Electrophysiological properties of newborn and adult rat spinal cord glycine receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Mammalian Brain Ca2+ Channel Activity Transplanted into Xenopus laevis Oocytes

Several mutations on neuronal voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (VGCC) have been shown to cause neurological disorders and contribute to the initiation of epileptic seizures, migraines, or cerebellar degeneration. Analysis of the functional consequences of these mutations mainly uses heterologously expressed mutated channels or transgenic mice which mimic these pathologies, since direct electrophysiological approaches on brain samples are not easily feasible. We demonstrate that mammalian voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels from membrane preparation can be microtransplanted into Xenopus oocytes and can conserve their activity. This method, originally described to study the alteration of GABA receptors in human brain samples, allows the recording of the activity of membrane receptors and channels with their native post-translational processing, membrane environment, and regulatory subunits. The use of hippocampal, cerebellar, or cardiac membrane preparation displayed different efficacy for transplanted Ca²⁺ channel activity. This technique, now extended to the recording of Ca²⁺ channel activity, may therefore be useful in order to analyze the calcium signature of membrane preparations from unfixed human brain samples or normal and transgenic mice.

Voltage-Dependent Inhibition of Glycine Receptor Channels by Niflumic Acid

Niflumic acid (NFA) is a member of the fenamate class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This compound and its derivatives are used worldwide clinically for the relief of chronic and acute pain. NFA is also a commonly used blocker of voltage-gated chloride channels. Here we present evidence that NFA is an efficient blocker of chloride-permeable glycine receptors (GlyRs) with subunit heterogeneity of action. Using the whole-cell configuration of patch-clamp recordings and molecular modeling, we analyzed the action of NFA on homomeric α1ΔIns, α2B, α3L, and heteromeric α1β and α2β GlyRs expressed in CHO cells. NFA inhibited glycine-induced currents in a voltage-dependent manner and its blocking potency in α2 and α3 GlyRs was higher than that in α1 GlyR. The Woodhull analysis suggests that NFA blocks α1 and α2 GlyRs at the fractional electrical distances of 0.16 and 0.65 from the external membrane surface, respectively. Thus, NFA binding site in α1 GlyR is closer to the external part of the membrane, while in α2 GlyR it is significantly deeper in the pore. Mutation G254A at the cytoplasmic part of the α1 GlyR pore-lining TM2 helix (level 2') increased the NFA blocking potency, while incorporation of the β subunit did not have a significant effect. The Hill plot analysis suggests that α1 and α2 GlyRs are preferably blocked by two and one NFA molecules, respectively. Molecular modeling using Monte Carlo energy minimizations provides the structural rationale for the experimental data and proposes more than one interaction site along the pore where NFA can suppress the ion permeation.

Frequency-Dependent Cannabinoid Receptor-Independent Modulation of Glycine Receptors by Endocannabinoid 2-AG

Endocannabinoids are known as retrograde messengers, being released from the postsynaptic neuron and acting on specific presynaptic G-protein-coupled cannabinoid (CB) receptors to decrease neurotransmitter release. Also, at physiologically relevant concentrations cannabinoids can directly modulate the function of voltage-gated and receptor-operated ion channels. Using patch-clamp recording we analyzed the consequences of the direct action of an endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), on the functional properties of glycine receptor channels (GlyRs) and ionic currents in glycinergic synapses. At physiologically relevant concentrations (0.1–1 μM), 2-AG directly affected the functions of recombinant homomeric α1H GlyR: it inhibited peak amplitude and dramatically enhanced desensitization. The action of 2-AG on GlyR-mediated currents developed rapidly, within ∼300 ms. Addition of 1 μM 2-AG strongly facilitated the depression of glycine-induced currents during repetitive (4–10 Hz) application of short (2 ms duration) pulses of glycine to outside-out patches. In brainstem slices from CB1 receptor knockout mice, 2-AG significantly decreased the extent of facilitation of synaptic currents in hypoglossal motoneurons during repetitive (10–20 Hz) stimulation. These observations suggest that endocannabinoids can modulate postsynaptic metaplasticity of glycinergic synaptic currents in a CB1 receptor-independent manner.

