On the mechanism of action of picrotoxin on GABA receptor channels in dissociated sympathetic neurones of the rat

Identification of a novel residue within the second transmembrane domain that confers use-facilitated block by picrotoxin in glycine alpha 1 receptors

The central nervous system convulsant picrotoxin (PTX) inhibits GABA(A) and glutamate-gated Cl(minus sign) channels in a use-facilitated fashion, whereas PTX inhibition of glycine and GABA(C) receptors displays little or no use-facilitated block. We have identified a residue in the extracellular aspect of the second transmembrane domain that converted picrotoxin inhibition of glycine alpha1 receptors from non-use-facilitated to use-facilitated. In wild type alpha1 receptors, PTX inhibited glycine-gated Cl(minus sign) current in a competitive manner and had equivalent effects on peak and steady-state currents, confirming a lack of use-facilitated block. Mutation of the second transmembrane domain 15'-serine to glutamine (alpha1(S15'Q) receptors) converted the mechanism of PTX blockade from competitive to non-competitive. However, more notable was the fact that in alpha1(S15'Q) receptors, PTX had insignificant effects on peak current amplitude and dramatically enhanced current decay kinetics. Similar results were found in alpha1(S15'N) receptors. The reciprocal mutation in the beta2 subunit of alpha1beta2 GABA(A) receptors (alpha1beta2(N15'S) receptors) decreased the magnitude of use-facilitated PTX inhibition. Our results implicate a specific amino acid at the extracellular aspect of the ion channel in determining use-facilitated characteristics of picrotoxin blockade. Moreover, the data are consistent with the suggestion that picrotoxin may interact with two domains in ligand-gated anion channels.

Non-competitive GABA antagonists: probing the mechanisms of their selectivity for insect versus mammalian receptors

A great variety of non-competitive antagonists of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors have been reported. While they are structurally diverse, there are common features in their structures. Thus, it was hypothesized that they bind to an identical site in different or overlapping orientations, and this hypothesis was validated by three-dimensional structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) analysis using receptor-binding data. Meanwhile, although most antagonists are highly toxic to both vertebrates and invertebrates, several classes of antagonists, such as nor-diterpene lactone picrodendrins, phenyl heterocyclic compounds and disubstituted bicyclophosphorothionates, were found to exhibit selectivity for housefly versus rat GABA receptors. To probe their selectivity mechanisms, the 3D-QSAR method was applied to the three classes of antagonists. This revealed several important differences that might be related to the selectivity of antagonists between the structures of the non-competitive antagonist-binding sites of housefly and rat GABA receptors.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate prevents oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury in cerebellar granule cell culture

Decreased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate have been hypothesized to contribute to increased vulnerability of the ageing or stressed human brain to ischemia. To help to address the question of whether of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate has a possible neuroprotective effect against ischemic neuronal injury, we tested its effect on the neurodegeneration induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation in rat cultured cerebellar granule cells. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate added to the medium after injury demonstrated a neuroprotective effect with a median inhibitory concentration of 0.5 microM. At 10 microM concentration almost full neuroprotection was observed. Even more pronounced neuroprotective effect was found when dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was added for 48h before injury. Furthermore, partial neuroprotection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was also found against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, colchicine, glutamate and N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced toxicity. Further analysis demonstrated that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate eliminated the apoptotic features of the oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neuronal death: DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation/fragmentation.Thus, our data suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate may have therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of ischemic/hypoxic neuronal damage. The neuroprotective action of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was inhibited by both a GABA(A) receptor-linked chloride channel agonist and an antagonist, pentobarbital and picrotoxin, respectively. It seems that GABA(A) receptor-mediated neuronal inhibition as well as neuronal excitation can reduce the neuroprotective action of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate.

A single beta subunit M2 domain residue controls the picrotoxin sensitivity of alphabeta heteromeric glycine receptor chloride channels

This study investigated the residues responsible for the reduced picrotoxin sensitivity of the alphabeta heteromeric glycine receptor relative to the alpha homomeric receptor. By analogy with structurally related receptors, the beta subunit M2 domain residues P278 and F282 were considered the most likely candidates for mediating this effect. These residues align with G254 and T258 of the alpha subunit. The T258A, T258C and T258F mutations dramatically reduced the picrotoxin sensitivity of the alpha homomeric receptor. Furthermore, the converse F282T mutation in the beta subunit increased the picrotoxin sensitivity of the alphabeta heteromeric receptor. The P278G mutation in the beta subunit did not affect the picrotoxin sensitivity of the alphabeta heteromer. Thus, a ring of five threonines at the M2 domain depth corresponding to alpha subunit T258 is specifically required for picrotoxin sensitivity. Mutations to alpha subunit T258 also profoundly influenced the apparent glycine affinity. A substituted cysteine accessibility analysis revealed that the T258C sidechain increases its pore exposure in the channel open state. This provides further evidence for an allosteric mechanism of picrotoxin inhibition, but renders it unlikely that picrotoxin (as an allosterically acting 'competitive' antagonist) binds to this residue.

Virol A, a toxic trans-polyacetylenic alcohol of Cicuta virosa, selectively inhibits the GABA-induced Cl(-) current in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons

The effects of virol A (VA), a toxic component of Cicuta virosa (water hemlock), on the GABA-induced Cl(-) current (I(GABA)) in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. VA reversibly reduced I(GABA) and the muscimol (Mus)-induced current (I(Mus)) in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC(50) values for VA against I(GABA) and I(Mus) were 9.6x10(-7) and 9.8x10(-7) M, respectively. VA shifted the EC(50) value of I(GABA) from 6.5x10(-6) to 2.1x10(-5) M, whereas it had no effect on the maximum response, thereby suggesting that VA inhibited I(GABA) in a competitive manner. VA had no apparent effect on current-voltage relationships for I(GABA), thus indicating the lack of voltage-dependency. On the other hand, application of VA (10(-6) M) did not additionally reduce the I(GABA) suppressed by >10(-5) M picrotoxin. VA but not bicuculline accelerated the decay phase of I(GABA), as was seen with picrotoxin. Moreover, pre-application of 10(-5) M VA reduced I(GABA). VA did not inhibit that induced by glycine (10(-4) M). These results indicate that VA inhibits I(GABA) by acting both on the GABA agonist site and on the Cl(-) channel of the GABA(A) receptor-channel complex. VA is a structurally novel type of compound that selectively inhibits the GABA(A) receptor-Cl(-) channel complexes in mammalian central nervous system neurons.

Single channel analysis of the blocking actions of BIDN and fipronil on a Drosophila melanogaster GABA receptor (RDL) stably expressed in a Drosophila cell line

Single channel recordings were obtained from a Drosophila S2 cell line stably expressing the wild-type RDL(ac) Drosophila melanogaster homomer-forming ionotropic GABA receptor subunit, a product of the resistance to dieldrin gene, RDL: GABA (50 microM) was applied by pressure ejection to outside-out patches from S2-RDL cells at a holding potential of -60 mV. The resulting inward current was completely blocked by 100 microM picrotoxin (PTX). The unitary current-voltage relationship was linear at negative potentials but showed slight inward rectification at potentials more positive than 0 mV. The reversal potential of the current (E(GABA)=-1.4 mV) was close to the calculated chloride equilibrium potential. The single channel conductance elicited by GABA was 36 pS. A 71 pS conductance channel was also observed when the duration of the pulse, used to eject GABA, was longer than 80 ms. The mean open time distribution of the unitary events was fitted best by two exponential functions suggesting two open channel states. When either 1 microM fipronil or 1 microM BIDN was present in the external saline, the GABA-gated channels were completely blocked. When BIDN or fipronil was applied at a concentration close to the IC(50) value for suppression of open probability (281 nM, BIDN; 240 nM, fipronil), the duration of channel openings was shortened. In addition, the blocking action of BIDN resulted in the appearance of a novel channel conductance (17 pS). The effects of co-application of BIDN and fipronil were examined. Co-application of BIDN (300 nM) with various concentrations (100-1000 nM) of fipronil resulted in an additional BIDN-induced dose-dependent reduction of the maximum P(o) value. Thus both BIDN and fipronil shorten the duration of wild-type RDL(ac) GABA receptor channel openings but appear to act at distinct sites.

