A new mechanism for glutamate receptor action: phosphoinositide hydrolysis

[Phospholipids metabolism disorders in acute stroke]

The disturbances of cerebral circulation results in the violation of phospholipid metabolism. Activation of lipid peroxidation and protein kinase C and release of intracellular calcium leads to disruption of the homeostasis of phosphatidylcholine. The use of cytidine-5-diphosphocholine, which is used as an intermediate compound in the biosynthesis of phospholipids of the cell membrane, helps to stabilize cell membranes, and reduce the formation of free radicals.

Metabolomic insights into system-wide coordination of vertebrate metamorphosis

Background

After completion of embryogenesis, many organisms experience an additional obligatory developmental transition to attain a substantially different juvenile or adult form. During anuran metamorphosis, the aquatic tadpole undergoes drastic morphological changes and remodelling of tissues and organs to become a froglet. Thyroid hormones are required to initiate the process, but the mechanism whereby the many requisite changes are coordinated between organs and tissues is poorly understood. Metabolites are often highly conserved biomolecules between species and are the closest reflection of phenotype. Due to the extensive distribution of blood throughout the organism, examination of the metabolites contained therein provides a system-wide overview of the coordinated changes experienced during metamorphosis. We performed an untargeted metabolomic analysis on serum samples from naturally-metamorphosing Rana catesbeiana from tadpoles to froglets using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. Total and aqueous metabolite extracts were obtained from each serum sample to select for nonpolar and polar metabolites, respectively, and selected metabolites were validated by running authentic compounds.

Results

The majority of the detected metabolites (74%) showed statistically significant abundance changes (p_adj < 0.001) between metamorphic stages. We observed extensive remodelling of five core metabolic pathways: arginine and purine/pyrimidine, cysteine/methionine, sphingolipid, and eicosanoid metabolism and the urea cycle, and found evidence for a major role for lipids during this postembryonic process. Metabolites traditionally linked to human disease states were found to have biological linkages to the system-wide changes occuring during the events leading up to overt morphological change.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first wide-scale metabolomic study of vertebrate metamorphosis identifying fundamental pathways involved in the coordination of this important developmental process and paves the way for metabolomic studies on other metamorphic systems including fish and insects.

Metabotropic glutamate 1 receptor: current concepts and perspectives

Almost 25 years after the first report that glutamate can activate receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G-proteins, tremendous progress has been made in the field of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Now, eight members of this family of glutamate receptors, encoded by eight different genes that share distinctive structural features have been identified. The first cloned receptor, the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor mGlu1 has probably been the most extensively studied mGlu receptor, and in many respects it represents a prototypical subtype for this family of receptors. Its biochemical, anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological characteristics have been intensely investigated. Together with subtype 5, mGlu1 receptors constitute a subgroup of receptors that couple to phospholipase C and mobilize Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. Several alternatively spliced variants of mGlu1 receptors, which differ primarily in the length of their C-terminal domain and anatomical localization, have been reported. Use of a number of genetic approaches and the recent development of selective antagonists have provided a means for clarifying the role played by this receptor in a number of neuronal systems. In this article we discuss recent advancements in the pharmacology and concepts about the intracellular transduction and pathophysiological role of mGlu1 receptors and review earlier data in view of these novel findings. The impact that this new and better understanding of the specific role of these receptors may have on novel treatment strategies for a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders is considered.

NMDA receptors in nucleus tractus solitarii are linked to soluble guanylate cyclase

We sought to test the hypothesis that cardiovascular responses to activation of ionotropic, but not metabotropic, glutamate receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) depend on soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and that inhibition of sGC would attenuate baroreflex responses to changes in arterial pressure. In adult male Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized with chloralose, the ionotropic receptor agonists N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and dl-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and the metabotropic receptor agonist trans-dl-amino-1,3-cyclopentane-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) were microinjected into the NTS before and after microinjection of sGC inhibitors at the same site. Inhibition of sGC produced significant dose-dependent attenuation of cardiovascular responses to NMDA but did not alter responses produced by injection of AMPA or ACPD. Bilateral inhibition of sGC did not alter arterial pressure, nor did it attenuate baroreflex responses to pharmacologically induced changes in arterial pressure. This study links sGC with NMDA, but not AMPA or metabotropic, receptors in cardiovascular signal transduction through NTS.

Modulation of VIP-Stimulated cAMP Formation by Excitatory Amino Acids in Mouse Cerebral Cortex

We have investigated the modulatory action of excitatory amino acids (EAA) on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-stimulated cAMP formation in mouse cerebral cortical slices. Glutamate and aspartate potentiate in a concentration-dependent manner the effect of VIP. In order to characterize the type of receptor involved, we have used three prototypical EAA receptor agonists, that is, kainate, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and quisqualate. Kainate mimicked the effect of glutamate, NMDA was inactive and quisqualate displayed an inhibitory action. Furthermore, ibotenate also potentiated the effect of VIP on cAMP formation, while l-homocysteate exhibited an inhibitory action. Ibotenate was 4-fold more potent and 2.5 times more effective than glutamate. However, the effects of kainate and ibotenate were not additive, suggesting the activation of a common receptor. Thus, based on this metabotropic action, EAA can be categorized into the following classes: (i) those that potentiate the effect of VIP, such as glutamate, aspartate, kainate and ibotenate; (ii) those that inhibit the effect of VIP, such as l-homocysteate and quisqualate; and (iii) those that are ineffective, such as NMDA and d-homocysteate. The effects of glutamate or ibotenate on VIP-stimulated cAMP formation were completely inhibited by l-phosphoserine and only partially by kynurenate. In a low chloride medium, or in the presence of 8-(N,N-diethylamino) octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate-hydrochloride (TMB-8), an inhibitor of calcium release from internal stores, EAA did not potentiate the effect of VIP, thus stressing the importance of these ions for the transduction of the glutamatergic signal. Our results indicate the existence of marked interactions between EAA and VIP on cAMP formation; the pharmacology of these interactions is, however, clearly distinct from the classical pharmacology of EAA which is mainly based on electrophysiological and binding studies.

Activation of a Large-conductance Ca2+-Dependent K+ Channel by Stimulation of Glutamate Phosphoinositide-coupled Receptors in Cultured Cerebellar Granule Cells

Trans-1-amino-cyclopentyl-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (trans-ACPD), a specific agonist of the glutamate phosphoinositide-coupled receptor (Qp receptor), increased the amplitude of the outward K+ current recorded in the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in mouse cultured cerebellar granule cells. This effect was abolished by buffering internal Ca2+ with BAPTA [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid]. Activation of a large-conductance K+ channel was observed when trans-ACPD or quisqualic acid (QA), another Qp receptor agonist, was applied outside the cell-attached patch pipettes. No activation was observed with alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), a specific agonist of ionotropic non-N-methyl-d-aspartate (non-NMDA) receptors. The effects of trans-ACPD or QA were potentiated in the presence of external Ca2+. The channel was also directly activated by both micromolar concentrations of internal Ca2+ and membrane depolarization. Its unitary conductance was 100 - 115 pS under asymmetrical K+ and 195 - 235 pS under high symmetrical K+ conditions. In the absence of agonist, the channel was blocked by 1 mM external tetraethylammonium. This is the first description of a large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel in cultured cerebellar granule cells. It possesses properties similar to those of the so-called 'big K+ channel' described in other preparations. Our cell-attached experiments demonstrated an indirect coupling between Qp receptors and this channel. The most likely hypothesis is that the second messenger system inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-Ca2+ was involved in the coupling process. This hypothesis was further strengthened by our whole-cell experiments. On the basis of the voltage- and Ca2+-sensitivities of the studied channel, we estimated an increase of 350 to 570 nM in internal Ca2+ concentration when Qp receptors were stimulated by 100 microM trans-ACPD. Under physiological conditions, stimulation of Qp receptors by the endogenous neurotransmitter should lead to similar K+ channel activation and therefore would tend to reduce the efficacy of ionotropic glutamate synaptic receptor stimulation responsible for cell excitation.