Synaptotoxicity of Alzheimer beta amyloid can be explained by its membrane perforating property

The mechanisms that induce Alzheimer's disease (AD) are largely unknown thereby deterring the development of disease-modifying therapies. One working hypothesis of AD is that Aβ excess disrupts membranes causing pore formation leading to alterations in ionic homeostasis. However, it is largely unknown if this also occurs in native brain neuronal membranes. Here we show that similar to other pore forming toxins, Aβ induces perforation of neuronal membranes causing an increase in membrane conductance, intracellular calcium and ethidium bromide influx. These data reveal that the target of Aβ is not another membrane protein, but that Aβ itself is the cellular target thereby explaining the failure of current therapies to interfere with the course of AD. We propose that this novel effect of Aβ could be useful for the discovery of anti AD drugs capable of blocking these “Aβ perforates”. In addition, we demonstrate that peptides that block Aβ neurotoxicity also slow or prevent the membrane-perforating action of Aβ.

Developmental expression of glycine receptor subunits in rat cerebellum

The distribution of the glycine receptor subunits alpha1-3 and beta in the developing rat cerebellum was studied from postnatal day 1 to adulthood by means of quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. qRT-PCR of postnatal cerebella indicated the presence of mRNA for each subunit, with a relative expression of alpha2>alpha3>alpha1>beta. The immunohistochemistry indicated a strong alpha2 signal in the Purkinje cells, internal and external granular layers. The alpha1-3 subunits had weak signals in the Purkinje cells and molecular layer. The alpha1 subunit was expressed at a low level and was also found in the white matter. The function of these receptors in neuronal and glial plasma membranes in early postnatal development remains to be determined.

Electrophysiological evidence for expression of glycine receptors in freshly isolated neurons from nucleus accumbens

In the course of studying N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), we found that 20% of freshly isolated medium spiny neurons, as well as all interneurons, responded in an unexpected way to long (5-s) coapplication of NMDA and glycine, the coagonist of NMDA receptors. Whereas the reversal potential of the peak NMDA current of this subset of neurons was still around 0 mV, the desensitizing current became outward at hyperpolarized potentials around -30 mV. A Cl(-)-free solution shifted the equilibrium potentials of the desensitized currents to around 0 mV. This outward current was not blocked by a Ca(2+)-free, Ba(2+)-containing solution, suggesting that the anionic conductance was not activated by Ca(2+) influx through NMDA receptor channels. Interestingly, glycine alone also evoked a current with a similar hyperpolarized reversal potential in this subset of neurons. The glycine current reversed around -50 mV, rectified outwardly, and inactivated strongly. Its desensitization was best fitted with a double exponential. Only the slow desensitization showed clear voltage dependence. The glycine current was not blocked by 200 microM picrotoxin and 10 microM zinc, was weakly antagonized by 1 microM strychnine, and was not enhanced by 1 microM zinc. In addition, 1 mM taurine, but not GABA, inactivated glycine currents, and 1 mM glycine occluded 10 mM taurine-mediated currents. These data indicate that a subset of nucleus accumbens neurons expresses glycine receptors and that either glycine or taurine could be an endogenous agonist for these receptors.