Novel mechanism of inhibition by the P2 receptor antagonist PPADS of ATP-activated current in dorsal root ganglion neurons

The antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS) has been proposed to selectively antagonize the actions of ATP at P2X receptors. Whole cell patch-clamp recording techniques therefore were used to characterize PPADS inhibition of ATP-activated current in bullfrog dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. PPADS, 0.5-10 microM, inhibited ATP-activated current in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 2.5 +/- 0.03 microM. PPADS produced a gradual decline of ATP-activated current to a steady state, but this was not an indication of use dependence as the gradual declining component could be eliminated by exposure to PPADS before ATP application. In addition, ATP-activated current recovered completely from inhibition by PPADS in the absence of agonist. The slow onset of inhibition by PPADS was not apparently due to an action at an intracellular site as inclusion of 10 microM PPADS in the recording pipette neither affected the ATP response nor did it alter inhibition of the ATP response when 2.5 microM PPADS was applied externally. PPADS, 2.5 microM, decreased the maximal response to ATP by 51% without changing its EC(50). PPADS inhibition of ATP-activated current was independent of membrane potential between -80 and +40 mV and did not involve a shift in the reversal potential of the current. The magnitude of PPADS inhibition of ATP-activated current was dependent on the duration of the prior exposure to PPADS. The time constants of both onset and offset of PPADS inhibition of ATP-activated current did not differ significantly with changes in ATP concentration from 1 to 5 microM. Recovery of ATP-activated current from PPADS inhibition also exhibited a slow phase that was not accelerated by the presence of agonist and was dependent on the concentration of PPADS. The apparent dissociation rate of PPADS from unliganded ATP-gated ion channels was much greater than the rate of the slow phase of recovery of ATP-activated current from PPADS inhibition. The results suggest that PPADS can inhibit P2X receptor function in a complex noncompetitive manner. PPADS produces a long-lasting inhibition that does not appear to result from open channel block but rather from an action at an allosteric site apparently accessible from the extracellular environment that involves a greatly reduced rate of dissociation from liganded versus unliganded ATP-gated ion channels.

Chloride channels of glycine and GABA receptors with blockers: Monte Carlo minimization and structure-activity relationships

GABA and glycine receptors (GlyRs) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that respond to the inhibitory neurotransmitters by opening a chloride-selective central pore lined with five M2 segments homologous to those of alpha(1) GlyR/ ARVG(2')LGIT(6')TVLTMTTQSSGSR. The activity of cyanotriphenylborate (CTB) and picrotoxinin (PTX), the best-studied blockers of the Cl(-) pores, depends essentially on the subunit composition of the receptors, in particular, on residues in positions 2' and 6' that form the pore-facing rings R(2') and R(6'). Thus, CTB blocks alpha(1) and alpha(1)/beta, but not alpha(2) GlyRs (Rundström, N., V. Schmieden, H. Betz, J. Bormann, and D. Langosch. 1994. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91:8950-8954). PTX blocks homomeric receptors (alpha(1) GlyR and rat rho(1) GABAR), but weakly antagonizes heteromeric receptors (alpha(1)/beta GlyR and rho(1)/rho(2) GABAR) (Pribilla, I., T. Takagi, D. Langosch, J. Bormann, and H. Betz. 1992. EMBO J. 11:4305-4311; Zhang D., Z. H. Pan, X. Zhang, A. D. Brideau, and S. A. Lipton. 1995. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92:11756-11760). Using as a template the kinked-helices model of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the open state (Tikhonov, D. B., and B. S. Zhorov. 1998. Biophys. J. 74:242-255), we have built homology models of GlyRs and GABARs and calculated Monte Carlo-minimized energy profiles for the blockers pulled through the pore. The profiles have shallow minima at the wide extracellular half of the pore, a barrier at ring R(6'), and a deep minimum between rings R(6') and R(2') where the blockers interact with five M2s simultaneously. The star-like CTB swings necessarily on its way through ring R(6') and its activity inversely correlates with the barrier at R(6'): Thr(6')s and Ala(2')s in alpha(2) GlyR confine the swinging by increasing the barrier, while Gly(2')s in alpha(1) GlyR and Phe(6')s in beta GlyR shrink the barrier. PTX has an egg-like shape with an isopropenyl group at the elongated end and the rounded end trimmed by ether and carbonyl oxygens. In the optimal binding mode to alpha(1) GlyR and rho(1) GABAR, the rounded end of PTX accepts several H-bonds from Thr(6')s, while the elongated end enters ring R(2'). The lack of H-bond donors on the side chains of Phe(6')s (beta GlyR) and Met(6')s (rho(2) GABAR) deteriorates the binding. The hydrophilic elongated end of picrotin does not fit the hydrophobic ring of Pro(2')s/Ala(2')s in GABARs, but fit a more hydrophilic ring with Gly(2')s in GlyRs. This analysis provides explanations for structure-activity relationships of noncompetitive agonists and predicts a narrow pore of LGICs in agreement with experimental data on the permeation of organic cations.

Influence of subunit configuration on the interaction of picrotoxin-site ligands with recombinant GABA(A) receptors

We have assessed the interaction of picrotoxin and a putative picrotoxin-site ligand [4-dimethyl-3-t-butylcarboxyl-4,5-dihydro (1, 5-a) quinoxaline] (U-93631) with varying configurations of recombinant GABA(A) receptors, using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. In alpha2beta2gamma2 GABA(A) receptors, coapplication of picrotoxin with GABA had minimal effects on initial GABA-activated Cl(-) current amplitude, and subsequently enhanced decay of GABA-activated Cl(-) currents. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) for picrotoxin in alpha2beta2gamma2 receptors was 10.3+/-1.6 microM. The alpha subunit isoform did not affect picrotoxin-induced inhibition, as IC(50) values for alpha3beta2gamma2 (5.1+/-0.7 microM) and alpha6beta2gamma2 receptors (7.2+/-0.4 microM) were comparable to those obtained in alpha2beta2gamma2 receptors. Interestingly, in receptors lacking an alpha subunit (beta2gamma2 configuration), picrotoxin had a markedly lower IC(50) (0.5+/-0.05 microM) compared to alpha-containing receptors. The inhibitory profile was generally similar for the presumed picrotoxin-site ligand U-93631, i.e., IC(50) values were comparable in all alphabetagamma-containing receptors, but the IC(50) in beta2gamma2 receptors was greater than 10-fold lower. In addition, a modest but significant initial stimulation of GABA-activated current by U-93631 was observed in alpha2beta2gamma2 and beta2gamma2 receptors. A mutation in the second transmembrane domain, shown previously to abolish picrotoxin sensitivity, also greatly attenuated sensitivity to U-93631. Moreover, incubation of receptors with excess U-93631 hindered picrotoxin's ability to gain access to its binding site; both results indicate that U-93631 interacts at the picrotoxin site of the receptor. Our results indicate the presence of an alpha subunit hinders the ability of picrotoxin to block the GABA(A) receptor, and thus provides additional insight into the site of action of picrotoxin. In addition, we have shown that domains important for the actions of picrotoxin also affect U-93631. Thus, this compound should prove to be a useful ligand for analysis of the convulsant site of this receptor.

Cyclodiene insecticide resistance: from molecular to population genetics

This review follows progress in the analysis of cyclodiene insecticide resistance from the initial isolation of the mutant, through cloning of the resistance gene, to an examination of the distribution of resistance alleles in natural populations. Emphasis is given to the use of a resistant Drosophila mutant as an entry point to cloning the associated gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunit gene, Resistance to dieldrin. Resistance is associated with replacements of a single amino acid (alanine302) in the chloride ion channel pore of the protein. Replacements of alanine302 not only directly affect the drug binding site but also allosterically destabilize the drug preferred conformation of the receptor. Resistance is thus conferred by a unique dual mechanism associated with alanine302, which is the only residue replaced in a wide range of different resistant insects. The underlying mutations appear either to have arisen once, or multiply, depending on the population biology of the pest insect. Although resistance frequencies decline in the absence of selection, resistance alleles can persist at relatively high frequency and may cause problems for compounds to which cross-resistance is observed, such as the novel fipronils.

