Cation permeability change caused by L-glutamate in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Mapping the high-affinity binding domain of 5-substituted benzimidazoles to the proximal N-terminus of the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA receptor

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors represent an attractive drug target for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders associated with glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. The aim of this study was to map the binding domain of high affinity 5-substituted benzimidazole derivatives [N-{2-[(4-benzylpiperidin-1-yl)methyl]benzimidazol-5-yl}methanesulphonamide (XK1) and N-[2-(4-phenoxybenzyl)benzimidazol-5-yl]methanesulphonamide (XK2)] on the GluN2B subunit of the NMDA receptor.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The pharmacological antagonistic profiles of XK1 and XK2 were assessed using in vitro rat primary cerebrocortical neurones and two-electrode voltage clamp on Xenopus oocytes expressing heterologous GluN1/GluN2B receptors. Direct ligand binding was determined using the recombinant amino-terminal domain (ATD) of GluN2B.

KEY RESULTS

XK1 and XK2 effectively protected against NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in rat primary cortical neurones. Low concentrations of XK1 (10 nM) and XK2 (1 nM) significantly reversed neuronal death. Both compounds failed to inhibit currents measured from oocytes heterologously expressing GluN1-1a subunit co-assembled with the ATD-deleted GluN2B subunit. XK1 and XK2 showed specific binding to recombinant protein of GluN2B ATD with low nanomolar affinities. Several residues in the recombinant ATD of GluN2B were identified to be critical for conferring XK1 and XK2 sensitivity. The inhibitory effects of XK1 and XK2 were pH-sensitive, being increased at acidic pH.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results demonstrate that XK1 and XK2 are effective neuroprotective agents in vitro and indicate that 5-substituted benzimidazole derivatives inhibit GluN1/GluN2B receptors via direct binding to the ATD of the GluN2B subunit. These compounds represent valuable alternatives to the classical antagonist ifenprodil as pharmacological tools for studying GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors.

Increased vulnerability of hippocampal neurons with age in culture: temporal association with increases in NMDA receptor current, NR2A subunit expression and recruitment of L-type calcium channels

Excessive glutamate (Glu) stimulation of the NMDA-R is a widely recognized trigger for Ca(2+)-mediated excitotoxicity. Primary neurons typically show a large increase in vulnerability to excitotoxicity with increasing days in vitro (DIV). This enhanced vulnerability has been associated with increased expression of the NR2B subunit or increased NMDA-R current, but the detailed age-courses of these variables in primary hippocampal neurons have not been compared in the same study. Further, it is not clear whether the NMDA-R is the only source of excess Ca(2+). Here, we used primary hippocampal neurons to examine the age dependence of the increase in excitotoxic vulnerability with changes in NMDA-R current, and subunit expression. We also tested whether L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (L-VGCCs) contribute to the enhanced vulnerability. The EC(50) for Glu toxicity decreased by approximately 10-fold between 8-9 and 14-15 DIV, changing little thereafter. Parallel experiments found that during the same period both amplitude and duration of NMDA-R current increased dramatically; this was associated with an increase in protein expression of the NR1 and NR2A subunits, but not of the NR2B subunit. Compared to MK-801, ifenprodil, a selective NR2B antagonist, was less effective in protecting older than younger neurons from Glu insult. Conversely, nimodipine, an L-VGCC antagonist, protected older but not younger neurons. Our results indicate that enhanced excitotoxic vulnerability with age in culture was associated with a substantial increase in NMDA-R current, concomitant increases in NR2A and NR1 but not NR2B subunit expression, and with apparent recruitment of L-VGCCs into the excitotoxic process.

