Single-channel analysis of ethanol enhancement of glycine receptor function

Modulatory Actions of the Glycine Receptor β Subunit on the Positive Allosteric Modulation of Ethanol in α2 Containing Receptors

Alpha1-containing glycine receptors (GlyRs) are major mediators of synaptic inhibition in the spinal cord and brain stem. Recent studies reported the presence of α2-containing GlyRs in other brain regions, such as nucleus accumbens and cerebral cortex. GlyR activation decreases neuronal excitability associated with sensorial information, motor control, and respiratory functions; all of which are significantly altered during ethanol intoxication. We evaluated the role of β GlyR subunits and of two basic amino acid residues, K389 and R390, located in the large intracellular loop (IL) of the α2 GlyR subunit, which are important for binding and functional modulation by Gβγ, the dimer of the trimeric G protein conformation, using HEK-293 transfected cells combined with patch clamp electrophysiology. We demonstrate a new modulatory role of the β subunit on ethanol sensitivity of α2 subunits. Specifically, we found a differential allosteric modulation in homomeric α2 GlyRs compared with the α2β heteromeric conformation. Indeed, while α2 was insensitive, α2β GlyRs were substantially potentiated by ethanol, GTP-γ-S, propofol, Zn²⁺ and trichloroethanol. Furthermore, a Gβγ scavenger (ct-GRK2) selectively attenuated the effects of ethanol on recombinant α2β GlyRs. Mutations in an α2 GlyR co-expressed with the β subunit (α2AAβ) specifically blocked ethanol sensitivity, but not propofol potentiation. These results show a selective mechanism for low ethanol concentration effects on homomeric and heteromeric conformations of α2 GlyRs and provide a new mechanism for ethanol pharmacology, which is relevant to upper brain regions where α2 GlyRs are abundantly expressed.

Taurine Suppression of Central Amygdala GABAergic Inhibitory Signaling via Glycine Receptors Is Disrupted in Alcohol Dependence

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) increases brain stress systems while suppressing reward system functioning. One expression of stress system recruitment is elevated GABAergic activity in the central amygdala (CeA), which is involved in the excessive drinking seen with AUD. The sulfonic amino acid taurine, a glycine receptor partial agonist, modulates GABAergic activity in the rewarding effects of alcohol. Despite taurine abundance in the amygdala, its role in the dysregulation of GABAergic activity associated with AUD has not been studied. Thus, here, we evaluated the effects of taurine on locally stimulated GABAergic neurotransmission in the CeA of naïve- and alcohol-dependent rats.

METHODS

We recorded intracellularly from CeA neurons of naïve- and alcohol-dependent rats, quantifying locally evoked GABA_A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (eIPSP). We examined the effects of taurine and alcohol on CeA eIPSP to characterize potential alcohol dependence-induced changes in the effects of taurine.

RESULTS

We found that taurine decreased amplitudes of eIPSP in CeA neurons of naïve rats, without affecting the acute alcohol-induced facilitation of GABAergic responses. In CeA neurons from dependent rats, taurine no longer had an effect on eIPSP, but now blocked the ethanol (EtOH)-induced increase in eIPSP amplitude normally seen. Additionally, preapplication of the glycine receptor-specific antagonist strychnine blocked the EtOH-induced increase in eIPSP amplitude in neurons from naïve rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest taurine may act to oppose the effects of acute alcohol via the glycine receptor in the CeA of naïve rats, and this modulatory system is altered in the CeA of dependent rats.