Modulation of GABA-mediated Synaptic Potentials by Glutamatergic Agonists in Neonatal CA3 Rat Hippocampal Neurons

Intracellular recordings were made from slices of adult and neonatal hippocampal neurons. During the first 2 weeks of life the majority of pyramidal cells exhibited spontaneous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated synaptic potentials, which were depolarizing at birth and became hyperpolarizing by the end of the first postnatal week. These synaptic potentials were reduced in frequency or blocked by the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist d(-)2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP-5, 50 microM) (13/15 cells). The non-NMDA antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 5 - 10 microM) abolished the GABA-mediated synaptic potentials in all the cells tested (n=12), Superfusion of l-glutamate (up to 100 microM) increased the frequency of both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing GABA-mediated synaptic potentials. This effect was reduced by AP-5 or dl-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate (AP-7, 50 microM) and fully blocked by concomitant application of AP-5 (50 microM) and CNQX (5 - 10 microM). NMDA (0.5 - 2 microM) increased the frequency of the GABA-mediated synaptic potentials. These effects were blocked by AP-5 (50 microM) and by bicuculline (10 microM). Quisqualate (100 - 300 nM), (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-izopropionate (AMPA, 100 - 300 nM) and kainate (100 nM) also increased the frequency of the GABA-mediated synaptic potentials. These effects were blocked by CNQX (5 - 10 microM) and by bicuculline (10 microM) but not by AP-5 (50 microM). In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM), quisqualate (up to 300 nM), AMPA (up to 500 nM) and kainate (100 nM) had no effect on membrane potential or input resistance. In conclusion, our experiments suggest that, in early postnatal life, NMDA and non-NMDA receptors located on GABAergic interneurons modulate GABAergic synaptic potentials.

Reduction of Potassium Conductances Mediated by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Rat CA3 Pyramidal Cells Does Not Require Protein Kinase C or Protein Kinase A

Metabotropic glutamate receptors, unlike ionotropic receptors, exert their actions on ion channels via G-proteins coupled to second messenger systems. In the hippocampus stimulation of metabotropic receptors can lead to decreased potassium channel conductance, decreased accommodation of cell firing and inhibition of the slow calcium-dependent afterhyperpolarizing current (IAHP). Using the single-electrode voltage-clamp technique in hippocampal slice cultures of the rat, the role of protein kinases in mediating these metabotropic glutamate responses was investigated. In the presence of staurosporin, protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters and protein kinase A activation by 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate were blocked. Under these conditions, the inhibition of IAHP by 1-amino-cyclopentyl-trans-dicarboxylate (ACPD), a metabotropic agonist, was unchanged, whilst the inward current elicited by ACPD was enhanced. These results demonstrate that, in the hippocampus, metabotropic glutamate responses persist during inhibition of protein kinase A and C activation. Furthermore, these responses are insensitive to pertussis toxin, confirming previous observations.

Tetanic stimulation and metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists modify synaptic responses and protein kinase activity in rat auditory cortex

We investigated whether tetanic-stimulation and activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) can modify field-synaptic-potentials and protein kinase activity in rat auditory cortex, specifically protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC). Tetanic stimulation (50 Hz, 1 s) increases PKA and PKC activity only if the CNQX-sensitive field-EPSP (f-EPSP) is also potentiated. If the f-EPSP is unchanged, then PKA and PKC activity remains unchanged. Tetanic stimulation decreases a bicuculline-sensitive field-IPSP (f-IPSP), and this occurs whether the f-EPSP is potentiated or not. Potentiation of the f-EPSP is blocked by antagonists of mGluRs (MCPG) and PKC (calphostin-C, tamoxifen), suggesting that the potentiation of the f-EPSP is dependent on mGluRs and PKC. PKC antagonists block the rise in PKC and PKA activity, which suggests that these may be coupled. In contrast, ACPD (agonist at mGluRs) decreases both the f-EPSP and the f-IPSP, but increases PKC and PKA activity. Quisqualate (group I mGluR agonist), decreases the f-IPSP, and increases PKA activity, suggesting that the increase in PKA activity is a result of activation of group I mGluRs. Additionally, the increase in PKC and PKA activity appears to be independent of the decrease of the f-EPSP and f-IPSP, because PKC antagonists block the increase in PKC and PKA activity levels but do not block ACPD's effect on the f-EPSP or f-IPSP. These data suggest that group I mGluRs are involved in potentiating the f-EPSP by a PKC and possibly PKA dependent mechanism which is separate from the mechanism that decreases the f-EPSP and f-IPSP.

IPF, a vesicular uptake inhibitory protein factor, can reduce the Ca(2+)-dependent, evoked release of glutamate, GABA and serotonin

Synaptic vesicles in the nerve terminal play a pivotal role in neurotransmission. Neurotransmitter accumulation into synaptic vesicles is catalyzed by distinct vesicular transporters, harnessing an electrochemical proton gradient generated by V-type proton-pump ATPase. However, little is known about regulation of the transmitter pool size, particularly in regard to amino acid neurotransmitters. We previously provided evidence for the existence of a potent endogenous inhibitory protein factor (IPF), which causes reduction of glutamate and GABA accumulation into isolated, purified synaptic vesicles. In this study we demonstrate that IPF is concentrated most in the synaptosomal cytosol fraction and that, when introduced into the synaptosome, it leads to a decrease in calcium-dependent exocytotic (but not calcium-independent) release of glutamate in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, alpha-fodrin (non-erythroid spectrin), which is structurally related to IPF and thought to serve as the precursor for IPF, is devoid of such inhibitory activity. Intrasynaptosomal IPF also caused reduction in exocytotic release of GABA and the monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin. Whether IPF affects vesicular storage of multiple neurotransmitters in vivo would depend upon the localization of IPF. These results raise the possibility that IPF may modulate synaptic transmission by acting as a quantal size regulator of one or more neurotransmitters.

Activation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors induces a long-term enhancement of excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors in the rat hippocampus

Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from CA1 pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus to study the modulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on synaptic transmission mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors. Leuprolide (10(-9)-10(-7) M), a specific GnRH analog, concentration-dependently elicited a long-lasting potentiation of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors. GnRH receptor-induced synaptic potentiation was blocked by 1 microM [Acetyl-3,4-dehydro-Pro1,D-p-F-Phe2,D-Trp3,6]-LHRH, a specific GnRH receptor antagonist. Furthermore, GnRH receptor-induced synaptic potentiation was associated with the stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC), being considerably attenuated by a potent PKC inhibitor (30 microM H-7). The results suggest a long-term enhanced modulation of GnRH on synaptic transmission mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors, possibly via the actions of PKC in the hippocampus that is an important integrative system in the regulation of reproductive processes.

Intraneuronal [Ca2+] changes induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in rat hippocampal slices

Temporary replacement of glucose by 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG; but not sucrose) is followed by long-term potentiation of CA1 synaptic transmission (2-DG LTP), which is Ca2+-dependent and is prevented by dantrolene or N-methyl--aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. To clarify the mechanism of action of 2-DG, we monitored [Ca2+]i while replacing glucose with 2-DG or sucrose. In slices (from Wistar rats) kept submerged at 30 degreesC, pyramidal neurons were loaded with [Ca2+]-sensitive fluo-3 or Fura Red. The fluorescence was measured with a confocal microscope. Bath applications of 10 mM 2-DG (replacing glucose for 15 +/- 0.38 min, means +/- SE) led to a rapid but reversible rise in fluo-3 fluorescence (or drop of Fura Red fluorescence); the peak increase of fluo-3 fluorescence (DeltaF/F0), measured near the end of 2-DG applications, was by 245 +/- 50% (n = 32). Isosmolar sucrose (for 15-40 min) had a smaller but significant effect (DeltaF/F0 = 94 +/- 14%, n = 10). The 2-DG-induced DeltaF/F0 was greatly reduced (to 35 +/- 15%, n = 16) by,-aminophosphono-valerate (50-100 microM) and abolished by 10 microM dantrolene (-4.0 +/- 2.9%, n = 11). A substantial, although smaller effect, of 2-DG persisted in Ca2+-free 1 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) medium. Two adenosine antagonists, which do not prevent 2-DG LTP, were also tested; 2-DG-induced DeltaF/F0 (fluo-3) was not affected by the A1 antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-3, 7-dihydro-1,3-dipropyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione (DPCPX 50 nM; 287 +/- 38%; n = 20), but it was abolished by the A1/A2 antagonist 8-SPT; 25 +/- 29%, n = 19). These observations suggest that 2-DG releases glutamate and adenosine and that the rise in [Ca2+] may be triggered by a synergistic action of glutamate (acting via NMDA receptors) and adenosine (acting via A2b receptors) resulting in Ca2+ release from a dantrolene-sensitive store. The discrepant effects of sucrose and 8-SPT on DeltaF/F0, on the one hand, and 2-DG LTP, on the other, support other evidence that increases in postsynaptic [Ca2+]i are not essential for 2-DG LTP.

