Neuronal and glial localization of guanylate cyclase. Immunohistochemical evidence in cultured cells

GABA release triggered by the activation of neuron-like non-NMDA receptors in cultured type 2 astrocytes is carrier-mediated

Kainate (KA), quisqualate (QA), and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) stimulated gamma-aminobutyric acid [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from cultured cerebellar type 2 astrocytes and from their bipotential precursors. The evoked release was prevented by the antagonist 6-cyano-2,3-dihydroxy-7-nitro-quinoxaline (CNQX). AMPA and QA applied together with KA at concentrations around or above their EC50S (20-50 microM) antagonized the stimulatory effect of KA on [3H]GABA release. On the other hand, the releasing action of KA was potentiated by concentrations of QA in the low micromolar range (2-5 microM), particularly when the concentration of KA was at the borderline of effectiveness (10 microM). KA and QA did not elevate intracellular cyclic GMP levels in astrocyte cultures, although guanylate cyclase was present in both type 2 and type 1 astrocytes. The inability of KA to elevate cyclic GMP levels in astrocytes was the only major difference in the behavior of this glutamate agonist between astroglial and neuronal cultures. The GABA transport inhibitor nipecotic acid or replacement of NaCl with LiCl abolished [3H]GABA uptake and also KA- and QA-induced release of preaccumulated [3H]GABA. Therefore, [3H]GABA was released from type 2 astrocytes and their progenitors through its Na(+)-dependent transport system, operating in an outward direction when the cells were depolarized by non-NMDA receptor agonists.

Cyclic GMP alterations in fetal rat cerebrum after global intrauterine ischemia: role of guanylate cyclase phosphorylation

Changes in the levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) have been measured in brains of 20-day-old rat fetuses exposed to global intrauterine ischemia. Ischemia of different duration (0.5-30 minutes) did not alter the level of cAMP. In contrast, cGMP levels increased as a result of ischemia. This increase was seen even after a short period of ischemia (less than 5 minutes) and was maximal after 5 minutes, where a threefold increase could be observed. This stimulation was transient: after 30 min of ischemia, cGMP returned to the control level. Accumulation of cGMP can be related to the activation of guanylate cyclase, the activity of which is doubled after 15 minutes of ischemia. Immunoprecipitation of guanylate cyclase after in vivo labeling of the fetal brain with 32Pi revealed a threefold increase in the phosphorylation of the enzyme after 15 minutes of ischemia. The possible role of these modifications in cGMP metabolism during the course of ischemia is discussed.

Characteristics and specific localization of receptors for atrial natriuretic peptides at non-neuronal cells in cultured mouse spinal cord cells

Characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors were determined in cultured mouse spinal cord cells. Saturation and competition experiments demonstrated the presence of a single class of atrial natriuretic peptide binding sites with high affinity (KD = 0.054 nM) and a density of 1.92 fmoles/10(6) cells. A similar affinity (KD = 0.070 nM) was observed in rat spinal cord membrane preparations. These atrial natriuretic peptide binding sites were functional receptors since the treatment of cells with atrial natriuretic peptide increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels within these cells in a classical time-dependent manner. When atrial natriuretic peptide was applied onto the cell body of intracellularly recorded spinal cord neurons, this peptide did not evoke a change of the input resistance or of the resting membrane potential value. Light-microscopic autoradiography studies showed that no atrial natriuretic peptide binding could be detected on typical birefringent neurons but it could be located on astroglial and epithelial cells as identified by immunocytochemical markers. These results show that functional atrial natriuretic peptide receptors with high affinity exist in cultured mouse spinal cord cells and are not located on neurons. The presence of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors on astrocytes suggests that this neuropeptide might be a good candidate for neuron-glial communication. As the atrial natriuretic peptide binding sites previously shown in epithelia responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte gradients, the atrial natriuretic peptide receptors on epithelial cells in these spinal cord cultures may be involved in vivo in the control of water balance in the central nervous system.

Electron microscopical localization of guanylate cyclase activity in the neocortex of the guinea pig

The localization of the guanylate cyclase (GC) activity has been established in the neocortex of adult guinea pigs by means of electron microscopical histochemistry [the DMSO-method of Fujimoto et al. (1981)]. Reaction product was deposited within a population of large- and medium-sized cortical neurons as well as in the cytoplasm of a part of the dendrites of variable size and in the cytoplasm and the nuclear membrane of a number of protoplasmic astrocytes. In the perikarya of the positive neurons, the reaction precipitate was mainly located within the cisterns of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and on the nuclear membrane. In the dendrites, the reaction product was usually distributed in close contact with microtubules, microfilaments, and beneath the postsynaptic membranes of a number of axodendritic synaptic contacts. The axons and all presynaptic boutons were negative. Thus, the localization of the GC could be determined as exclusively postsynaptic. The results obtained support the view for the probable participation of cyclic GMP in the cholinergic, glutaminergic or GABAergic, or peptidergic transmitter mechanisms in the central nervous system.