exciting light beam. The cuvette was provided with 2 platinum electrodes so as to stimulate the neurons with a tangential field. The [Ca2+]i transients were maximized by omitting Mg2+. The fluorescence peaks were directly related to the pulse (1 ms, 100 mA) frequency and to the train length. The responses were completely tetrodotoxin- and [Ca2+]o-dependent and could be replicated 5-6 times at 5-min intervals. At the stimulation rate of 20 Hz for 5 s, a condition ensuring submaximal peaks, the [Ca2+]i rose from the basal levels of 41 +/- 2.7 nmol/l to 89.6 +/- 5.8 nmol/l. The participation of various membrane channels in the electrically induced [Ca2+]i increase was demonstrated. 4-Aminopyridine (1 mM) increased the height of the peaks to 240%. Both nifedipine (10 microM) and omega-conotoxin (1 microM) reduced the transients by about 25%. The residual response (in the absence of Mg2+) depended mostly on the release of endogenous glutamate as it proved sensitive to NMDA, AMPA and t-ACPD receptor antagonists. Since a technique to measure the electrically evoked release of D-[3H]aspartate is presently available, the parallel determination of release and of [Ca2+]i in twin populations of cultured granule cells is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Beani
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Italy
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McCaslin PP, Yu XZ. Cyanide selectively augments kainate- but not NMDA-induced release of glutamate and taurine. Eur J Pharmacol 1992; 228:73-5. [PMID: 1356816 DOI: 10.1016/0926-6917(92)90014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The effect of cyanide on the kainate-, quisqualate- and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced release of several amino acids from cerebellar granule neurons was studied. Cyanide, 100 microM, augmented the kainate- and quisqualate-induced release of glutamate and taurine in neurons but had no effect on the NMDA-induced release of these excitatory amino acids. In addition to the interaction with the above excitatory amino acids, cyanide had effects on several amino acids independent of excitatory amino acid stimulation; cyanide treatment resulted in a significant elevation over saline controls of arginine and taurine, but not alanine, aspartate+asparagine or glycine. With the exception of taurine, this pattern was not apparent in cells treated with any of the above excitatory amino acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P McCaslin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505
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