Nissen fundoplication and gastrostomy in severely neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of Nissen fundoplication and gastrostomy in severely neurologically impaired children. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Developmental Disabilities Unit of a regional medical centre in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Children with severe neurological impairment and gastroesophageal reflux who were institutionalised between 1999 and 2004 inclusive. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of vomiting, gastro-intestinal bleeding, and pneumonia in the baseline year and consecutive years following surgery; 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring; recurrence rate (determined by 24-hour oesophageal monitoring); body weight; complications of surgery; and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty children, with a mean age at surgery of 8.5 (standard deviation, 3.5) years, were recruited. Nissen fundoplication was performed in nine children and 11 children underwent laparoscopic fundoplication. Children were monitored for 1.3 to 5.7 years (median, 3.5 years) after surgery. The incidence of vomiting and gastro-intestinal bleeding was significantly decreased following surgery (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively; Friedman's test). There was no difference between the preoperative and postoperative incidence of pneumonia (P = 0.973, Friedman's test). The median reflux index was reduced from 5.7% to 0.15% after surgery but six (30%) patients had recurrent gastroesophageal reflux. The mean body weight was 17.4 kg (standard deviation, 4.7 kg) at baseline and 22.8 kg (standard deviation, 4.4 kg) at the end of follow-up (P < 0.05, Student's t test). One patient had mild dumping syndrome soon after fundoplication. One patient had one episode of intestinal obstruction. Four patients died 1.9 to 5.0 years following surgery due to respiratory disease. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that in severely neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting, gastro-intestinal bleeding, and reflux indices based on 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring were significantly reduced following fundoplication and gastrostomy. The incidence of pneumonia was unchanged. The recurrence rate of reflux was 30% and mortality rate was 20%.

Ruptured phaeochromocytoma--a lesson in acute abdomen.

Phaeochromocytoma may present as acute abdomen. This report is of a patient with spontaneous rupture of phaeochromocytoma who presented with abdominal pain and a tender abdominal mass. Ruptured phaeochromocytoma is a rare surgical emergency, with only 30 cases reported in the literature. The classical clinical triad of signs is intense vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and labile blood pressure. Computed tomography scanning of the abdomen is the investigation of choice, and a high index of suspicion is the key to diagnosis. Prompt recognition, appropriate supportive measures, and early surgical intervention can improve the likelihood of survival.

Distinct NMDA receptor subpopulations contribute to long-term potentiation and long-term depression induction.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are persistent modifications of synaptic strength that have been implicated in learning, memory, and neuronal development. Despite their opposing effects, both forms of plasticity can be triggered by the activation of NMDA receptors. One mechanism proposed for this bidirectional response is that the specific patterns of afferent stimulation producing LTP and LTD activate to different degrees a uniform receptor population. A second possibility is that these patterns activate separate receptor subpopulations composed of different NMDA receptor (NR) subunits. To test this hypothesis we examined the inhibition of LTP and LTD by a series of competitive NMDA receptor antagonists that varied in their affinities for NR2A/B and NR2C/D subunits. The potency for the inhibition of LTP compared with inhibition of LTD varied widely among the agents. Antagonists with higher affinity for NR2A/B subunits relative to NRC/D subunits showed more potent inhibition of LTP than of LTD. D-3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)-1-propenyl-1-phosphonic acid, which binds to NR2A/B with very high affinity relative to NR2C/D, showed an approximately 1000-fold higher potency for LTP than for LTD. These results show that distinct subpopulations of NMDA receptors characterized by different NR2 subunits contribute to the induction mechanisms of potentiation and depression.

[3H]homoquinolinate binds to a subpopulation of NMDA receptors and to a novel binding site.

