The role of defensins in the excitability of the peripheral vestibular system in the frog: Evidence for the presence of communication between the immune and nervous systems

Metabotropic glutamate receptors as targets of neuromodulatory influence of nitric oxide

A possible effect of nitric oxide (NO) on metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) function in the amino acid afferent synapse was investigated in the isolated labyrinth of the frog Rana temporaria. The modification of the amplitude of responses of metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist trans-ACPD was analyzed during bath applied NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine SNAP (0.1-100 μM) or nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME. It was shown that NO donor SNAP (1 μM) inhibited mGluR induced responses, and the inhibitor of NO-synthase L-NAME (100 μM) increased the amplitude of trans-ACPD evoked answers. The results suggest that NO can depress mGluR function due to modulation of functions of the endoplasmic reticulum channels.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2007

This paper is the thirtieth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2007 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.