Characterization of [3H]GABA release from striatal slices: evidence for a calcium-independent process via the GABA uptake system

NMDA Receptor Activation and Ca2+/PKC Signaling in Nicotine-Induced GABA Transport Shift in Embryonic Chick Retina

Nicotinic receptors are present in the retina of different vertebrates, and in the chick retina, it is present during early development throughout to post-hatching. These receptors are activated by nicotine, an alkaloid with addictive and neurotransmitter release modulation properties, such as GABA signaling. Here we evaluated the mechanisms of nicotine signaling in the avian retina during the development of neuron-glia cells at a stage where synapses are peaking. Nicotine almost halved [³H]-GABA uptake, reducing it by 45% whilst increasing more than two-fold [³H]-GABA release in E12 embryonic chick retinas. Additionally, nicotine mediated a 33% increase in [³H]-D-aspartate release. MK-801 50 μM blocked 66% of nicotine-induced [³H]-GABA release and Gö 6983 100 nM prevented the nicotine-induced reduction in [³H]-GABA uptake by rescuing 40% of this neurotransmitter uptake, implicating NMDAR and PKC (respectively) in the nicotinic responses. In addition, NO-711 prevented [³H]-GABA uptake and release induced by nicotine. Furthermore, the relevance of calcium influx for PKC activation was evidenced through fura-2 imaging. We conclude that the shift of GABA transport mediated by nicotine promotes GABA release by inducing transporter reversal via nicotine-induced EAA release through EAATs, or by a direct effect of nicotine in activating nicotinic receptors permeable to calcium and promoting PKC pathway activation and shifting GAT-1 activity, both prompting calcium influx, and activation of the PKC pathway and shifting GAT-1 activity.

Revised Ion/Substrate Coupling Stoichiometry of GABA Transporters

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent evidence in support of a 3 Na⁺: 1 Cl^-: 1 GABA coupling stoichiometry for plasma membrane GABA transporters (SLC6A1 , SLC6A11 , SLC6A12 , SLC6A13 ) and how the revised stoichiometry impacts our understanding of the contribution of GABA transporters to GABA homeostasis in synaptic and extrasynaptic regions in the brain under physiological and pathophysiological states. Recently, our laboratory probed the GABA transporter stoichiometry by analyzing the results of six independent measurements, which included the shifts in the thermodynamic transporter reversal potential caused by changes in the extracellular Na⁺, Cl^-, and GABA concentrations, as well as the ratio of charge flux to substrate flux for Na⁺, Cl^-, and GABA under voltage-clamp conditions. The shifts in the transporter reversal potential for a tenfold change in the external concentration of Na⁺, Cl^-, and GABA were 84 ± 4, 30 ± 1, and 29 ± 1 mV, respectively. Charge flux to substrate flux ratios were 0.7 ± 0.1 charges/Na⁺, 2.0 ± 0.2 charges/Cl^-, and 2.1 ± 0.1 charges/GABA. We then compared these experimental results with the predictions of 150 different transporter stoichiometry models, which included 1-5 Na⁺, 0-5 Cl^-, and 1-5 GABA per transport cycle. Only the 3 Na⁺: 1 Cl^-: 1 GABA stoichiometry model correctly predicts the results of all six experimental measurements. Using the revised 3 Na⁺: 1 Cl^-: 1 GABA stoichiometry, we propose that the GABA transporters mediate GABA uptake under most physiological conditions. Transporter-mediated GABA release likely takes place under pathophysiological or extreme physiological conditions.

Carrier-mediated GABA Release: Is There a Functional Role?

Neurotransmitters are normally released from neurons via calcium-dependent exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. However, after blockade of vesicular release by removal of calcium, or treatment with tetanus toxin, neurotransmitter release can still occur. In the case of GABA, nonvesicular release results from reversal of its uptake transporter, found on both neurons and glia. These GABA transporters are sodium-dependent and electrogenic, and therefore can be induced to operate in reverse by cell depolarization or by breakdown of the sodium gradient. Although demonstrated biochemically, less is known about whether this form of release occurs in vivo or whether it results in electrophysiological effects. Because conditions that favor reversal of the GABA transporter occur during high-frequency firing, nonvesicular GABA release may occur with excessive neuronal activity, such as during seizures. NEUROSCIENTIST 3:151-157, 1997

Multiple functions of neuronal plasma membrane neurotransmitter transporters

Removal from receptors of neurotransmitters just released into synapses is one of the major steps in neurotransmission. Transporters situated on the plasma membrane of nerve endings and glial cells perform the process of neurotransmitter (re)uptake. Because the density of transporters in the membranes can fluctuate, transporters can determine the transmitter concentrations at receptors, thus modulating indirectly the excitability of neighboring neurons. Evidence is accumulating that neurotransmitter transporters can exhibit multiple functions. Being bidirectional, neurotransmitter transporters can mediate transmitter release by working in reverse, most often under pathological conditions that cause ionic gradient dysregulations. Some transporters reverse to release transmitters, like dopamine or serotonin, when activated by 'indirectly acting' substrates, like the amphetamines. Some transporters exhibit as one major function the ability to capture transmitters into nerve terminals that perform insufficient synthesis. Transporter activation can generate conductances that regulate directly neuronal excitability. Synaptic and non-synaptic transporters play different roles. Cytosolic Na(+) elevations accompanying transport can interact with plasmalemmal or/and mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchangers thus generating calcium signals. Finally, neurotransmitter transporters can behave as receptors mediating releasing stimuli able to cause transmitter efflux through multiple mechanisms. Neurotransmitter transporters are therefore likely to play hitherto unknown roles in multiple therapeutic treatments.

The effects of volatile anesthetics on the extracellular accumulation of [(3)H]GABA in rat brain cortical slices

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that appears to be associated with the action of volatile anesthetics. These anesthetics potentiate GABA-induced postsynaptic currents by synaptic GABAA receptors, although recent evidence suggests that these agents also significantly affect extrasynaptic GABA receptors. However, the effect of volatile anesthetics on the extracellular concentration of GABA in the central nervous system has not been fully established. In the present study, rat brain cortical slices loaded with [(3)H]GABA were used to investigate the effect of halothane and sevoflurane on the extracellular accumulation of this neurotransmitter. The accumulation of [(3)H]GABA was significantly increased by sevoflurane (0.058, 0.11, 0.23, 0.46, and 0.93 mM) and halothane (0.006, 0.012, 0.024, 0.048, 0072, and 0.096 mM) with an EC50 of 0.26 mM and 35 μM, respectively. TTX (blocker of voltage-dependent Na(+) channels), EGTA (an extracellular Ca(2+) chelator) and BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator) did not interfere with the accumulation of [(3)H]GABA induced by 0.23 mM sevoflurane and 0.048 mM halothane. SKF 89976A, a GABA transporter type 1 (GAT-1) inhibitor, reduced the sevoflurane- and halothane-induced increase in the accumulation of GABA by 57 and 63 %, respectively. Incubation of brain cortical slices at low temperature (17 °C), a condition that inhibits GAT function and reduces GABA release through reverse transport, reduced the sevoflurane- and halothane-induced increase in the accumulation of [(3)H]GABA by 82 and 75 %, respectively, relative to that at normal temperature (37 °C). Ouabain, a Na(+)/K(+) ATPase pump inhibitor, which is known to induce GABA release through reverse transport, abolished the sevoflurane and halothane effects on the accumulation of [(3)H]GABA. The effect of sevoflurane and halothane did not involve glial transporters because β-alanine, a blocker of GAT-2 and GAT-3, did not inhibit the effect of the anesthetics. In conclusion, the present study suggests that sevoflurane and halothane increase the accumulation of GABA by inducing the reverse transport of this neurotransmitter. Therefore, volatile anesthetics could interfere with neuronal excitability by increasing the action of GABA on synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA receptors.

