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1.
Mol Biochem Parasitol ; 185(2): 137-44, 2012 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22940478

RESUMO

We have identified and characterized a novel cys-loop GABA receptor subunit (Hco-LGC-38) from the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. This subunit is present in parasitic and free-living nematodes and shares similarity to both the UNC-49 group of GABA receptor subunits from nematodes and the resistant to dieldrin (RDL) receptors of insects. Expression of the Hco-lgc-38 gene in Xenopus oocytes and subsequent electrophysiological analysis has revealed that the gene encodes a homomeric channel sensitive to GABA (EC(50) 19 µM) and the GABA analogue muscimol. The sensitivity of the Hco-LGC-38 channel to GABA is similar to reported values for the Drosophila RDL receptor whereas its lower sensitivity to muscimol is similar to nematode GABA receptors. Hco-LGC-38 is also highly sensitive to the channel blocker picrotoxin and moderately sensitive to fipronil and dieldrin. Homology modeling of Hco-LGC-38 and subsequent docking of GABA and muscimol into the binding site has uncovered several types of potential interactions with binding-site residues and overall appears to share similarity with models of other invertebrate GABA receptors.


Assuntos
Haemonchus/metabolismo , Canais Iônicos de Abertura Ativada por Ligante/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sítios de Ligação , Clonagem Molecular , Dieldrin , Eletrofisiologia , Haemonchus/química , Haemonchus/genética , Proteínas de Helminto/química , Proteínas de Helminto/genética , Proteínas de Helminto/metabolismo , Canais Iônicos de Abertura Ativada por Ligante/química , Canais Iônicos de Abertura Ativada por Ligante/genética , Modelos Moleculares , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Muscimol/metabolismo , Filogenia , Receptores de GABA/química , Receptores de GABA/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Xenopus laevis/metabolismo , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismo
2.
Curr Opin Neurobiol ; 22(3): 552-8, 2012 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22036769

RESUMO

Inhibitory neurotransmission is primarily governed by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors (GABAARs). GABAARs are heteropentameric ligand-gated channels formed by the combination of 19 possible subunits. GABAAR subunits are subject to multiple types of regulation, impacting the localization, properties, and function of assembled receptors. GABAARs mediate both phasic (synaptic) and tonic (extrasynaptic) inhibition. While the regulatory mechanisms governing synaptic receptors have begun to be defined, little is known about the regulation of extrasynaptic receptors. We examine the contributions of GABAARs to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy, and stroke, with particular focus on extrasynaptic GABAARs. We suggest that extrasynaptic GABAARs are attractive targets for the treatment of these disorders, and that research should be focused on delineating the mechanisms that regulate extrasynaptic GABAARs, promoting new therapeutic approaches.


Assuntos
Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/metabolismo , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/patologia , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Animais , Humanos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Sinapses/metabolismo , Sinapses/patologia
3.
Sheng Li Ke Xue Jin Zhan ; 42(4): 256-60, 2011 Aug.
Artigo em Chinês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22066416

RESUMO

Glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are mainly expressed in central nervous system and play critical roles in neural signal transduction. It has been demonstrated that glutamate and GABA receptors are also found in pancreatic islets. Interestingly, almost all of glutamate and GABA receptor subunits are present in islets. Here, we summarize current progresses of these receptors in islets, focusing on there expressions, physiological implications, interactions, as well as a novel approach to investigate roles of the receptors in islets slice. All these investigations will potentially supply new understanding of working mechanism of these receptors in islet and also shed a new insight for neuroscientific research.


Assuntos
Ilhotas Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA/fisiologia , Receptores de Glutamato/fisiologia , Animais , Humanos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Receptores de Glutamato/classificação , Receptores de Glutamato/metabolismo
4.
J Neuroimmunol ; 205(1-2): 44-50, 2008 Dec 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18954912

RESUMO

gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main neuroinhibitory transmitter in the brain. Here we show that GABA in the extracellular space may affect the fate of pathogenic T lymphocytes entering the brain. We examined in encephalitogenic T cells if they expressed functional GABA channels that could be activated by the low (nM-1 microM), physiological concentrations of GABA present around neurons in the brain. The cells expressed the alpha1, alpha4, beta2, beta3, gamma1 and delta GABAA channel subunits and formed functional, extrasynaptic-like GABA channels that were activated by 1 microM GABA. 100 nM and higher GABA concentrations decreased T cell proliferation. The results are consistent with GABA being immunomodulatory.