Modulation by bicuculline and penicillin of the block by t-butyl-bicyclo-phosphorothionate (TBPS) of GABA(A)-receptor mediated Cl(-)-current responses in rat striatal neurones

1. T-butyl-bicyclo-phosphorothionate (TBPS) is a prototypical representative of the cage-convulsants which act through a use-dependent block of the GABA(A)-receptor-ionophore complex. Using current recordings from cultured neurones of rat striatum the manner was investigated in which two antagonists, bicuculline and penicillin, presumably acting at the agonist binding site and in the ionic channel, respectively, modify the rate of block by TBPS. 2. Penicillin (5 or 10 mM) did not slow the rate of block by TBPS, but produced a significant enhancement of block rate, which, however, was inversely related to the degree of antagonism by penicillin of the GABA-induced current. 3. Bicuculline (10 microM) reduced the rate of block by TBPS. However, this effect was 3 fold weaker than its GABA-antagonistic action. The slowing of block rate and the current antagonism exhibited a biphasic, positive-negative relationship. Co-application of bicuculline (100 microM) in a concentration that produced nearly complete antagonism and TBPS (10 microM) resulted in a marked ( approximately 40%) reduction of subsequent GABA response amplitudes compatible with a direct, bicuculline-induced conformational change in the receptor required for the binding of and block by TBPS. 4. The lack of protection afforded by the channel blocker penicillin as well as the lack of correlation between bicuculline antagonism of the Cl(-)-current and its efficiency in protecting against TBPS block is evidence against an open channel blocking mechanism for TBPS. TBPS does, therefore, not appear to gain access to its binding site via the open pore but through alternative routes regulated from the agonist binding site.

Anisatin modulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-channel in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

1. Anisatin, a toxic, insecticidally active component of Sikimi plant, is known to act on the GABA system. In order to elucidate the mechanism of anisatin interaction with the GABA system, whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp experiments were performed with rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in primary culture. 2. Repeated co-applications of GABA and anisatin suppressed GABA-induced whole-cell currents with an EC50 of 1.10 microM. No recovery of currents was observed after washout with anisatin-free solution. 3. However, pre-application of anisatin through the bath had no effect on GABA-induced currents. The decay phase of currents was accelerated by anisatin. These results indicate that anisatin suppression of GABA-induced currents requires opening of the channels and is use-dependent. 4. Anisatin suppression of GABA-induced currents was not voltage dependent. 5. Picrotoxinin attenuated anisatin suppression of GABA-induced currents. [3H]-EBOB binding to rat brain membranes was competitively inhibited by anisatin. These data indicated that anisatin bound to the picrotoxinin site. 6. At the single-channel level, anisatin did not alter the open time but prolonged the closed time. The burst duration was reduced and channel openings per burst were decreased indicating that anisatin decreased the probability of openings.

Alphaxalone activates a Cl- conductance independent of GABAA receptors in cultured embryonic human dorsal root ganglion neurons

Whole cell and cell-attached patch-clamp techniques characterized the neurosteroid anesthetic alphaxalone's (5alpha-pregnane-3alpha-ol-11,20-dione) effects on GABAA receptors and on Cl- currents in cultured embryonic (5- to 8-wk old) human dorsal root ganglion neurons. Alphaxalone applied by pressure pulses from closely positioned micropipettes failed to potentiate the inward Cl- currents produced by application of GABA. In the absence of GABA, alphaxalone (0.1-5.0 microM) directly evoked inward currents in all dorsal root ganglion neurons voltage-clamped at negative membrane potentials. The amplitude of the current was directly proportional to the concentration of alphaxalone (Hill coefficient 1.3 +/- 0.15). The alphaxalone-induced whole cell current was carried largely by Cl- ions. Its reversal potential was close to the theoretical Cl- equilibrium potential, changing with a shift in the external Cl- concentration as predicted by the Nernst equation for Cl- ions. And because the alphaxalone-current was not suppressed by the competitive GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline or by the channel blockers picrotoxin and t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS; all at 100 microM), it did not appear to result from activation of GABAA receptors. In contrast to GABA-currents in the same neurons, the whole cell current-voltage curves produced in the presence of alphaxalone demonstrated strong inward rectification with nearly symmetrical bath and pipette Cl- concentrations. Fluctuation analysis of the membrane current variance produced by 1.0 microM alphaxalone showed that the power density spectra were best fitted to double Lorentzian functions. The elementary conductance for alphaxalone-activated Cl- channels determined by the relationship between mean amplitude of whole cell current and variance was 30 pS. Single-channel currents in cell-attached patches when the pipette solution contained 10 microM alphaxalone revealed a single conductance state with a chord conductance of approximately 29 pS. No subconductance states were seen. The current-voltage determinations for the single-channels activated by alphaxalone demonstrated a linear relationship. Mean open and shut times of single alphaxalone-activated channels were described by two exponential decay functions. Taken together, the results indicate that in embryonic human DRG neurons, micromolar concentrations of alphaxalone directly activate Cl- channels whose electrophysiological and pharmacological properties are distinct from those of Cl- channels associated with GABAA receptors.

Why are there so few resistance-associated mutations in insecticide target genes?

The genes encoding the three major targets of conventional insecticides are: Rdl, which encodes a gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit (RDL); para, which encodes a voltage-gated sodium channel (PARA); and Ace, which encodes insect acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Interestingly, despite the complexity of the encoded receptors or enzymes, very few amino acid residues are replaced in different resistant insects: one within RDL, two within PARA and three or more within AChE. Here we examine the possible reasons underlying this extreme conservation by looking at the aspects of receptor and/or enzyme function that may constrain replacements to such a limited number of residues.

The diversity of GABAA receptors. Pharmacological and electrophysiological properties of GABAA channel subtypes

The amino acid gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) prevails in the CNS as an inhibitory neurotransmitter that mediates most of its effects through fast GABA-gated Cl(-)-channels (GABAAR). Molecular biology uncovered the complex subunit architecture of this receptor channel, in which a pentameric assembly derived from five of at least 17 mammalian subunits, grouped in the six classes alpha, beta, gamma, delta, sigma and epsilon, permits a vast number of putative receptor isoforms. The subunit composition of a particular receptor determines the specific effects of allosterical modulators of the GABAARs like benzodiazepines (BZs), barbiturates, steroids, some convulsants, polyvalent cations, and ethanol. To understand the physiology and diversity of GABAARs, the native isoforms have to be identified by their localization in the brain and by their pharmacology. In heterologous expression systems, channels require the presence of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits in order to mimic the full repertoire of native receptor responses to drugs, with the BZ pharmacology being determined by the particular alpha and gamma subunit variants. Little is known about the functional properties of the beta, delta, and epsilon subunit classes and only a few receptor subtype-specific substances like loreclezole and furosemide are known that enable the identification of defined receptor subtypes. We will summarize the pharmacology of putative receptor isoforms and emphasize the characteristics of functional channels. Knowledge of the complex pharmacology of GABAARs might eventually enable site-directed drug design to further our understanding of GABA-related disorders and of the complex interaction of excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms in neuronal processing.

Changes in the properties of developing glycine receptors in cultured mouse spinal neurons

We studied several neurophysiological properties of in vitro maturing glycine receptors in mouse spinal cord neurons cultured for various times: 3-7 days (early), 10-12 days (intermediate), and 17-24 days (mature), using whole-cell and gramicidin-perforated techniques. The glycine-activated Cl- conductance increased about 6-fold during in vitro development, and the current density increased from 177+/-42 pA/pF in early to 504+/-74 pA/pF in mature neurons. The sensitivity to glycine increased transiently from 39+/-2.8 microM in early neurons to 29+/-1 microM in intermediate neurons. Using whole-cell recordings, we found that ECl did not change during development. With the gramicidin-perforated technique, on the other hand, ECl shifted from -27 to -52 mV with development. Thus, immature neurons were depolarized by the activation of glycine receptors, whereas mature neurons were hyperpolarized. The current decayed (desensitized) during the application of 500 microM glycine. The decay was single exponential and the time constant increased from 2,212+/-139 msec in early neurons to 4,580+/-1,071 msec in mature neurons. Picrotoxin (10 microM) inhibited the current to a larger extent in early neurons (46+/-6% of control), and the sensitivity of these receptors to strychnine (IC50) increased from 23+/-3 nM to 9+/-1 nM in mature neurons. In conclusion, several properties of spinal glycine receptors changed during in vitro neuronal maturation. This indicates that, similar to GABA(A) receptors, the functions of these receptors are developmentally regulated. These changes should affect the excitability of spinal neurons as well as other maturation processes.