Immunocytochemical localization of the NMDA-R2A receptor subunit in the cat retina

Immunocytochemical studies were performed to determine the distribution and cellular localization of the NMDA-R2A receptor subunit (R2A) in the cat retina. R2A-immunoreactivity (R2A-IR) was noted in all layers of the retina, with specific localizations in the outer segments of red/green and blue cone photoreceptors, B-type horizontal cells, several types of amacrine cells, Müller cells and the majority of cells in the ganglion cell layer. In the inner nuclear layer, 48% of all cells residing in the amacrine cell layer were R2A-IR including a cell resembling the GABAergic A17 amacrine cell. Interestingly, the AII rod amacrine cell was devoid of R2A-IR. Although the localization of the R2A subunit was anticipated in ganglion cells, amacrines and Müller cells, the presence of this receptor subunit to the cells in the outer retina was not expected. Here, both the R2A and the R2B subunits were found to be present in the outer segments of cone photoreceptors and to the tips of rod outer segments. Although the function of these receptor subunits in rod and cone photoreceptors remains to be determined, the fact that both R2A and R2B receptor subunits are localized to cone outer segments suggests a possible alternative pathway for calcium entry into a region where this cation plays such a crucial role in the process of phototransduction. To further classify the cells that display NR2A-IR, we performed dual labeling experiments showing the relationship between R2A-labeled cells with GABA. Results showed that all GABAergic-amacrines and displaced amacrines express the R2A-subunit protein. In addition, approximately 11% of the NR2A-labeled amacrines, did not stain for GABA. These findings support pharmacological data showing that NMDA directly facilitates GABA release in retina and retinal cultures [I.L. Ferreira, C.B. Duarte, P.F. Santos, C.M. Carvalho, A.P. Carvalho, Release of [3H]GABA evoked by glutamate receptor agonist in cultured chick retinal cells: effect of Ca2+, Brain Res. 664 (1994) 252-256; G.D. Zeevalk, W.J. Nicklas, Action of the anti-ischemic agent ifenprodil on N-methyl-d-aspartate and kainate-mediated excitotoxicity, Brain Res. 522 (1990) 135-139; R. Huba, H.D. Hofmann, Transmitter-gated currents of GABAergic amacrine-like cells in chick retinal cultures, Vis. Neurosci. 6 (1991) 303-314; M. Yamashita, R. Huba, H.D. Hofmann, Early in vitro development of voltage- and transmitter-gated currents in GABAergic amacrine cells, Dev. Brain Res. 82 (1994) 95-102; R. Ientile, S. Pedale, V. Picciurro, V. Macaione, C. Fabiano, S. Macaione, Nitric oxide mediates NMDA-evoked [3H]GABA release from chick retina cells, FEBS Lett. 417 (1997) 345-348; R.C. Kubrusly, M.C. deMello, F.G. deMello, Aspartate as a selective NMDA agonist in cultured cells from the avian retina, Neurochem. Intl. 32 (1998) 47-52] or reduction of GABA in vivo [N.N. Osborn, A.J. Herrera, The effect of experimental ischaemia and excitatory amino acid agonist on the GABA and serotonin immunoreactivities in the rabbit retina, Neurosci. 59 (1994) 1071-1081]. Since the majority of GABAergic synapses in the inner retina are onto both rod and cone bipolar axon terminals [R.G. Pourcho, M.T. Owzcarzak, Distribution of GABA immunoreactivity in the cat retina: A light and electron-microscopic study, Vis. Neurosci. 2 (1989) 425-435], we hypothesize that the NMDA-receptor plays a crucial role in providing feedback inhibition onto rod and cone bipolar cells.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in calcium-induced LTP of AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated responses in the rat hippocampus

Effects of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors on calcium-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionate (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated components were investigated in rat hippocampal slices using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). Calcium-induced LTP comprises a parallel, long-lasting increase of AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated components. The calcium-induced LTP of the AMPA receptor-mediated component can be significantly attenuated by the use of a selective NMDA antagonist. (R.S)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), a selective antagonist of mGlu receptors, abolished the long-lasting increase of both AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated components observed in calcium-induced LTP. In current clamp mode, the application of a high calcium alone or Schaffer fiber stimulation alone (20 Hz) only generated a short-term increase in the firing rate of evoked action potentials. Conversely, a long-term increase in the firing rate was observed if Schaffer fiber stimulation (20 Hz) accompanied the perfusion of high calcium. These results suggest that calcium-induced LTP involves a parallel, long-lasting enhancement in ionotropic AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated components. More importantly, the mGlu receptor plays a critical role in the establishment of both AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated components underlying calcium-induced LTP. In addition, the present study also described an experimental condition in which the coapplication of the high calcium pulse and Schaffer fiber stimulation (20 Hz) can synergistically elicit a long-term increase of neuronal excitability.

Prenatal ethanol exposure enhances glutamate release stimulated by quisqualate in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures

Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on extracellular glutamate accumulation stimulated by glutamate receptor agonists were studied in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures. The prenatal exposure to ethanol was achieved via maternal consumption of a Sustacal liquid diet containing either 5% ethanol or isocaloric sucrose (pair-fed) substituted for ethanol from gestation d 11 until the day of parturition. Neither the basal level of extracellular glutamate nor the increased accumulation of glutamate stimulated by KCl (40 mM) or by ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainate (KA) (100 microM each), in cells prepared from the ethanol-fed group was significantly different from that in cells prepared from the pair-fed group. Glutamate accumulation stimulated by quisqualate (QA, 100 microM) or by trans-(+/-)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD, 250 microM) in the ethanol-fed group was higher than that in the pair-fed group by 116 and 36%, respectively. In the presence of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 100 microM), an ionotropic QA receptor antagonist, the QA-induced accumulation of glutamate in the ethanol-fed group was still higher than that in the pair-fed group. In the presence of MK-801 (5 microM), an antagonist of the NMDA receptor, the enhanced accumulation of glutamate stimulated by either QA or t-ACPD was still observable in the ethanol-fed group as compared to the pair-fed group. Addition of (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG, 500 microM), a selective antagonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptor, abolished the enhanced accumulation of glutamate stimulated by either QA or t-ACPD in the ethanol-fed group. Although immunoblotting of mGluR1 and mGluR2/3 did not show apparent differences between the pair-fed and the ethanol-fed groups, the overall results suggest that the effect of prenatal ethanol exposure was selectively through a pathway mediated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor.

Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of ionotropic glutamate receptor subtypes in human temporal lobe epilepsy: up-regulation in reorganized epileptogenic hippocampus

Medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy is a common disease typically associated with hippocampal damage (sclerosis) and synaptic remodelling. These changes could include increased glutamate receptor expression, enhancing excitability and the potential for neuronal injury. We directly assessed this hypothesis using quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography to determine the densities of glutamate-, NMDA-, quisqualate/alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazoleproprionic acid (AMPA)- and kainic acid-preferring binding sites in surgically removed hippocampi from patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (sclerosis; MTLE) and patients with mass-associated temporal lobe epilepsy (no sclerosis; MaTLE), compared with autopsy material. Neuronal cell counts and in situ total protein densities were also obtained. In general, MaTLE and autopsy binding densities were indistinguishable. In contrast, some regions of MTLE hippocampi exhibited decreased receptor densities, with a corresponding loss of protein. In the hilus and CA1, however, ligand binding densities did not differ from the comparison groups in spite of markedly reduced protein content, consistent with increased glutamate receptor density. Kainate-preferring sites were distributed differently from the other glutamate subtypes and were uniformly decreased throughout the MTLE hippocampus, except for a unique expression within the outer dentate molecular layer. Along with increased NMDA and AMPA receptor densities in the hilus and CA1, this distinctive population of kainate receptors establishes that increased glutamate receptor expression is a feature of the remodelled MTLE hippocampus. These observations suggest that enhanced sensitivity to glutamate may be an important element in the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Synchronization processes in the mechanisms of short-term memory in monkeys: the involvement of cholinergic and glutaminergic cortical structures

Behavioral experiments were carried out in which monkeys had to solve a task involving delayed visual discrimination, and activity was simultaneously recorded from several neurons of the visual, prefrontal, and lower temporal regions of the cortex before and after modification of cholinergic (by systemic infusion of the M-cholinoceptor blocker amizil) and glutaminergic (by intracortical perfusion with glutaminergic agonists and antagonists, i.e., NMDA, aminophosphonovalerianic acid (APV) and aminophosphonobutyric acid (APB)) systems. Amizil and APV reduced the duration of short-term information retention and increased the delay before the motor response was made. Worsening of these parameters was accompanied by a significant level of desynchronization of activity in the groups of neurons studied. NMDA and APB improved short-term memory and increased neuron synchronization. The role of synchronization of information processes in the mechanisms of short-term memory and the involvement of the cholinergic and glutaminergic systems are discussed.