Assuntos
GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/farmacologia , Animais , Linhagem Celular Transformada , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Encefalite/induzido quimicamente , Encefalite/imunologia , Encefalite/patologia , Linfonodos/citologia , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Camundongos , Análise em Microsséries/métodos , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp/métodos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo
5.
J Neurochem ; 107(4): 1056-69, 2008 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18796004

RESUMO

GABA(A) receptor function is involved in regulating proliferation, migration, and differentiation of rodent neural progenitor cells (NPCs). However, little is known about the molecular composition and functional relevance of GABA(A) receptors in human neural progenitors. Here, we investigated human fetal midbrain-derived NPCs in respect to their GABA(A) receptor function and subunit expression using electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and quantitative real-time PCR. Whole-cell recordings of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels demonstrate the ability of NPCs to generate action potentials and to express functional GABA(A) receptors after differentiation for 3 weeks in vitro. Pharmacological and molecular characterizations indicate a predominance of GABA(A) receptor heteromers containing subunits alpha2, beta1, and/or beta3, and gamma. Intracellular Ca(2+) measurements and the expression profile of the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) co-transporter 1 and the K(+)-Cl(-) co-transporter 2 in differentiated NPCs suggest that GABA evokes depolarizations mediated by GABA(A) receptors. These data indicate that NPCs derived from human fetal midbrain tissue acquire essential GABA(A) receptor properties during neuronal maturation in vitro.


Assuntos
Células-Tronco Fetais/fisiologia , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Mesencéfalo/citologia , Neurônios/fisiologia , Receptores de GABA/fisiologia , Cálcio , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diferenciação Celular/fisiologia , Células Cultivadas , Relação Dose-Resposta à Radiação , Estimulação Elétrica/métodos , Células-Tronco Fetais/efeitos dos fármacos , GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/fisiologia , Humanos , Indóis , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos da radiação , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp/métodos , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Potássio/farmacologia , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Sódio/farmacologia , Tetraetilamônio/farmacologia , Tetrodotoxina/farmacologia , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/farmacologia
6.
J Neurosci Methods ; 171(2): 279-87, 2008 Jun 30.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18455804

RESUMO

UNLABELLED: Presbycusis - age-related hearing loss - is the number one communicative disorder and one of the top three chronic medical condition of our aged population. High-throughput technologies potentially can be used to identify differentially expressed genes that may be better diagnostic and therapeutic targets for sensory and neural disorders. Here we analyzed gene expression for a set of GABA receptors in the cochlea of aging CBA mice using the Affymetrix GeneChip MOE430A. Functional phenotypic hearing measures were made, including auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds and distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitudes (four age groups). Four specific criteria were used to assess gene expression changes from RMA normalized microarray data (40 replicates). Linear regression models were used to fit the neurophysiological hearing measurements to probe-set expression profiles. These data were first subjected to one-way ANOVA, and then linear regression was performed. In addition, the log signal ratio was converted to fold change, and selected gene expression changes were confirmed by relative real-time PCR. MAJOR FINDINGS: expression of GABA-A receptor subunit alpha6 was upregulated with age and hearing loss, whereas subunit alpha1 was repressed. In addition, GABA-A receptor associated protein like-1 and GABA-A receptor associated protein like-2 were strongly downregulated with age and hearing impairment. Lastly, gene expression measures were correlated with pathway/network relationships relevant to the inner ear using Pathway Architect, to identify key pathways consistent with the gene expression changes observed.


Assuntos
Envelhecimento , Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Análise em Microsséries/métodos , Presbiacusia/genética , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Estimulação Acústica , Análise de Variância , Animais , Vias Auditivas , Cóclea/metabolismo , Potenciais Evocados Auditivos do Tronco Encefálico , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Camundongos , Emissões Otoacústicas Espontâneas , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética
7.
Neuroscience ; 154(1): 51-64, 2008 Jun 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18384963