Actions of cyclic esters, S-esters, and amides of phenyl- and phenylthiophosphonic acids on mammalian and insect GABA-gated chloride channels

Cyclic esters, S-esters, and amides of phenyl(thio)phosphonic acid were synthesized to probe the interaction between noncompetitive antagonists of ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and their binding site. Some of these compounds competitively inhibited the specific binding of [3H]EBOB, a noncompetitive GABA antagonist, to rat-brain and housefly-head membranes. The trans isomer of the ester bearing a tert-butyl group at the 5-position and a bromine atom at the p-position (5t) was most potent in rat receptors with an IC50 value of 40 nM, while the trans isomer of the S-ester bearing the same substituents (10t) was most potent in housefly receptors with an IC50 value of 55 nM. In both cases, the corresponding amide analogue (12t) was less potent. The potencies of 5t and 12t tended to decrease in the presence of GABA, particularly in housefly receptors, while that of 10t remained unchanged. The rank order of activity in inhibiting [3H]EBOB binding to housefly-head membranes in the presence of GABA (10t > 5t > 12t) was in accord with that of insecticidal activity. S-Ester 10t depressed 10 microM and 300 microM GABA-induced 36Cl- influx into mouse cerebral synaptoneurosomes, whereas ester 5t depressed 10 microM GABA-induced 36Cl- influx but not 300 microM GABA-induced flux. Amide 12t was inactive at both GABA concentrations. These findings indicate that six-membered cyclic phenylthiophosphonic acid derivatives act as noncompetitive antagonists of GABA receptors and suggest that 10t is able to bind to the receptor in the open, desensitized, and closed states, whereas the affinity of 5t and 12t is lower in the open and desensitized states than in the closed state. The derivatives have similar structures except for the heteroatoms at the 1- and 3-positions, so that the heteroatoms may play a unique role when antagonists bring the open state of the GABA-gated channel to the desensitized or closed state.

Block by picrotoxin of a GABAergic chloride channel expressed on crayfish muscle after axotomy

Outside-out patches containing a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated chloride channel expressed after axotomy on crayfish deep extensor abdominal muscle were excised. GABA and the blocker picrotoxin (PTX) were applied to the patches using a liquid filament switch to study the effects of picrotoxin on the GABA-elicited currents. Coapplication of GABA and PTX resulted in a reduction of the current amplitude compared with that elicited by the same GABA concentration alone. This reduction of the amplitude was dependent on both the GABA and PTX concentrations. The rise time of the current decreased after coapplication of GABA and PTX. Evaluation of the single channel currents and off-currents in the presence of GABA and PTX showed a dramatic shortening of the burst duration of the channel. The open time distributions were not altered, whereas in the closed time distributions a new closed time was apparent in presence of PTX. Preincubation with PTX prior to the GABA pulse resulted in an increase of the rise time. This effect was dependent on the PTX concentration only. Possible mechanisms are discussed to explain the effects of PTX and are implemented into the existing molecular reaction scheme of the channel.

Molecular biology of insect neuronal GABA receptors

Ionotropic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are distributed throughout the nervous systems of many insect species. As with their vertebrate counterparts, GABAA receptors and GABAC receptors, the binding of GABA to ionotropic insect receptors elicits a rapid, transient opening of anion-selective ion channels which is generally inhibitory. Although insect and vertebrate GABA receptors share a number of structural and functional similarities, their pharmacology differs in several aspects. Recent studies of cloned Drosophila melanogaster GABA receptors have clarified the contribution of particular subunits to these differences. Insect ionotropic GABA receptors are also the target of numerous insecticides and an insecticide-resistant form of a Drosophila GABA-receptor subunit has enhanced our understanding of the structure-function relationship of one aspect of pharmacology common to both insect and vertebrate GABA receptors, namely antagonism by the plant-derived toxin picrotoxinin.

Actions of picrodendrin antagonists on dieldrin-sensitive and -resistant Drosophila GABA receptors

1. A series of terpenoid compounds, recently isolated from Picrodendron baccatum, share a picrotoxane skeleton with picrotoxinin, an antagonist of ionotropic GABA receptors. Referred to as picrodendrins, they inhibit the binding of [35S]-tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) to rat GABAA receptors. Hitherto, their effects on GABA receptors have not been investigated electrophysiologically. Under two-electrode voltage-clamp, the actions of picrodendrins and related terpenoids have been assayed on homooligomeric GABA receptors formed by the expression of a Drosophila GABA receptor subunit (RDLac) in Xenopus oocytes. 2. All the terpenoids tested, dose-dependently antagonized currents induced by 30 microM (EC50) GABA. 3. Tutin and its analogues (dihydrotutin and isohyenanchin) differ in the structure of their axial C4 substituents. Of these compounds, tutin, which bears an isopropenyl group at this carbon atom, was the most potent antagonist of RDLac homo-oligomers, whereas isohyenanchin, which bears a hydroxyisopropyl group, was the least potent antagonist tested. 4. Picrodendrins differ mainly in the structure of their C9 substituents. The IC50s of picrodendrins ranged from 17 +/- 1.3 nM (picrodendrin-Q) to 1006 +/- 1.3 nM (picrodendrin-O). As such, the most potent picrodendrins (Q, A and B) were approximately equipotent with picrotoxinin as antagonists of RDLac homo-oligomers. 5. Certain picrodendrin compounds effected a use-dependent blockade of RDLac homo-oligomers. Such a biphasic block was not observed with tutin analogues. 6. Picrotoxin-resistant RDLacA3025 homo-oligomers, which have a single amino acid substitution (A302S) in the 2nd transmembrane region, were markedly less sensitive to picrodendrin-O than the wild-type, dieldrin-sensitive, homo-oligomers. 7. The relative potency of tutin analogues demonstrates that the structure-activity relationship of the C4 substituent of picrotoxane-based compounds is conserved in vertebrates and insects. However, the relative order of potency of picrodendrins on RDLac homo-oligomers is distinctly different from that observed in previous radioligand binding studies performed on vertebrate GABAA receptors. As picrodendrin compounds differ in the structure of their C9 substituents, these data suggest that the optimal convulsant pharmacophores of vertebrate GABAA receptors and RDLac homo-oligomers differ with respect to this substituent.

Use-dependent and use-independent blocking actions of picrotoxin and zinc at the GABAC receptor in retinal horizontal cells

The inhibitory actions of picrotoxin (PTX) and zinc on the GABAC receptor in acutely isolated catfish cone horizontal cells were studied and compared using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. PTX blocked the GABAC current elicited by 30 microM GABA with IC50 = 0.64 microM. Over a PTX concentration range of 1-100 microM, simultaneous application of PTX with GABA (30 microM) produced current transients at both the onset and offset of the drug pulse. When the PTX concentration was maintained before, during, and after GABA application, the current transients at the onset and offset of GABA application disappeared. Thus, these transients seem to reflect a slower initial action of PTX at, and faster washout of PTX from, the GABAC receptor than GABA when they were co-applied. The full recovery from PTX inhibition required a second GABA application. Recovery could not be achieved by a prolonged wash in the absence of GABA. These results suggest that PTX effect is use-dependent. Zinc also potently blocked the GABAC current elicited by 30 microM GABA with an IC50 about an order of magnitude higher than that of PTX (IC50 = 8.2 microM). However, only the onset, but not the offset current transient was observed when zinc was simultaneously applied with GABA. The full recovery of the GABAC current from zinc inhibition was obtained after washing for 20 sec and did not require a subsequent GABA application. This indicates that the zinc effect is use-independent. Our findings suggest that: (1) the zinc binding site is on the surface of the GABAC receptor molecule; (2) there is a PTX binding site that is probably inside the receptor and its access requires GABA binding to the receptor.

Whole-cell and single-channel alpha1 beta1 gamma2S GABAA receptor currents elicited by a "multipuffer" drug application device

Pharmacological characterization of ion channels and receptors in cultured neurons or transfected cell lines requires microapplication of multiple drug solutions during electrophysiological recording. An ideal device could apply a large number of solutions to a limited area with rapid arrival and removal of drug solutions. We describe a novel "multipuffer" rapid application device, based on a modified T-tube with a nozzle made from a glass micropipette tip. Drug solutions are drawn via suction from open reservoirs mounted above the recording chamber through the device into a waste trap. Closure of a solenoid valve between the device and the waste trap causes flow of drug solution though the T-tube nozzle. Any number of drug solutions can be applied with rapid onset (50-100 ms) after a brief fixed delay (100-200 ms). Recombinant alpha1beta1gamma2S GABAA receptors (GABARs) transfected into L929 fibroblasts were recorded using whole-cell and single-channel configurations. Application of GABA resulted in chloride currents with an EC50 of 12.2 microM and a Hill slope of 1.27, suggesting more than one binding site for GABA. GABAR currents were enhanced by diazepam and pentobarbital and inhibited by bicuculline and picrotoxin. Single-channel recordings revealed a main conductance state of 26-28 pS. This device is particularly suitable for rapid, spatially controlled drug applications onto neurons or other cells recorded in the whole-cell configuration, but is also appropriate for isolated single-channel or multichannel membrane patch recordings.