An IP3R3- and NPY-expressing microvillous cell mediates tissue homeostasis and regeneration in the mouse olfactory epithelium

Calcium-dependent release of neurotrophic factors plays an important role in the maintenance of neurons, yet the release mechanisms are understudied. The inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptor is a calcium release channel that has a physiological role in cell growth, development, sensory perception, neuronal signaling and secretion. In the olfactory system, the IP3 receptor subtype 3 (IP3R3) is expressed exclusively in a microvillous cell subtype that is the predominant cell expressing neurotrophic factor neuropeptide Y (NPY). We hypothesized that IP3R3-expressing microvillous cells secrete sufficient NPY needed for both the continual maintenance of the neuronal population and for neuroregeneration following injury. We addressed this question by assessing the release of NPY and the regenerative capabilities of wild type, IP3R3(+/-), and IP3R3(-/-) mice. Injury, simulated using extracellular ATP, induced IP3 receptor-mediated NPY release in wild-type mice. ATP-evoked NPY release was impaired in IP3R3(-/-) mice, suggesting that IP3R3 contributes to NPY release following injury. Under normal physiological conditions, both IP3R3(-/-) mice and explants from these mice had fewer progenitor cells that proliferate and differentiate into immature neurons. Although the number of mature neurons and the in vivo rate of proliferation were not altered, the proliferative response to the olfactotoxicant satratoxin G and olfactory bulb ablation injury was compromised in the olfactory epithelium of IP3R3(-/-) mice. The reductions in both NPY release and number of progenitor cells in IP3R3(-/-) mice point to a role of the IP3R3 in tissue homeostasis and neuroregeneration. Collectively, these data suggest that IP3R3 expressing microvillous cells are actively responsive to injury and promote recovery.

Mechanisms of glycine release, which build up synaptic and extrasynaptic glycine levels: the role of synaptic and non-synaptic glycine transporters

Glycine is an amino acid neurotransmitter that is involved in both inhibitory and excitatory neurochemical transmission in the central nervous system. The role of glycine in excitatory neurotransmission is related to its coagonist action at glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. The glycine levels in the synaptic cleft rise many times higher during synaptic activation assuring that glycine spills over into the extrasynaptic space. Another possible origin of extrasynaptic glycine is the efflux of glycine occurring from astrocytes associated with glutamatergic synapses. The release of glycine from neuronal or glial origins exhibits several differences compared to that of biogenic amines or other amino acid neurotransmitters. These differences appear in an external Ca(2+)- and temperature-dependent manner, conferring unique characteristics on glycine as a neurotransmitter. Glycine transporter type-1 at synapses may exhibit neural and glial forms and plays a role in controlling synaptic glycine levels and the spill over rate of glycine from the synaptic cleft into the extrasynaptic biophase. Non-synaptic glycine transporter type-1 regulates extrasynaptic glycine concentrations, either increasing or decreasing them depending on the reverse or normal mode operation of the carrier molecule. While we can, at best, only estimate synaptic glycine levels at rest and during synaptic activation, glycine concentrations are readily measurable via brain microdialysis technique applied in the extrasynaptic space. The non-synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor may obtain glycine for activation following its spill over from highly active synapses or from its release mediated by the reverse operation of non-synaptic glycine transporter-1. The sensitivity of non-synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to glutamate and glycine is many times higher than that of synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors making the former type of receptor the primary target for drug action. Synaptic and non-synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors mediate different neural functions, many of which are not clearly defined at present. Non-synaptic glycine transporter-1 and its blockade by inhibitory drugs may be important in drug therapy interventions, such as for reducing negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

The effects of corticotropin-releasing factor and the urocortins on hypothalamic gamma-amino butyric acid release--the impacts on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the urocortins (UCNs) are structurally and pharmacologically related neuropeptides which regulate the endocrine, autonomic, emotional and behavioral responses to stress. CRF and UCN1 activate both CRF receptors (CRFR1 and CRFR2) with CRF binding preferentially to CRFR1 and UCN1 binding equipotently to both receptors. UCN2 and UCN3 activate selectively CRFR2. Previously an in vitro study demonstrated that superfusion of both CRF and UCN1 elevated the GABA release elicited by electrical stimulation from rat amygdala, through activation of CRF1 receptors. In the present experiments, the same in vitro settings were used to study the actions of CRF and the urocortins on hypothalamic GABA release. CRF and UCN1 administered in equimolar doses increased significantly the GABA release induced by electrical stimulation from rat hypothalamus. The increasing effects of CRF and UCN1 were inhibited considerably by the selective CRFR1 antagonist antalarmin, but were not influenced by the selective CRFR2 antagonist astressin 2B. UCN2 and UCN3 were ineffective. We conclude that CRF1 receptor agonists induce the release of GABA in the hypothalamus as well as previously the amygdala. We speculate that CRF-induced GABA release may act as a double-edged sword: amygdalar GABA may disinhibit the hypothalamic CRF release, leading to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, whereas hypothalamic GABA may inhibit the hypothalamic CRF release, terminating this activation.

Nonvesicular inhibitory neurotransmission via reversal of the GABA transporter GAT-1

GABA transporters play an important but poorly understood role in neuronal inhibition. They can reverse, but this is widely thought to occur only under pathological conditions. Here we use a heterologous expression system to show that the reversal potential of GAT-1 under physiologically relevant conditions is near the normal resting potential of neurons and that reversal can occur rapidly enough to release GABA during simulated action potentials. We then use paired recordings from cultured hippocampal neurons and show that GABAergic transmission is not prevented by four methods widely used to block vesicular release. This nonvesicular neurotransmission was potently blocked by GAT-1 antagonists and was enhanced by agents that increase cytosolic [GABA] or [Na(+)] (which would increase GAT-1 reversal). We conclude that GAT-1 regulates tonic inhibition by clamping ambient [GABA] at a level high enough to activate high-affinity GABA(A) receptors and that transporter-mediated GABA release can contribute to phasic inhibition.

Microdialysis of GABA and glutamate: analysis, interpretation and comparison with microsensors

GABA and glutamate sampled from the brain by microdialysis do not always fulfill the classic criteria for exocytotic release. In this regard the origin (neuronal vs. astroglial, synaptic vs. extrasynaptic) of glutamate and GABA collected by microdialysis as well as in the ECF itself, is still a matter of debate. In this overview microdialysis of GABA and glutamate and the use of microsensors to detect extracellular glutamate are compared and discussed. During basal conditions glutamate in microdialysates is mainly derived from non-synaptic sources. Indeed recently several sources of astrocytic glutamate release have been described, including glutamate derived from gliotransmission. However during conditions of (chemical, electrical or behavioral) stimulation a significant part of glutamate might be derived from neurotransmission. Interestingly accumulating evidence suggests that glutamate determined by microsensors is more likely to reflect basal synaptic events. This would mean that microdialysis and microsensors are complementary methods to study extracellular glutamate. Regarding GABA we concluded that the chromatographic conditions for the separation of this transmitter from other amino acid-derivatives are extremely critical. Optimal conditions to detect GABA in microdialysis samples--at least in our laboratory--include a retention time of approximately 60 min and a careful control of the pH of the mobile phase. Under these conditions it appears that 50-70% of GABA in dialysates is derived from neurotransmission.

Neurochemical Characterization of a Neuroprotective Compound fromParawixia bistriataSpider Venom That Inhibits Synaptosomal Uptake of GABA and Glycine

The major contribution of this work is the isolation of a neuroprotective compound referred to as 2-amino-5-ureidopentanamide (FrPbAII) (M(r) = 174) from Parawixia bistriata spider venom and an investigation of its mode of action. FrPbAII inhibits synaptosomal GABA uptake in a dose-dependent manner and probably does not act on Na(+), K(+), and Ca(2+) channels, GABA(B) receptors, or gamma-aminobutyrate:alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase enzyme; therefore, it is not directly dependent on these structures for its action. Direct increase of GABA release and reverse transport are also ruled out as mechanisms of FrPbAII activities as well as unspecific actions on pore membrane formation. Moreover, FrPbAII is selective for GABA and glycine transporters, having slight or no effect on monoamines or glutamate transporters. According to our experimental glaucoma data in rat retina, FrPbAII is able to cross the blood-retina barrier and promote effective protection of retinal layers submitted to ischemic conditions. These studies are of relevance by providing a better understanding of neurochemical mechanisms involved in brain function and for possible development of new neuropharmacological and therapeutic tools.