RESUMO

Afferents to the primary startle circuit are essential for the elicitation and modulation of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR). In the rat, cochlear root neurons (CRNs) comprise the first component of the acoustic startle circuit and play a crucial role in mediating the ASR. Nevertheless, the neurochemical pattern of their afferents remains unclear. To determine the distribution of excitatory and inhibitory inputs, we used confocal microscopy to analyze the immunostaining for vesicular glutamate and GABA transporter proteins (VGLUT1 and VGAT) on retrogradely labeled CRNs. We also used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry to detect and localize specific neurotransmitter receptor subunits in the cochlear root. Our results show differential distributions of VGLUT1- and VGAT-immunoreactive endings around cell bodies and dendrites. The RT-PCR data showed a positive band for several ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits, M1-M5 muscarinic receptor subtypes, the glycine receptor alpha1 subunit (GlyRalpha1), GABAA, GABAB, and subunits of alpha2 and beta-noradrenergic receptors. By immunohistochemistry, we confirmed that CRN cell bodies exhibit positive immunoreaction for the glutamate receptor (GluR) 3 and NR1 GluR subunits. Cell bodies and dendrites were also positive for M2 and M4, and GlyRalpha1. Other subunits, such as GluR1 and GluR4 of the AMPA GluRs, were observed in glial cells neighboring unlabeled CRN cell bodies. We further confirmed the existence of noradrenergic afferents onto CRNs from the locus coeruleus by combining tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry and tract-tracing experiments. Our results provide valuable information toward understanding how CRNs might integrate excitatory and inhibitory inputs, and hence how they could elicit and modulate the ASR.


Assuntos
Vias Auditivas/metabolismo , Núcleo Coclear/metabolismo , Neuroquímica , 3,3'-Diaminobenzidina/metabolismo , Animais , Núcleo Coclear/citologia , Dendritos/metabolismo , Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Neurônios/citologia , Neurônios/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptores Adrenérgicos/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Receptores de Glutamato/classificação , Receptores de Glutamato/metabolismo , Receptores de Glicina/genética , Receptores de Glicina/metabolismo , Receptores Muscarínicos/classificação , Receptores Muscarínicos/metabolismo , Proteína Vesicular 1 de Transporte de Glutamato/genética , Proteína Vesicular 1 de Transporte de Glutamato/metabolismo , Proteínas Vesiculares de Transporte de Aminoácidos Inibidores/genética , Proteínas Vesiculares de Transporte de Aminoácidos Inibidores/metabolismo
8.
PLoS One ; 2(9): e894, 2007 Sep 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17878929

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The amino acid neurotransmitter GABA is abundant in the central nervous system (CNS) of both invertebrates and vertebrates. Receptors of this neurotransmitter play a key role in important processes such as learning and memory. Yet, little is known about the mode and tempo of evolution of the receptors of this neurotransmitter. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships of GABA receptor subunits across the chordates and detail their mode of evolution among mammals. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our analyses support two major monophyletic clades: one clade containing GABA(A) receptor alpha, gamma, and epsilon subunits, and another one containing GABA(A) receptor rho, beta, delta, theta, and pi subunits. The presence of GABA receptor subunits from each of the major clades in the Ciona intestinalis genome suggests that these ancestral duplication events occurred before the divergence of urochordates. However, while gene divergence proceeded at similar rates on most receptor subunits, we show that the mammalian-specific subunits theta and epsilon experienced an episode of positive selection and of relaxed constraints, respectively, after the duplication event. Sites putatively under positive selection are placed on a three-dimensional model obtained by homology-modeling. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an early divergence of the GABA receptor subunits, before the split from urochordates. We show that functional changes occurred in the lineages leading to the mammalian-specific subunit theta, and we identify the amino acid sites putatively responsible for the functional divergence. We discuss potential consequences for the evolution of mammals and of their CNS.


Assuntos
Evolução Molecular , Receptores de GABA/genética , Animais , Ciona intestinalis/genética , Filogenia , Receptores de GABA/classificação
9.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep ; 7(4): 320-8, 2007 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17618539

RESUMO

Genetic influences as causal factors in the epilepsies continue to be vigorously investigated, and we review several important studies of genes reported in 2006. To date, mutations in ion channel and neuroreceptor component genes have been reported in the small fraction of cases with clear Mendelian inheritance. These findings confirm that the so-called "channelopathies" are generally inherited as monogenic disorders. At the same time, the literature in common epilepsies abounds with reports of associations and reports of nonreplication of those association studies, primarily with channel genes. These contradictory reports can mostly be explained by confounding factors unique to genetic studies. The methodology of genetic studies and their common biases and confounding factors are also explained in this review. Amid the controversy, steady progress is being made on the epilepsies of complex inheritance, which represent the most common idiopathic epilepsy. Recent discoveries show that genes influencing the developmental assembly of neural circuits and neuronal metabolism may play a more prominent role in the common epilepsies than genes affecting membrane excitability and synaptic transmission.