Molecular structure and physiological function of chloride channels

Cl- channels reside both in the plasma membrane and in intracellular organelles. Their functions range from ion homeostasis to cell volume regulation, transepithelial transport, and regulation of electrical excitability. Their physiological roles are impressively illustrated by various inherited diseases and knock-out mouse models. Thus the loss of distinct Cl- channels leads to an impairment of transepithelial transport in cystic fibrosis and Bartter's syndrome, to increased muscle excitability in myotonia congenita, to reduced endosomal acidification and impaired endocytosis in Dent's disease, and to impaired extracellular acidification by osteoclasts and osteopetrosis. The disruption of several Cl- channels in mice results in blindness. Several classes of Cl- channels have not yet been identified at the molecular level. Three molecularly distinct Cl- channel families (CLC, CFTR, and ligand-gated GABA and glycine receptors) are well established. Mutagenesis and functional studies have yielded considerable insights into their structure and function. Recently, the detailed structure of bacterial CLC proteins was determined by X-ray analysis of three-dimensional crystals. Nonetheless, they are less well understood than cation channels and show remarkably different biophysical and structural properties. Other gene families (CLIC or CLCA) were also reported to encode Cl- channels but are less well characterized. This review focuses on molecularly identified Cl- channels and their physiological roles.

Characteristics of glycine receptors expressed by embryonic rat brain mRNAs

A study was made of glycine (Gly) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes injected with rat mRNAs isolated from the encephalon, midbrain, and brainstem of 18-day-old rat embryos. In oocytes injected with encephalon, midbrain, or brainstem mRNAs, the Gly-current amplitudes (membrane current elicited by Gly; 1 mM Gly) were respectively 115 +/- 35, 346 +/- 28, and 389 +/- 22 nA, whereas the GABA-currents (1 mM GABA) were all < or =40 nA. Moreover, the Gly-currents desensitized faster in oocytes injected with encephalon or brainstem mRNAs. The EC(50) for Gly was 611 +/- 77 microM for encephalon, 661 +/- 28 microM for midbrain, and 506 +/- 18 microM for brainstem mRNA-injected oocytes, and the corresponding Hill coefficients were all approximately 2. Strychnine inhibited all of the Gly-currents, with an IC(50) of 56 +/- 3 nM for encephalon, 97 +/- 4 nM for midbrain, and 72 +/- 4 nM for brainstem mRNAs. During repetitive Gly applications, the Gly-currents were potentiated by 1.6-fold for encephalon, 2.1-fold for midbrain, and 1.3-fold for brainstem RNA-injected oocytes. Raising the extracellular Ca(2+) concentration significantly increased the Gly-currents in oocytes injected with midbrain and brainstem mRNAs. Reverse transcription-PCR studies showed differences in the Gly receptor (GlyR) alpha-subunits expressed, whereas the beta-subunit was present in all three types of mRNA. These results indicate differential expression of GlyR mRNAs in the brain areas examined, and these mRNAs lead to the expression of GlyRs that have different properties. The modulation of GlyRs by Ca(2+) could play important functions during brain development.

Synaptic control of glycine and GABA(A) receptors and gephyrin expression in cultured motoneurons

We have evaluated the influence of the secretory phenotype of presynaptic boutons on the accumulation of postsynaptic glycine receptors (GlyRs), type A GABA receptors (GABA(A)Rs), and gephyrin clusters. The cellular distribution of these components was analyzed on motoneurons cultured either alone or with glycinergic and/or GABAergic neurons. In motoneurons cultured alone, we observed gephyrin clusters at nonsynaptic sites and in front of cholinergic boutons, whereas glycine and GABA(A) receptors formed nonsynaptic clusters. These receptors are functionally and pharmacologically similar to those found in cultures of all spinal neurons. Motoneurons receiving GABAergic innervation from dorsal root ganglia neurons displayed postsynaptic clusters of gephyrin and GABA(A)Rbeta but not of GlyRalpha/beta subunits. In motoneurons receiving glycinergic and GABAergic innervation from spinal interneurons, gephyrin, GlyRalpha/beta, and GABA(A)Rbeta formed mosaics at synaptic loci. These results indicate that (1) the transmitter phenotype of the presynaptic element determines the postsynaptic accumulation of specific receptors but not of gephyrin and (2) the postsynaptic accumulation of gephyrin alone cannot account for the formation of GlyR-rich microdomains.