Complex roles of glutamate in the Gibbs-Ng model of one-trial aversive learning in the new-born chick

Glutamate is the most widespread excitatory transmitter in the CNS and is probably involved in LTP, a neural phenomenon which may be associated with learning and memory formation. Intracerebral injection of large amounts of glutamate between 5 min and 2.5 min after passive avoidance learning in young chicks inhibits short-term memory, which occurs between 0 and 10 min post-learning in a three-stage model of memory formation first established by Gibbs and Ng(25) [Physiol. Behav. 23:369-375; 1979]. This effect may be attributed to non-specific excitation. Blockade of glutamate uptake by L-aspartic and beta-hydroxamate also abolishes this stage of memory, provided the drug is administered within 2.5 min of learning. Interference with either production of percursors for transmitter glutamate in astrocytes or with glutamate receptors is also detrimental to memory formation, but the effects appear much later. After its release from glutamatergic neurons, glutamate is, to a large extent, accumulated into astrocytes where it is converted to glutamine, which can be returned to glutamatergic neurons and reutilized for synthesis of transmitter glutamate, and partly oxidized as a metabolic substrate. The latter process leads to a net loss of transmitter glutamate which can be compensated for by de novo synthesis of a glutamate precursor alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha KG) in astrocytes, a process which is inhibited by the astrocyte-specific toxin fluoroacetate (R. A. Swanson, personal communication). Intracerebral injection of this toxin abolishes memory during an intermediate stage of memory processing occurring between 20 and 30 min post-training (50) [Cog. Brain Res, 2:93-102; 1994]. Injection of methionine sulfoximine (MSO), a specific inhibitor of glutamine synthetase, which interferes with the re-supply of transmitter glutamate to neurons by inhibition of glutamine synthesis in astrocytes, has a similar effect. This effect of MSO is prevented by intracerebral injection of glutamate, glutamine, or a combination and alpha KG and alanine. MSO must be administered before learning, but does not interfere with acquisition since short-term memory remains intact. Administration of either the NMDA antagonist AP5, the AMPA antagonist DNQX, or the metabotropic receptor antagonist MCPF, also induces amnesia. Memory loss in each case does not occur until after 70 min post-training, during a protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory stage which begins at 60 min following learning. However, to be effective, AP5 must be administered within 60 s following learning, MCPG before 15 min post-learning, and DNQX between 15 and 25 min after learning. Together, these findings suggest that learning results in an immediate release of glutamate, followed by a secondary release of this transmitter at later stages of processing of the memory trace, and that one or both of these increases in extracellular glutamate concentration are essential for the consolidation of long-term memory. Since both fluoroacetate and MSO act exclusively on glial cells, the findings also show that neuronal-glial interactions are necessary during the establishment of memory.

Electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics of ionotropic glutamate receptors in medial vestibular nucleus neurons: a whole cell patch clamp study in acutely dissociated neurons

A patch clamp study was performed to determine which subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors is involved in the glutamate-induced excitation of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons. Whole cell recording was performed on MVN neurons that were acutely dissociated by enzymatic and mechanical treatments. Application of glutamate at a concentration of 100 microM produced a current with a reversal potential of approximately 0 mV. The glutamate-induced current was completely blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 10 microM), a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. Application of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainic acid (KA), non-NMDA-receptor agonists, at concentrations of 30 and 100 microM produced a concentration-dependent depolarization concomitantly with an increase in firing rates during current clamp recording. During voltage clamp recording, glutamate, AMPA and KA elicited a concentration-dependent current with an equilibrium potential of approximately 0 mV. To clarify whether NMDA receptors are present in MVN neurons, the effects of glycine on the glutamate- and NMDA-induced current were examined. Two types of NMDA receptor-mediated current (types 1 and 2) were obtained in terms of the difference in sensitivity to both magnesium ion and MK-801, which act on the NMDA-receptor channel. In the type 1 neurons, the NMDA-induced current was not apparently blocked by magnesium ion or MK-801, although a larger current was obtained in the absence of magnesium ion. In the type 2 neurons, marked blockade of the NMDA-induced current was seen in the presence of magnesium ion and MK-801, as previously reported in other neurons of the central nervous system. These findings indicate the presence of both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors, which are involved in primary afferent transmission, in the MVN neuron, and two distinct types of NMDA receptors.

Intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia reduces phosphoinositide hydrolysis stimulated by metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells

Effects of intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia (HI) on receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide (PPI) hydrolysis were studied in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures prepared from an in utero HI model. On gestation day 17, HI conditions were achieved by complete clamping of the uterine vasculature for 30 min followed by removal of the clamps to permit reperfusion. Sham operation (SH, surgery without vasculature ligation) was performed as the control. Intrauterine HI did not affect the basal level of PPI hydrolysis (in the absence of stimulants) in cells prepared from either the SH or the HI group. PPI hydrolysis stimulated by quisqualate (QA) or trans-(1S,3R)-1-amino-1,3-cyclo-pentanedicarboxylic acid (trans-ACPD) was significantly reduced in cells prepared from the HI group, whereas intrauterine HI did not affect the PPI hydrolysis induced by ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists or by norepinephrine or serotonin. At a dose range of 100-300 microM, QA-stimulated PPI hydrolysis in cells prepared from the SH group increased by 3-to 4.5-fold, while this increase was only 2- to 2.5-fold in cells prepared from the HI group. Presence of L-NG-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, did not increase QA-stimulated PPI hydrolysis in cells prepared from either the SH or the HI group, indicating that stimulation of NO formation is unlikely involved in the suppressive effects of intrauterine HI on QA-induced PPI hydrolysis. The QA-stimulated PPI hydrolysis in cells prepared from the HI group, but not from the SH group, was further inhibited by L-(+)-2-amino-3-phosphono-propionic acid (L-AP3). The overall results suggest that intrauterine HI has long-lasting suppressive effects on metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist-stimulated PPI hydrolysis and these effects might be associated with alterations in expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes.

Differential responsiveness of metabotropic glutamate receptors coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis to agonists in various brain areas of the adult rat

The effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists on inositol phosphates (IP) accumulation were investigated in slices of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum of adult Sprague-Dawley rats. EC(50) values for 1S, 3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) did not differ significantly between various brain areas (range 10(-5) M), quisqualate was the most potent in all the brain areas (range 10(-7) - 10(-6) M), except the cerebellum (10(-5) M), ibotenate was the most potent in the striatum (range 10(-6) M) and the least potent in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (range 10(-4) M). The efficacy in the four brain areas showed the following trend of ranking order for ACPD and quisqualate: hippocampus > striatum > cerebral cortex > cerebellum, and for ibotenate: hippocampus > cerebral cortex > striatum > cerebellum, although the observed differences reached the level of statistical significance only in the case of ACPD (hippocampus and striatum vs cerebellum) and ibotenate (hippocampus vs cerebellum). Co-incubation of the agonists at maximally effective concentrations in any pairwise combination resulted in no substantial additivity of IP accumulation. D,L-1-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (AP3) and D,L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (AP4) at 0.5 mM concentration antagonized ACPD-induced IP accumulation by about 70 and 45 percent, respectively, without differences between brain areas. On the other hand, the antagonistic effects of L-serine-o-phosphate (SOP) at 1 mM concentration were the highest in the hippocampus (75 percent) and the lowest in the cerebellum (25 percent). The comparative data indicate considerable regional receptor heterogeneity, in terms of different ratios of response to the agonists (but not antagonists, except SOP). There is a robust responsiveness of mGluRs not only in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, but also in the striatum which exhibits the highest affinity to both quisqualate and ibotenate.