An amino acid substitution in the pore region of a glutamate-gated chloride channel enables the coupling of ligand binding to channel gating

Many of the subunits of ligand-gated ion channels respond poorly, if at all, when expressed as homomeric channels in Xenopus oocytes. This lack of a ligand response has been thought to result from poor surface expression, poor assembly, or lack of an agonist binding domain. The Caenorhabditis elegans glutamate-gated chloride channel subunit GluClbeta responds to glutamate as a homomeric channel while the GluClalpha subunit is insensitive. A chimera between GluClalpha and GluClbeta was used to suggest that major determinants for glutamate binding are present on the GluClalpha N terminus. Amino acid substitutions in the presumed pore of GluClalpha conferred direct glutamate gating indicating that GluClalpha is deficient in coupling of ligand binding to channel gating. Heteromeric channels of GluClalpha+beta may differ from the prototypic muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in that they have the potential to bind ligand to all of the subunits forming the channel.

Anticonvulsant effect of felbamate in the pentylenetetrazole kindling model of epilepsy in the rat

The present study was designed to examine the ability of felbamate, a novel antiepileptic agent, to antagonize the increase in seizure severity (i.e., chemical kindling) produced by chronic treatment with initially subconvulsant doses of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Rats were treated with PTZ (30 mg/kg, i.p., three times a week) for 8 consecutive weeks. Two other groups of rats received felbamate (300 or 400 mg/kg, i.p.), 90 min before each dose of PTZ. Pretreatment with felbamate at either dose prevented the progression of rank of seizures during chronic treatment with PTZ. Thus, the mean seizure score by the end of the chronic treatment (0-5 scale) was 0 in vehicle treated controls, 3.3 in rats treated with PTZ alone, 1.5 in rats treated with PTZ plus felbamate (300 mg/kg, i.p.) and 0.9 in the group treated with PTZ plus felbamate (400 mg/kg, i.p.). Felbamate also antagonized the long-term increase in the sensitivity to the convulsant effects of GABA function inhibitors observed in PTZ-kindled rats. Thus, the administration of a challenge dose of isoniazid (120 mg/kg, s.c.), picrotoxin (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or PTZ itself (15 mg/kg, i.p.), 15 to 45 days after the end of the chronic treatment regimen, induced convulsions in > 80% of PTZ-kindled rats and in < 20% of rats treated with PTZ + felbamate (400 mg/kg). The results are discussed in terms of the multiple mechanisms that can contribute to the anticonvulsant action of felbamate in the PTZ kindling model of epilepsy.

A single amino acid in gamma-aminobutyric acid rho 1 receptors affects competitive and noncompetitive components of picrotoxin inhibition

A class of bicuculline-insensitive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, GABAC, has been identified in retina. Several lines of evidence indicate that GABAC receptors are formed partially or wholly of GABA rho subunits. These receptors generate a Cl- current in response to GABA but differ from GABAA receptors in a number of ways. Picrotoxin, widely accepted as a noncompetitive antagonist of GABAA receptors, displays competitive and noncompetitive antagonism of GABAC receptors in perch and bovine retina and GABA rho 1 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular basis of the two components of picrotoxin inhibition of GABA rho 1 receptors. By using a domain-swapping and mutagenesis strategy, a difference in picrotoxin sensitivity between rho 1 and rho 2 receptors was localized to a single amino acid in the putative second transmembrane domain. Substitution of this amino acid with residues found in the analogous position in highly picrotoxin-sensitive glycine alpha and GABAA subunits increased the sensitivity of rho 1 mutants 10- to 500-fold. Importantly, the competitive component of picrotoxin inhibition of the rho 1 mutant receptors was almost eliminated. These findings demonstrate that an amino acid in the putative channel domain of GABA rho 1 receptors influences picrotoxin sensitivity and mediates agonist binding by an allosteric mechanism.

Cloning of a gamma-aminobutyric acid type C receptor subunit in rat retina with a methionine residue critical for picrotoxinin channel block

Ionotropic receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are important to inhibitory neurotransmission in the mammalian retina, mediating GABAA and GABAC responses. In many species, these responses are blocked by the convulsant picrotoxinin (PTX), although the mechanism of block is not fully understood. In contrast, GABAC responses in the rat retina are extremely resistant to PTX. We hypothesized that this difference could be explained by molecular characterization of the receptors underlying the GABAC response. Here we report the cloning of two rat GABA receptor subunits, designated r rho 1 and r rho 2 after their previously identified human homologues. When coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes, r rho 1/r rho 2 heteromeric receptors mimicked PTX-resistant GABAC responses of the rat retina. PTX resistance is apparently conferred in native heteromeric receptors by r rho 2 subunits since homomeric r rho 1 receptors were sensitive to PTX; r rho 2 subunits alone were unable to form functional homomeric receptors. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that a single amino acid residue in the second membrane-spanning region (a methionine in r rho 2 in place of a threonine in r rho 1) is the predominant determinant of PTX resistance in the rat receptor. This study reveals not only the molecular mechanism underlying PTX blockade of GABA receptors but also the heteromeric nature of native receptors in the rat retina that underlie the PTX-resistant GABAC response.

From ion currents to genomic analysis: recent advances in GABAA receptor research

The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor represents an elementary switching mechanism integral to the functioning of the central nervous system and a locus for the action of many mood- and emotion-altering agents such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, steroids, and alcohol. Anxiety, sleep disorders, and convulsive disorders have been effectively treated with therapeutic agents that enhance the action of GABA at the GABAA receptor or increase the concentration of GABA in nervous tissue. The GABAA receptor is a multimeric membrane-spanning ligand-gated ion channel that admits chloride upon binding of the neurotransmitter GABA and is modulated by many endogenous and therapeutically important agents. Since GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, modulation of its response has profound implications for brain functioning. The GABAA receptor is virtually the only site of action for the centrally acting benzodiazepines, the most widely prescribed of the anti-anxiety medications. Increasing evidence points to an important role for GABA in epilepsy and various neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent advances in molecular biology and complementary information derived from pharmacology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, anatomy and cell biology, and behavior have led to a phenomenal growth in our understanding of the structure, function, regulation, and evolution of the GABAA receptor. Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, steroids, polyvalent cations, and ethanol act as positive or negative modulators of receptor function. The description of a receptor gene superfamily comprising the subunits of the GABAA, nicotinic acetylcholine, and glycine receptors has led to a new way of thinking about gene expression and receptor assembly in the nervous system. Seventeen genetically distinct subunit subtypes (alpha 1-alpha 6, beta 1-beta 4, gamma 1-gamma 4, delta, p1-p2) and alternatively spliced variants contribute to the molecular architecture of the GABAA receptor. Mysteriously, certain preferred combinations of subunits, most notably the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 arrangement, are widely codistributed, while the expression of other subunits, such as beta 1 or alpha 6, is severely restricted to specific neurons in the hippocampal formation or cerebellar cortex. Nervous tissue has the capacity to exert control over receptor number, allosteric uncoupling, subunit mRNA levels, and posttranslational modifications through cellular signal transduction mechanisms under active investigation. The genomic organization of the GABAA receptor genes suggests that the present abundance of subtypes arose during evolution through the duplication and translocations of a primordial alpha-beta-gamma gene cluster. This review describes these varied aspects of GABAA receptor research with special emphasis on contemporary cellular and molecular discoveries.

Interaction of picrotoxin with GABAA receptor channel-lining residues probed in cysteine mutants

We used the substituted-cysteine-accessibility method to identify the channel-lining residues in a region (257-261) near the putative cytoplasmic end of the M2 membrane-spanning segment of the rat gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor alpha 1 subunit. The residues alpha 1Val257 and alpha 1Thr261 were accessible to charged, sulfhydryl-specific reagents applied extracellularly in both the open and closed states. The accessibility of alpha 1V257C and alpha 1T261C in the closed state implies that the gate must be at least as close to the cytoplasmic end of the channel as alpha 1Val257. Also, the positively charged reagent methanethiosulfonate ethylammonium penetrated from the extracellular end of the channel to alpha 1T261C, with which it reacted, indicating that the anion-selectivity filter is closer to the cytoplasmic end of the channel than this residue is. Co-application of picrotoxin prevented the sulfhydryl reagents from reacting with alpha 1V257C but did not prevent reaction with the more extracellular residue alpha 1T261C. Picrotoxin protection of alpha 1V257C may be due to steric block by picrotoxin bound in the channel at the level of alpha 1Val257; however, if this protection is allosteric, it is not due to the induction of the resting closed state in which alpha 1V257C was accessible to sulfhydryl reagent.