Assuntos
Epilepsia/genética , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/genética , Receptores de GABA/genética , Canais de Cálcio/genética , Proteínas de Ligação ao Cálcio/genética , Ligação Genética , Humanos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Fatores de Transcrição , Estudos em Gêmeos como Assunto
10.
Eur J Neurosci ; 23(2): 514-20, 2006 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16420458

RESUMO

Both gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(C) receptor subunit mRNA and protein are expressed in the stratum pyramidale in the CA1 area of the adult rat hippocampus, but so far no conclusive evidence about functional hippocampal GABA(C) receptors has been presented. Here, the contribution of GABA(C) receptors to stimulus-evoked postsynaptic potentials was studied in the hippocampal CA1 area with extracellular and intracellular recordings at the age range of 21-47 postnatal days. Activation of GABA(C) receptors with the specific agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA) suppressed postsynaptic excitability and increased the membrane conductance. The GABA(C) receptor antagonist 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-ylmethylphosphinic acid (TPMPA), but not the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline, inhibited the effects of CACA. GABA-mediated long-lasting depolarizing responses evoked by high-frequency stimulation of local inhibitory interneurons in the CA1 area in the presence of ionotropic glutamate receptor and GABA(B) receptor blockers were prolonged by TPMPA, indicating that GABA(C) receptors are activated under these conditions. For weaker stimulation, the effect of TPMPA was enhanced after GABA uptake was inhibited. Our data demonstrate that GABA(C) receptors can be activated by endogenous synaptic transmitter release following strong stimulation or under conditions of reduced GABA uptake. The lack of GABA(C) receptor activation by less intensive stimulation under control conditions suggests that these receptors are extrasynaptic and activated via spillover of synaptically released GABA.


Assuntos
Hipocampo/fisiologia , Neurônios/fisiologia , Receptores de GABA/fisiologia , Potenciais de Ação/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais de Ação/fisiologia , Potenciais de Ação/efeitos da radiação , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Bicuculina/farmacologia , Citarabina/análogos & derivados , Citarabina/farmacologia , Interações Medicamentosas , Estimulação Elétrica/métodos , Agonistas GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Antagonistas GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Inibidores da Captação de GABA , Hipocampo/citologia , Técnicas In Vitro , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos da radiação , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/efeitos da radiação , Ácidos Nipecóticos/farmacologia , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp/métodos , Ácidos Fosfínicos/farmacologia , Piridinas/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptores de GABA/classificação
11.
Neuroreport ; 16(9): 897-901, 2005 Jun 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15931058

RESUMO

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is localized in neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). We examined regulation of ARC NPY neurons by GABA. Light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry confirmed that GABA-containing nerve terminals contacted NPY-containing neurons in the ARC. Lowering glucose (1 mM) increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated ARC neurons that were immunoreactive to NPY. The [Ca2+]i increases were inhibited by GABA, the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA) agonist muscimol and the gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABAB) agonist baclofen. Neither the GABAA antagonist bicuculline nor the GABAB antagonist CGP35348 counteracted the GABA inhibition when applied alone, but did so when applied together. These results indicate that GABA regulates ARC glucose-sensitive NPY neurons via GABAA and GABAB receptors, which could function to attenuate the orexigenic NPY pathway when it is not beneficial.


Assuntos
Núcleo Arqueado do Hipotálamo/citologia , Glucose/farmacologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuropeptídeo Y/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA/fisiologia , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/farmacologia , Animais , Baclofeno/farmacologia , Bicuculina/farmacologia , Cálcio/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Interações Medicamentosas , Agonistas GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Antagonistas GABAérgicos , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Masculino , Microscopia Imunoeletrônica/métodos , Muscimol/farmacologia , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/ultraestrutura , Compostos Organofosforados/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Fatores de Tempo
12.
Neuroscience ; 132(2): 399-407, 2005.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15802192