Ca2+-independent, but voltage- and activity-dependent regulation of the NMDA receptor outward K+ current in mouse cortical neurons

To test the novel hypothesis that the K+ efflux mediated by NMDA receptors might be regulated differently than the influx of Ca2+ and Na+ through the same receptor channels, NMDA receptor whole-cell currents carried concurrently or individually by Ca2+, Na+ and K+ were analysed in cultured mouse cortical neurons. In contrast to the NMDA inward current carried by Ca2+ and Na+, the NMDA receptor outward K+ current or NMDA-K current, recorded either in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ and Na+, and at different or the same membrane potentials, showed much less sensitivity to alterations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and underwent little rundown. In line with a selective regulation of the NMDA receptor K+ permeability, the ratio of the NMDA inward/outward currents decreased, and the reversal potential of composite NMDA currents recorded in physiological solutions shifted by -8.5 mV after repeated activation of NMDA receptors. Moreover, a depolarizing pre-pulse of a few seconds or a burst of brief depolarizing pulses selectively augmented the subsequent NMDA-K current, but not the NMDA inward current. On the other hand, a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse showed the opposite effect of reducing the NMDA-K current. The voltage- and activity-dependent regulation of the NMDA-K current did not require the existence of extracellular Ca2+ or Ca2+ influx; it was, however, affected by the duration of the pre-pulse and was subject to a time-dependent decay. The burst of excitatory activity revealed a lasting upregulation of the NMDA-K current even 5 s after termination of the pre-pulses. Our data reveal a selective regulation of the NMDA receptor K+ permeability and represent a novel model of voltage- and excitatory activity-dependent plasticity at the receptor level.

Regulation and critical role of potassium homeostasis in apoptosis

Programmed cell death or apoptosis is broadly responsible for the normal homeostatic removal of cells and has been increasingly implicated in mediating pathological cell loss in many disease states. As the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis have been extensively investigated a critical role for ionic homeostasis in apoptosis has been recently endorsed. In contrast to the ionic mechanism of necrosis that involves Ca(2+) influx and intracellular Ca(2+) accumulation, compelling evidence now indicates that excessive K(+) efflux and intracellular K(+) depletion are key early steps in apoptosis. Physiological concentration of intracellular K(+) acts as a repressor of apoptotic effectors. A huge loss of cellular K(+), likely a common event in apoptosis of many cell types, may serve as a disaster signal allowing the execution of the suicide program by activating key events in the apoptotic cascade including caspase cleavage, cytochrome c release, and endonuclease activation. The pro-apoptotic disruption of K(+) homeostasis can be mediated by over-activated K(+) channels or ionotropic glutamate receptor channels, and most likely, accompanied by reduced K(+) uptake due to dysfunction of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase. Recent studies indicate that, in addition to the K(+) channels in the plasma membrane, mitochondrial K(+) channels and K(+) homeostasis also play important roles in apoptosis. Investigations on the K(+) regulation of apoptosis have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the apoptotic mechanism and may afford novel therapeutic strategies for apoptosis-related diseases.

Emergence of excitotoxicity in cultured forebrain neurons coincides with larger glutamate-stimulated [Ca(2+)](i) increases and NMDA receptor mRNA levels

We examined several factors related to the increase in susceptibility to excitotoxicity that occurs in embryonic forebrain neurons over time in culture. Neuronal cultures were resistant to a 5-min exposure to 100 microM glutamate/10 microM glycine at 5 days in vitro (DIV), but became vulnerable to the same stimulus by 14 DIV. We used the fluorescent indicators, fura-2 and magfura-2, which have high and low affinity for Ca(2+), respectively, to measure changes in [Ca(2+)](i). Glutamate-stimulated increases in the fura-2 and magfura-2 ratio reached maximum values by 10 DIV. Fura-2 reported similar [Ca(2+)](i) changes with exposure to 3 or 100 microM glutamate for 5 min, whereas magfura-2 reported larger [Ca(2+)](i) increases with 5-min exposure to 100 microM glutamate than with exposure to 3 microM glutamate, 100 microM kainate or 50 mM K(+) from 10 DIV onward. This suggests that the magnitude of the [Ca(2+)](i) changes correlated with the excitotoxicity potential of a stimulus when magfura-2, but not fura-2, was used to measure Ca(2+). We also used RNase protection assays to measure NMDA receptor subunit mRNA levels. NR1 and NR2A mRNA increased continuously over time in culture, whereas NR2B mRNA increased dramatically during the first 10 days and subsequently remained stable. The time course of the increase in NR2B mRNA most closely followed the increase in glutamate-stimulated changes in the magfura-2 signal and neuronal injury. Therefore, the increases in the glutamate-stimulated [Ca(2+)](i) responses and NMDA receptor subunit mRNA levels (especially NR2B) are likely involved in the development of susceptibility to excitotoxicity in cultured rat forebrain neurons.