Depolarizing GABA-activated Cl- channels in embryonic rat spinal and olfactory bulb cells

1. We have compared the electrical properties of the Cl- channels activated by GABA in cells acutely dissociated from embryonic (E) spinal cord (SC) and olfactory bulb (OB) regions at E15 using different configurations of the patch-recording technique. By in situ analysis these cells express GABAA receptor mRNAs encoding a common set of subunits (alpha 2, beta 2, and beta 3). SC cells also express alpha 3, alpha 5 and gamma 2s transcripts. 2. Whole-cell recordings revealed current responses to GABA (0.5 microM to 1 mM) in 242 out of 294 cells. In both SC and OB cells, currents evoked by 2 microM GABA could be potentiated by diazepam (DZP) in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 of approximately 50 nM in both SC and OB. The maximal effect was approximately 300%. Both SC and OB cells exhibited GABA-activated currents that were only partially sensitive to zinc even at high micromolar concentrations. The effect of DZP and the relatively modest sensitivity to zinc suggest the presence of gamma subunits in both preparations. 3. Spectral analysis of current responses in twenty-six cells showed that power spectra could be fitted by three exponential components (tau 1-3) in the cells of both areas. The tau of the longest-lasting component (tau 3) was significantly different in the cells of the two areas: approximately 50 ms in OB and 80-100 ms in SC. No statistically significant differences in the average inferred unitary conductance between the two cell types could be resolved. 4. Single-channel properties were examined directly using the cell-attached configuration. GABA-activated channels could be recorded in only 89 out of well-sealed 984 patches and most of them exhibited multiple channel activity. The mean open time in the response to 10 microM GABA was significantly shorter in OB cells (12 ms) compared to SC cells (25 ms) while the average conductance values were not significantly different between the two cell types. 5. On average, Cl- channels reversed polarity when the on-cell patch pipette potential was approximately -30 mV. Thus, in these embryonic neurons, micromolar GABA activates Cl- channels, which, when open, effectively depolarize cells by approximately 30 mV. 6. Cl- channels activated by GABA are open longer in embryonic SC cells than in OB cells. This statistically significant difference in native GABAA receptor Cl- channel properties correlates with, and may be related to differences in subunit mRNA expression.

Actions of the insecticide fipronil, on dieldrin-sensitive and- resistant GABA receptors of Drosophila melanogaster

1. Blocking actions of the novel insecticide, fipronil, were examined on GABA responses recorded from Xenopus oocytes expressing either wild type (dieldrin-sensitive) or mutant (dieldrin-resistant) forms of the Drosophila melanogaster GABA-gated chloride channel homo-oligomer, RDL (the product of the resistance to dieldrin locus: Rdl). 2. In the case of the wild type receptor, fipronil blocked GABA-induced currents inducing both a shift to the right in the GABA dose-response curve and depressing the maximum amplitude of responses to GABA. The potency of fipronil was dependent on the GABA concentration but was unaffected by membrane potential. 3. Mutant RDL GABA-receptors, which have a naturally occurring amino acid substitution (A302-->S) in the putative ion-channel lining region, conferring resistance to dieldrin and picrotoxinin, were markedly less sensitive to fipronil than the wild-type receptors. 4. Fipronil antagonism is qualitatively similar to that produced by the structurally distinct compound, picrotoxinin. As the mutation A302-->S reduces the potency of both fipronil and picrotoxinin, homooligomeric RDL receptors should facilitate detailed studies of the molecular basis of convulsant/insecticide antagonist actions on GABA receptors.

Mutations affecting the glycine receptor agonist transduction mechanism convert the competitive antagonist, picrotoxin, into an allosteric potentiator

Contrary to its effects on the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor, picrotoxin antagonism of the alpha 1 subunit of the human glycine receptor is shown to be competitive, not use-dependent, and nonselective between the picrotoxin components, picrotin, and picrotoxinin. Competitive antagonism and non-use dependence are consistent with picrotoxin binding to a site in the extracellular domain. The mutations Arg-->Leu or Arg-->Gln at residue 271 of the glycine receptor alpha 1 subunit, which are both associated with human startle disease, have previously been demonstrated to disrupt the transduction process between agonist binding and channel activation. We show here that these mutations also transform picrotoxin from an allosterically acting competitive antagonist to an allosteric potentiator at low (0.01-3 microM) concentrations and to a noncompetitive antagonist at higher (> or = 3 microM) concentrations. This demonstrates that arginine 271 is involved in the transduction process between picrotoxin binding and its mechanism of action. Thus, the allosteric transduction pathways of both agonists and antagonists converge at a common residue prior to the activation gate of the channel, suggesting that this residue may act as an integration point for information from various extracellular ligand binding sites.

Enhancement by GABA of the association rate of picrotoxin and tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate to the rat cloned alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 GABAA receptor subtype

1. We examined how gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) influences interaction of picrotoxin and tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) with recombinant rat alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 GABAA receptors stably expressed in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), as monitored with changes in Cl- currents measured by the whole-cell patch clamp technique. 2. During application of GABA (5 microM) for 15 s, picrotoxin and TBPS dose-dependently accelerated the decay of inward GABA-induced currents (a holding potential of -60 mV under a symmetrical Cl- gradient). The drugs, upon preincubation with the receptors, also reduced the initial current amplitude in a preincubation time and concentration-dependent manner. This indicates their interaction with both GABA-bound and resting receptors. 3. The half maximal inhibitory concentration for picrotoxin and TBPS at the beginning of a 15 s GABA (5 microM) pulse was several times greater than that obtained at the end of the pulse. GABA thus appears to enhance picrotoxin and TBPS potency, but only at concentrations leading to occupancy of both high and low affinity GABA sites, i.e., 5 microM. Preincubation of the receptors with the drugs in the presence of GABA at 200 nM, which leads to occupancy of only high affinity GABA sites in the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 subtype, produced no appreciable change in potency of picrotoxin or TBPS. This indicates that they preferentially interact with multiliganded, but not monoliganded receptors, unlike U-93631, a novel ligand to the picrotoxin site, which has higher affinity to both mono- and multiliganded receptors than resting receptors. 4. The time-dependent decay and preincubation time-dependent reduction of initial amplitude of GABA-induced Cl- currents followed monoexponential time courses, and time constants thus obtained displayed a linear relationship with drug concentration. Analysis of the data using a kinetic model with a single drug site showed that GABA (5 microM) enhanced the association rate for picrotoxin and TBPS nearly 100 fold, but their dissociation rate only 10 fold. The dissociation rate obtained from current recovery from picrotoxin or TBPS block yielded nearly identical values to the above analysis.5. We conclude that picrotoxin and TBPS interact with both resting and GABA-bound receptors, but their affinity for the latter is about 10 times greater than that for the former, largely due to a markedly increased association rate to the multiliganded receptors (but not monoliganded ones). This and our earlier study with U-93631 improves our understanding of functional coupling between GABA and picrotoxin sites, which appears to be useful in characterizing the mode of interaction for various picrotoxin site ligands.

Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid on synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation in rat superior cervical ganglion

The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on synaptic transmission in rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) was assessed in vitro by extracellular recording. Postganglionic compound action potentials (CAPs) triggered by preganglionic stimulation were blocked in a reversible and concentration-dependent fashion by short, 60 s long, superfusion with GABA (IC50 = 39.3 microM), with the GABAA agonist muscimol (IC50 = 8.7 microM) or with the GABAB agonist baclofen (IC50 = 145 microM). Responses to GABA and muscimol, but not to baclofen, exhibited desensitization after 5 min long superfusions with the drugs. In a long-term potentiation (LTP) paradigm, the degree of potentiation found 30 min after a tetanic train of stimuli (20 Hz for 20 s) was strongly inhibited by GABA (100-250 microM), when superfused at the time of tetanic stimulus or shortly thereafter. The effect of GABA on SCG LTP was mimicked by muscimol but not by baclofen. The results are compatible with the view that GABA exerts overall inhibitory effects in rat SCG, including transmission blockade of single impulses (through activation of GABAA and GABAB receptors) and impairment of activity-dependent potentiation of nicotinic transmission (through activation of GABAA receptors).