NMDA receptors mediate several important functions in the CNS; however, little is known about the pharmacology, biochemistry, and function of distinct NMDA receptor subtypes in brain tissue. To facilitate the study of native NMDA receptor subpopulations, we have determined the radioligand binding properties of [3H]homoquinolinate, a potential subtype-selective ligand. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography, NMDA-specific [3H]homoquinolinate binding selectively labeled brain regions expressing NR2B mRNA (layers I-III of cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and septum). NMDA-specific [3H]homoquinolinate binding was low in brain regions that express NR2C and NR2D mRNA (cerebellar granular cell layer, NR2C; glomerular layer of olfactory bulb, NR2C/NR2D; and midline thalamic nuclei, NR2D). In forebrain, the pattern of NMDA-specific [3H]homoquinolinate binding paralleled NR2B and not NR2A distribution. In addition to NMDA-displaceable binding, there was a subpopulation of [3H]homoquinolinate binding sites in the forebrain, cerebellum, and choroid plexus that was not displaced by NMDA or L-glutamate. In contrast, we found that the derivative of homoquinolinate, 2-carboxy-3-carboxymethylquinoline, markedly inhibited the NMDA-insensitive binding of [3H]homoquinolinate without inhibiting the NMDA-sensitive population. [3H]Homoquinolinate may be useful for selectively characterizing NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in a preparation containing multiple receptor subtypes and for characterizing a novel binding site of unknown function.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, like GABA(B) antagonists, potentiate dorsal root-evoked excitatory synaptic transmission at neonatal rat spinal motoneurons in vitro.

Recordings of whole-cell synaptic current responses elicited by electrical stimulation of dorsal roots were made from motoneurons, identified by antidromic invasion, in isolated spinal cord preparations from five- to eight-day-old Wistar rats. Supramaximal electrical stimulation of the dorsal root evoked complex excitatory postsynaptic currents with mean latencies (+/- S.E.M.) of 6.1 +/- 0.26 ms, peak amplitude of -650 +/- 47 pA and duration of 4.30 +/- 0.46 s (n=34). All phases of excitatory postsynaptic currents were potentiated to approximately 20% above control levels in the presence of the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists S-2-amino-2-methyl-4-phosphonobutanoate (MAP4; 200 microM; n=15) and 2S, 1'S,2'S-2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (MCCG; 200 microM; n=9). A similar level of potentiation was produced by the GABA(B) receptor antagonist 3-N[1-(S)-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]amino-2-(S)-hydroxypropyl-P-benzyl-p hosphinic acid (CGP55845; 200 nM; n=5). MAP4 (200 microM) produced a six-fold rightward shift in the concentration-effect plot for the depressant action of the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist S-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (L-AP4), whereas CGP55845 produced no significant change in the potency of L-AP4. MAP4 did not antagonize the depressant actions of baclofen (n=8), 1S,3S-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (n=4) or 2-S,1'S,2'S-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (n=4). The metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists produced no change in the holding current of any of the neurons, indicating that they had no significant postsynaptic excitatory actions. These results are the first to indicate a possible physiological role for metabotropic glutamate receptors in the spinal cord. Like GABA(B) receptors, they control glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the segmental spinal pathway to motoneurons. This is likely to be a presynaptic control mechanism.

Antagonism of mGlu receptors and potentiation of EPSCs at rat spinal motoneurones in vitro.

The patch-clamp technique has been used to record synaptic responses, elicited by electrical stimulation of dorsal roots, in 28 single motoneurones of in vitro spinal cord preparations from neonate (P5 to P8) rats. The effects of (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (MPPG) (200 microM), a potent antagonist at L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (AP4)-sensitive receptors, and (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) (500 microM), which is a less selective antagonist of mGluRs, were tested on EPSCs alone and as antagonists of AP4-induced depression of EPSCs. The EC50 for depression of EPSCs by AP4 (1.16 +/- 0.12 microM, n = 8) was increased to 18.9 +/- 0.7 microM (n = 6) by MPPG. MCPG (500 microM) had no significant effect on the depressant potency of AP4. Under control conditions, EPSCs had mean peak amplitudes of 983 pA +/- 64 SEM and mean charge transferred of 306 +/- 37 pC (n = 28). These values were increased significantly (p < 0.05) to 1168 +/- 68 pA and 363 +/- 39 pC by MPPG (n = 6), and 1150 +/- 54 pA and 358 +/- 33 pC (n = 6) by MCPG. There was no significant difference between the enhancement of the initial peak of the EPSCs (mean latency from stimulus artifact 5.9 +/- 0.3 ms) and later components, suggesting mGluRs to be present on primary afferent terminals presynaptic to motoneurones as well as in pathways via interneurones. These results are consistent with the presence of at least two types of presynaptic mGluR that modulate release of glutamate in segmental pathways convergent onto motoneurones. These receptors appear to be activated by interstitial glutamate tonically present in the present preparations.