Activation of glycine receptors in the lateral habenula rescues anxiety- and depression-like behaviors associated with alcohol withdrawal and reduces alcohol intake in rats

The lateral habenula (LHb) is activated by a range of aversive states including those related to alcohol withdrawal and has glycine receptors (GlyRs), a sensitive target of alcohol. However, whether GlyRs in the LHb contribute to alcohol-related behaviors is unknown. Here, we report that rats experiencing withdrawal from chronic alcohol consumption showed higher anxiety and sensitivity to stress compared to their alcohol-naïve counterparts. Intra-LHb injection of glycine attenuated these aberrant behaviors and reduced alcohol intake upon alcohol re-access. Glycine's effect was blocked by strychnine, a GlyR antagonist, indicating that it was mediated by strychnine-sensitive GlyRs. Conversely, intra-LHb strychnine elicited anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in Naïve rats but not in withdrawal rats. Additionally, both the frequency and the amplitude of the spontaneous IPSCs were lower in LHb neurons in slices of withdrawal rats compared to naïve rats. Also, there were sporadic strychnine-sensitive synaptic events in some LHb neurons. Bath perfusion of strychnine induced a depolarizing inward current and increased action potential firings in LHb neurons. By contrast, bath perfusion of glycine or sarcosine, a glycine transporter subtype 1 inhibitor, inhibited LHb activity. Collectively, these data reveal that LHb neurons are under the tonic glycine inhibition both in physiological and pathological conditions. Activation of GlyRs reverses LHb hyperactivity, alleviates aberrant behaviors, and reduces alcohol intake, thus highlighting the GlyRs in the LHb as a potential therapeutic target for alcohol-use disorders.

High ethanol sensitive glycine receptors regulate firing in D1 medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens

Inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) are widely expressed in spinal cord and brain stem. They are also expressed in the nucleus Accumbens (nAc) where they have been implicated in the release of dopamine from the ventral tegmental area to the nAc in the presence of ethanol. One of the major types of neurons in the nAc are the Dopamine 1 receptor-expressing (D1+) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that are activated when addictive drugs, like ethanol, are administrated. Thus, D1(+) MSNs are a relevant target for the study of ethanol effects. Here, using electrophysiological recordings, we report that GlyRs in D1(+) MSNs are highly sensitive to ethanol, with potentiation starting at 5 mM (26 ± 5%). Single channel recordings in D1(+) MSNs showed that 10 mM ethanol increased the open probability of the channel (0.22 ± 0.05 versus 0.66 ± 0.16), but did not affect channel conductance (~40 pS). A glycinergic mediated tonic current in D1(+) MSNs was potentiated by 10 and 50 mM ethanol causing a reduction in the excitability of these cells. A 34 ± 7% reduction in action potential firing was observed in these neurons in the presence of 50 mM ethanol. Interestingly, no effects of ethanol were detected in the presence of strychnine or in D1(-) MSNs in the nAc. These results indicate that GlyRs present in D1(+) MSNs are sensitive to low concentrations of ethanol, and that potentiation of this inhibitory current regulates the activation of nAc, acting as a homeostatic signal that would prevent over-activation of the reward system when drugs like ethanol are consumed.

GABA and Glutamate Synaptic Coadaptations to Chronic Ethanol in the Striatum

Alcohol (ethanol) is a widely used and abused drug with approximately 90% of adults over the age of 18 consuming alcohol at some point in their lifetime. Alcohol exerts its actions through multiple neurotransmitter systems within the brain, most notably the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems. Alcohol's actions on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission have been suggested to underlie the acute behavioral effects of ethanol. The striatum is the primary input nucleus of the basal ganglia that plays a role in motor and reward systems. The effect of ethanol on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission within striatal circuitry has been thought to underlie ethanol taking, seeking, withdrawal and relapse. This chapter reviews the effects of ethanol on GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission, highlighting the dynamic changes in striatal circuitry from acute to chronic exposure and withdrawal.