The role of Ca2+ entry via synaptically activated NMDA receptors in the induction of long-term potentiation

Influx of Ca2+ through the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor is widely accepted as a trigger for many forms of neural plasticity. However, direct support for this model has been elusive, since indirect activation of dendritic voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels is difficult to exclude. We have optically measured synaptically induced changes in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in pyramidal cell dendrites in hippocampal slices. Steady postsynaptic depolarization to the synaptic reversal potential eliminated the effect of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Under these conditions, synaptically induced Ca2+ transients were observed, which were blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist APV. In addition, the magnitude of LTP was diminished when induced with the postsynaptic membrane held at progressively more positive potentials. LTP could be completely suppressed at potentials near +100 mV. These results provide important experimental support for a role for Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity.

Origin of intracellular Ca2+ elevation induced by in vitro ischemia-like condition in hippocampal slices

Microfluorometry was used to investigate the origin of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) elevation in field CA1 of gerbil hippocampal slices perfused with a glucose-free physiological medium equilibrated with a 95% N2/5% CO2 gas mixture (standard in vitro ischemia-like condition). Large [Ca2+]i elevation was detected about 4 min after the beginning of standard in vitro ischemia-like condition, which was accompanied with a negative shift of extracellular DC potential. When slices were perfused with Ca(2+)-free in vitro ischemia-like medium, large [Ca2+]i elevation was observed about 3.5 min after the beginning of Ca(2+)-free in vitro ischemia-like condition, however, the increase in [Ca2+]i was more gradual and of a lesser extent compared with that detected in the slices perfused with the standard in vitro ischemia-like medium that contained Ca2+. When slices were perfused with the Ca(2+)-free in vitro ischemia-like medium that contained dantrolene (50 microM) which is known to prevent Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores, the increase in [Ca2+]i was more gradual and of a lesser extent compared with that detected in the slices perfused with the Ca(2+)-free in vitro ischemia-like medium that did not contain dantrolene. These results indicate that large [Ca2+]i elevation induced by in vitro ischemia-like condition in field CA1 of the hippocampus was caused by both Ca2+ influx from extracellular space and Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores, and that a part of the Ca2+ release was due to Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores.

Properties of vertebrate glutamate receptors: calcium mobilization and desensitization

Glutamate is now recognized as a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate CNS, participating in a number of physiological and pathological processes. The importance of glutamate in the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ as well as the relationship between excitatory and toxic properties has made it important to understand factors that regulate the responsivity of glutamate receptors. In recent years considerable insight has been gained about regulatory sites on NMDA receptors, with the recognition that these receptors are modulated by multiple endogenous and exogenous agents. Less is known about the regulation of responses mediated by AMPA, kainate, ACPD or APB receptors. Desensitization represents a potentially powerful means by which glutamate responses may be regulated. Indeed, two agents closely linked to the physiology of NMDA receptors, glycine and Ca2+, appear to modulate different types of desensitization. In the case of glycine, alteration of a rapid form of desensitization may be important in the role of this amino acid as a necessary cofactor for NMDA receptor activation. Additionally, changes in the affinity of the receptor complex for glycine may underlie the use-dependent decline in NMDA responses under certain conditions. Likewise, Ca2+ is a crucial player in the synaptic and toxic effects mediated by NMDA receptors, and is involved in a slower form of desensitization, in effect helping to regulate its own influx into neurons. The site and mechanism of the Ca2+ regulatory effects remain uncertain with evidence supporting both intracellular and ion channel sites of action. A clear role for Ca(2+)-dependent desensitization in the function of NMDA receptors under physiological conditions has not yet been demonstrated. AMPA receptor desensitization has been an area of intense investigation in recent years. The rapidity and degree of this process, coupled with its apparent rapid recovery, has suggested that desensitization is a key mechanism for the short-term regulation of responses mediated by these receptors. Furthermore, rapid desensitization appears to be one factor determining the time course and efficacy of fast excitatory synaptic transmission mediated by AMPA receptors, highlighting the physiological relevance of the process. The molecular mechanisms underlying desensitization remain uncertain. Traditionally, desensitization, like inactivation of voltage-gated channels, has been thought to represent a conformational change in the ion channel complex (Ochoa et al., 1989). However, it is unknown to what extent desensitization, in particular rapid AMPA receptor desensitization, has mechanistic features in common with inactivation. In voltage-gated channels, conformational changes in the channel protein restrict ion flow through the channel (Stuhmer, 1991).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Development of intracellular calcium responses to depolarization and to kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons

We have investigated the initial appearance of voltage-gated Ca channels and kainate- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors in cultured embryonic mouse hippocampal neurons. The Ca-dependent fluorescence change of the dye fura-2 was used as a sensitive assay for the presence of functional channels and receptors. Expression of functional NMDA receptors was observed on some hippocampal neurons as early as E14. By the equivalent of E15-16, 40-50% of cells responded to Ko-depolarization (50 mM), indicating the presence of functional voltage-gated Ca channels, approximately 20% of cells responded to kainate (50 microM), and just under 20% responded to NMDA (50 microM; in the presence of glycine and strychnine). By the equivalent of the end of the embryonic period 70-80% of cells responded to all 3 stimuli. As approximately 20% of cells in these cultures are glia, these data indicate that by the time of birth close to 100% of neurons express functioning kainate and NMDA receptors, and voltage-gated Ca channels. Increases in [Ca2+]i in embryonic neurons after application of NMDA were sensitive to APV and to external Mg, as are responses in mature neurons. The IC50 for block by external Mg of the [Ca2+]i increase induced by NMDA was 130 microM, and there was a slight positive correlation between the amplitude of the response to NMDA and sensitivity to external Mg.

Glutamate toxicity in immature cortical neurons precedes development of glutamate receptor currents

Cationic fluxes resulting from glutamate receptor activity have recently been implicated in neurotoxicity. Immature cortical neurons are insensitive to the toxic effects of glutamate receptor stimulation. However, these neurons are killed by glutamate via a non-receptor-mediated mechanism thought to stem from glutamate's ability to inhibit cystine uptake. To examine the basis for their resistance to receptor-mediated toxicity, we have studied the development of glutamate receptor-mediated inward currents in cortical neurons in culture using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. We report that in immature cortical neurons (prepared from day-17 fetal brain and cultured for 1-3 days), N-methyl-D-aspartate, quisqualate, and glutamate are able to evoke only very small inward currents in a low percentage of neurons. After 7 days of culture, greater than 80% of neurons examined exhibited currents activated by these glutamate receptor agonists. Although most neurons expressed glutamate agonist-evoked currents after 7 days in culture, the amplitude of these currents was less than 10% of that observed after 15 days in culture. In contrast to currents activated by glutamate receptor agonists, those activated by gamma-aminobutyric acid reached maximal levels after only 2 days of culture. These results indicate that the delayed development of glutamate receptor-mediated currents accounts for the resistance of immature cortical neurons to glutamate receptor-mediated toxicity.

Mode of blockade by MK-801 of N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons

Microfluorometry with fura-2 was applied to study the action of the anticonvulsant (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. MK-801 caused a potent and long-lasting blockade of the NMDA-activated [Ca2+]i elevation in a selective manner, not affecting the [Ca2+]i rise induced by quisqualate or kainate. Blockade and recovery from the blockade by MK-801 showed use dependency; the degree of blockade was dependent on the presence of NMDA. The use-dependent onset of antagonism was, however, highly sensitive to the bath temperature. MK-801 applied in the absence of NMDA had no effect on the response to subsequent application of NMDA at 22 degrees C, whereas it reduced the subsequent response to NMDA significantly at 37 degrees C. MK-801 interacted with the receptor-ion channel complex even when Mg2+, which is considered to block the open channel, had already blocked the NMDA-induced [Ca2+]i. The recovery from blockade by MK-801 was not accelerated by the application of 10 mM Mg2+ for 5 min. These results suggest that MK-801 can gain access to its binding site in the absence of NMDA at physiological temperature, and that this binding site is distinct from that for Mg2+.