Two phenylglycine derivatives antagonize responses to L-AP4 in ON bipolar cells of the amphibian retina.

Light responses of retinal ON bipolar cells are mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors selectively activated by L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4). Antagonists to L-AP4 receptors in ON bipolar cells have not previously been identified. This study examines the electrophysiological effects of (S)-2-amino-2-methyl-4-phosphonobutanoic acid (MAP4), (RS)-4-4-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (CDHPG) and (RS)-3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylglycine (THPG), at L-AP4 receptors in ON bipolar cells of the amphibian retina. Unlike its actions in spinal cord, in retinal ON bipolar cells MAP4 is a weak agonist which exhibits no detectable antagonism to L-AP4. On the other hand, CDHPG exhibits a mixture of agonist and antagonist properties. Addition of Co2+ and oxygenation of CDHPG turns the solution brown and enhances antagonist effects, suggesting that the antagonism reflects actions of a breakdown product of CDHPG. Although THPG did not prove to be this breakdown product, it also has electrophysiological effects consistent with an L-AP4 receptor antagonist. The results suggest that THPG and breakdown products of CDHPG may be antagonists to L-AP4 receptors in retinal ON bipolar cells, although the possibility that these compounds antagonize effects of L-AP4 by acting at some site in the transduction pathway of L-AP4 receptors cannot yet be excluded.

Agonists of cyclic AMP-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors in adult rat cortical slices.

A number of potential Group 2 and Group 3 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGlu receptor) agonists were investigated in adult rat brain cerebrocortical slices. The rank order of their potency in inhibiting forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was found to be: (S)-2-amino-2-methyl-4-phosphonobutyric acid (MAP4) > (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(2-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I) > (1S,3S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3S-ACPD) > (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R)-ACPD) > (2S,1'R,2'R,3'R)-2-(2,3-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV) > (S) -2-methylglutamate ((S)-MG) > L-glutamate > (2S,1'S, 2'S)-2-(2-carboxycyclopropyl)alanine (MCCG) > L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) > L-serine-O-phosphate (SOP). The finding that (S)-2-amino-2-methyl-4-phosphonobutyric acid was the most potent agonist at these metabotropic glutamate receptors is in contrast to its observed potent mGlu receptor antagonist action in the neonatal rat spinal cord.

alpha-Methyl derivatives of serine-O-phosphate as novel, selective competitive metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists.

The antagonist selectivity and potency of two novel serine-O-phosphate derivatives (RS)-alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate (MSOP) and the monophenylester (RS)-alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate monophenyl-phosphoryl ester (MSOPPE) was investigated against L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4)- and (1S,3S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylate (ACPD)-induced depressions of the monosynaptic excitation of neonatal rat motoneurones, mediated via metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGLuRs). MSOP was shown to be a selective antagonist for the L-AP4-sensitive presynaptic mGluR, displaying an apparent KD of 51 microM, compared to > 700 microM for the (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive presynaptic mGluR. In contrast, MSOPPE displayed antagonist activity at both presynaptic mGluR, with a three times greater selectivity for the (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive receptor over the L-AP4-sensitive mGluR (apparent KD values 73 microM and 221 microM, respectively). Therefore, on addition of an alpha-methyl group to the mGluR agonist serine-O-phosphate, we have developed an mGluR antagonist which is selective for the presynaptic L-AP4-sensitive receptor. In contrast, monoesterification of MSOP to give the monophenylphosphoryl ester (MSOPPE), confers a degree of selectivity for the (1S,3S)-ACPD-over the L-AP4-sensitive presynaptic mGluR. Neither MSOP nor MSOPPE had any activity on either postsynaptic mGLuRs or ionotropic receptors.

