Electrophysiological evidence for the presence of NR2C subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in rat neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius
Braz. j. med. biol. res
;
38(1): 105-110, Jan. 2005. graf
Article
Dans Anglais
| LILACS
| ID: lil-405541
ABSTRACT
The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) plays an important role in the control of autonomic reflex functions. Glutamate, acting on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA ionotropic receptors, is the major neurotransmitter in this nucleus, and the relative contribution of each receptor to signal transmission is unclear. We have examined NMDA excitatory postsynaptic currents (NMDA-EPSCs) in the subpostremal NTS using the whole cell patch clamp technique on a transverse brainstem slice preparation. The NMDA-EPSCs were evoked by stimulation of the solitary tract over a range of membrane potentials. The NMDA-EPSCs, isolated pharmacologically, presented the characteristic outward rectification and were completely blocked by 50 æM DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid. The I-V relationship of the NMDA response shows that current, with a mean (± SEM) amplitude of -41.2 ± 5.5 pA, is present even at a holding potential of -60 mV, suggesting that the NMDA receptors are weakly blocked by extracellular Mg2+ at near resting membrane potentials. This weak block can also be inferred from the value of 0.67 ± 0.17 for parameter delta obtained from a fit of the Woodhull equation to the I-V relationship. The maximal inward current measured on the I-V relationship was at -38.7 ± 4.2 mV. The decay phase of the NMDA currents was fitted with one exponential function with a decay time constant of 239 ± 51 and 418 ± 80 ms at a holding potential of -60 and +50 mV, respectively, which became slower with depolarization (e-fold per 145 mV). The biophysical properties of the NMDA receptors observed in the present study suggest that these receptors in the NTS contain NR2C subunits and may contribute to the synaptic signal integration.
Texte intégral:
Disponible
Indice:
LILAS (Amériques)
Sujet Principal:
Synapses
/
Récepteurs du N-méthyl-D-aspartate
/
Noyau du tractus solitaire
/
Transmission synaptique
/
Neurones
Limites du sujet:
Animaux
langue:
Anglais
Texte intégral:
Braz. j. med. biol. res
Thème du journal:
Biologie
/
Médicament
Année:
2005
Type:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Brésil
Institution/Pays d'affiliation:
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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