HPLC conditions are critical for the detection of GABA by microdialysis

In microdialysis studies, neither exocytotic release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), nor the presence of GABA type B (GABA(B)) autoreceptors, have been clearly established. It was investigated whether the chromatographic separation of GABA may have contributed to discrepancies in the literature. After extending the profile of the HPLC chromatogram to a retention time of 60 min, it was observed that various unknown compounds of biological origin co-eluted near the GABA peak. The retention time of GABA appeared to be extremely sensitive to pH; even at a retention time of around 60 min there was only a small pH window (5.26 +/- 0.01) where GABA was consistently well separated from co-eluting compounds. GABA determined by the improved assay was sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX), calcium depletion and the GABA(B) autoreceptor agonist baclofen. The present results illustrate that if the proper analytical conditions are applied, extracellular GABA can be sampled and quantified by microdialysis in free-moving animals. However, when the time-curves are considered, there is a striking delay of about 15-30 min before the effects of TTX, calcium depletion or baclofen are observed, as compared to the reported response of neurotransmitters such as dopamine (less than 5 min). It is assumed that the glial cells serve as a buffer between the GABA synapse and the microdialysis probes. It is proposed that microdialysis samples measure synaptic GABA indirectly, through glial cells surrounding the synapses.

Ketamine reduces cholinergic modulated GABA release from rat striatal slices

Striatal GABA release has been shown to be enhanced under pathological conditions of cholinergic overstimulation, e.g. inhibition of acetylcholine esterase. This increase in striatal GABA release during cholinergic overstimulation is mediated by M-cholinoceptors and is associated with clinical symptoms, e.g. the occurrence of seizures. Little is known about the effects of drugs on cholinergic modulated GABA release in the striatum. To investigate the effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 and the intravenous anaesthetic ketamine on cholinergic modulated depolarisation-induced GABA release, both drugs were coadministered with the M-cholinoceptor agonist pilocarpine in a superfusion model of rat striatal slices. The concentration of GABA was determined in the superfusate by use of high performance liquid chromatography. Evoked GABA release was increased by pilocarpine with a half-effective concentration of 53.8 microM. This increase could be attenuated by the M1-cholinoceptor antagonist pirenzepine (10 microM). MK-801 and ketamine reduced evoked GABA release enhanced by pilocarpine dose dependently with half-effective concentrations of 6.7 microM (MK-801) and 6.9 microM (ketamine), a concentration that is clinically relevant for ketamine anaesthesia. This reduction of striatal GABA release may therefore contribute to the beneficial effect of both drugs in pathological situations of cholinergic overstimulation, e.g. during intoxication with acetylcholine esterase inhibitors.

Pharmacological and biochemical aspects of GABAergic neurotransmission: pathological and neuropsychobiological relationships

1. The GABAergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the modulation of many neural networks in forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain, as well as, in several neurological disorders. 2. The complete comprehension of GABA system neurochemical properties and the search for approaches in identifying new targets for the treatment of neural diseases related to GABAergic pathway are of the extreme relevance. 3. The present review will be focused on the pharmacology and biochemistry of the GABA metabolism, GABA receptors and transporters. In addition, the pathological and psychobiological implications related to GABAergic neurotransmission will be considered.

Neuronal electrical high frequency stimulation modulates presynaptic GABAergic physiology

Electrical high frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) or the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has dramatic beneficial motor effects in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanisms underlying these clinical results remain unclear. It is proposed that the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system is involved in the effectiveness of DBS. To prove this hypothesis, rat striatal slices were stimulated electrically (130 Hz) in vitro; GABA and glutamate (GLU) outflow from striatal slices of normal or kainic acid-lesioned rats were measured after o-phthaldialdehyde sulphite derivatization using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Our results could demonstrate that high frequency stimulation (HFS) did not modulate basal GABA outflow in the perfusate. In the presence of submaximal concentrations of the voltage-gated sodium channel opener veratridine, HFS significantly enhanced GABA outflow. When the GABA transporter inhibitor, nipecotic acid, was added to the incubation medium, the HFS effects decreased to nearly control values. Destruction of striatal GABAergic neurons by kainic acid completely reversed the effects of HFS on GABA outflow. In the present study no effect of HFS on glutamate outflow was observed under any condition. These results suggest that HFS has a specific effect on GABAergic neuronal terminals resulting in an enhancement of extracellular GABA in the caudate nucleus. This effect is probably due to an inhibitory effect of HFS on the GABA uptake system rather than to stimulation of vesicular GABA release from GABAergic neurons, which are both associated with the presynaptic GABAergic physiology.

Role of the GABA transporter in epilepsy

The GABA transporter plays a well-established role in reuptake of GABA after synaptic release. The anticonvulsant effect of tiagabine appears to result largely from blocking this reuptake. However, there is another side to the GABA transporter, contributing to GABA release by reversing in response to depolarization. We have recently shown that this form of GABA release is induced by even small increases in extracellular [K+], and has a powerful inhibitory effect on surrounding neurons. This transporter-mediated GABA release is enhanced by the anticonvulsants gabapentin and vigabatrin. The latter drug also potently increases ambient [GABA], inducing tonic inhibition of neurons. Here we review the evidence in support of a physiological role for GABA transporter reversal, and the evidence that it is increased by high-frequency firing. We postulate that the GABA transporter is a major determinant of the level of tonic inhibition, and an important source of GABA release during seizures. These recent findings indicate that the GABA transporter plays a much more dynamic role in control of brain excitability than has previously been recognized. Further defining this role may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of epilepsy and new avenues for treatment.

Partial hippocampal kindling increases GABAB receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal cells

In previous studies, we showed that partial hippocampal kindling decreased the efficacy of the presynaptic GABAB receptors on both GABAergic and glutamatergic terminals of CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices in vitro. In this study, GABAB receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (GABAB-IPSCs) were assessed by whole-cell recordings in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices of male Long-Evans rats. The peak GABAB-IPSC evoked by a brief train of supramaximal stratum radiatum stimuli (20 pulses of 300 Hz) in the presence of picrotoxin (0.1 mM) and kynurenic acid (1 mM) was larger in neurons of kindled (65.9 +/- 5.2 pA, N=42 cells) than control (45.8 +/- 4.8 pA, N=32 cells) rats (P<0.01). Adding GABA uptake blocker nipecotic acid (1 mM) or GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (0.01 mM) in the perfusate induced outward currents that were blocked by GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 55845A (1 microM). The peak outward current induced by nipecotic acid was larger in neurons of the kindled (55.4 +/- 5.7 pA, N=30) than the control group (39.8 +/- 4.5 pA, N=28) (P<0.05). However, the magnitude of the baclofen-induced current was not different between kindled (90.8 +/- 6.9 pA, N=29) and control (87.2 +/- 5.9 pA, N=21) groups (P>0.05). We concluded that partial hippocampal kindling increased GABAB-IPSCs in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells via multiple presynaptic mechanisms.

Dynamic equilibrium of neurotransmitter transporters: not just for reuptake anymore

Many electrophysiologists view neurotransmitter transporters as tiny vacuum cleaners, operating continuously to lower extracellular neurotransmitter concentration to zero. However, this is not consistent with their known behavior, instead only reducing extracellular neurotransmitter concentration to a finite, nonzero value at which an equilibrium is reached. In addition, transporters are equally able to go in either the forward or reverse direction, and when they reverse, they release their substrate in a calcium-independent manner. Transporter reversal has long been recognized to occur in response to pathological stimuli, but new data demonstrate that some transporters can also reverse in response to physiologically relevant stimuli. This is consistent with theoretical calculations that indicate that the reversal potentials of GABA and glycine transporters are close to the resting potential of neurons under normal conditions and that the extracellular concentration of GABA is sufficiently high when the GABA transporter is at equilibrium to tonically activate high-affinity extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. The equilibrium for the GABA transporter is not static but instead varies continuously as the driving force for the transporter changes. We propose that the GABA transporter plays a dynamic role in control of brain excitability by modulating the level of tonic inhibition in response to neuronal activity.