Pharmacological antagonism of the actions of group II and III mGluR agonists in the lateral perforant path of rat hippocampal slices.

1. An understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) is currently hampered by the lack of selective antagonists. Standard extracellular recording techniques were used to investigate the activity of recently reported mGluR antagonists on agonist-induced depressions of synaptic transmission in the lateral perforant path of hippocampal slices obtained from 12-16 day-old rats. 2. The group III specific mGluR agonist, (S)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (L-AP4) depressed basal synaptic transmission in a reversible and dose-dependent manner. The mean (+/-s.e. mean) depression obtained with 100 microM L-AP4 (the maximum concentration tested) was 74 +/- 3% and the IC50 value was 3 +/- 1 microM (n = 5). 3. The selective group II mGluR agonists, (1S,3S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylate ((1S,3s)-ACPD) and (2S, 1'R, 2'R, 3'R)-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV) also depressed basal synaptic transmission in a reversible and dose-dependent manner. The mean depression obtained with 200 microM (1S,3S)-ACPD was 83 +/- 8% and the IC50 value was 12 +/- 3 microM (n = 5). The mean depression obtained with 1 microM DCG-IV was 73 +/- 7% and the IC50 value was 88 +/- 15 nM (n = 4). 4. Synaptic depressions induced by the actions of 20 microM (1S,3S)-ACPD and 10 microM L-AP4 were antagonized by the mGluR antagonists (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine ((+)-MCPG), (S)-2-methyl-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (MAP4), (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-methyl-2(2'-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (MCCG), (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-tetrazolylphenylglycine (MTPG), (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-sulphonophenylglycine (MSPG) and (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (MPPG) (all tested at 500 microM). 5. (+)-MCPG was a weak antagonist of both L-AP4 and (1S,3S)-ACPD-induced depressions. MCCG was selective towards (1S,3S)-ACPD, but analysis of its effects were complicated by apparent partial agonist activity. MAP4 showed good selectivity for L-AP4-induced effects. 6. The most effective antagonist tested against 10 microM L-AP4 was MPPG (mean reversal 90 +/- 3%; n = 4). In contrast, the most effective antagonist tested against 20 microM (1S,3S)-ACPD induced depressions was MTPG (mean reversal 64 +/- 4%; n = 4). Both antagonists produced parallel shifts in agonist dose-response curves. Schild analysis yielded estimated KD values of 11.7 microM and 27.5 microM, respectively. Neither antagonist had any effect on basal transmission or on depressions induced by the adenosine receptor agonist, 2-chloroadenosine (500 nM; n = 3). 7. We conclude that both group II and group III mGluRs can mediate synaptic depressions induced by mGluR agonists in the lateral perforant path. The mGlur antagonists MTPG, MPPG and MAP4 should be useful in determining the roles of group II and III mGluRs in the central nervous system.

Structure-activity relationships of new agonists and antagonists of different metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes.

