Metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate GABA release from mouse hippocampal slices

Therapeutic promise and principles: metabotropic glutamate receptors

For a number of disease entities, oxidative stress becomes a significant factor in the etiology and progression of cell dysfunction and injury. Therapeutic strategies that can identify novel signal transduction pathways to ameliorate the toxic effects of oxidative stress may lead to new avenues of treatment for a spectrum of disorders that include diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and immune system dysfunction. In this respect, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) may offer exciting prospects for several disorders since these receptors can limit or prevent apoptotic cell injury as well as impact upon cellular development and function. Yet the role of mGluRs is complex in nature and may require specific mGluR modulation for a particular disease entity to maximize clinical efficacy and limit potential disability. Here we discuss the potential clinical translation of mGluRs and highlight the role of novel signal transduction pathways in the metabotropic glutamate system that may be vital for the clinical utility of mGluRs.

Characteristics of GABA Release Induced by Free Radicals in Mouse Hippocampal Slices

The release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA is generally enhanced under potentially cell-damaging conditions. The properties and regulation of preloaded [3H]GABA release from mouse hippocampal slices were now studied in free radical-containing medium in a superfusion system. Free radical production was induced by 0.01% of H2O2 in the medium. H2O2 markedly potentiated GABA release, which was further enhanced about 1.5-fold by K+ stimulation (50 mM). In Ca2+-free media this stimulation was not altered, indicating that the release was mostly Ca2+-independent. Moreover, omission of Na+ increased the release, suggesting that it is mediated by Na+-dependent transporters operating outwards, a conception confirmed by the enhancement with GABA homoexchange. Inhibition of the release with the ion channel inhibitors diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate and 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate indicates that Cl(-) channels also participate in the process. This release was not modified by the adenosine receptor (A1 and A2a) agonists and ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists kainate, N-methy-D: -aspartate and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate, whereas the agonists of metabotropic glutamate receptors of group I [(S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine] and of group II [(2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate] enhanced it by receptor-mediated mechanisms, the effects being abolished by their respective antagonists. The group III agonist L+-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate reduced the evoked GABA release, but this was not affected by the antagonist. Furthermore, the release was reduced by activation of protein kinase C by 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and by inhibition of tyrosine kinase by genistein and of phoshoplipase by quinacrine. On the other hand, increasing cGMP levels with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast, selective for PDE5, 6 and 9, and NO production with the NO-generating compounds hydroxylamine, sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-penicillamine enhanced the release. The regulation of GABA release induced by free radical production proved thus to be rather complex. Under potentially cell-damaging conditions, the potentiation of GABA release may be a mechanism to counteract hyperactivity and reduce the effects of excitatory amino acid release. On the other hand, reduction of GABA release could be harmful and contribute to excitotoxic damage and neuronal degeneration.

Characteristics of GABA release in mouse brain stem slices under normal and ischemic conditions

GABA is known to be the inhibitory neurotransmitter in the majority of brain stem nuclei. The release of GABA has been extensively studied both in vivo and in vitro in higher brain areas, whereas the mechanisms of release in the brain stem have not been systemically characterized. The properties of preloaded [3H]GABA were now investigated in mouse brain stem slices, using a superfusion system. The basal release was enhanced by K+ stimulation (50 mM K+) and under various cell-damaging conditions (ischemia, hypoglycemia, the presence of free radicals and metabolic poisons). No K+-stimulated release was discernible in the absence of Ca2+, indicating that the release was at least partly Ca2+-dependent. Moreover, the release was increased when Na+ or Cl- was omitted from the superfusion medium. GABA and beta-alanine stimulated the release, confirming the involvement of the reversed function of GABA transporters. Incubation of the slices with the anion channel inhibitors diisothiocyanostilbene and 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate and with the Cl- uptake inhibitor 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid also reduced GABA release, demonstrating that a part of it comprises leakage through anion channels. All these mechanisms were involved in the ischemia-induced GABA release, which was over 4-fold greater than the release in normoxia. Contrary to the other brain areas, GABA release in the brain stem was not affected by ionotropic glutamate receptors but may be modulated by metabotropic receptors. This ischemia-induced GABA release might constitute an important mechanism against excitotoxicity, protecting the brain stem under cell-damaging conditions.