Neural dynamics in cortex-striatum co-cultures--I. anatomy and electrophysiology of neuronal cell types

An in vitro system was established to analyse corticostriatal processing. Cortical and striatal slices taken at postnatal days 0-2 were co-cultured for three to six weeks. The anatomy of the organotypic co-cultures was determined using immunohistochemistry. In the cortex parvalbumin-positive and calbindin-positive cells, which resembled those seen in vivo, had laminar distributions. In the striatum, strongly stained parvalbumin-positive cells resembling striatal GABAergic interneurons and cholinergic interneurons were scattered throughout the tissue. The soma area of these interneuron classes was larger than the average striatal soma area, thus enabling visual selection of cells by class before recording. Cortical neurons with projections to the striatum showed similar morphological features to corticostriatal projection neurons in vivo. No projections from the striatum to the cortex were found. Intracellular recordings were obtained from 94 neurons. These were first classified on the basis of electrophysiological characteristics and the morphologies of cells in each class were reconstructed. Two types of striatal secondary neurons with unique electrophysiological dynamics were identified: GABAergic interneurons (n = 17) and large aspiny, probably cholinergic, interneurons (n = 15). The electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of cortical pyramidal cells (n = 27), cortical interneurons (n = 1), as well as striatal principal neurons (n = 34), were identical to those reported for similar ages in vivo. Organotypic cortex-striatum co-cultures are therefore suitable as an in vitro system in which to analyse corticostriatal processing. The network dynamics, which developed spontaneously in that system, are examined in the companion paper.

Glutamate-dependent mechanisms in the induction of a calcium long-term potentiation-like phenomenon

The electric synaptic efficacy, in terms of extracellular electrical potentials, and the intracellular postsynaptic efficacy, in terms of inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation, were evaluated in rat hippocampal slices exposed for a brief period (10 min) to a high concentration of calcium (+2.7 mM). In addition, the effects of N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonists on the induction and the establishment or maintenance of enhanced synaptic efficacy of CA1 pyramidal neurons due to high-calcium exposure were also tested. Elevation of the calcium concentration from 1.3-4 mM in the medium bathing hippocampal slices produced a long-lasting (80 over 90 min) increase in the slope of the CA1 somatic excitatory postsynaptic potential and the amplitude of the population spike (PS). Slice perfusion with NMDA antagonists cyclazocine and cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine-carboxylic acid (CGS 19755) or with mGluR antagonists L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (AP3) or alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenyl-glycine (all 0.1 mM), during the 10-min period of exposure to high-calcium prevented the induction of such changes. By contrast, slice perfusion with the same concentration of CGS 19755 or L-AP3 did not affect the already established long-lasting increase in amplitude of CA1 PS induced by high-calcium. Moreover, high-calcium failed to produce any significant modification of the basal IP accumulation or of the IP accumulation elicited by mGluR agonist 1S,3R-trans-amino cyclo-pentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD). In conclusion, the results confirm that high-calcium induces a long-lasting increase in synaptic efficacy in rat hippocampal slices. Both NMDA ionotropic and mGluR receptors are involved in the induction, but not in the maintenance, of this phenomenon. In line with these data no modifications of basal or ACPD-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis have been found during the maintenance stage.

NMDA R1 mRNA distribution in motor and thalamic-projecting sensory neurons in the rat spinal cord and brain stem

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is important in both sensory and motor neurotransmission. In this study we examine NMDA R1 mRNA hybridization signal over individual sensory and motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain stem. A significantly greater quantity of NMDA R1 mRNA was present in motor neurons of the lumbar spinal cord and hypoglossal nucleus compared to thalamic projecting sensory neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn, the spinal trigeminal nucleus pars caudalis and the cuneate and gracile nuclei. No significant difference in the quantity of NMDA R1 mRNA was observed between sensory neurons known to relay predominantly nociceptive information (trigeminothalamic and spinothalamic tract neurons) and that relay predominantly touch and proprioceptive information (dorsal column neurons).

Effects of quisqualic acid analogs on metabotropic glutamate receptors coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat hippocampus

L-Glutamic acid (L-Glu) and L-aspartic acid (L-Asp) activate several receptor subtypes, including metabotropic Glu receptors coupled to phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis. Quisqualic acid (Quis) is the most potent agonist of these receptors. There is evidence that activation of these receptors may cause a long lasting sensitization of neurons to depolarization, a phenomenon called the Quis effect. The purpose of the current studies was to use Quis analogs and the recently identified metabotropic receptor antagonist, (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxy-phenylglycine((+)-MCPG), to define the structural properties required for interaction with the metabotropic receptors coupled to PI hydrolysis and to determine if the Quis effect is mediated by these receptors. The effects of Quis analogs on PI hydrolysis were studied in the absence or presence of the metabotropic receptor-specific agonist 1SR,3RS-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (1SR,3RS-ACPD) in neonatal rat hippocampus. Some of the compounds that induce the Quis effect also stimulate PI hydrolysis, including Quis itself and 9 (homoquisqualic acid). Not all of the Quis analogs that stimulate PI hydrolysis, however, induce the Quis effect, including 7A (EC50 = 750 +/- 150 microM) and (RS)-4-bromohomoibotenic acid (BrHI) (EC50 = 130 +/- 40 microM). Although (+)-MCPG blocked PI hydrolysis stimulated by Quis (IC50 = 370 +/- 70 microM), it had no effect on the induction of the Quis effect. Other Quis analogs did not stimulate PI hydrolysis but rather blocked the effects of 1SR,3RS-ACPD. The IC50 values were 240 +/- 70 microM for 2, 250 +/- 90 microM for 3, and 640 +/- 200 microM for 4. Data for inhibition by 2 and 3 were consistent with non-competitive mechanisms of action. These studies provide new information about the structural features of Quis required for interaction with metabotropic receptors coupled to PI hydrolysis and provide evidence that the Quis effect is not mediated by (+)-MCPG sensitive subtypes of these receptors.

Thapsigargin blocks long-term potentiation induced by weak, but not strong tetanisation in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons

To elucidate the role of calcium release from internal stores during different paradigms of tetanisation in long-term potentiation (LTP), we have investigated the effects of thapsigargin on the elevation of the excitatory postsynaptic field potential (fEPSP) and the population spike (PS) after tetanisation. We found no effect on the duration of fEPSP potentiation if thapsigargin was perfused before strong (triple) tetanisation. However, the potentiation was reduced significantly from control experiments if thapsigargin was applied before weak (single) tetanisation. Surprisingly, we did not find any reduction of PS potentiation, which could be due to changes in the recurrent inhibition. We conclude that the involvement of internal calcium release in the mechanisms of LTP induction will be reduced if multiple tetanisation is used.

Breakdown of membrane phospholipids in Alzheimer disease. Involvement of excitatory amino acid receptors

Membrane phospholipids are not only essential membrane constituents but also determine many membrane functions and integrity. Normal receptor function, signal transduction, and transport of essential substrates depend strongly on normal membrane phospholipid metabolism. Studies of plasma membrane phospholipid composition have indicated that ethanolamine glycerophospholipids decrease, whereas serine glycerophospholipids increase significantly, in Alzheimer disease (AD). The release of arachidonate from the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids is catalyzed by phospholipases and lipases. These enzymes are coupled to EAA receptors. Overstimulation of these receptors may be involved in abnormal calcium homeostasis, degradation of membrane phospholipids, and the accumulation of free fatty acids, prostaglandins, and lipid peroxides. Accumulation of the mentioned metabolites, as well as abnormalities in signal transduction owing to stimulation of lipases and phospholipases, may be involved in the pathogenesis of the neurodegeneration in AD.

Receptor pharmacological models for inner ear therapies with emphasis on glutamate receptors: a survey

With the aid of microiontophoretic techniques we evaluated the action of different postsynaptic glutamate receptor subtypes that mediate neurotransmission between the inner hair cell and the afferent neuron. The sensory input is modulated by axodendritic efferents. In the central nervous system, excessive activation of glutamate receptors is thought to be responsible for a wide variety of neurotoxic actions, and calcium is involved in the etiology of glutamate-induced cell damage. Glutamatergic neurotoxicity may form an appropriate pathophysiological model to explain a variety of inner ear diseases characterized by acute or progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. In clinical trials, three sites of action are thought to attenuate glutamatergic otoneurotoxicity: presynaptically, via the reduction of excessive transmitter release; postsynaptically, via competitive or noncompetitive receptor antagonism; and intracellularly, via blockage of glutamate receptor-dependent calcium stores. The drugs discussed in this paper are currently available clinically and have only recently been found to attenuate glutamate toxicity. Magnesium and the quinoxaline derivative Caroverine, which have already been tested in humans, exhibit a statistically significant otoneuroprotective action in noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. The intensive search for further drugs that enhance the survival of cochlear afferents without disrupting acoustic signal processing is one of the main goals of research in clinical otoneuropharmacology in the near future.