1. We investigated the agonist and antagonist activities of 22 new phenylglycine and phenylalanine derivatives for metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) by examining their effects on the signal transduction of mGluR1, mGluR2 and mGluR6 subtypes expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. This analysis revealed several structural characteristics that govern receptor subtype specificity of the agonist and antagonist activities of phenylglycine derivatives. 2. Hydroxyphenylglycine derivatives possessed either an agonist activity on mGluR1/mGluR6 or an antagonist activity on mGluR1. 3. Carboxyphenylglycine derivatives showed an agonist activity on mGluR2 but an antagonist activity on mGluR1. 4. alpha-Methylation or alpha-ethylation of the carboxyphenylglycine derivatives converts the agonist property for mGluR2 to an antagonist property, thus producing antagonists at both mGluR1 and mGluR2. 5. Structurally-corresponding phenylalanine derivatives showed little or no agonist or antagonist activity on any subtypes of the receptors. 6. This investigation demonstrates that the nature and positions of side chains and ring substituents incorporated into the phenylglycine structure are critical in determining the agonist and antagonist activities of members of this group of compounds on different subtypes of the mGluR family. 7. We also tested two alpha-methyl derivatives of mGluR agonists. (2S, 1'S, 2'S)-2-(2-Carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I) is a potent agonist for mGluR2 but alpha-methylation of this compound changes its activity to that of an mGluR2-selective antagonist. In contrast, alpha-methylation of L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) results in retention of an agonist activity on mGluR6. Thus, alpha-methylation produces different effects, depending on the chemical structures of lead compounds and/or on the subtype of mGluR tested.

Potent antagonists at the L-AP4- and (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors in the neonatal rat spinal cord.

In this report we describe the actions of two novel compounds, (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine (CPPG) and (S)-alpha-ethylglutamate (EGLU), which are potent antagonists at two types of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in the neonatal rat spinal cord. Selective activation of these receptors by L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) or (1S,3S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ((1S,3S)-ACPD) results in the depression of the monosynaptic component of the dorsal root-evoked ventral root potential (DR-VRP). CPPG produces rightward parallel shifts of the dose-response curves for both L-AP4- and (1S,3S)-ACPD, with Schild slope in each case close to unity, consistent with a competitive mechanism of antagonism. CPPG is the most potent antagonist yet described for both L-AP4- and (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive presynaptic mGlu receptors but displays a 30-fold selectivity for the L-AP4-sensitive receptor over the (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive receptor (KD values 1.7 microM and 53 microM, respectively). EGLU, on the other hand, is selective for the (1S,3S)-ACPD-sensitive receptor, displaying little or no activity at the L-AP4-sensitive site. EGLU produces a rightward parallel shift of the dose-response curve to (1S,3S)-ACPD, with Schild slope close to unity, again indicative of a competitive mode of antagonism (KD 66 microM). Both CPPG and EGLU displayed only weak or no antagonist activity at postsynaptic metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Characterization of metabotropic glutamate receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat cultured cerebellar granule cells.

1. The pharmacology of excitatory amino acid (EAA)-stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis, monitored via [3H]-inositol monophosphate accumulation, was investigated in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells. 2. EAA-stimulated PI hydrolysis peaked after 4-5 days in vitro and subsequently declined. 3. The agonist order of potency was found to be (EC50): L-quisqualic acid (Quis) (2 microM) >> L-glutamate (50 microM) > (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid ((1S,3R)-ACPD) (102 microM). L-Glutamate (Emax = 873% of basal activity) elicited the largest stimulation of PI hydrolysis, whereas Quis (Emax = 603%) and (1S,3R)-ACPD (Emax = 306%) produced somewhat lower stimulations. 4. Several phenylglycine derivatives were found to be active in inhibiting 2 microM Quis-stimulated PI hydrolysis, in order of potency (IC50): (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine (41 microM) > or = (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (51 microM) >> (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (243 microM). 5. Cultured cerebellar granule cells of the rat appear to have Group I mGluR pharmacology similar to that reported for cloned mGluR1 and provide an ideal system for investigating novel mGluR1 ligands in a native environment.

Structure-activity relationships for a series of phenylglycine derivatives acting at metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs).