Synaptic control of glycine and GABA(A) receptors and gephyrin expression in cultured motoneurons

We have evaluated the influence of the secretory phenotype of presynaptic boutons on the accumulation of postsynaptic glycine receptors (GlyRs), type A GABA receptors (GABA(A)Rs), and gephyrin clusters. The cellular distribution of these components was analyzed on motoneurons cultured either alone or with glycinergic and/or GABAergic neurons. In motoneurons cultured alone, we observed gephyrin clusters at nonsynaptic sites and in front of cholinergic boutons, whereas glycine and GABA(A) receptors formed nonsynaptic clusters. These receptors are functionally and pharmacologically similar to those found in cultures of all spinal neurons. Motoneurons receiving GABAergic innervation from dorsal root ganglia neurons displayed postsynaptic clusters of gephyrin and GABA(A)Rbeta but not of GlyRalpha/beta subunits. In motoneurons receiving glycinergic and GABAergic innervation from spinal interneurons, gephyrin, GlyRalpha/beta, and GABA(A)Rbeta formed mosaics at synaptic loci. These results indicate that (1) the transmitter phenotype of the presynaptic element determines the postsynaptic accumulation of specific receptors but not of gephyrin and (2) the postsynaptic accumulation of gephyrin alone cannot account for the formation of GlyR-rich microdomains.

Comparison of glycine and GABA actions on the zebrafish homomeric glycine receptor

1. Glycine and GABA can be co-released from the same presynaptic terminals and in lower vertebrates they can activate the same glycine receptors (GlyRs). Thus we examined the effects of these two inhibitory transmitters on the homomeric GlyRs formed by the alphaZ1 subunit, of the zebrafish using two expression systems: Xenopus oocytes and the human BOSC 23 cell line. 2. The apparent affinity (EC50) of alphaZ1 for these neurotransmitters was highly variable. In Xenopus oocytes the EC50 ranged from 37 to 360 microM (mean +/- s. d. EC50 116 +/- 75 microM, n = 83) for glycine and from 8 to 120 mM (mean EC50 40 +/- 30 mM, n = 37) for GABA. 3. In BOSC cells the EC50 varied from 9 to 92 microM (mean EC50 33 +/- 17 microM, n = 19) and from 0.7 to 19.1 mM (mean EC50 4.9 +/- 4.7 mM, n = 29) for glycine and GABA, respectively. 4. GABA activated alphaZ1 GlyRs either as a weak or full agonist: its efficacy (defined as Imax,GABA/Imax,Gly) was related to EC50 by an exponential relationship. A linear relationship was observed between EC50 values for GABA and glycine. 5. In outside-out patches, GABA and glycine activated alphaZ1 with identical single-channel conductances (85-100 pS), but with different kinetics and marked effect of concentration on burst duration for glycine only. 6. In outside-out patches deactivation time constants were concentration dependent for glycine, but not for GABA. 7. Our data demonstrate that the kinetics of glycine and GABA interactions with alphaZ1 are different and that they determine the properties of these neurotransmitter actions on the GlyR.

Multiple picrotoxinin effect on glycine channels in rat hippocampal neurons

The effect of picrotoxinin on glycine-induced chloride currents was studied in dissociated rat hippocampal neuron culture in whole-cell and excised outside-out patches. Picrotoxinin blocked the glycine induced chloride currents. The picrotoxinin effect at 20 microM on glycine dose response relationship suggested a competitive mechanism. However, at 1 mM, the picrotoxinin effect was largely noncompetitive. In excised patches, glycine activated two types of channels distinguished by a difference in conductances. The first group had single channel conductances of around 47 pS and another around 100 pS. Occasionally, both types of channels were found in the same excised patch. Low concentration of picrotoxinin selectively blocked large conductance channels. At higher concentrations of 0.5 to 1 mM, picrotoxinin blocked the small conductance channels by a flickering block. These findings indicate that the whole-cell glycine current in rat hippocampal neurons is mediated by at least two types of channels. The two types of channels have distinct conductance, picrotoxinin sensitivity and different mechanism of picrotoxinin block.