RESUMO

Diazepam (DZ) and phenobarbital (PH) are commonly used to treat early-life seizures and act on GABAA receptors (GABAR). The developing GABAergic system is highly plastic, and the long-term effects of postnatal treatment with these drugs on the GABAergic system has not been extensively examined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of prolonged DZ and PH treatment during postnatal development and then discontinuation on expression of a variety of genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission during adulthood. Rat pups were treated with DZ, PH or vehicle from postnatal day (P) 10-P40 and then the dose was tapered for 2 weeks and terminated at P55. Expression of GABAR subunits, GABAB receptor subunits, GABA transporters (GAT) and GABA synthesizing enzymes (glutamic acid decarboxylase: GAD) mRNAs in hippocampal dentate granule neurons (DGNs) were analyzed using antisense RNA amplification at P90. Protein levels for the alpha1 subunit of GABAR, GAD67, GAT1 and 3 were also assessed using Western blotting. At P90, mRNA expression for GAT-1, 3, 4, GABAR subunits alpha4, alpha6, beta3, delta and theta and GABAB receptor subunit R1 was increased and mRNA expression for GAD65, GAD67 and GABAR subunits alpha1 and alpha3 were decreased in DGNs of rats treated with DZ and PH. The current data suggest that prolonged DZ and PH treatment during postnatal development causes permanent alterations in the expression of hippocampal GABA receptor subunits, GATs and GAD long after therapy has ended.


Assuntos
Diazepam/farmacologia , Moduladores GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/efeitos dos fármacos , Glutamato Descarboxilase/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/metabolismo , Fenobarbital/farmacologia , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Fatores Etários , Análise de Variância , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Western Blotting , Giro Denteado/citologia , Giro Denteado/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Proteínas da Membrana Plasmática de Transporte de GABA , Glutamato Descarboxilase/classificação , Glutamato Descarboxilase/genética , Masculino , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/classificação , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/genética , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética , Tempo
13.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res ; 135(1-2): 260-75, 2005 Apr 27.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15857688

RESUMO

Facial nerve axotomy is a good model for studying neuronal plasticity and regeneration in the peripheral nervous system. In the present study, we investigated the effect of axotomy on the different subunits of GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors of facial motoneurons. The facial nerve trunk was unilaterally sectioned and operated rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 8, 30, and 60 days later. mRNAs coding for alpha1, beta2, and gamma2 of GABA(A) receptors and for GABA(1B) and GABA(B2) receptors were down-regulated by axotomy. This decrease began as soon as 1 or 3 days after axotomy, and the minimum was 8 days post-lesion; the mRNA levels remained lower than normal at day post-lesion 60. The abundance of mRNAs coding for the three other alpha2, beta1, and beta3 facial subunits of GABA(A) receptors and for the pre-synaptic GABA(B1A) subunit remained unchanged during the period 1-8 days post-lesion. Immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against alpha1, gamma2 subunits of GABA(A) and against GABA(B2) subunits confirmed this down-regulation. Colchicine treatment and blockade of action potential by tetrodotoxin significantly decreased GABA(A)alpha1 immunoreactivity in the axotomized facial nucleus after 7 days. Finally, muscle destruction by cardiotoxin or facial palsy induced by botulinum toxin failed to change GABA(A)alpha1 subunit expression. Our data demonstrate that axotomy strongly reduced the amounts of alpha1, beta2, and gamma2 subunits of GABA(A) receptors and B(1B) and B(2) subunits of GABA(B) receptors in the axotomized facial motoneurons. The loss of GABA(A)alpha1 subunit was most probably induced by both the loss of trophic factors transported from the periphery and a positive injury signal. It also seems to be dependent on activity disruption.


Assuntos
Regulação para Baixo/fisiologia , Nervo Facial/citologia , Neurônios Motores/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Animais , Autorradiografia , Transporte Axonal/efeitos dos fármacos , Axotomia , Toxinas Botulínicas/farmacologia , Contagem de Células/métodos , Proteínas Cardiotóxicas de Elapídeos/farmacologia , Colchicina/farmacologia , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Lateralidade Funcional , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Hibridização In Situ/métodos , Masculino , Músculo Esquelético/efeitos dos fármacos , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Subunidades Proteicas/genética , Subunidades Proteicas/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Long-Evans , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética , Tetrodotoxina/farmacologia , Fatores de Tempo
14.
Neuropsychopharmacology ; 30(8): 1407-25, 2005 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15856077