Driving cellular plasticity and survival through the signal transduction pathways of metabotropic glutamate receptors

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) share a common molecular morphology with other G protein-linked receptors, but there expression throughout the mammalian nervous system places these receptors as essential mediators not only for the initial development of an organism, but also for the vital determination of a cell's fate during many disorders in the nervous system that include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, trauma, and stroke. Given the ubiquitous distribution of these receptors, the mGluR system impacts upon neuronal, vascular, and glial cell function and is activated by a wide variety of stimuli that includes neurotransmitters, peptides, hormones, growth factors, ions, lipids, and light. Employing signal transduction pathways that can modulate both excitatory and inhibitory responses, the mGluR system drives a spectrum of cellular pathways that involve protein kinases, endonucleases, cellular acidity, energy metabolism, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspases, and specific mitogen-activated protein kinases. Ultimately these pathways can converge to regulate genomic DNA degradation, membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) residue exposure, and inflammatory microglial activation. As we continue to push the envelope for our understanding of this complex and critical family of metabotropic receptors, we should be able to reap enormous benefits for both clinical disease as well as our understanding of basic biology in the nervous system.

GABA Release Modified by Adenosine Receptors in Mouse Hippocampal Slices under Normal and Ischemic Conditions

The excitatory glutamatergic neurons in the hippocampus are modulated by inhibitory GABA-releasing interneurons. The neuromodulator adenosine is known to inhibit the presynaptic release of neurotransmitters and to hyperpolarize postsynaptic neurons in the hippocampus, which would imply that it is an endogenous protective agent against cerebral ischemia and excitotoxic neuronal damage. Interactions of the GABAergic and adenosinergic systems in regulating neuronal excitability in the hippocampus is of crucial importance, particularly under cell-damaging conditions. We now characterized the effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on the release of preloaded [3H]GABA from hippocampal slices prepared from adult (3-month-old) mice, using a superfusion system. The effects were tested both under normal conditions and in ischemia induced by omitting glucose and oxygen from the superfusion medium. Basal and K+ -evoked GABA release in the hippocampus were depressed by adenosinergic compounds. Under normal conditions activation of both adenosine A1 and A2A receptors by the agonists R(-)N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine and CGS 21680 inhibited the K+ -evoked release, which effects were blocked by their specific antagonists, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropyl-xanthine and 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, respectively. Under ischemic conditions the release of both GABA and adenosine is markedly enhanced. The above receptor agonists then depressed both the basal and K+ -evoked GABA release, only the action of A2A receptors being however receptor-mediated. The demonstrated depression of GABA release by adenosine in the hippocampus could be deleterious to neurons and contribute to excitotoxicity.

Glutamate suppresses GABA release via presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors at baroreceptor neurones in rats

The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is essential for coordinating arterial baroreflex control of blood pressure. The primary baroreceptor afferent fibres make their first excitatory synaptic contact at second-order NTS neurones with glutamate as the major neurotransmitter. Glutamate regulates its own release by activating presynaptic metabotropic glutamate autoreceptors (mGluRs) on the baroreceptor central terminals to suppress its further release in frequency-dependent manner. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurones provide the major inhibitory synaptic input. It is the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs that shapes the NTS output of baroreceptor signals. We hypothesized that glutamate released from the primary central afferent terminals can spill over to presynaptic mGluRs on GABA interneurones to suppress GABA release at the second-order baroreceptor neurones. We assessed GABA transmission in second-order baroreceptor neurones identified by attached aortic depressor nerve (ADN) boutons. The medial NTS was stimulated to evoke GABA inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs). Glutamate spillover, generated by brief 2 s, 25 Hz trains of stimuli applied to the tractus solitarius (TS), induced a small (10%) but significant reduction in the eIPSC amplitudes. The depression was enhanced to a 25% decrease by increasing glutamate in the cleft with a glutamate-uptake inhibitor (M-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid, 1 mum), blocked by a Group II mGluR antagonist (LY341495, 200 nm) and mimicked by a Group II agonist ((2S,3S,4S)-CCG/(2S,1'S,2'S)-2-carboxycyclopropyl; L-CCG-I). A presynaptic mGluR locus was established by the mGluR agonist-mediated increase in the paired-pulse ratio of two consecutive eIPSCs in conjunction with the decrease in the first eIPSC, and a decrease in the frequency (39-46% reduction at EC(50) concentration), but not amplitude, of spontaneous and miniature GABA IPSCs. The data indicate that endogenous glutamate activation of Group II presynaptic mGluRs can decrease GABA release at the first central synapses, suggesting a heterosynaptic role for the Group II mGluRs in shaping baroreceptor signal transmission.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate ischemia-induced GABA release in mouse hippocampal slices