Single Channel Analysis of Isoflurane and Ethanol Enhancement of Taurine-Activated Glycine Receptors

The amino acid taurine is an endogenous ligand acting on glycine receptors (GlyRs), which is released by astrocytes in many brain regions, such as the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. Taurine is a partial agonist with an efficacy significantly lower than that of glycine. Allosteric modulators such as ethanol and isoflurane produce leftward shifts of glycine concentration-response curves but have no effects at saturating glycine concentrations. In contrast, in whole-cell electrophysiology studies these modulators increase the effects of saturating taurine concentrations. A number of possible mechanisms may explain these enhancing effects, including modulator effects on conductance, channel open times, or channel closed times. We used outside-out patch-clamp single channel electrophysiology to investigate the mechanism of action of 200 mM ethanol and 0.55 mM isoflurane in enhancing the effects of a saturating concentration of taurine. Neither modulator enhanced taurine-mediated conductance. Isoflurane increased the probability of channel opening. Isoflurane also increased the lifetimes of the two shortest open dwell times while both agents decreased the likelihood of occurrence of the longest-lived intracluster channel-closing events. The mechanism of enhancement of GlyR functioning by these modulators is dependent on the efficacy of the agonist activating the receptor and the concentration of agonist tested.

Disruption of a putative intersubunit electrostatic bond enhances agonist efficacy at the human α1 glycine receptor

Partial agonists have lower efficacies than compounds considered 'full agonists', eliciting submaximal responses even at saturating concentrations. Taurine is a partial agonist at the glycine receptor (GlyR), a member of the cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily. The molecular mechanisms responsible for agonism are not fully understood but evidence suggests that efficacy at these receptors is determined by conformational changes that occur early in the process of receptor activation. We previously identified a residue located near the human α1 glycine binding site (aspartate-97; D97) that, when mutated to arginine (D97R), results in GlyR channels opening spontaneously with a high open probability, mimicking the effects of saturating glycine concentrations on wildtype GlyR. This D97 residue is hypothesized to form an electrostatic interaction with arginine-119 on an adjacent subunit, stabilizing the channel in a shut state. Here we demonstrate that the disruption of this putative bond increases the efficacy of partial agonists including taurine, as well as two other β-amino acid partial agonists, β-aminobutyric acid (β-ABA) and β-aminoisobutyric acid (β-AIBA). Even the subtle charge-conserving mutation of D97 to glutamate (D97E) markedly affects partial agonist efficacy. Mutation to the neutral alanine residue in the D97A mutant mimics the effects seen with D97R, indicating that charge repulsion does not significantly affect these findings. Our findings suggest that the determination of efficacy following ligand binding to the glycine receptor may involve the disruption of an intersubunit electrostatic interaction occurring near the agonist binding site.

Synaptic targets: Chronic alcohol actions

Alcohol acts on numerous cellular and molecular targets to regulate neuronal communication within the brain. Chronic alcohol exposure and acute withdrawal generate prominent neuroadaptations at synapses, including compensatory effects on the expression, localization and function of synaptic proteins, channels and receptors. The present article reviews the literature describing the synaptic effects of chronic alcohol exposure and their relevance for synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. This review is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to highlight the effects that have been observed most consistently and that are thought to contribute to the development of alcohol dependence and the negative aspects of withdrawal. Specifically, we will focus on the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, glutamate and GABA, respectively, and how their neuroadaptations after chronic alcohol exposure contributes to alcohol reinforcement, dependence and withdrawal. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Alcoholism".

Interactions between Zinc and Allosteric Modulators of the Glycine Receptor

The glycine receptor is a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel that is involved in fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Zinc is an allosteric modulator of glycine receptor function, enhancing the effects of glycine at nanomolar to low-micromolar concentrations and inhibiting its effects at higher concentrations. Low-nanomolar concentrations of contaminating zinc in electrophysiological buffers are capable of synergistically enhancing receptor modulation by other compounds, such as ethanol. This suggests that, unless accounted for, previous studies of glycine receptor modulation were measuring the effects of modulator plus comodulation by zinc on receptor function. Since zinc is present in vivo at a variety of concentrations, it will influence glycine receptor modulation by other pharmacologic agents. We investigated the utility of previously described "zinc-enhancement-insensitive" α1 glycine receptor mutants D80A, D80G, and W170S to probe for interactions between zinc and other allosteric modulators at the glycine receptor. We found that only the W170S mutation conferred complete abolishment of zinc enhancement across a variety of agonist and zinc concentrations. Using α1 W170S receptors, we established that, in addition to ethanol, zinc interacts with inhalants, but not volatile anesthetics, to synergistically enhance channel function. Additionally, we determined that this interaction is abolished at higher zinc concentrations when receptor-enhancing binding sites are saturated, suggesting a mechanism by which modulators such as ethanol and inhalants are capable of increasing receptor affinity for zinc, in addition to enhancing channel function on their own.