RESUMO

Early behavioral investigations supported the contention that systemic ethanol displays a GABAmimetic profile. Microinjection of GABA agonists into brain and in vivo electrophysiological studies implicated a regionally specific action of ethanol on GABA function. While selectivity of ethanol to enhance the effect of GABA was initially attributed an effect on type-I-benzodiazepine (BZD)-GABA(A) receptors, a lack of ethanol's effect on GABA responsiveness from isolated neurons with this receptor subtype discounted this contention. Nonetheless, subsequent work identified GABA(A) receptor subtypes, with limited distribution in brain, sensitive to enhancement of GABA at relevant ethanol concentrations. In view of these data, it is hypothesized that the GABAmimetic profile for ethanol is due to activation of mechanisms associated with GABA function, distinct from a direct action on the majority of postsynaptic GABA(A) receptors. The primary action proposed to account for ethanol's regional specificity on GABA transmission is its ability to release GABA from some, but not all, presynaptic GABAergic terminals. As systemic administration of ethanol increases neuroactive steroids, which can enhance GABA responsiveness, this elevated level of neurosteroids is proposed to magnify the effect of GABA released by ethanol. Additional factors contributing to the degree to which ethanol interacts with GABA function include an involvement of GABA(B) and other receptors that influence ethanol-induced GABA release, an effect of phosphorylation on GABA responsiveness, and a regional reduction of glutamatergic tone. Thus, an integration of these consequences induced by ethanol is proposed to provide a logical basis for its in vivo GABAmimetic profile.


Assuntos
Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Depressores do Sistema Nervoso Central/farmacologia , Etanol/farmacologia , Receptores de GABA/fisiologia , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismo , Animais , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Interações Medicamentosas , Agonistas GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Humanos , Modelos Biológicos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/farmacologia
15.
Neurosci Lett ; 376(1): 60-5, 2005 Mar 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15694275

RESUMO

GABA(C) receptors, expressed predominantly in vertebrate retina, are thought to be formed mainly by GABA rho subunits. Five GABA rho subunits have been cloned from white perch retina, four of which form functional homooligomeric receptors when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. These rho subtypes, classified as rho1A, rho1B, rho2A and rho2B receptors based on amino acid sequence alignment, exhibit distinct temporal and pharmacological properties. To examine further the pharmacological properties associated with the various rho receptor subtypes, we investigated the effects of a selective GABA(C) receptor antagonist, TPMPA, on the GABA-mediated activity of receptors formed in Xenopus oocytes by the four GABA rho subunits. In addition, we recorded the activation profiles of beta-alanine, taurine, and glycine, three amino acids that modulate neuronal activity in various parts of the CNS and are purported to be rho receptor agonists. TPMPA effectively inhibited GABA-elicited responses on A-type receptors, whereas B-type receptors exhibited a relatively low sensitivity to the drug. A-type and B-type receptors also displayed distinctly different reactions to agonists. Both taurine and glycine-activated the B-type receptors, whereas these agents had no detectable effect on A-type receptors. Similarly, beta-alanine evoked large responses from B-type receptors, but was far less effective on A-type receptors. These results indicate that, in addition to the characteristic response properties identified previously, there is a pattern of pharmacological reactions that further distinguishes the A- and B-subtypes of GABA rho receptor.


Assuntos
Oócitos/metabolismo , Subunidades Proteicas/fisiologia , Receptores de GABA/fisiologia , Xenopus laevis/metabolismo , Alanina/farmacologia , Animais , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Agonistas GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Antagonistas GABAérgicos/farmacologia , Glicina/farmacologia , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Microinjeções/métodos , Oócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp/métodos , Percas , Ácidos Fosfínicos/farmacologia , Conformação Proteica , Subunidades Proteicas/efeitos dos fármacos , Piridinas/farmacologia , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/efeitos dos fármacos , Taurina/farmacologia , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/farmacologia
16.
Nat Rev Neurosci ; 5(12): 952-62, 2004 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15550950

RESUMO

Long-term potentiation and long-term depression are processes that have been widely studied to understand the molecular basis of information storage in the brain. Glutamate receptors are required for the induction and expression of these forms of plasticity, and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors are involved in their modulation. Recent insights into how these receptors are rapidly moved into and out of synaptic membranes has profound implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of long-term potentiation and long-term depression.