Cellular and subcellular localization of AMPA-selective glutamate receptors in the mammalian peripheral vestibular system

The cellular and subcellular distribution of AMPA-selective glutamate receptors in the mammalian peripheral vestibular system was examined using antibodies against peptides corresponding to the C-terminal portions of AMPA receptor subunits: GluR1, GluR2/R3 and GluR4. The light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical studies were carried out on Vibratome sections of rat and guinea pig vestibular sensory epithelial and ganglia. In the epithelium, GluR1 subunit immunoreactivity appeared as accumulations of patches outlining the baso-lateral periphery of the type I sensory cells. The GluR1-immunoreactive microareas were postsynaptically distributed on the membranes of calyceal afferent fibers. GluR2/R3 immunoreactivity was present in the sensory cells. GluR4 was not detected. In the vestibular ganglion, the neurons were densely stained with antibodies to GluR2/R3 and GluR4. The fibroblasts and the Schwann cells were also intensely stained with antibodies to GluR2/R3 and GluR4. In the sensory cells, the AMPA receptors, GluR2/R3, may function as (1) autoreceptors controlling afferent neurotransmitter release or (2) 'postsynaptic' receptors activated by the neurotransmitter release of the afferent calyx. The detection of GluR1 at postsynaptic sites in the afferent fibers provides anatomical evidence for the role of glutamate as a neurotransmitter of sensory cells. In the ganglion neurons, GluR2/R3 and GluR4 may represent reserve intracytoplasmic pools of receptor subunits in transit to the postsynaptic sites. In the Schwann cells, GluR2/R3 and GluR4 may be involved in neuronal-glial signalling at the nodes of Ranvier.

[Cerebral ischemic cascade]

The pathophysiology of ischaemia depends on the residual cerebral blood flow. As a result, it is different in global ischaemia, when compared with focal ischaemia, where the centre area is surrounded with an area called an ischaemic penumbra. Ischaemia results from a sudden failure in the oxygen and glucose supply. Oxidative phosphorylation fails, a major event that is responsible for all the other reactions. Anaerobic metabolism produces lactate and H+. Cell membrane ionic pumps are inactivated, which results in a breakdown of ionic homeostasis. Ca++ and Na+ penetrate into the cells, as K+ is released. The energy failure causes an extracellular accumulation of excitatory amino-acids, thus eliciting a hyperstimulation of the NMDA receptors. These receptors are hyperactivated as a result of the deterioration in the control systems with, especially, the blockade of the NMDA receptor by Mg++. As a consequence, there is a massive entry of Ca++ into the cell, including a series of enzymatic reactions involving phospholipases, proteases and endonucleases. Reperfusion will cause toxic lesions by producing free radicals, due to the action of arachidonic acid, xanthine oxidase and nitric oxide. The decrease in cell energetic supplies, as well as the overactivation of enzymes and the production of free radicals, result in cell death.

Blockade of metabotropic glutamate receptors prevents long-term memory consolidation

Metabotropic glutamate receptor activation has been shown to be essential for establishment of long-term potentiation, a phenomenon increasingly thought to be associated with the laying down of permanent memory. However, these receptors may also play a part in the initiation of protein kinase C activity, which has been demonstrated to be involved in prelong-term memory processes. Blockade of the metabotropic glutamate receptors by the specific antagonist, (RS)-alpha-Methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (500 microM) is shown to induce amnesia during a long-term memory stage in day-old chicks trained on a passive avoidance task, and to have no effect on prelong-term stages. The results suggest a specific role for these receptors in a possibly LTP associated mechanism of memory processing.

AMPA receptor activation regulates the glutamate metabotropic receptor stimulated phosphatidylinositol turnover in human cerebral cortex slices

The effect of excitatory amino acids (EAA) on phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover in human cerebral cortical slices was investigated. Trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) increased inositol phosphate (IP) formation in the 1-1000 microM range. Quisqualic acid (QA) was maximally effective at 10-100 microM, showing an inverse correlation between concentration and effect in the 100-1000 microM range. The glutamate metabotropic receptor antagonist 2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (AP3), the ionotropic non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and the NMDA channel blocker dizolcipine (MK-801) failed to prevent the PI response to ACPD (1000 microM). However, CNQX (100 microM) modified the concentration-response curve of QA reducing the effect of QA 10 microM by approx. 50% and enhancing that of QA 1000 microM by 2-fold. In addition, CNQX (100 microM) together with MK-801 (100 microM) unmasked the ability of L-glutamate (L-GLU) 3000 microM to stimulate PI turnover. The effect of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) on the EAA-induced PI turnover was also studied. AMPA (0.1-1 microM) potentiated the response to submaximal (30 microM) ACPD and (1 microM) QA concentrations. However, higher AMPA concentrations (10 microM) failed to synergize with ACPD 30 microM and, in addition, inhibited the PI turnover maximally stimulated by QA 10 microM. These results further support the presence of the glutamate metabotropic receptor in the human neocortex. In addition, they show the occurrence of a concentration-related dual interaction between AMPA and glutamate metabotropic receptor activation in the IP formation in this brain area.

Glutamate-induced swelling of single astroglial cells in primary culture

Glutamate induced an increase in cell volume within one minute and evoked cytosolic Ca2+ transients in type 1 astroglial cells in primary culture obtained from the cerebral cortex of newborn rat. Even the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane- 1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S-3R-ACPD) and L(+)-2-amino-4 phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) induced a cell swelling with ACPD inducing a parallel Ca2+ transient while L-AP4 did not. A new method was used where rapid changes in relative cell volume could be followed at the single cell level. Relative volume changes in cultured single astroglial cells were examined by microspectrofluorimetry after loading the cells with the highly fluorescent intracellular probe fura-2/AM. At its isosbestic point, 358 nm, fura-2 is ion-insensitive and the fluorescent signals emitted are related only to the intracellular dye concentration. By varying the excitation wavelengths, changes in intracellular Ca2+ transients could be recorded simultaneously with the relative volume variations of the individual cells. Thus, as rapid changes in cell volume were followed, the results from this method could be of physiological significance. Glutamate-induced cell swelling was blocked by BaCl2 and by tetraethylammonium, suggesting that K+ channels are operative in glutamate-induced cell swelling. Furthermore, the glutamate-induced swelling was blocked by the Na+; K+, and 2Cl- co-transport inhibitor furosemide. The glutamate-induced swelling was partially blocked by pertussis toxin and partially blocked also by the glutamate carrier-blocker dihydroaspartate. When the ionotropic glutamate receptor alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole proprionic acid was blocked with the antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7- sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline, glutamate still induced a swelling, suggesting that this receptor was not directly involved in the glutamate-induced volume increase. Even in situations of blocked or partially blocked swelling, intracellular Ca2+ transients could be obtained. Furthermore, the glutamate-induced swelling was evoked even in low extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Our data suggest that glutamate-induced rapid swelling is a complex process at the molecular level. One hypothetical mechanism might be that glutamate interacts with metabotropic glutamate receptors and induces a release of Ca2+ from internal stores. Furthermore glutamate interacts with K+ channels, and probably at least one co-transporter and the sodium-dependent high-affinity uptake glutamate carrier, resulting in cell swelling.

Impairment of GABAA receptor function by N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated calcium influx in isolated CA1 pyramidal cells

Mechanisms of regulation of GABAA receptor function by intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) were examined in cell somata and apical dendrites of pyramidal cells, acutely dissociated from the CA1 hippocampal subfield of adult guinea-pigs. GABAA receptor-mediated currents were measured by whole-cell clamp recordings. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents were used as conditioning source of calcium influx. Peak amplitudes of somatic GABAA whole-cell currents were reduced to about 15% of control values when net inward charge accumulation by N-methyl-D-aspartate currents reached 1.85 nC. A similar decline of GABAA currents was observed in dendritic recordings. The N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated reduction of somatic and dendritic GABAA currents was accompanied by a well correlated decrease in peak and chord conductances. Pharmacological blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate currents by 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid prevented the N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA responses. The N-methyl-D-aspartate effect was mediated by the calcium component of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents as demonstrated by a lack of effect in the absence of extracellular calcium and faster N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA responses in lower intracellular 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N"-tetra-acetate. N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated suppression of GABAA currents was significantly less expressed when intracellular ATP was replaced by its analog adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and when the specific phosphatase 2B inhibitor cypermethrin was added intracellularly. The reduction of GABAA responses persisted after cessation of N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated calcium influx, indicating a long-term action of N-methyl-D-aspartate on GABAA responses. Voltage-activated calcium currents did not affect GABAA responses under the experimental conditions applied. In conclusion, the data presented show that calcium influxes through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channels result in long-term suppression of GABAA receptor function in CA1 pyramidal cells. Intracellular mechanisms of N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated reduction of GABAA conductances involve activation of phosphatase 2B and consecutive dephosphorylation of the GABAA receptor or a closely associated GABAA receptor-regulating enzyme. Possible mechanisms of such a distinct N-methyl-D-aspartate-dependent calcium signalling pathway in the dephosphorylation-dependent suppression or GABAA receptor function are discussed.