Reversal of Ethanol-induced Intoxication by a Novel Modulator of Gβγ Protein Potentiation of the Glycine Receptor

The acute intoxicating effects of ethanol in the central nervous system result from the modulation of several molecular targets. It is widely accepted that ethanol enhances the activity of the glycine receptor (GlyR), thus enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission, leading to motor effects, sedation, and respiratory depression. We previously reported that small peptides interfered with the binding of Gβγ to the GlyR and consequently inhibited the ethanol-induced potentiation of the receptor. Now, using virtual screening, we identified a subset of small molecules capable of interacting with the binding site of Gβγ. One of these compounds, M554, inhibited the ethanol potentiation of the GlyR in both evoked currents and synaptic transmission in vitro When this compound was tested in vivo in mice treated with ethanol (1-3.5 g/kg), it was found to induce a faster recovery of motor incoordination in rotarod experiments and a shorter sedative effect in loss of righting reflex assays. This study describes a novel molecule that might be relevant for the design of useful therapeutic compounds in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication.

Allosteric modulation of the glycine receptor activated by agonists differing in efficacy

The glycine receptor (GlyR) is the predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the brainstem and spinal cord but is also found in higher brain regions. GlyR function is affected by a variety of allosteric modulators including drugs of abuse, such as ethanol and inhalants and the ubiquitous divalent cation zinc. Two-electrode voltage-clamp experiments were conducted on Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing wild-type α1 homomeric glycine receptors to compare the degree of enhancement produced by zinc on GlyR activated by two agonists (glycine vs. taurine) that vary markedly in their efficacies. Zinc potentiation of both glycine- and taurine-evoked currents was the same at the concentrations of agonists that produced the same currents, corresponding to 6% of the maximal effect of glycine compared to 23% of the maximal effect of taurine. Similar results were seen with 50 and 200 mM ethanol. A direct comparison of agonist concentration-response curves showed that zinc enhancement was greater, overall, for taurine-activated than glycine-activated receptors. In addition, zinc only enhanced taurine- but not glycine-activated GlyR when agonists were applied at saturating concentrations. These data suggest that zinc affects taurine affinity, as well as the probability of channel opening at sub-maximal taurine concentrations, and that the magnitude of allosteric modulation at the GlyR depends on the efficacy of the agonist tested. This has implications for mutagenesis studies in which changes in the degree of allosteric modulation observed may result from mutation-induced changes in agonist efficacy.

Brucine suppresses ethanol intake and preference in alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded rats

AIM

Brucine (BRU) extracted from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica L is glycine receptor antagonist. We hypothesize that BRU may modify alcohol consumption by acting at glycine receptors, and evaluated the pharmacodynamic profiles and adverse effects of BRU in rat models of alcohol abuse.

METHODS

Alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded (FH/Wjd) rats were administered BRU (10, 20 or 30 mg/kg, sc). The effects of BRU on alcohol consumption were examined in ethanol 2-bottle-choice drinking paradigm, ethanol/sucrose operant self-administration paradigm and 5-d ethanol deprivation test. In addition, open field test was used to assess the general locomotor activity of FH/Wjd rats, and conditioned place preference (CPP) was conducted to assess conditioned reinforcing effect.