mRNAs coding for neurotransmitter receptors and voltage-gated sodium channels in the adult rabbit visual cortex after monocular deafferentiation

It has been postulated that, in the adult visual cortex, visual inputs modulate levels of mRNAs coding for neurotransmitter receptors in an activity-dependent manner. To investigate this possibility, we performed a monocular enucleation in adult rabbits and, 15 days later, collected their left and right visual cortices. Levels of mRNAs coding for voltage-activated sodium channels, and for receptors for kainate/alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glycine were semiquantitatively estimated in the visual cortices ipsilateral and contralateral to the lesion by the Xenopus oocyte/voltage-clamp expression system. This technique also allowed us to study some of the pharmacological and physiological properties of the channels and receptors expressed in the oocytes. In cells injected with mRNA from left or right cortices of monocularly enucleated and control animals, the amplitudes of currents elicited by kainate or AMPA, which reflect the abundance of mRNAs coding for kainate and AMPA receptors, were similar. There was no difference in the sensitivity to kainate and in the voltage dependence of the kainate response. Responses mediated by NMDA, GABA, and glycine were unaffected by monocular enucleation. Sodium channel peak currents, activation, steady-state inactivation, and sensitivity to tetrodotoxin also remained unchanged after the enucleation. Our data show that mRNAs for major neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels in the adult rabbit visual cortex are not obviously modified by monocular deafferentiation. Thus, our results do not support the idea of a widespread dynamic modulation of mRNAs coding for receptors and ion channels by visual activity in the rabbit visual system.

Age-related glycine receptor subunit changes in the cochlear nucleus of Fischer-344 rats

Previous studies have shown that levels of binding for the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor in the cochlear nucleus (CN) of Fischer (F344) rats decrease with age. Given the major role glycine plays in normal CN function, changes in glycine-receptor activity may contribute to central presbycusis. To further evaluate the impact of age on glycine receptors, in situ hybridization was used to assess, in three age groups of F344 rats, changes in levels of gene expression for four of its subunits. When compared with the 3-month-old rats, expression of mRNAs for alpha1 and beta subunits in the anteroventral CN decreased significantly in the 18- and 27-month-old age groups, while mRNA expression for the alpha2 subunit increased. If protein expressions are similar, these subunit changes may alter the function of glycine receptors, thereby affecting binding to its ligands.

Partition of transient and sustained inhibitory glycinergic input to retinal ganglion cells

Physiological and pharmacological properties of possible subtypes of the native glycine receptor were investigated in retinal neurons using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. Two discrete inhibitory glycine responses were identified in ganglion cells. The responses could be distinguished pharmacologically: one was sensitive to strychnine and the other to 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid. The two responses had different kinetics: the former had a fast onset and fast desensitization, whereas the latter had a slower onset and was much more sustained. The physiological and pharmacological distinctions suggest that the responses are mediated by different receptors. These receptors transduce glycinergic synaptic signals to ganglion cells, where they serve as low- and high-pass filters, respectively, of EPSPs.

Partition of transient and sustained inhibitory glycinergic input to retinal ganglion cells

Physiological and pharmacological properties of possible subtypes of the native glycine receptor were investigated in retinal neurons using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. Two discrete inhibitory glycine responses were identified in ganglion cells. The responses could be distinguished pharmacologically: one was sensitive to strychnine and the other to 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid. The two responses had different kinetics: the former had a fast onset and fast desensitization, whereas the latter had a slower onset and was much more sustained. The physiological and pharmacological distinctions suggest that the responses are mediated by different receptors. These receptors transduce glycinergic synaptic signals to ganglion cells, where they serve as low- and high-pass filters, respectively, of EPSPs.