Homo- and heteroexchange of adenine nucleotides and nucleosides in rat hippocampal slices by the nucleoside transport system

(1) Here, we investigated how nucleotides and nucleosides affect the release of tritiated purines and endogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) from superfused rat hippocampal slices. (2) ATP elicited concentration-dependent [(3)H]purine efflux from slices preloaded with [(3)H]adenosine. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the effluent showed that the tritium label represented the whole set of adenine nucleotides and nucleosides, and ATP significantly increased the outflow of [(3)H]ATP. (3) Adenosine 5'-diphosphate, adenosine, uridine, uridine 5'-triphosphate, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP and 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP were also active in eliciting [(3)H]purine release. Adenosine (300 micro M) also evoked endogenous ATP efflux from the hippocampal slices. (4) Reverse transcription-coupled-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that mRNAs encoding a variety of P2X and P2Y receptor proteins are expressed in the rat hippocampus. Nevertheless, neither P2 receptor (i.e. pyridoxal-5-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid, 30 micro M, suramin, 300 micro M and reactive blue 2, 10 micro M), nor adenosine receptor (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, 250 nM and dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, 250 nM) antagonists modified the effect of ATP (300 micro M) to evoke [(3)H]purine release. (5) The nucleoside transport inhibitors, dipyridamole (10 micro M), nitrobenzylthioinosine (10 micro M) and adenosine deaminase (2-10 U ml(-1)), but not the ecto-adenylate kinase inhibitor diadenosine pentaphosphate (200 micro M) significantly reduced ATP-evoked [(3)H]purine efflux. (6) In summary, we found that ATP and other nucleotides and nucleosides promote the release of one another and themselves by the nucleoside transport system. This action could have relevance during physiological and pathological elevation of extracellular purine levels high enough to reverse the nucleoside transporter.

The effect of acetylcholinesterase-inhibition on depolarization-induced GABA release from rat striatal slices

The severity of poisoning after intoxication with the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor soman has been shown to be positively correlated with GABA release in rat striatum. Since most of the neurons in striatum and striatal projection regions use GABA as transmitter, it is still unclear, whether an increase of extracellular GABA in this region results from enhanced activation of these projections or is due to the local effect of AChE inhibition. In this study, the modulation of depolarization-induced increase in GABA concentration by soman was determined in the superfusate of rat striatal slices. Soman and neostigmine increased GABA concentration in the superfusate dose dependently. This increase was exerted through M-cholinoceptors as it could be blocked by atropine and enhanced by application of the muscarinic agonists pilocarpine or oxotremorine. These results clearly indicate that AChE inhibition by soman in rat striatum can directly lead to enhanced release of GABA through M-cholinoceptors.

Coexistence and function of different neurotransmitter transporters in the plasma membrane of CNS neurons

Transporters able to recapture released neurotransmitters into neurons can no longer be considered as cell-specific neuronal markers. In fact, colocalization on one nerve terminal of transporters able to selectively recapture the released endogenously synthesized transmitter (homotransporters) and of transporters that can selectively take up transmitters/modulators originating from neighboring structures (heterotransporters) has been demonstrated to occur on several families of nerve terminals. Activation of heterotransporters often increases the release of the transmitter stored in the terminals on which the heterotransporters are localized. The release caused by heterotransporter activation takes place through multiple mechanisms including exocytosis, either dependent on external Ca(2+) or on Ca(2+) mobilized from intraterminal stores, and homotransporter reversal. Homocarrier-mediated release elicited by heterocarrier activation represents a clear case of transporter-transporter interaction. Although the functional significance of transporter coexpression on one nerve terminal remains to be established, it may in some instances reflect cotransmission. In other cases, heterotransporters may mediate modulation of basal transmitter release in addition to the modulation of the evoked release brought about by presynaptic heteroreceptors. Heterotransporters are also increasingly reported to exist on neuronal soma/dendrites. With the exception of EAAT4, the glutamate transporter/chloride channel situated on GABAergic Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, the functions of somatodendritic heterocarriers is not understood.

Activation of spinal ORL-1 receptors prevents acute cutaneous neurogenic inflammation: role of nociceptin-induced suppression of primary afferent depolarization

Neurogenic inflammation is an inflammatory response of peripheral tissue to vasoactive substances released from sensory afferent terminals. It can be triggered via a local axon reflex and by dorsal root reflex (DRR) activity involving the spinal cord. Nociceptin, an endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor-like (ORL-1) G-protein coupled receptor, has been found to inhibit the local axon reflex-mediated neurogenic inflammation by suppressing the release of vasoactive neuropeptides from sensory afferent terminals. The present study was to explore the role of spinal ORL-1 receptors in the modulation of DRR-induced neurogenic inflammation. We first examined the effect of nociceptin on DRR by recording dorsal root potentials (DRPs) and the associated antidromic discharges, evoked by electrical stimulation of an adjacent dorsal root in an in vitro neonatal rat spinal cord preparation. Nociceptin reversibly inhibited the DRP in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50: approximately 45 nM, maximal inhibition: approximately 50%), an effect that was antagonized by the ORL-1 receptor antagonist, J-113397. Neurochemical studies demonstrated that nociceptin (10 microM) also produced an approximately 40% reduction in gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) release evoked by electrical stimulation of neonatal rat spinal cord slices. On the other hand, nociceptin had no effect on exogenous GABA-evoked DRP. These findings suggest that the nociceptin-induced inhibition of the DRP is most likely due to the suppression of GABA release, the principle transmitter mediating DRP, from GABAergic neurons that are pre-synaptic to primary afferent terminals. Finally, in order to explore the physiological significance of such modulation in a fully integrated system, we evaluated the effect of intrathecally administered nociceptin on capsaicin-induced acute cutaneous neurogenic inflammation in rat hind paw, quantified by examining the degree of paw edema in anesthetized rats. The magnitude of capsaicin-induced increase of paw thickness was reduced by approximately 50% from 31+/-1.34% (n=6) to 15+/-1.63% (n=8; P<0.05) by nociceptin (10 micromol). We conclude that spinal ORL-1 receptors can modulate neurogenic inflammation by suppressing the GABAergic neuronal activity in the dorsal horn that is responsible for generating DRRs.

Serotonin-1B receptor-mediated inhibition of [(3)H]GABA release from rat ventral tegmental area slices

In order to assess a role of 5-HT(1B) receptors for regulation of GABA transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), VTA slices from the rat were incubated with [(3)H]GABA and beta-alanine, and superfused in the presence of nipecotic acid and aminooxyacetic acid. [(3)H]GABA release was induced by exposures to the medium containing 30 mM potassium for 2 min. The results showed that high potassium-evoked [(3)H]GABA release was sensitive to calcium withdrawal or blockade of sodium channels by tetrodotoxin, suggesting that tritium overflow induced by high potassium derived largely from neuronal stores. Administration of CP 93129 (0.15 and 0.45 microM), a 5-HT(1B) receptor agonist, or RU 24969 (0.15 and 0.45 microM), a 5-HT(1B/1A) receptor agonist, but not 8-OH-DPAT (0.45 microM), a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, inhibited high potassium-evoked [(3)H]GABA release in a concentration-related manner. The RU 24969-induced inhibition of [(3)H]GABA release was antagonized by either SB 216641, a 5-H(1B) receptor antagonist, or cyanopindolol, a 5-HT(1B/1A) receptor antagonist, but not by WAY 100635, a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist. Pre-treatment with SB 216641 also antagonized CP 93129-induced inhibition of [(3)H]GABA release. The results support the hypothesis that 5-HT(1B) receptors within the VTA can function as heteroreceptors to inhibit GABA release.

Beta-scorpion toxin induces the release of gamma-[3 H]aminobutyric acid in rat brain slices

The effect of the beta-scorpion toxin, TiTX gamma on the release of [3H]GABA from rat brain cortical slices is described. The stimulatory effect of TiTX gamma on the release of [3H]GABA was dependent on incubation time and TiTX gamma concentration with an EC50 of 0.19 microM. The scorpion toxin effect was calcium dependent and was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin. beta-Alanine also induced the release of [3H]GABA and this effect was not inhibited by tetrodotoxin but was additive in the presence of TiTX gamma. The data suggest a neuronal origin for the release of [3H]GABA by TiTX gamma.