RESULTS

In ethanol 2-bottle-choice drinking paradigm, treatment with BRU for 10 consecutive days dose-dependently decreased the ethanol intake associated with a compensatory increase of water intake, but unchanged the daily total fluid intake and body weight. In ethanol/sucrose operant self-administration paradigms, BRU (30 mg/kg) administered before each testing session significantly decreased the number of lever presses for ethanol and the ethanol intake, without affecting the number of sucrose (10%) responses, total sucrose intake, and the number of lever presses for water. Acute treatment with BRU (30 mg/kg) completely suppressed the deprivation-induced elevation of ethanol consumption. Treatment with BRU (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) did not alter locomotion of FH/Wjd rats, nor did it produce place preference or aversion.

CONCLUSION

BRU selectively decreases ethanol consumption with minimal adverse effects. Therefore, BRU may represent a new pharmacotherapy for alcoholism.

Synaptic effects induced by alcohol

Ethanol (EtOH) has effects on numerous cellular molecular targets, and alterations in synaptic function are prominent among these effects. Acute exposure to EtOH activates or inhibits the function of proteins involved in synaptic transmission, while chronic exposure often produces opposing and/or compensatory/homeostatic effects on the expression, localization, and function of these proteins. Interactions between different neurotransmitters (e.g., neuropeptide effects on release of small molecule transmitters) can also influence both acute and chronic EtOH actions. Studies in intact animals indicate that the proteins affected by EtOH also play roles in the neural actions of the drug, including acute intoxication, tolerance, dependence, and the seeking and drinking of EtOH. This chapter reviews the literature describing these acute and chronic synaptic effects of EtOH and their relevance for synaptic transmission, plasticity, and behavior.

Trifluoroacetate is an allosteric modulator with selective actions at the glycine receptor

Trifluoroacetic acid is a metabolite of the inhaled anesthetics halothane, desflurane and isoflurane as well as a major contaminant in HPLC-purified peptides. Ligand-gated ion channels, including cys-loop receptors such as the glycine receptor, have been the targets of peptide-based drug design and are considered to be likely candidates for mediating the effects of anesthetics in vivo, but the possible secondary contributions of contaminants and metabolites to these effects have not been studied. We used two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology to test glycine, GABA(A) and 5-HT3 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes for their sensitivities to sodium trifluoroacetate. Trifluoroacetate (100 μM-3mM) enhanced the currents elicited by low concentrations of glycine applied to α1 homomeric and α1β heteromeric glycine receptors, but it had no effects when co-applied with a maximally-effective glycine concentration. Trifluoroacetate had no effects on α1β2γ2S GABA(A) or 5-HT3A receptors at any GABA or serotonin concentration tested. The results demonstrate that trifluoroacetate acts as an allosteric modulator at the glycine receptor with greater specificity than other known modulators. These results have important implications for both the secondary effects of volatile anesthetics and the presence of contaminating trifluoroacetate in HPLC-purified peptides, which is potentially an important source of experimental variability or error that requires control.

Positive allosteric modulators differentially affect full versus partial agonist activation of the glycine receptor

Taurine acts as a partial agonist at the glycine receptor (GlyR) in some brain regions such as the hippocampus, striatum, and nucleus accumbens. Ethanol, volatile anesthetics, and inhaled drugs of abuse are all known positive allosteric modulators of GlyRs, but their effects on taurine-activated GlyRs remain poorly understood, especially their effects on the high concentrations of taurine likely to be found after synaptic release. Two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology in Xenopus laevis oocytes was used to compare the enhancing effects of ethanol, anesthetics, and inhalants on human homomeric α1-GlyR activated by saturating concentrations of glycine versus taurine. Allosteric modulators had negligible effects on glycine-activated GlyR while potentiating taurine-activated currents. In addition, inhaled anesthetics markedly enhanced desensitization rates of taurine- but not glycine-activated receptors. Our findings suggest that ethanol, volatile anesthetics, and inhalants differentially affect the time courses of synaptic events at GlyR, depending on whether the receptor is activated by a full or partial agonist.