Characterization and molecular reaction scheme of a chloride channel expressed after axotomy in crayfish

The nerve to the deep extensor abdominal muscle (DEAM) in crayfish species Astacus astacus, containing four excitatory and one inhibitory motor axons, was cut in the third segment on one side of the animal. The distal axon stump was not subject to phagocytosis but was present for months after the axotomy. The two lateral bundles of the DEAM were prepared 4-6 weeks after the axotomy. The gamma-aminobutyric-acid-(GABA-) activated chloride channel of these bundles was characterized by applying pulses of GABA to outside-out patches of the muscle membrane and measuring the responses. Based on the dose/response relationship of the peak current and of the rise time as well as on single-channel kinetics, a detailed molecular scheme for the reaction of the channel with GABA was derived. This scheme contains four binding steps of the agonist to the receptor and two open states. Simulations of the dose/response relationships with this model resulted in a set of rate constants which generate proper fits. In comparison to the channels present in innervated muscles, the channels of denervated muscles have a higher affinity for GABA, a lower single-channel conductance, four versus five binding steps, and non-cooperative binding. The first three of these adaptations of denervated muscles correspond to similar changes in denervated vertebrate muscles.

Effects of inhalational general anaesthetics on native glycine receptors in rat medullary neurones and recombinant glycine receptors in Xenopus oocytes

1. Glycine responses were studied under voltage clamp in Xenopus oocytes injected with cDNA encoding mammalian glycine receptor subunits and in rat medullary neurones. Bath application of glycine gave strychnine-sensitive currents which reversed close to the expected equilibrium potentials for chloride ions. The peak currents for the receptors expressed in oocytes fitted a Hill equation with EC50 = 215 +/- 5 microM and Hill coefficient nH = 1.70 +/- 0.05 (means +/- s.e. means). The peak currents from the receptors in medullary neurones fitted a Hill equation with EC50 = 30 +/- 1 microM and Hill coefficient nH = 1.76 +/- 0.08. The current-voltage relationship for the receptors expressed in oocytes showed strong outward rectification (with Vrev = -21 +/- 2 mV), while that for the glycine responses from the medullary neurones in symmetrical Cl- was linear (with Vrev = 3.2 +/- 0.6 mV). 2. Inhalational general anaesthetics, at concentrations close to their human minimum alveolar concentrations (MACs), potentiated responses to low concentrations of glycine. The potentiation observed with the recombinant receptors (between 60-22%) was approximately twice that found with the medullary neurones (between 40-80%). For both the recombinant receptors and the receptors in medullary neurones, the degree of potentiation increased in the order of methoxyflurane approximately sevoflurane < halothane approximately isoflurane approximately enflurane. There was no significant difference between the potentiations observed for the two optical isomers of isoflurane. 3. For both the recombinant and native receptors, isoflurane potentiated the currents in a dose-dependent manner at low concentrations of glycine, although at high glycine concentrations the anaesthetic had no significant effect on the glycine-activated responses. The major effect of isoflurane was to cause a parallel leftward shift in the glycine concentration-response curves. The glycine EC50 concentration for the recombinant receptors decreased from a control value of 215 +/- 5 microM to 84 +/- 7 microM glycine at 610 microM isoflurane, while that for the medullary neurones decreased from a control value of 30 +/- 1 microM to 18 +/- 2 microM glycine at the same concentration of isoflurane. The potentiation was independent of membrane potential. 4. Isoflurane also potentiated responses to taurine, a partial agonist at the glycine receptor. This was observed for receptors expressed in oocytes at both low and saturating concentrations of taurine. The EC50 concentration decreased from a control value of 1.6 +/- 0.2 to 0.9 +/- 0.1 mM taurine in the presence of 305 microM isoflurane, while the maximum response to taurine increased from 47 +/- 2 to 59 +/- 2% of the maximum response to glycine. 5. Glycine receptors, like other members of the fast ligand-gated receptor superfamily, are sensitive to clinically relevant concentrations of inhalational general anaesthetics. Effects at these receptors may, therefore, play some role in the maintenance of the anaesthetic state.