Permeation of calcium through excitatory amino acid receptor channels in cultured rat hippocampal neurones

1. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-, quisqualate- and kainate-induced currents were recorded in cultured rat hippocampal neurones using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. To isolate the inward currents carried by Ca2+ and other divalent cations (Sr2+, Ba2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+), both Na+ and K+ in the control external solution were replaced with the impermeant cation N-methylglucamine (NMG). 2. Replacement of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ with NMG abolished NMDA-, quisqualate- and kinate-induced inward currents. In Na(+)-, K(+)-free (abbreviated simply as Na(+)-free) solution containing 10 mM-Ca2+ NMDA caused prominent inward currents at -60 mV. In this solution with the internal solution containing 165 mM-Cs+, the reversal potential of the NMDA-induced current was -5.0 +/- 0.7 mV (n = 36), indicating a value of PCa/PCs = 6.2 for the ratio of the permeability coefficients of Ca2+ and Cs+ according to the constant-field equation. 3. NMDA elicited inward current responses at -60 mV in Na(+)-, Ca2(+)-free solution containing 10 mM-Sr2+, Ba2+, or Mn2+, but not in Na(+)-free, 10 mM-Mg2+ solution. On the basis of reversal potential measurements, the permeability sequence of NMDA receptor channels among the divalent cations was determined to be Ba2+ (1.2) greater than Ca2+ (1.0) greater than Sr2+ (0.8) greater than Mn2+ (0.3) much greater than Mg2+ (less than 0.02). 4. The reversal potential of the quisqualate-induced current was more negative than -80 mV in Na(+)-free, 10 mM-Ca2+ solution, indicating a value of PCa/PCs less than 0.18. 5. Kainate-induced current responses were classified into two types. In the type I response the reversal potential of the kainate-induced current was more negative than -80 mV in Na(+)-free, 10 mM-Ca2+ solution, indicating that the Ca2+ permeability of this type of kainate channel is as low as that of the quisqualate channel. In the neurones which showed a type I response, there was a tendency of outward rectification in the current-voltage plots of the kainate response in control solution. 6. In the type II response kainate caused prominent inward currents at -60 mV in Na(+)-free, 10 mM-Ca2+ solution. The reversal potential was -23.3 +/- 5.6 mV (n = 17), indicating a permeability ratio PCa/PCs = 2.3. In the neurones which showed a type II response, a remarkable inward rectification was observed in the current-voltage plots of the kainate response in control solution. 7. Type II kainate channels showed relatively poor selectivity among divalent cations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

GABA and glutamate receptor development of cultured neurons from rat hippocampus, septal region, and neocortex

The early development of functionally active GABA and glutamate receptors on neurons from hippocampus, septal region, and neocortex of embryonic rats were studied using primary dissociated serum-free cell cultures. The responses to GABA and glutamate, applied to individual neurons by pressure ejection, were tested at different developmental stages, starting at 1 day in vitro (DIV) until 3 weeks. In all three types of neuronal cultures, the GABAA-receptor developed prior to the glutamate receptors, and after 9 DIV most of the neurons were sensitive to both GABA and glutamate. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptor subtypes of the glutamate receptors could be distinguished in hippocampal cultures. The development of GABA and glutamate receptors on septal region neurons appeared to be delayed as compared to hippocampal neurons. In neocortical cultures the majority of neurons was sensitive to GABA just after plating, whereas the sensitivity to glutamate was retarded. The differences in GABA and glutamate receptor development among these three neuronal cultures provide evidence that the appearance of transmitter receptors on cultured neurons is predominantly determined by intrinsic mechanisms rather than by environmental conditions. The proportion of spontaneously active networks in these cultures increased with a time course very similar to the rise in glutamate-sensitive neurons suggesting that functional active glutamate receptors may be involved in the generation of spontaneous activity.