Characterization of two mutations, M287L and Q266I, in the α1 glycine receptor subunit that modify sensitivity to alcohols

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are inhibitory ligand-gated ion channels. Ethanol potentiates glycine activation of the GlyR, and putative binding sites for alcohol are located in the transmembrane (TM) domains between and within subunits. To alter alcohol sensitivity of GlyR, we introduced two mutations in the GlyR α1 subunit, M287L (TM3) and Q266I (TM2). After expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes, both mutants showed a reduction in glycine sensitivity and glycine-induced maximal currents. Activation by taurine, another endogenous agonist, was almost abolished in the M287L GlyR. The ethanol potentiation of glycine currents was reduced in the M287L GlyR and eliminated in Q266I. Physiological levels of zinc (100 nM) potentiate glycine responses in wild-type GlyR and also enhance the ethanol potentiation of glycine responses. Although zinc potentiation of glycine responses was unchanged in both mutants, zinc enhancement of ethanol potentiation of glycine responses was absent in M287L GlyRs. The Q266I mutation decreased conductance but increased mean open time (effects not seen in M287L). Two lines of knockin mice bearing these mutations were developed. Survival of homozygous knockin mice was impaired, probably as a consequence of impaired glycinergic transmission. Glycine showed a decreased capacity for displacing strychnine binding in heterozygous knockin mice. Electrophysiology in isolated neurons of brain stem showed decreased glycine-mediated currents and decreased ethanol potentiation in homozygous knockin mice. Molecular models of the wild-type and mutant GlyRs show a smaller water-filled cavity within the TM domains of the Q266I α1 subunit. The behavioral characterization of these knockin mice is presented in a companion article (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 340:317-329, 2012).

Ethanol enhances taurine-activated glycine receptor function

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence suggests that taurine acts as a partial agonist on glycine receptors (GlyR) in vitro and in vivo. Ethanol acts as an allosteric modulator on the GlyR producing a leftward shift of the glycine concentration-response curve, with no enhancing effects observed at saturating glycine concentrations. However, to date, no electrophysiological studies have been performed on ethanol modulation of taurine-activated GlyR.

METHODS

Wild-type alpha1 GlyR, or those bearing a serine-267 to isoleucine replacement (S267I), were homomerically expressed in Xenopus oocytes and voltage clamped at -70 mV. Ethanol was co-applied with varying concentrations of glycine or taurine and the enhancing effects of ethanol compared.

RESULTS

Ethanol potentiated glycine- and taurine-activated GlyR responses in a concentration-dependent manner. It shifted taurine and glycine concentration-response curves to the left, having no effects at saturating agonist concentrations. Chelation of zinc by tricine decreased ethanol enhancement of taurine-gated GlyR function. The S267I mutation prevented ethanol enhancement of taurine-mediated responses as previously also reported for glycine.

CONCLUSION

Ethanol modulates taurine activation of GlyR function by a mechanism similar to that of the full agonist glycine. The lack of effect of ethanol at saturating taurine concentrations provides mechanistic information on alcohol actions at the GlyR.

Molecular targets and mechanisms for ethanol action in glycine receptors

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are recognized as the primary mediators of neuronal inhibition in the spinal cord, brain stem and higher brain regions known to be sensitive to ethanol. Building evidence supports the notion that ethanol acting on GlyRs causes at least a subset of its behavioral effects and may be involved in modulating ethanol intake. For over two decades, GlyRs have been studied at the molecular level as targets for ethanol action. Despite the advances in understanding the effects of ethanol in vivo and in vitro, the precise molecular sites and mechanisms of action for ethanol in ligand-gated ion channels in general, and in GlyRs specifically, are just now starting to become understood. The present review focuses on advances in our knowledge produced by using molecular biology, pressure antagonism, electrophysiology and molecular modeling strategies over the last two decades to probe, identify and model the initial molecular sites and mechanisms of ethanol action in GlyRs. The molecular targets on the GlyR are covered on a global perspective, which includes the intracellular, transmembrane and extracellular domains. The latter has received increasing attention in recent years. Recent molecular models of the sites of ethanol action in GlyRs and their implications to our understanding of possible mechanism of ethanol action and novel targets for drug development in GlyRs are discussed.