GABA transaminase inhibition induces spontaneous and enhances depolarization-evoked GABA efflux via reversal of the GABA transporter

The GABA transporter can reverse with depolarization, causing nonvesicular GABA release. However, this is thought to occur only under pathological conditions. Patch-clamp recordings were made from rat hippocampal neurons in primary cell cultures. Inhibition of GABA transaminase with the anticonvulsant gamma-vinyl GABA (vigabatrin; 0.05-100 microm) resulted in a large leak current that was blocked by bicuculline (50 microm). This leak current occurred in the absence of extracellular calcium and was blocked by the GABA transporter antagonist SKF-89976a (5 microm). These results indicate that vigabatrin induces spontaneous GABA efflux from neighboring cells via reversal of GABA transporters, subsequently leading to the stimulation of GABA(A) receptors on the recorded neuron. The leak current increased slowly over 4 d of treatment with 100 microm vigabatrin, at which time it reached an equivalent conductance of 9.0 +/- 4.9 nS. Blockade of glutamic acid decarboxylase with semicarbazide (2 mm) decreased the leak current that was induced by vigabatrin by 47%. In untreated cells, carrier-mediated GABA efflux did not occur spontaneously but was induced by an increase in [K(+)](o) from 3 to as little as 6 mm. Vigabatrin enhanced this depolarization-evoked nonvesicular GABA release and also enhanced the heteroexchange release of GABA induced by nipecotate. Thus, the GABA transporter normally operates near its equilibrium and can be easily induced to reverse by an increase in cytosolic [GABA] or mild depolarization. We propose that this transporter-mediated nonvesicular GABA release plays an important role in neuronal inhibition under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is the target of some anticonvulsants.

Experimental Uremia Affects Hypothalamic Amino Acid Neurotransmitter Milieu

Abstract. Chronic renal failure is associated with delayed puberty and hypogonadism. To investigate the mechanisms subserving the reported reduced pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in chronic renal failure, this study examined the amino acid neurotransmitter milieu in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the hypothalamic region where the GnRH-secreting neurons reside, in 5/6-nephrectomized male rats and in ad libitum-fed or pair-fed controls. All rats were castrated and received either a testosterone or a vehicle implant to evaluate additional effects of the prevailing sex steroid milieu. Local excitatory (essential amino acids: aspartate, glutamate) and inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA], taurine) amino acid transmitter outflow in the MPOA was measured by microdialysis via stereotactically implanted cannulae in the awake, freely moving rats. In addition to basal extracellular concentrations, the neurosecretory capacity was assessed by the addition of 100 mM KCl to the dialysis fluid. The mechanisms of neurosecretion were evaluated further by inhibition of vesicular release with the use of Ca2+-free, Mg2+-enriched dialysis fluid and by local perfusion with inhibitors of voltage-dependent synaptic release (1 μM tetrodotoxin) and of GABA reuptake (0.5 mM nipecotic acid). In the uremic rats, basal outflow of GABA, glutamate and aspartate, and K+-stimulated aspartate outflow were increased. K+-stimulated GABA and glutamate release was less sensitive to Ca2+ depletion in the uremic than in the control rats. The elevated basal GABA and essential amino acid outflow in the uremic rats was due to a voltage- and Ca2+-independent mechanism. GABA reuptake was inhibited proportionately by nipecotic acid in uremic and pair-fed control rats. Testosterone supplementation had no independent effects on neurotransmitter outflow. In summary, the amino acid neurotransmitter milieu is altered in the MPOA of uremic rats by a nonsynaptic, nonvesicular mechanism. These abnormalities may contribute to the impaired function of the GnRH pulse generator.

The 5HT(1B) receptor agonist, CP-93129, inhibits [(3)H]-GABA release from rat globus pallidus slices and reverses akinesia following intrapallidal injection in the reserpine-treated rat

This study examined whether activation of 5HT(1B) receptors in the rodent globus pallidus (GP) could reduce GABA release in vitro and reverse reserpine-induced akinesia in vivo. Microdissected slices of GP from male Sprague Dawley rats (300-350 g) were preloaded with [(3)H]-GABA. During subsequent superfusion, 4 min fractions were collected for analysis of release. The effects of the 5HT(1B) receptor agonist, 3-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyrid-4-yl)pyrrolo[3, 2-b]pyrid-5-one (CP-93129), on 25 mM KCl-evoked release were examined using a standard dual stimulation paradigm. Male Sprague Dawley rats (270 - 290 g), stereotaxically cannulated above the GP, were rendered akinetic by injection of reserpine (5 mg kg(-1) s.c.). Eighteen hours later, the rotational behaviour induced by unilateral injection of CP-93129 was examined. CP-93129 (0.6-16.2 microM) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of 25 mM KCl-evoked [(3)H]-GABA release reaching a maximum inhibition of 52.5+/-4.5%. The effect of a submaximal concentration of CP-93129 (5.4 microM) was fully inhibited by the 5HT(1B) receptor antagonist, isamoltane (10 microM). Following intrapallidal injection, CP-93129 (30-330 nmol in 0.5 microl) produced a dose-dependent increase in net contraversive rotations reaching a maximum of 197+/-32 rotations in 240 min at 330 nmol. Pre-treatment with isamoltane (10 nmol in 1 microl) inhibited the effects of a submaximal dose of CP-93129 (220 nmol) by 84+/-6%. These data suggest that at least some 5HT(1B) receptor function as heteroreceptors in the GP, reducing the release of GABA. Moreover, CP-93129-mediated activation of these receptors in the GP provides relief of akinesia in the reserpine-treated rat model of PD.

Negative allosteric modulators of AMPA-preferring receptors inhibit [(3)H]GABA release in rat striatum

The effect of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), a selective glutamate receptor agonist, on the release of previously incorporated [(3)H]GABA was examined in superfused striatal slices of the rat. The slices were loaded with [(3)H]GABA in the presence of beta-alanine (1 mM) and superfused with Krebs-bicarbonate buffer containing nipecotic acid (0.1 mM) and aminooxyacetic acid (0.1 mM) to inhibit GABA uptake and metabolism. AMPA (0.01 to 3 mM) increased basal [(3)H]GABA outflow and nipecotic acid potentiated this effect. The [(3)H]GABA releasing effect of AMPA was an external Ca(2+)-dependent process in the absence but not in the presence of nipecotic acid. Cyclothiazide (0.03 mM), a positive modulator of AMPA receptors, failed to evoke [(3)H]GABA release by itself, but it dose-dependently potentiated the [(3)H]GABA releasing effect of AMPA. The AMPA (0.3 mM)-induced [(3)H]GABA release was antagonized by NBQX (0.01 mM) in a competitive fashion (pA(2) 5.08). The negative modulator of AMPA receptors, GYKI-53784 (0.01 mM) reversed the AMPA-induced [(3)H]GABA release by a non-competitive manner (pD'(2) 5.44). GYKI-53784 (0. 01-0.1 mM) also decreased striatal [(3)H]GABA outflow on its own right, this effect was stereoselective and was not influenced by concomitant administration of 0.03 mM cyclothiazide. GYKI-52466 (0. 03-0.3 mM), another negative modulator at AMPA receptors, also inhibited basal [(3)H]GABA efflux whereas NBQX (0.1 mM) by itself was ineffective in alteration of [(3)H]GABA outflow. The present data indicate that AMPA evokes GABA release from the vesicular pool in neostriatal GABAergic neurons. They also confirm that multiple interactions may exist between the agonist binding sites and the positive and negative modulatory sites but no such interaction was detected between the positive and negative allosteric modulators. Since GYKI-53784, but not NBQX, inhibited [(3)H]GABA release by itself, AMPA receptors located on striatal GABAergic neurons may be in sensitized state and phasically controlled by endogenous glutamate. It is also postulated that these AMPA receptors are located extrasynaptically on GABAergic striatal neurons.