Change in calcium permeability caused by quinolinic acid in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

The calcium permeability of receptor channels activated by quinolinic acid (QUIN) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons was investigated using the whole-cell voltage-clamp method. In Na+-free, 10 mM Ca2+ solution with the internal solution containing 165 mM Cs+, QUIN elicited prominent inward currents at -60 mV, and the reversal potential of the QUIN-induced current was -5.8 +/- 1.2 mV, indicating that QUIN-activated channels are highly permeable to Ca2+ (permeability ratio PCa2+/PCs+ = 5.9). This result was substantiated by microfluorometry using fura-2, which revealed that QUIN caused a marked increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration even after the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels had been suppressed by La3+.

Glutamate receptor desensitization and its role in synaptic transmission

Responses of excitatory amino acid receptors to rapidly applied glutamate were measured in outside-out membrane patches from chick spinal neurons. The peak current varied with glutamate concentration, with a half-maximal response at 510 microM and a Hill coefficient near 2. Currents activated by 1 mM glutamate desensitized and recovered in two phases. The faster time constant was identical to the time constant of decay of synaptic currents, suggesting that glutamatergic synaptic currents are terminated, in part, by receptor desensitization. Steady-state desensitization was evident following application of only 2-3 microM glutamate, concentrations comparable to levels in the extracellular space in the intact brain. Thus, glutamate receptor desensitization can affect synaptic efficacy in two ways: at high concentrations, rapid desensitization of receptors may curtail synaptic currents; at low concentrations, there is a significant reduction in the number of activatable receptors.

Development of N-methyl-D-aspartate excitotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons

Immature hippocampal neurons (E-18) were maintained in defined medium for up to 3 weeks and their susceptibility to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-induced cell death was studied at various days in vitro. Upon acute exposure to NMDA (5 min), hippocampal neurons in vitro (8-12 days after plating) showed cell body swelling and dendritic degeneration that preceded cell death 24 h later. NMDA-induced neurodegeneration could be prevented by MK-801 treatment but not by tetrodotoxin. In contrast, immature (5-7 days old) neurons were unaltered by exposure to 500 microM NMDA for either 5 min or 24 h. One explanation for the resistance of immature neurons to glutamate neurotoxicity may be related to maturation of the NMDA receptor complex. Glutamate binding to the NMDA receptor in vivo increased from 14.6 +/- 1.6% (0 day) to 55.2 +/- 4.5% (day 7), 79 +/- 4.9% (day 14), 93.8 +/- 2.8% (day 21) until it reached the adult Sprague-Dawley value of 100 +/- 0.8% (day 90).

Ion channels activated by quinolinic acid in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

The membrane responses to quinolinic acid, an excitotoxic brain metabolite, were studied in cultured rat hippocampal neurons with the patch-clamp technique. In the whole-cell recording mode, pressure applications of quinolinic acid elicited inwardly directed membrane currents over a membrane potential range of -60 to -5 mV. The current response reversed at about 0 mV. The current-voltage (I-V) relation of the response had a negative slope conductance at membrane potentials more negative than -40 mV. On removal of Mg2+ from the extracellular solution, the current response showed no region of negative slope conductance at potentials more positive than -60 mV. In Mg2+-free solution applications of quinolinic acid elicited discrete pulse-like current flows through the outside-out membrane patch. The single channel conductance was 40-46 pS over a membrane potential range of -40 to -80 mV, and 50-55 pS at membrane potentials more positive than +30 mV, showing an outward rectification. These values of the single channel conductance were similar to those of the main conducting state of the channels activated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The responses to quinolinic acid were completely suppressed by the NMDA receptor antagonist (+/-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid. The results indicate that quinolinic acid selectively activates NMDA receptors in the cultured rat hippocampal neurons.