1. The actions of a series of twelve phenylglycine derivatives at metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) linked to both phosphoinositide hydrolysis (PI) and cyclic AMP were investigated. 2. PI hydrolysis was determined by the accumulation of [3H]-inositol-monophosphate ([3H]-IP1) in neonatal ral cortical slices prelabelled with [3H]-myo-inositol. The non-selective mGluR agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylic acid ((1S,3R)-ACPD) produced a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]-IP1 (EC50 approximately 20 microM). This agonist was subsequently used to investigate potential antagonist activity of the phenylglycine derivatives. Of the compounds tested (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (M4CPG) and (RS)-alpha-ethyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (E4CPG) were the most active with KP values of 0.184 +/- 0.04 mM and 0.367 +/- 0.2 mM respectively. 3. Activity at adenylyl cylase-coupled mGluRs was investigated by determining the accumulation of [3H]-cyclic AMP in adult rat cortical slices. [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation, elicited by 30 microM forskolin, was inhibited by (2S,3S,4S)-alpha-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-1) and L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (L-AP4) with respective EC50 values of 0.3 microM and 10 microM. Neither agonist was able to inhibit completely forskolin stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation; this is evidence that not all adenylyl cyclase is susceptible to modulation by mGluRs. Phenylglycine derivatives were examined for their ability to antagonize the inhibition of [3H]-cyclic AMP accumulation by L-CCG-1 or L-AP4 at their EC50 concentrations. 4. A rank order of potency of the phenylglycine derivatives as antagonists of L-AP4 and L-CCG-1 was obtained. The most effective compound. (RS)-alpha-methyl-3-carboxymethylphenylglycine (M3CMPG) had IC50 values in the order of 1 microM against L-AP4 and 0.4 microM against L-CCG-1. 5. The results from this study indicate that phenylglycine-derived compounds can discriminate between groups of metabotropic glutamate receptors and may also display some selective activity between subtypes within groups. Future work based on these findings may lead to the development of more selective and potent compounds as important pharmacological tools.

Antagonism of the synaptic depressant actions of L-AP4 in the lateral perforant path by MAP4.

A new mGluR antagonist, MAP4 (the alpha-methyl derivative of L-AP4), was found to antagonize the synaptic depressant actions of L-AP4 at the lateral perforant path synapse, in rat hippocampal slices.

Actions of two new antagonists showing selectivity for different sub-types of metabotropic glutamate receptor in the neonatal rat spinal cord.

1. The presynaptic depressant action of L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4) on the monosynaptic excitation of neonatal rat motoneurones has been differentiated from the similar effects produced by (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate ((1S,3R)-ACPD), (1S,3S)-ACPD and (2S,3S,4S)-alpha-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I), and from the postsynaptic motoneuronal depolarization produced by (1S,3R)-ACPD, by the actions of two new antagonists, alpha-methyl-L-AP4 (MAP4) and alpha-methyl-L-CCG-I (MCCG). Such selectivity was not seen with a previously reported antagonist, (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG). 2. MAP4 selectively and competitively antagonized the depression of monosynaptic excitation produced by L-AP4 (KD 22 microM). At ten fold higher concentrations, MAP4 also antagonized synaptic depression produced by L-CCG-I but in an apparently non-competitive manner. MAP4 was virtually without effect on depression produced by (1S,3R)- or (1S,3S)-ACPD. 3. MCCG differentially antagonized the presynaptic depression produced by the range of agonists used. This antagonist had minimal effect on L-AP4-induced depression. The antagonism of the synaptic depression effected by (1S,3S)-ACPD and L-CCG-I was apparently competitive in each case but of varying effectiveness, with apparent KD values for the interaction between MCCG and the receptors activated by the two depressants calculated as 103 and 259 microM, respectively. MCCG also antagonized the presynaptic depression produced by (1S,3R)-ACPD. 4. Neither MAP4 nor MCCG (200-500 microM) significantly affected motoneuronal depolarizations produced by (1S,3R)-ACPD. At the same concentrations the two antagonists produced only very weak and variable effects (slight antagonism or potentiation) on depolarizations produced by (S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA).5. It is concluded that MAP4 is a potent and selective antagonist for those excitatory amino acid(EAA) receptors on neonatal rat primary afferent terminals that are preferentially activated by L-AP4,and that MCCG is a relatively selective antagonist for different presynaptic EAA receptors that are preferentially activated by (1S,3S)-ACPD and (perhaps less selectively) by L-CCG-I. These receptors probably comprise two sub-types of metabotropic glutamate receptors negatively linked to adenylyl cyclase activity.