Disruption of an intersubunit electrostatic bond is a critical step in glycine receptor activation

Proper regulation of neurotransmission requires that ligand-activated ion channels remain closed until agonist binds. How channels then open remains poorly understood. Glycine receptor (GlyR) gating is initiated by agonist binding at interfaces between adjacent subunits in the extracellular domain. Aspartate-97, located at the alpha1 GlyR interface, is a conserved residue in the cys-loop receptor superfamily. The mutation of D97 to arginine (D97R) causes spontaneous channel opening, with open and closed dwell times similar to those of maximally activated WT GlyR. Using a model of the N-terminal domain of the alpha1 GlyR, we hypothesized that an arginine-119 residue was forming intersubunit electrostatic bonds with D97. The D97R/R119E charge reversal restored this interaction, stabilizing channels in their closed states. Cysteine substitution shows that this link occurs between adjacent subunits. This intersubunit electrostatic interaction among GlyR subunits thus contributes to the stabilization of the closed channel state, and its disruption represents a critical step in GlyR activation.

Variability in ethanol biodisposition in whites is modulated by polymorphisms in the ADH1B and ADH1C genes

Association between genetic variations in alcohol-related enzymes and impaired ethanol biodisposition has not been unambiguously proven, and the effect of many newly described polymorphisms remains to be explored. The aims of this study are to elucidate the influence of genetic factors in alcohol biodisposition and effects. We analyzed alcohol pharmacokinetics and biodisposition after the administration of 0.5 g/kg ethanol; we measured ethanol effects on reaction time and motor time in response to visual and acoustic signals, and we analyzed 13 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in the genes coding for ADH1B, ADH1C, ALDH2, and CYP2E1 in 250 healthy white individuals. Variability in ethanol pharmacokinetics and biodisposition is related to sex, with women showing a higher area under the curve (AUC) (P = 0.002), maximum concentration (Cmax) (P < 0.001) and metabolic rate (P = 0.001). Four nonsynonymous SNPs are related to decreased alcohol metabolic rates: ADH1B rs6413413 (P = 0.012), ADH1C rs283413 (P < 0.001), rs1693482 (P < 0.001), and rs698 (P < 0.001). Individuals carrying diplotypes combining these mutations display statistically significant decrease in alcohol biodisposition as compared with individuals lacking these mutations. Alcohol effects displayed bimodal distribution independently of sex or pharmacokinetics. Most individuals had significant delays in reaction and motor times at alcohol blood concentrations under 500 mg/L, which are the driving limits for most countries.

CONCLUSION

Besides the identification of new genetic factors related to alcohol biodisposition relevant to whites, this study provides unambiguous identification of diplotypes related to variability in alcohol biodisposition.

Zinc enhances ethanol modulation of the alpha1 glycine receptor

Glycine receptor function mediates most inhibitory neurotransmission in the brainstem and spinal cord and is enhanced by alcohols, volatile anesthetics, inhaled drugs of abuse, and endogenous compounds including zinc. Because zinc exists ubiquitously throughout the brain, investigations of its effects on the enhancement of GlyR function by alcohols and anesthetics are important to understanding the effects of these agents in vivo. In the present study, the effects of zinc plus ethanol, pentanol, or isoflurane were tested on homomeric alpha1 glycine receptors to determine if concurrent applications of physiological concentrations of zinc with each of these modulators changed the magnitude of their effects. Homomeric alpha1 glycine receptors were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique was used to measure glycine-mediated currents in the presence of combinations of zinc with ethanol, pentanol or isoflurane. The combined effects of zinc plus ethanol were greater than the sum of the effects produced by either compound alone. However, this was not seen when zinc was combined with either pentanol or isoflurane. Chelation of zinc by tricine decreased the effects of sub-maximal, but not maximal, concentrations of glycine, and diminished the magnitude of ethanol enhancement observed. These findings suggest a zinc/ethanol interaction at the alpha1 GlyR that results in the enhancement of the effects of ethanol action on GlyR function.