Prenatal ethanol exposure reduces phosphoinositide hydrolysis stimulated by quisqualate in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures

Prenatal ethanol exposure-induced alteration in poly-phosphoinositide (PPI) hydrolysis stimulated by excitatory amino acids (EAA) was studied in rat cerebellar granule cells previously labeled with [3H]myoinositol. The prenatal exposure to ethanol was achieved via maternal consumption of a Sustacal (chocolate flavored) liquid diet containing either 5% ethanol (w/v, 35% of calories) or isocaloric sucrose (pair-fed) substituted for ethanol from gestation d 11 until the day of parturition. The ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate, kainate or (+/-)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) (100 microM each) induced a two- to four-fold increase in PPI hydrolysis over the basal level, regardless of the liquid dietary treatment. Stimulation with quisqualate (QA), an agonist activating both metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors, resulted in a much stronger and dose-dependent response in PPI hydrolysis and exposure in utero to ethanol significantly reduced this response. Tetrodotoxin, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), or (+/-)-3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) had no effect on QA-stimulated PPI hydrolysis nor on the suppression of this hydrolysis by ethanol. Exposure in utero to ethanol did not affect PPI hydrolysis stimulated by a selective metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, trans-(+/-)-l-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD). Although the PPI hydrolysis stimulated by t-ACPD could be blocked by (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), an antagonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptor, MCPG was incapable of affecting QA-induced PPI hydrolysis and the suppressive effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on this hydrolysis. Taken together, the data suggest that the long-lasting suppressive effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on QA-stimulated PPI hydrolysis in cerebellar granule cell cultures is through a metabotropic QA receptor pathway that may be different from the one activated by t-ACPD.

Alteration in regional brain neuropeptides following intracerebroventricular infusion of excitotoxins in rats

We determined regional brain concentrations of somatostatin (SS), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in 3- and 13-month-old rats. We also examined the effects of the excitotoxins, ibotenic acid (IA), kainic acid (KA), and quinolinic acid (QA) on regional levels of brain neuropeptides in rats. Excitotoxins were infused continuously into the lateral ventricle for 14 days using an osmotic minipump. Our results indicate that; (1) NPY in the brain is especially vulnerable to aging, compared to AVP. (2) IA induces a decrease in brain regional concentrations of neuropeptides and the effects are different from those of other excitotoxins, for example, KA and QA. (3) These effects of IA on neuropeptides may be dependent on the age of the animals when exposed and on the dose of IA.

Involvement of a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-associated mechanism in the induction of an outward potassium current by quisqualate

The inhibitory action of a glutamate agonist, quisqualate, in association with the intracellular signal transduction, was electrophysiologically examined in identified Euhadra neurons. Quisqualate dose-dependently induced a slow outward current (Quis current) which was blocked by tetraethylammonium. This current was suppressed by intracellular injection of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and was enhanced by a CaMKII inhibitor, KN-62. However, no significant changes in the Quis current were observed when the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) or the protein kinase C (PKC) fragment (530-558) was intracellularly applied; or using a PKA inhibitor, H-8, or a PKC inhibitor, staurosporine. These results suggest a novel mechanism linked to CaMKII, by which quisqualate induces an outward potassium current.

Regulation of the second-messenger systems in the rat spinal cord during prolonged peripheral inflammation

Unilateral intraplantar injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) into 1 hind paw of rats was used as a model of peripheral inflammation and persistent pain in order to examine time course effects of a continuous barrage of nociceptive input on the second-messenger transducing systems in the spinal cord. cAMP, cGMP and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (insP3) were extracted from the lumbosacral cord at days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 42 following FCA injection and quantified by either radioreceptor-assay (RRA) or radioimmunoassay (RIA). The lumbosacral contents of cAMP and cGMP when quantified in whole lumbosacral cord segment were not significantly changed by FCA treatment at all time points. InsP3 accumulation was significantly increased on days 14, 21 and 42 following FCA injection relative to sham-treated time-matched controls. However, cGMP and insP3 contents were significantly increased in the left longitudinal half of the lumbar enlargement ipsilateral to the injected paw on day 21 following FCA treatment, but not in the sham-treated time-matched controls. With [3H]insP3 as a ligand, Scatchard (Rosenthal) analyses of the concentration-dependent saturation curves showed that the densities (Bmax) of insP3 receptors (insP3R) were significantly increased throughout the time course of adjuvant-induced peripheral inflammation. The binding affinities (KD) for insP3R were significantly decreased on days 7, 14 and 21 following FCA injection corresponding to the times of most stable and peak inflammation. InsP3R from the cerebelli of the same rats as used in the lumbosacral insP3R characterization was used as a positive control in this study and did not show any change in both Bmax and KD as a result of FCA treatment, thus demonstrating that the changes in lumbosacral insP3R characteristics might be specific to the nociceptive sensory pathway such as the spinal cord. Thus it appears that sustained afferent nociceptive input induced by FCA injection increased the accumulation of cGMP, insP3 and insP3R density in the spinal cord through increased neuronal activities of functional receptors coupled to major classes of chemical mediators of nociception including neuropeptides and excitatory aminoacids. Changes in insP3 accumulation in the lumbosacral cord following FCA injection were significantly correlated with changes in insP3R density. Changes in the ratios of lumbosacral insP3 contents and insP3R density were also significantly correlated with changes in body weight and hind paw size induced by FCA injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Involvement of glutamate receptors, lipases, and phospholipases in long-term potentiation and neurodegeneration

Glutamate is the primary excitatory amino acid in the mammalian central nervous system. Normal excitation of glutamate receptors initiates the stimulation of phospholipases and lipases with the generation of second messengers that are necessary for normal cell function. The overstimulation of glutamate receptors can initiate a cascade of biochemical events including stimulation of membrane phospholipid turnover, excessive calcium entry, abnormal phosphorylation, and proteolysis. These events may be responsible for neuronal injury and degeneration found in Alzheimer disease, ischemia, spinal cord trauma, epilepsy, and Huntington disease.

The metabotropic glutamate receptor (MGR): pharmacology and subcellular location

A pharmacological characterization of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (MGR) was performed in striatal neurons. Among the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists tested, only D, L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate (D, L-AP3) inhibited QA-induced inositol phosphate (InsP) formation in a competitive manner (mean pKi = 4.45 +/- 0.43, n = 4). However, this drug was a partial agonist of MGR since it stimulated the inositol-phosphate formation. We found that D, L-AP3 also inhibited NMDA-induced calcium increase, in a competitive manner (mean pIC50 = 4.34 +/- 0.22, n = 8, and mean pKi = 3.7 +/- 0.11 n = 5). 1 mM of the ionotropic agonists alpha-amino-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainate (KA) or domoate (DO) (100 microM or higher) induced a significant InsP formation in striatal neurons. The InsP responses induced by all these agonists were totally blocked by the phorbol ester phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu), but not by atropine or prazosin. Agonist-induced increases of intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were insensitive to PdBu, suggesting that all these substances were able to stimulate the MGR in striatal neurons. Trans-1-amino-cyclopentyl-1,3-dicarboxylate (trans-ACPD) evoked dose-dependent inositol phosphate formations with an EC50 of 29 microM but had no significant effect on NMDA or AMPA receptors, as measured by the patch clamp technique. In the presence of 30 microM of AMPA, trans-ACPD induced a significant release of arachidonic acid (AA) in striatal neurons. No important AA release was observed by any of these agonists alone. 56 mM K+ did not mimic AMPA in this associative ionotropic/metabotropic effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabotropic glutamate response in acutely dissociated hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones of the rat