A unique amino acid of the Drosophila GABA receptor with influence on drug sensitivity by two mechanisms

1. The Drosophila gene Rdl (resistance to dieldrin) encodes a GABA receptor. An alanine-to-serine mutation in this gene at residue 302 confers resistance to cyclodiene insecticides and picrotoxin. Patch clamp analysis of GABA receptors in cultured neurons from wild type and mutant Drosophila was undertaken to investigate the biophysical basis of resistance. 2. In cultured neurons from both wild type and mutant strains, GABA activated a channel that reversed near 0 mV in symmetrical chloride. GABA dose-response characteristics of wild type and mutant receptors were very similar. 3. GABA responses in neurons from the mutant strains showed reduced sensitivity to the GABA antagonists picrotoxin, lindane and t-butyl-bicyclophosphorothionate. Resistance ratios were 116, 970 and 9 for the three blockers, respectively. Inhibition increased with blocker concentration in a manner consistent with saturation of a single binding site. 4. The mutation reduced the single channel conductance by 5% for inward current and 17% for outward current. The single channel current was approximately 60% lower for outward current than for inward current in both wild type and mutant. 5. Open and closed times were both well fitted by the sum of two exponentials. Resistance was associated with longer open times and shorter closed times, reflecting a net stabilization of the channel open state by a factor of approximately five. 6. The mutation was associated with a marked reduction in the rate of GABA-induced desensitization, and a net destabilization of the desensitized conformation by a factor of 29. 7. The Rdl mutation manifests resistance through two different mechanisms. (a) The mutation weakens drug binding to the antagonist-favoured (desensitized) conformation by a structural change at the drug binding site. (b) The mutation destabilizes the antagonist-favoured conformation in an allosteric sense. The global association of a single amino acid replacement with cyclodiene resistance suggests that the resistance phenotype depends on changes in both of these properties, and that insecticides have selected residue 302 of Rdl for replacement because of its unique ability to influence both of these functions. 8. The location of alanine 302 in the sequence of the Rdl gene product supports a mechanism of action in which convulsants such as picrotoxin bind within the channel lumen, where they induce a rapid conformational change to the desensitized state.

Presynaptic actions of GABA and baclofen in CA1 region of the guinea-pig hippocampus in vitro

The presynaptic actions of GABA and (+/-) baclofen on the stratum radiatum in the CA1 region of guinea-pig hippocampal slices were investigated using a modified grease-gap recording technique. D.c. potential shifts were recorded in response to varying concentrations of GABA and (+/-) baclofen. In Ca(2+)-free media containing tetrodotoxin, bath applications of GABA (2.5 microM to 20 mM) produced depolarizations which were concentration-dependent. Maximum depolarization was attained with 10 mM GABA. Superfusion of (+/-) baclofen (0.125-500 microM) produced a concentration-dependent hyperpolarization which peaked at a concentration of 250 microM. The GABA-induced depolarization but not the (+/-) baclofen-induced hyperpolarization was depressed by the GABAA antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxinin. The (+/-) baclofen-induced hyperpolarization but not the GABA-induced depolarization was suppressed by CGP 35,348, a GABAB antagonist. In the presence of bicuculline, GABA (0.5-5.0 mM) occasionally caused a hyperpolarization which could be blocked by CGP 35,348. These results indicate that the primary presynaptic action of GABA on the d.c. potential in the CA1 region of the hippocampus is to produce a GABAA receptor-mediated depolarization, while (+/-) baclofen induces a GABAB receptor-mediated hyperpolarization. The grease-gap d.c. potential recording technique, described in this paper, is expected to be useful in examining changes in the membrane potentials of presynaptic terminals.

Cloning and functional expression of a Drosophila gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor

A cDNA encoding a functional gamma-aminobutyric (GABA)-activated Cl- channel has been isolated from an adult Drosophila head cDNA library. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, the subunit functions efficiently, presumably as a homooligomeric complex and is activated by GABA or muscimol. GABA-evoked currents are highly sensitive to antagonism by picrotoxin but are insensitive to bicuculline, RU 5135, or zinc. Pentobarbitone greatly enhances GABA-evoked currents, whereas the neurosteroid 5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one demonstrates a large reduction in both the potency and maximal effect when compared with its actions upon vertebrate GABA type A receptors. Although zinc-insensitive, the subunit is also insensitive to flunitrazepam. Hence, the GABA receptors formed by this subunit exhibit a unique pharmacology when compared with vertebrate GABA type A receptors or those composed of rho subunits. Because the receptor-channel complex functions as a homooligomer, this subunit may be of value in mutagenesis studies aiming to define drug-binding sites.

A novel allosteric modulatory site on the GABAA receptor beta subunit

Cloning of cDNAs that code for GABAA receptor subunits has revealed multiple receptor populations constructed from different subunit combinations. On native rat and cloned human GABAA receptors, the anticonvulsant compound loreclezole strongly potentiated GABA-mediated chloride currents. Using different combinations of human GABAA receptor subunits expressed in Xenopus oocytes and transfected 293 cells, loreclezole was highly selective for receptors containing the beta 2 or beta 3 subunit over those containing the beta 1 subunit. Loreclezole was demonstrated to act at a site distinct from the benzodiazepine, barbiturate, and steroid sites with a unique subunit dependence. These results describe a previously unidentified modulatory site on the GABAA receptor beta subunit that allows pharmacological discrimination of different GABAA receptor subpopulations in the brain and provides a new target for putative anticonvulsant/anxiolytic drugs.

The molecular and population genetics of cyclodiene insecticide resistance

Cyclodiene resistance has accounted for over 60% of reported cases of insecticide resistance. Understanding of this resistance can therefore help us answer questions relating to the mechanism and origin of representative resistance-associated mutations, questions fundamental to the molecular and populations genetics of pesticide resistance. The cyclodiene resistance gene Rdl (resistance to dieldrin) was cloned from a mutant of the model insect Drosophila resistant to cyclodienes and picrotoxinin. Rdl codes for a subunit of a novel class of GABA gated chloride ion channels and resistance is correlated with replacement of the same amino acid residue in a wide range of species from different insect orders. This single amino acid replacement Ala302 > Ser, within the proposed lining of the chloride ion channel, also confers insensitivity to the blocking action of cyclodienes and picrotoxinin on GABA gated chloride ion channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The resistance mechanism involves both changes in cyclodiene binding site affinity and also a change in the rate of receptor desensitization which destabilizes the cyclodiene-favored conformation. Documentation of the resistance associated mutation has allowed for the design of a PCR based molecular monitoring technique. This technique gives more accurate estimates of resistance gene frequency from smaller sample sizes and has shown the frequency of resistance in apparently unselected populations of Drosophila to be as high as 1%. We are still uncertain as to why resistance persists in the apparent absence of selection pressure and any severe reduction in the fitness of resistant strains, besides a paralytic phenotype at high temperature, remains undocumented.

Reconstitution of purified GABAA receptors: ligand binding and chloride transporting properties

GABAA receptors have been solubilized from bovine brain membranes and, following purification by benzodiazepine affinity chromatography, have been reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. Reconstituted vesicles were about 120 nm in diameter, and, on average, each vesicle contained fewer than one GABAA receptor which was reconstituted in an outside-out orientation. These preparations have been used in parallel studies of radiolabeled ligand binding and chloride flux, the latter being measured by following the fluorescence changes of a chloride-sensitive probe which was trapped within the vesicles at the time of reconstitution. The benzodiazepine [3H]flunitrazepam binds to an apparently homogeneous population of sites in these preparations (Kd of 5 nM) whereas the GABA analogue [3H]muscimol binds to both high- and low-affinity sites (KdS of 10 nM and 0.27 microM). Muscimol stimulated chloride flux with an EC50 of 0.2 microM and, at similar concentrations (EC50 = 0.16 microM), potentiated [3H]flunitrazepam binding, suggesting that occupancy of the low-affinity sites may be important for these effects. Diazepam shifted the dose-response curve for muscimol-stimulated flux to about 4-fold lower concentrations without affecting the maximum response. Diazepam did not, however, alter the equilibrium binding of [3H]muscimol. The purified receptor showed densensitization since flux responses were abolished by prior exposure to muscimol. The competitive antagonist bicuculline and the channel blocker picrotoxin completely inhibited ion flux mediated by 3 microM muscimol with EC50 values of 5.3 and 2.5 microM, respectively. These results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms for activation, inhibition, and modulation of GABAA receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interconvertible kinetic states of t-butylbicycloorthobenzoate binding sites of the gamma-aminobutyric acidA ionophores

The kinetics of t-[3H]butylbicycloorthobenzoate (TBOB) binding to the convulsant sites of the gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor-ionophore complex were examined in synaptosomal membrane preparations of rat brain. On and off rates of TBOB binding were accelerated by 1 microM GABA and decelerated by 1 microM bicuculline methochloride, a GABAA antagonist. The presence of GABA and bicuculline methochloride created rapid and slow phases of dissociation, respectively. The three groups of rate constants distinguished for the dissociation of 4 nM and 30 nM [3H]TBOB represent multi-affinity states of the convulsant sites depending on the presence of GABA or bicuculline methochloride. Apparent association rate constants do not obey the equation k(app) = k(off) + k(on) [TBOB] without assuming interconvertibility of the kinetic states during binding. Avermectin B1a (AVM B1a), a chloride channel opening agent, accelerated the association and dissociation of TBOB and resulted in a biphasic effect on TBOB binding, i.e., enhancement at low concentrations (EC50 7.8 nM) followed by displacement at high concentrations (IC50 6.3 microM) of AVM B1a. AVM B1a resulted in similar biphasic effects on t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding. DIDS, an isothiocyanatostilbene derivative with irreversible anion channel blocking effect, selectively inhibited basal [3H]TBOB binding (IC50 125 microM DIDS) leaving the enhancement by AVM B1a unaffected.