Rapid activation of GABAergic interneurons and possible calcium independent GABA release in the mormyrid electrosensory lobe

The primary afferent fibers from the electroreceptors of mormyrid electric fish terminate centrally in the granular layer of the electrosensory lobe (ELL). This study examines the excitatory and inhibitory processes that take place in this layer using an in vitro slice preparation and field potentials evoked by stimulation of primary afferent fibers in the deep fiber layer of ELL. The postsynaptic response to stimulation of the afferent fibers was still present after blocking chemical transmission in three different ways: by adding glutamate receptor antagonists to the medium, by substituting a nominally calcium-free medium for normal medium, and by blocking calcium channels with cadmium. Blockade of chemical transmission was demonstrated by disappearance of control responses to parallel fiber stimulation. The continued presence of a postsynaptic response in the absence of chemical excitation is consistent with previous anatomic and physiological evidence for electrical synapses between afferent fibers and granular cells in ELL. Granular cell activation by primary afferent fibers was followed by a powerful, short-latency inhibition mediated by GABA and GABA(A) receptors, as indicated by a large increase in the postsynaptic response to afferent fiber stimulation following application of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline. Bicuculline caused a marked increase of the postsynaptic response even after chemical synaptic excitation had been blocked by glutamate receptor antagonists, by a calcium-free medium, or by cadmium. Thus activation of the inhibitory interneurons responsible for GABA release did not require chemical excitation. Nonchemical excitation of the inhibitory interneurons could be mediated either by electrical synapses between afferent fibers and inhibitory interneurons, or by nonsynaptic activation of the large GABAergic terminals that are known to be present on granular cells. The marked increase of the postsynaptic response caused by bicuculline in a calcium-free medium or in the presence of cadmium suggests that the release of GABA by inhibitory terminals was not entirely dependent on calcium influx. This effect of bicuculline on the postsynaptic response in a calcium-free medium or in the presence of cadmium was markedly reduced by prior addition of the GABA transporter antagonist, nipecotic acid. Thus calcium-independent release of GABA may occur in ELL and may be partly dependent on reversal of a GABA transporter. Rapid and powerful inhibition at the first stage in the processing of electrosensory information could serve to enhance the small differences in latency among afferent fibers that appear to encode small differences in stimulus intensity.

Presynaptically located CB1 cannabinoid receptors regulate GABA release from axon terminals of specific hippocampal interneurons

To understand the functional significance and mechanisms of action in the CNS of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids, it is crucial to identify the neural elements that serve as the structural substrate of these actions. We used a recently developed antibody against the CB1 cannabinoid receptor to study this question in hippocampal networks. Interneurons with features typical of basket cells showed a selective, intense staining for CB1 in all hippocampal subfields and layers. Most of them (85.6%) contained cholecystokinin (CCK), which corresponded to 96.9% of all CCK-positive interneurons, whereas only 4.6% of the parvalbumin (PV)-containing basket cells expressed CB1. Accordingly, electron microscopy revealed that CB1-immunoreactive axon terminals of CCK-containing basket cells surrounded the somata and proximal dendrites of pyramidal neurons, whereas PV-positive basket cell terminals in similar locations were negative for CB1. The synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (0.01-3 microM) reduced dose-dependently the electrical field stimulation-induced [3H]GABA release from superfused hippocampal slices, with an EC50 value of 0. 041 microM. Inhibition of GABA release by WIN 55,212-2 was not mediated by inhibition of glutamatergic transmission because the WIN 55,212-2 effect was not reduced by the glutamate blockers AP5 and CNQX. In contrast, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A (1 microM) prevented this effect, whereas by itself it did not change the outflow of [3H]GABA. These results suggest that cannabinoid-mediated modulation of hippocampal interneuron networks operate largely via presynaptic receptors on CCK-immunoreactive basket cell terminals. Reduction of GABA release from these terminals is the likely mechanism by which both endogenous and exogenous CB1 ligands interfere with hippocampal network oscillations and associated cognitive functions.

Separation of carrier mediated and vesicular release of GABA from rat brain slices

In this study the temperature dependence of [3H]GABA release from brain slices evoked by electrical field stimulation and the Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor ouabain was investigated. [3H]GABA has been taken up and released from hippocampal slices at rest and in response to electrical field stimulation (20 V, 10 Hz, 3 msec, 180 pulses) at 37 degrees C. When the bath temperature was cooled to 7 degrees C, during the sample collection period, the tissue uptake and the resting outflow of [3H]GABA were not significantly changed. In contrast, the stimulation-induced tritium outflow increased both in absolute amount (Bq/g) and in fractional release and the S2/S1 ratio was also higher at 7 degrees C. Perfusion of the slices with tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) inhibited stimulation-induced [3H]GABA efflux indicating that exocytotic release of vesicular origin is maintained under these conditions. 15 min perfusion with ouabain (10-20 microM) induced massive tritium release both in hippocampal and in striatal slices. However, the fraction of [3H]GABA outflow evoked by ouabain was much higher in the hippocampus than in the striatum. Sequential lowering the bath temperature from 37 degrees C to 17 degrees C completely abolished ouabain-induced [3H]GABA release in both brain regions, indicating that it is a temperature-dependent, carrier-mediated process. When the same experiments were repeated under Ca2+ free conditions, cooling the bath temperature to 17 degrees C, although substantially decreased the release but failed to completely abolish the tritium outflow evoked by ouabain, a significant part was maintained. Our results show that vesicular (field stimulation-evoked) and carrier-mediated (ouabain-induced) release of GABA is differentially affected by low temperature: while vesicular release is unaffected, carrier-mediated release is abolished at low bath temperature. Therefore, lowering the temperature offers a reliable tool to separate these two kinds of release and makes possible to study exclusively the pure neuronal release of GABA of vesicular origin.

Modulation of GABA release by dopamine in the substantia nigra

The role of specific dopamine receptor subtypes in the regulation of GABA release in the substantia nigra was investigated using microdialysis in the awake rat. Both basal and potassium-stimulated changes in the extracellular concentrations of GABA were examined in response to the local perfusion of tetrodotoxin (TTX), the D1 agonist SKF 38393, or the D2 agonist LY 171555 through the microdialysis probe in the substantia nigra. Although TTX (1 microM) did not alter the basal extracellular concentrations of GABA in the substantia nigra, it attenuated the potassium-stimulated (80 mM K+) release of GABA. SKF 38393 had no effect on basal extracellular concentrations of GABA, but did potentiate K+ -stimulated release of GABA in a concentration-dependent manner. The potentiated response at the highest concentration of SKF 38393 (100 microM) was blocked by the D1 antagonist SCH 23390. In contrast to the effect of the D1 agonist, the D2 agonist LY 171555 attenuated the stimulated release of GABA. These data indicate that although basal extracellular concentrations of GABA in the substantia nigra may not be derived from neuronal pools, K+ -stimulated release of GABA is impulse-mediated and is modulated by the D1 and the D2 receptors. Local interactions between dopamine and GABA in the substantia nigra may have important implications for the direct regulation of basal ganglia efferent activity and motor behavior.

Regulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter activity by protein phosphatases in synaptic plasma membranes

The influence of the phosphorylation dephosphorylation states on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter activity of synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) was studied by using either specific phosphatase inhibitors or activators. Calyculin A and okadaic acid (phosphatase 1 and phosphatase 2A inhibitors) inhibited the GABA uptake by isolated SPM vesicles, whereas cyclosporin A (phosphatase 2B inhibitor) had a stimulatory effect (approximately 10%) which was higher (approximately 38%) when all these drugs were present in the reaction medium. On the other hand, intravesicular Ca2+, up to about 10 microM, inhibited the GABA uptake (approximately 50%) in a manner which appeared to be facilitated in the presence of PP1 and PP2A inhibitors and this inhibition was relieved by the calmodulin antagonist W-7. We also observed that isolated SPM vesicles contain both Ca(2+)-independent phosphatase activity that is significantly inhibited by PP1 and PP2A inhibitors, and Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase activity that is abolished in the presence of the PP2B inhibitor, cyclosporin A. These results indicate that regulation of the SPM GABA transporter is determined by the internally localized Ca-calmodulin-dependent phosphatase activity (calcineurin), and that other phosphorylated sites, sensitive to PP1 and PP2A inhibitors, potentiate either the positive or negative effects exerted by those internal sites when they are in their phosphorylated or dephosphorylated states, respectively.