The involvement of glutamate receptors in GABA release in ischemia was investigated in hippocampal slices from adult (3-month-old) and developing (7-day-old) mice. For in vitro ischemia, the slices were superfused in glucose-free media under nitrogen. Ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists failed to affect the ischemia-induced basal GABA release at either age. The K(+)-stimulated release in the immature hippocampus was potentiated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, whereas in adults this release was reduced by both kainate and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionate receptor activation. The group I metabotropic receptor agonist (1+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylate enhanced the basal ischemic GABA release in a receptor-mediated manner in adults, this being concordant with the positive modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission by group I metabotropic glutamate receptors. (1 +/-)-1-Aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylate and (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine also enhanced the K(+)-stimulated release in the developing hippocampus in a receptor-mediated manner. Because group I receptors generally increase neuronal excitability, the enhanced GABA release may attenuate hyperexcitation or strengthen inhibition, being thus neuroprotective, particularly under ischemic conditions. Group III metabotropic glutamate receptors were not at all involved in ischemic GABA release in the immature mice, but in adults their activation by O-phospho-L-serine potentiated the basal release and reduced the K(+)-stimulated release. These opposite effects were abolished by the antagonist (RS)-2-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine. Metabotropic glutamate receptors, namely group I and III receptors, are able to modify the release of GABA from hippocampal slices under ischemic conditions, both positive and negative effects being discernible, depending on the age and type of receptor activated.

Characteristics of GABA release modified by glutamate receptors in mouse hippocampal slices

The major part of hippocampal innervation is glutamatergic, regulated by inhibitory GABA-releasing interneurons. The modulation of [(3)H]GABA release by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors and by nitric oxide was here characterized in superfused mouse hippocampal slices. The ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists kainate, N-methyl-D-aspartate and 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate potentiated the basal GABA release. These effects were blocked by their respective antagonists 6-nitro-7-cyanoquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), dizocilpine and 2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo(f)quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide (NBQX), indicating receptor-mediated mechanisms. The NO-generating compounds S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), sodiumnitroprusside and hydroxylamine enhanced the basal GABA release. Particularly the sodiumnitroprusside-evoked release was attenuated by the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and the inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), indicating the involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway. This inference is corroborated by the enhancing effect of zaprinast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which is known to increase cGMP levels. The K(+)-stimulated hippocampal GABA release was reduced by the groups I and III agonists of metabotropic glutamate receptors (+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylate (t-ACPD) and L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4), which effects were abolished by their respective antagonists (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylate (AIDA) and (RS)-2-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (CPPG), again indicating modification by receptor-mediated mechanisms.

DNA damage checkpoint control in cells exposed to ionizing radiation

Damage induced in the DNA after exposure of cells to ionizing radiation activates checkpoint pathways that inhibit progression of cells through the G1 and G2 phases and induce a transient delay in the progression through S phase. Checkpoints together with repair and apoptosis are integrated in a circuitry that determines the ultimate response of a cell to DNA damage. Checkpoint activation typically requires sensors and mediators of DNA damage, signal transducers and effectors. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding mechanisms of checkpoint activation and proteins involved in the different steps of the process. Emphasis is placed on the role of ATM and ATR, as well on CHK1 and CHK2 kinases in checkpoint response. The roles of downstream effectors, such as P53 and the CDC25 family of proteins, are also described, and connections between repair and checkpoint activation are attempted. The role of checkpoints in genomic stability and the potential of improving the treatment of cancer by DNA damage inducing agents through checkpoint abrogation are also briefly outlined.