1. The metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) response was investigated in dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones using conventional and nystatin-perforated whole-cell modes of the patch recording configuration. 2. In the perforated patch recording configuration, the application of glutamate (Glu), quisqualate (QA), aspartate (Asp) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) induced a slow outward current superimposed on a fast ionotropic inward current, whereas alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) and kainate (KA) induced only an ionotropic inward current at a holding potential (VH) of -20 mV. A specific agonist of the mGlu receptor (mGluR), trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (tACPD), induced an outward current in approximately 80% of the neurones tested. Asp- and NMDA-induced outward currents were antagonized by D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (D-AP5) whereas Glu-, QA- and tACPD-induced outward currents were not antagonized by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and D-AP5, indicating that the mGlu response is an outward current component. 3. L-2-Amino-3-phosphonopropionate (L-AP3) and DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (AP4) did not block the mGlu response. 4. The relative potencies of mGlu agonists were QA > Glu > tACPD. The threshold and EC50 values of metabotropic outward currents were 10-100 times lower than those of the ionotropic inward current (iGlu response). 5. The reversal potential of the mGlu response (EmGlu) was close to EK (K+ equilibrium potential), and it shifted 59.5 mV for a tenfold change in extracellular K+ concentration. 6. In Ca(2+)-free external solution, the mGlu response was elicited by an initial application of Glu, but subsequent applications failed to induce the response. There was also an increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) during the application of Glu and QA but not of AMPA, indicating Ca2+ release from an intracellular Ca2+ store. 7. During the activation of a Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current (IK(Ca)) by inositol trisphosphate (IP3) in the internal solution, the mGlu response was suppressed. Addition of GDP-beta-S, neomycin or heparin to the internal solution also suppressed the mGlu response, but staurosporine had no effect. The mGlu response was abolished by pretreatment with either caffeine or ryanodine, but treatment with pertussis toxin (IAP) for 6-8 h had no effect. 8. The mGlu response was suppressed by tetraethylammonium, but not by either apamin or iberiotoxin, suggesting that intermediate-conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K+ (KCa+) channels are involved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The effect of trans-ACPD, a metabotropic excitatory amino acid receptor agonist, on the responses of primate spinothalamic tract neurons

The responses of primate spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons to innocuous and noxious mechanical stimuli applied to the skin can be enhanced for more than an hour following prolonged noxious stimulation. This increased responsiveness is thought to reflect sensitization of dorsal horn neurons and may help account for secondary hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. The proposal that central sensitization is due to the activation of second messenger system was tested in this study by examining the effect of trans-ACPD (trans-D,L-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid), an agonist of metabotropic excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors, introduced into the dorsal horn by microdialysis. A low dose of trans-ACPD resulted in an increase in the responses of STT cells to an innocuous mechanical stimulus (BRUSH), but no increase in the responses to noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli or in the excitation produced by iontophoretically applied EAAs. A high dose of trans-ACPD caused a transient increase in background activity, but no change in the responsiveness of spinothalamic cells to any of the test stimuli. It is concluded that low doses of trans-ACPD can selectively enhance transmission through interneuronal pathways mediating tactile inputs to spinothalamic cells.

Increase of c-fos and ras oncoproteins in the denervated neuropil of the rat dentate gyrus

When the entorhinal cortical input to the rat dentate gyrus is destroyed, the process of sprouting and synaptogenesis begins within the denervated dendritic laminae. The present study used immunohistochemical methods to determine whether there was an increase in the oncoproteins c-fos and ras within the denervated neuropil of the dentate gyrus during this period of terminal growth and synapse formation. Animals were prepared for immunolabeling one, three, six and 30 days after unilateral lesion of the entorhinal cortex. Rats were perfused with paraformaldehyde fixative and brain sections were incubated with antibodies to either c-fos or ras oncoprotein. Qualitative light microscopic analysis showed a marked increase in both c-fos and ras proteins over the denervated zone at three days postlesion when compared to both the intact contralateral control and the naive control. At one- and six-day postlesion intervals there was also an increase in labeling over the denervated neuropil with each oncoprotein; however, the intensity of label was reduced relative to that of the three-day time interval. No increase in labeling over the denervated zone was visible for either antibody at 30 days postlesion. The high level of both c-fos and ras labeling in the denervated molecular layer was confirmed with Western blot analysis of dissected molecular layers from lesioned and contralateral control hippocampi. Controls for antibody and method specificity showed that the labeling was specific for c-fos and ras proteins. The high level of c-fos labeling over the denervated molecular layer was uniform with scattered punctate sites of reaction product interspersed in the neuropil. Glial cell bodies in the neuropil contained the highest levels of c-fos oncoprotein. The granule cell nuclei showed an apparent reduction in the level of c-fos labeling at one, three and six days postlesion when compared with the nuclear staining of naive control cases. At 30 days postlesion, high levels of labeling over the denervated zone were not visible and c-fos localization had returned to the typical predominant nuclear sites seen in controls. Ras oncoprotein localization was diffuse in the cell processes of the molecular layer, with intermittent glial labeling within the denervated zone. No cell nuclei labeling was observed with antibodies to ras protein. These results show that both c-fos and ras oncoproteins are increased within the denervated neuropil of the dentate gyrus during sprouting and synapse formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Excitatory amino acids (EAAs) stimulate phosphatidylinositol turnover in adult rat striatal slices: interaction between NMDA and EAA metabotropic receptors

The effect of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) on phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover in adult rat striatal slices was investigated. Quisqualic acid (QA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainic acid (KA), ibotenic acid (IBO) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) maximally increased inositol phosphate (IP) formation at 10 microM while trans-1-amino-cyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) was maximally effective at 100 microM. The NMDA channel blocker dizolcipine (MK-801) counteracted the effect of NMDA 10 microM and IBO 10 microM while it potentiated that of IBO 100 microM and IBO 1000 microM. Conversely, the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) prevented the effect of AMPA and KA and reduced that of QA (all at 10 microM). Lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]0) differentially affected the PI response to EAAs. The ACPD 30 microM effect was unchanged at low [Ca2+]0 (but abolished when EGTA 2 mM was added), while that of ACPD 100 microM was halved in 0.1 mM and almost abolished in a nominally free Ca2+ medium. NMDA 10 microM and AMPA 10 microM were ineffective at low [Ca2+]0 while NMDA 100 microM, ineffective in a 1.2 mM Ca2+ medium, strongly stimulated IP formation in 0.1 mM Ca2+ but not in a nominally free Ca2+ medium. The effect of NMDA on EAA metabotropic receptor agonist stimulated PI turnover was also studied. NMDA 10 microM potentiated the effect of ACPD 30 microM. This positive cooperation persisted at low [Ca2+]0 but not in the presence of EGTA. Conversely, NMDA 100 microM prevented the effect of ACPD 100 microM. This negative interference was reversed when Ca2+ was omitted from the medium. This study shows that in the adult rat striatum both EAA metabotropic and ionotropic receptor activation increases IP formation. A positive and negative interaction between NMDA and metabotropic receptor activation was also found to regulate PI turnover. The role of [Ca2+]0 in subserving the PI response to EAAs was made evident.

2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid blocks long-term potentiation of excitatory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal CA1 neurons of the rat

The dependence of long-term potentiation on an intact inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] metabolism was investigated with the whole-cell voltage-clamp method in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices. The intracellular application of 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid (1 mM), an inhibitor of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase and of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase eliminated the potentiation of postsynaptic currents in pyramidal cells 30 min after paired pre- and postsynaptic activation. These data suggest a possible role of postsynaptic inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and/or inositol 1,3,4,5-tetra-kisphosphate in synaptic plasticity.

The effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist 1S,3R-ACPD on neurones in the rat primary somatosensory cortex in vivo

The selective glutamate metabotropic receptor agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD) was applied iontophoretically to cells in the rat primary somatosensory cortex (SI) in vivo. In contrast to other in vivo studies, distinct excitatory and depressant effects were observed. The excitatory responses could not be blocked by ionotropic antagonists, as evidence that they were mediated by a metabotropic receptor. The depressant effects were most pronounced on natural synaptic transmission, suggesting that a presynaptic receptor may be involved, although responses to iontophoretically applied agonists were also affected. Comparison with the presumed presynaptic glutamate receptor agonist L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) suggest that the depressant effects of 1S,3R-ACPD could be partially mediated by a presynaptic autoreceptor.