Regulation of neurotransmitter release by endogenous nitric oxide in striatal slices

This study sought to determine the potential role of nitric oxide (NO) in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated efflux of [14C] gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and [3H]acetylcholine from striatal slices in vitro. In Mg2+-free buffer, NMDA-stimulated [14C]GABA and [3H]acetylcholine release were inhibited by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1 H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and, to a lesser extent, by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, nitroarginine (N-Arg). Since reversal of catecholamine transporters previously has been implicated in the mechanism underlying NO-induced catecholamine release, we used the GABA transport inhibitor, 1-(2-(((diphenylmethylene)imino)oxy)ethyl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-3-py ridine-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (NNC-711), to address the role of GABA transport in NArg-sensitive NMDA-induced release. NNC-711 inhibited NMDA-stimulated [14C]GABA efflux by 50%, confirming our previous report that NMDA-stimulated GABA release is partially dependent on reversal of the transporter. The effect of N-Arg in the presence of NNC-711 was similar to its effect in the absence of the transport inhibitor, suggesting that reversal of the transporter is not involved in the NO component of NMDA-stimulated [14C]GABA release. These data suggest that glutamatergic transmission through striatal NMDA receptors is partially mediated through activation of the NO/guanylate cyclase pathway and that this mechanism may contribute to the tetrodotoxin sensitivity of NMDA-induced release of GABA and acetylcholine in the striatum.

Carrier-mediated GABA release activates GABA receptors on hippocampal neurons

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters are electrogenic and sodium-dependent and can operate in reverse when cells are depolarized or when there is reversal of the inward sodium gradient. However, the functional relevance of this phenomenon is unclear. We have examined whether depolarization induced by a physiologically relevant increase in extracellular [K+] leads to sufficient amounts of carrier-mediated GABA release to activate GABAA receptors on neurons. Patch-clamp recordings were made from rat hippocampal neurons in culture with solutions designed to isolate chloride currents in the recorded neuron. Pressure microejection was used to increase extracellular [K+] from 3 to 12 mM. After blockade of vesicular GABA release by removal of extracellular calcium, this stimulus induced a large conductance increase in hippocampal neurons [18.9 +/- 6.8 (SD) nS; n = 16]. This was blocked by the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline and had a reversal potential that followed the Nernst potential for chloride, indicating that it was mediated by GABAA receptor activation. Similar responses occurred after block of vesicular neurotransmitter release by tetanus toxin. GABAA receptors also were activated when an increase in extracellular [K+] (from 3 to 13 mM) was combined with a reduction in extracellular [Na+] or when cells were exposed to a decrease in extracellular [Na+] alone. These results indicate that depolarization and/or reversal of the Na+ gradient activated GABA receptors via release of GABA from neighboring cells. We found that the GABA transporter antagonists 1-(4, 4-diphenyl-3-butenyl)-3-piperidinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride (SKF89976A; 20-100 microM) and 1-(2-([(diphenylmethylene)amino]oxy)ethyl) -1, 2, 5, 6 - tetrahydro - 3 - pyridine - carboxylic acid hydrochloride (NO-711; 10 microM) both decreased the responses, indicating that the release of GABA resulted from reversal of the GABA transporter. We propose that carrier-mediated GABA release occurs in vivo during high-frequency neuronal firing and seizures, and dynamically modulates inhibitory tone.

Vigabatrin enhances promoted release of GABA in neonatal rat optic nerve

Vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl GABA) is an antiepileptic drug and blocks GABA transaminase activity resulting in elevations in cellular GABA levels in the brain. Nipecotic acid (NPA) promotes release of GABA from neonatal optic nerve astrocytes, resulting in a bicuculline-sensitive depolarization of the optic nerve axons. The NPA-induced depolarization of vigabatrin-treated rats (100 mg/kg, i.p.) more than doubled, suggesting an elevation in free GABA levels; the GABA transporter inhibitor, NO-711 reduced the depolarization. These results are consistent with the known ability of vigabatrin to block the GABA degradation enzyme GABA-transaminase, suggesting that vigabatrin elevates astrocytic GABA levels, thereby favoring greater release of GABA through the GABA transporter.

Non-exocytotic GABA overflow in rat striatum inhibits gnawing

The present study tested the hypotheses that spontaneous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) efflux in anterior rat striatum is 1) independent of intra- and extracellular calcium; and 2) is physiologically relevant. Extracellular dopamine (DA) and GABA were sampled from striatum of awake, freely moving rats using in vivo microdialysis. Although dialysate concentrations of DA were 2 to 3 times greater than GABA and were decreased by at least 70% by removal of calcium, GABA was unaffected even in the presence of EGTA or the intracellular calcium chelator APTRA-AM. Functional significance of this non-exocytotic pool of GABA was tested by injecting 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA), an inhibitor of GABA synthesis, into the striatum via a guide cannula sidled alongside a microdialysis probe and measuring subsequent effects on behavior and perfusate concentrations of GABA. Results show that 3-MPA increases gnawing behavior suggesting that basal, non-exocytotic GABA overflow normally functions to suppress gnawing.

Regulation of [gamma-3H]aminobutyric acid transport by Ca2+ in isolated synaptic plasma membrane vesicles

We studied the effect of Ca2+ on the transport of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) vesicles isolated from sheep brain cortex and observed that intravesicular Ca2+ inhibits the [3H]GABA accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect of Ca2+ exhibited two distinct components: one in the micromolar range of Ca2+ concentration, and the other in the millimolar range. Previous EGTA washing of the membranes, or incorporation of trifluoperazine into the vesicular space reduced the inhibitory action of Ca2+, particularly at low Ca2+ (1-5 microM). Okadaic acid (1 microM) also relieved the Ca2+ inhibition at low, but not at high Ca2+ concentrations (1 mM), whereas the calpain inhibitor I did not alter the effect of the low Ca2+, but it partially reduced (approximately 28%) the effect of Ca2+ in the millimolar range. The results indicate that the GABA transporter is regulated by low Ca2+ concentration (microM) and probably its effect is mediated by the (Ca2+ x calmodulin)-stimulated phosphatase 2B (calcineurin). In contrast, the GABA uptake inhibition observed at high Ca2+ concentrations (1 mM) is less specific, and probably it is partially related to the proteolytic activity of membrane bound calpain II.

Dopamine regulation of extracellular glutamate in the nucleus accumbens

The capacity of dopamine to alter extracellular glutamate in the nucleus accumbens was examined by passing 1, 10 and 100 microM of amphetamine, the D(2/3) agonist, quinpirole, or the D1 agonist, SKF-82958 through a microdialysis probe. It was found that amphetamine and quinpirole produced a dose-dependent reduction in the basal levels of extracellular glutamate, while SKF-82958 was without significant effect. The capacity of the D1 antagonist, SCH-23390 (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or the D2 antagonist, sulpiride (10 mg/kg, i.p.) to block the reduction in extracellular glutamate by amphetamine (100 microM) was examined. Both SCH-23390 and sulpiride prevented the reduction in extracellular glutamate by amphetamine. The data indicate that, similar to the striatum, glutamate release in the nucleus accumbens is modulated by presynaptic dopamine receptors.

Electrical stimulation of the substantia nigra reticulata: detection of neuronal extracellular GABA in the ventromedial thalamus and its regulatory mechanism using microdialysis in awake rats

A combination of electrical stimulation and microdialysis was used to study the nigrothalamic gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system and its regulatory mechanisms in awake rats. Extracellular GABA levels in the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus were detected in 3-min fractions collected before, during and after a 10-min stimulation period of the substantia nigra reticulata. Electrical stimulation of the substantia nigra reticulata increased the GABA levels to 155% of basal values in the ventromedial thalamus only during the first 3-min interval upon stimulation. The increase in GABA levels was tetrodotoxin-dependent, implicating an exocytotic origin. The basal levels of extracellular GABA in the ventromedial thalamus were of nonexocytotic origin. To study the mechanism underlying the fast compensatory response in neuronal GABA release after nigral stimulation, local infusions into the ventromedial thalamus of reuptake inhibitors and GABA antagonists were performed and the effect of nigral stimulation was examined under the various applications. Local infusion of the reuptake inhibitors nipecotic acid (500 microM) and SKF 89976-A (20 and 50 microM) increased extracellular GABA levels to 350%, 180% and 600%, respectively, of basal values in the ventromedial thalamus tetrodotoxin-independently. Under these conditions, the increase in extracellular GABA was absent (nipecotic acid) or suppressed (20% of basal values; SKF 89976-A for both doses), leaving it unsolved whether or not the uptake system was responsible for the fast compensation in neuronal GABA after stimulation. The GABA-A antagonist bicucilline (50 microM) was ineffective when infused locally in the ventromedial thalamus, but prolonged the increase in neuronal GABA release after nigral stimulation; the GABA levels were increased during two 3-min samples to approximately 165%, indicating a functional role for GABA-A receptors in regulating the release of GABA from nigrothalamic GABAergic neurons. The GABA-B receptor antagonist CGP 35348 (50 microM) did not affect GABA levels when infused locally in the ventromedial thalamus and neither affected the response in neuronal GABA after stimulation. This finding does not support a role for GABA-B receptors in controlling the release from the nigrothalamic neurons.