Picrotoxin as a potent inducer of rat hepatic cytochrome P450, CYP2B1 and CYP2B2

The induction by the central stimulant picrotoxin of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes was studied in rats. The hepatic content of P450 and the activity of benzphetamine N-demethylation increased gradually after administration of picrotoxin dissolved in drinking water (2 mg/mL), to three-times higher levels than the initial values at the third day of treatment. The increase in benzphetamine N-demethylase activity by picrotoxin was somewhat higher than the increase produced by phenobarbital. Supporting these results, immunoblot analysis showed that CYP2B1 and 2B2 proteins in the liver microsomes were increased by picrotoxin Picrotoxinin and picrotin, which are components of the picrotoxin molecule, had the same ability to induce the hepatic activity of benzphetamine N-demethylation. The liver microsomal activities of testosterone 16 alpha- and 16 beta-hydroxylation were enhanced significantly after treatment with picrotoxinin and picrotin. However, benzo[a]pyrene 3-hydroxylation, aniline 4-hydroxylation, and testosterone hydroxylations at the 2 alpha- and 7 alpha-positions were not increased by picrotoxinin and picrotin treatment. In addition to monooxygenase, significant induction of glutathione S-transferase activity for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity for 4-hydroxybiphenyl and 4-nitrophenol was also observed by pretreatment of picrotoxin. These results clearly indicate that picrotoxin is an inducer of phenobarbital-inducible liver enzymes.

The human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32 possesses a GABAA receptor lacking the benzodiazepine modulatory site

GABAA receptors were identified in IMR-32 cell membranes by the binding of [35S]t-butyl-bicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) to the chloride channel. GABA (IC50 2.2 microM), muscimol (IC50 0.8 microM), picrotoxin (IC50 1.7 microM), pentobarbitone (IC50 108 microM), etomidate (IC50 53 microM), chlormethiazole (IC50 98 microM) and Ro 5-3663 (IC50 280 microM) all inhibited [35S]TBPS binding. The potency of these drugs at the [35S]TBPS binding site in IMR-32 cell membranes did not correlate with their potency on [35S]TBPS binding to rat cortical membranes (linear correlation of pIC50 values, r = 0.75, NS). No specific binding of the benzodiazepine ligands [3H]flunitrazepam or [3H]Ro 15-4513 to IMR-32 cell membranes was observed. Chloride efflux from IMR-32 cells was studied using the fluorescent dye 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulphopropyl) quinolinium. Chloride efflux was stimulated by GABA and muscimol (0.1-100 microM) but not by the GABAB agonist baclofen (100 microM). In the absence of exogenous GABA chloride efflux was stimulated by chlormethiazole (1-100 microM) in a picrotoxin-sensitive manner. Flurazepam (1-100 microM) both alone and in the presence of GABA had no effect on chloride efflux. It is concluded that IMR-32 cells contain a functional GABAA receptor which differs from that in rat cortex both in its general pharmacology and specifically in the absence of the allosteric modulatory site sensitive to benzodiazepines.

Multiple mechanisms of picrotoxin block of GABA-induced currents in rat hippocampal neurons

1. We have examined the effect of picrotoxin on GABA-induced currents in dissociated rat hippocampal neurons. In addition, we used the putative picrotoxin receptor antagonist, alpha-isopropyl-alpha-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone (alpha IMGBL), and the picrotoxin agonist, beta-ethyl-beta-methyl-gamma-butyrolactone (beta EMGBL) to explore the mechanisms of picrotoxin's interaction with the GABA-Cl- receptor-ionophore complex. 2. The picrotoxin block of GABA current was use dependent, suggesting that the site of picrotoxin block is exposed by the conformational change initiated by GABA binding to the receptor. 3. The alkyl-substituted butyrolactone antagonist, alpha IMGBL, selectively blocked the use-dependent mechanism of picrotoxin effect. After the apparent complete inhibition of the use-dependent effect, there was a residual picrotoxin effect that was independent of the time or concentration of GABA application. This indicates that the picrotoxin block of the GABA current is mediated by two different mechanisms. alpha IMGBL influences just one of these mechanisms. 4. The picrotoxin receptor agonist, beta EMGBL, exclusively blocked the GABA current in a use-dependent manner. Consistent with a use-dependent mechanism, the rate of onset of block increased with GABA concentration. Surprisingly, the fraction of GABA current block decreased with increasing GABA concentration. 5. These results suggest that the relationship of picrotoxin and gamma-butyrolactones with the GABA-Cl- receptor-ionophore is quite complex. They are consistent with at least two possible models of agonist-antagonist interactions. Both cases require different antagonist affinities for the various kinetic states of the GABA-Cl- receptor-ionophore. However, there is no need to require that either picrotoxin or beta EMGBL acts as an open channel blocker.

Use-dependent pentobarbital block of kainate and quisqualate currents

The effects of pentobarbital on whole-cell excitatory amino acid-induced currents were studies in cultured rat cortical neurons. Currents evoked by 40 microM kainate were reversibly inhibited by pentobarbital with an IC50 value of 50 microM. The block of the kainate response by pentobarbital was use dependent, requiring kainate stimulation. In the absence of kainate activation, 10 min perfusions of 100 microM pentobarbital inhibited kainate-induced currents less than 10%. Recovery from pentobarbital block also exhibited use dependence, reversing in 5-10 s with kainate stimulation, while persisting 10 min or more in the absence of agonist. Pentobarbital inhibition of the kainate response was not voltage dependent. Responses evoked by 10 microM quisqualate consisted of a peak current desensitizing to a smaller steady-state current. The co-application of 100 microM pentobarbital reduced the steady-state current by 49 +/- 5%. The peak current before desensitization, however, was inhibited less than 10%. Currents evoked by 25 microM N-methyl-D-aspartate were not significantly inhibited by co-application of 100 microM pentobarbital. The results suggest that the pentobarbital-induced inhibition of kainate responses involves open channel block and that the block of quisqualate currents primarily involve non-desensitizing receptor channels that generate steady-state currents.

The pharmacology of recombinant GABAA receptors containing bovine alpha 1, beta 1, gamma 2L sub-units stably transfected into mouse fibroblast L-cells

1. Responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were evoked in mouse fibroblast L-cells stably transfected with bovine, alpha 1, beta 1, gamma 2L sub-units of the GABAA receptor. Expression was stimulated via a steroid-inducible promoter system. 2. In near symmetrical intracellular and extracellular chloride concentrations, GABA evoked inward currents at negative holding potentials that reversed at +5 mV and displayed slight outward rectification. Concentration-response curves were fitted well by the logistic equation. GABA had a pEC50 = 5.1 +/- 0.1 and the curves had a slope of 1.9 +/- 0.1. 3. Responses to GABA were antagonized by bicuculline, picrotoxin and penicillin. The action of bicuculline was competitive (pA2 = 6.4) whilst the block by picrotoxin was uncompetitive and strongly agonist-dependent. 4. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists potentiated responses to 3 microM GABA. The rank order of potency was FG 8205 > flunitrazepam > zolpidem > C1218872. FG 8205 and C1218872 produced markedly lower maximal potentiations with efficacies 0.4 and 0.6 x that of flunitrazepam, respectively. The potencies of zolpidem and C1218872 observed are in agreement with the BZ1 type pharmacology of this sub-unit combination. The potentiation of GABA by flunitrazepam was antagonized by flumazenil with a Ki of 3.8 nM. 5. GABA responses were potentiated in the presence of pentobarbitone and alphaxalone. The response was also noticeably broadened by these compounds due to a decrease in the response decay rate. Concentrations of pentobarbitone of 100 microM and above evoked an inward current in the absence of GABA. Alphaxalone up to 10 microM did not evoke a direct response. 6. This expression system produced functional receptors that behaved in a fashion analogous to those found endogenously in other preparations. Thus, this system appears to provide a useful and versatile preparation for the analysis of sub-unit regulation of GABAA receptor pharmacology.