Influence of dopamine on GABA release in striatum: evidence for D1-D2 interactions and non-synaptic influences

Striatal slices from the rat were preincubated with [3H]GABA and superfused in the presence of nipecotic acid and aminooxyacetic acid, inhibitors of high-affinity GABA transport and GABA aminotransferase, respectively. GABA efflux was estimated by monitoring tritium efflux, 98% of which was in the form of [3H]GABA. The following three major observations were made: (1) The overflow of GABA evoked by electrical field stimulation (8 Hz) was increased two-fold by SKF-38393 (10 microM), an agonist at the D1 family of dopamine receptors. This increase was completely blocked by the D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (10 microM). However, SCH-23390 had no effect on GABA overflow when given alone. Thus, dopamine agonists appear to exert an excitatory influence on GABA release; however, this effect was not elicited by endogenous dopamine under the conditions of this experiment. (2) Electrically evoked GABA overflow was reduced 50% by quinpirole (10 microM), an agonist at the D2 family of dopamine receptors, and this effect was blocked by the D2 antagonist sulpiride (10 microM). Moreover, exposure to sulpiride alone caused a 60% increase in GABA overflow, and this effect was abolished by 3-iodotyrosine (2 mM), a dopamine synthesis inhibitor. Thus, D2 agonists appear to exert an inhibitory influence on dopamine release, an effect that can be exerted by endogenous stores of dopamine. (3) The stimulatory effect of SKF-38393 was attenuated by quinpirole, whereas the sulpiride-induced increase in GABA efflux was attenuated by SCH-23390. Sulpiride also increased [3H]GABA efflux during KCl-induced depolarization, an effect that was antagonized by SCH-23390 as in the case of electrical stimulation. However, although tetrodotoxin did not alter the stimulatory effect of sulpiride, it did block the ability of SCH-23390 to antagonize the sulpiride-induced increase in GABA overflow. These latter results suggest that there is an interaction between D1 and D2 receptors whereby the effects of dopamine mediated via D1 sites are inhibited by an action on D2 sites. In conclusion, our results suggest that (i) dopamine agonists can exert an excitatory influence on depolarization-induced GABA release within neostriatum via D1 receptors and an inhibitory influence via D2 receptors; (ii) under the conditions of these experiments, endogenous dopamine fails to act on D1 sites but does exert an inhibitory influence via D2 sites; and (iii) there is an interaction between D1 and D2 receptors such that the actions of dopamine mediated via D1 sites are inhibited as a result of the concomitant actions exerted via D2 sites.

Stimulatory effect of arachidonic acid on the release of GABA in matrix-enriched areas from the rat striatum

Arachidonic acid was shown to stimulate the release of preloaded [3H]GABA from microdiscs of tissue punched out in matrix-enriched areas of the rat striatum. This effect, which was calcium- and dose-dependent, persisted in the presence of inhibitors of arachidonic acid catabolism. Other fatty acids were less or not effective. Arachidonic acid also inhibited [3H]GABA uptake into purified striatal synaptosomes, however the arachidonic acid-evoked release of [3H]GABA persisted following inhibition of the GABA neuronal uptake process. The stimulatory effect of arachidonic acid on GABA release may largely result from the activation of a protein kinase C since the arachidonic acid response was reduced by several protein kinase C inhibitors. Arachidonic acid also dose-dependently stimulated the release of preloaded [3H]GABA from purified striatal synaptosomes. Similar results were obtained when synaptosomes were previously incubated with [3H]glutamine to study the release of endogenously synthesized [3H]GABA. Further indicating a direct action of the fatty acid on GABAergic neurons, the arachidonic acid-induced release of [3H]GABA from microdiscs was not modified in the presence of the D1 dopaminergic antagonist SCH23390 or of glutamatergic antagonists. Finally, the release of [3H]GABA evoked by the combined application of NMDA and carbachol (a treatment known to markedly stimulate arachidonic acid formation) was reduced by inhibitors of phospholipase A2 further indicating that endogenously formed arachidonic acid significantly facilitates the release of GABA in the striatum.

GABA Levels in the Brain: A Target for New Antiepileptic Drugs

A basic strategy for the pharmacological treatment of epilepsy is to develop drugs that reduce the excitability of CNS neurons at times preceding or during the onset of seizure discharge with minimal effects on normal electrical activity. Several antiepileptic drugs currently in use exert their action by modulating sodium channels or receptors of the abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA. These approaches, which are often successful in reducing the number or severity of seizures, have some effects that limit their clinical use. More recently, a new class of antiepileptic drugs such as vigabatrin, which blocks GABA degradation enzymes, have been developed as effective antiepileptics and are associated with minimal side effects. Although these drugs do not display agonist or antagonist properties at GABA receptor sites, they do appear to interact with brain GABA systems because NMR spectroscopy studies indicate that subjects given these drugs have elevated brain GABA levels, and in vitro electrophysiological studies on CNS tissue reveal elevated GABA release. The precise cellular mechanisms of antiepileptic action of these GABA metabolic modulators are not clear, but current work on the cellular effects of these drugs suggests a model that may explain their action.

Dopaminergic inhibition of striatal GABA release after 6-hydroxydopamine

We have examined the regulation of striatal GABA release by endogenous dopamine in rats with partial degeneration of dopamine-containing neurons. 6-Hydroxydopamine was administered into the lateral ventricles or medial forebrain bundle. Either 3 days or 3 weeks later, slices of neostriatum were prepared, preloaded with [3H]GABA, and superfused in order to measure [3H]GABA overflow in response to electrical stimulation (8 Hz). The loss of dopaminergic terminals was estimated by measuring tissue levels of dopamine. The impact of endogenous dopamine on [3H]GABA was evaluated by measuring the ability of sulpiride, a D2 dopamine receptor antagonist, to increase the depolarization-induced [3H]GABA overflow. In non-treated or vehicle-pretreated rat neostriatum, sulpiride (10 microM) increased the depolarization-induced [3H]GABA overflow to 193% of control. Three days after lesioning, the stimulatory effect of sulpiride on [3H]GABA overflow was identical to that seen in control rats so long as the loss of tissue dopamine did not exceed 60%, although with larger lesions the sulpiride-induced response was reduced. Three weeks after lesioning, however, the stimulatory effect of sulpiride on electrically evoked [3H]GABA overflow remained at the level seen in control tissue even in cases where tissue dopamine was reduced to 13% of normal. In contrast, no sulpiride-induced increase in [3H]GABA overflow was detected 3 weeks after nearly complete lesions with reduced tissue dopamine to 20% of normal. These data suggest that short- and long-term compensatory changes maintain dopaminergic control over GABAergic projection neurons and interneurons until the loss of dopamine innervation is almost complete.

5-HT1D-like receptors inhibit the release of endogenously formed [3H]GABA in human, but not in rabbit, neocortex

Both human and rabbit brain contain the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1D subtype of 5-HT1 receptors. We studied the effects of 5-HT1D receptor stimulation on neocortical [3H] gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from GABAergic neurons in these species. The 5-HT1D receptor agonist sumatriptan depressed [3H]GABA release in human neocortex and the 5-HT1 receptor antagonist metitepin prevented this depression with potencies suggesting mediation by 5-HT1D-like receptors. In rabbit neocortex, however, 5-HT1D agonists did not affect the release of [3H]GABA. Since 5-HT and GABA seem to function antagonistically in anxiety disorders their neocortical interaction may be (patho)physiologically relevant.