Assuntos
Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologia , Transporte Proteico/fisiologia , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Receptores de Glutamato/metabolismo , Sinapses/metabolismo , Animais , Humanos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética , Receptores de Glutamato/classificação , Receptores de Glutamato/genética , Sinapses/genética
17.
Eur J Neurosci ; 20(6): 1665-73, 2004 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15355334

RESUMO

Chronic stress causes disinhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Consequently, the brain is overexposed to glucocorticoids which in humans may precipitate stress-related disorders, e.g. depression. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal activity is strongly regulated by GABAergic input to parvocellular neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. We here report a reduced frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in parvocellular neurons of rats exposed to 3 weeks of unpredictable stress. The mIPSC amplitude and kinetic properties were unchanged, pointing to a presynaptic change caused by chronic stress. Because paired-pulse inhibition was unaffected by chronic stress, the number of functional GABAergic synaptic contacts rather than the release probability seems to be reduced after chronic stress. Linearly amplified RNA from postsynaptic cells was hybridized with multiple cDNA clones of interest, including most GABA(A) receptor subunits. In agreement with the electrophysiological observations, relative expression of the prevalent GABA(A)alpha1, alpha3, gamma1 and gamma2 receptor subunits, which largely contribute to the recorded responses, was not altered after chronic stress. However, expression of the extra-synaptic GABA(A)alpha5 subunit, earlier linked to depression in humans, and of the delta receptor subunit were found to be significantly changed. In conclusion, chronic stress leads to presynaptic functional alterations in GABAergic input to the paraventricular nucleus which could contribute to the observed disinhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis; additionally other aspects of GABAergic transmission may also be changed due to transcriptional regulation of specific receptor subunits in the parvocellular neurons.


Assuntos
Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Hipotálamo/citologia , Inibição Neural/fisiologia , Neurônios/metabolismo , Estresse Fisiológico/metabolismo , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismo , 6-Ciano-7-nitroquinoxalina-2,3-diona/farmacologia , Animais , Northern Blotting/métodos , Peso Corporal/fisiologia , Doença Crônica , Relação Dose-Resposta à Radiação , Estimulação Elétrica/métodos , Agonistas de Aminoácidos Excitatórios/farmacologia , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitatórios/farmacologia , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos da radiação , N-Metilaspartato/farmacologia , Tamanho do Órgão/fisiologia , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp/métodos , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Receptores de GABA/genética , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa/métodos , Estresse Fisiológico/fisiopatologia , Fatores de Tempo , Ácido alfa-Amino-3-hidroxi-5-metil-4-isoxazol Propiônico/farmacologia
18.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 101(20): 7769-74, 2004 May 18.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15136735

RESUMO

Fast synaptic inhibitory transmission in the CNS is mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors. They belong to the ligand-gated ion channel receptor superfamily, and are constituted of five subunits surrounding a chloride channel. Their clinical interest is highlighted by the number of therapeutic drugs that act on them. It is well established that the subunit composition of a receptor subtype determines its pharmacological properties. We have investigated positional effects of two different alpha-subunit isoforms, alpha(1) and alpha(6), in a single pentamer. For this purpose, we used concatenated subunit receptors in which subunit arrangement is predefined. The resulting receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and analyzed by using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Thus, we have characterized gamma(2)beta(2)alpha(1)beta(2)alpha(1), gamma(2)beta(2)alpha(6)beta(2)alpha(6), gamma(2)beta(2)alpha(1)beta(2)alpha(6), and gamma(2)beta(2)alpha(6)beta(2)alpha(1) GABA(A) receptors. We investigated their response to the agonist GABA, to the partial agonist piperidine-4-sulfonic acid, to the noncompetitive inhibitor furosemide and to the positive allosteric modulator diazepam. Each receptor isoform is characterized by a specific set of properties. In this case, subunit positioning provides a functional signature to the receptor. We furthermore show that a single alpha(6)-subunit is sufficient to confer high furosemide sensitivity, and that the diazepam efficacy is determined exclusively by the alpha-subunit neighboring the gamma(2)-subunit. By using this diagnostic tool, it should become possible to determine the subunit arrangement of receptors expressed in vivo that contain alpha(1)- and alpha(6)-subunits. This method may also be applied to the study of other ion channels.


Assuntos
Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Animais , Modelos Biológicos , Oócitos/metabolismo , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Estrutura Quaternária de Proteína , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Xenopus
19.
J Comp Neurol ; 474(1): 58-74, 2004 Jun 14.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15156579

RESUMO

The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the goldfish retina was studied via light and electron immunohistochemistry. The subcellular distributions of immunoreactivity (-IR) of plasma membrane GABA transporters GAT2 and GAT3, the alpha1 and alpha3 subunits of the ionotropic GABA(A) receptor, and the rho1 subunit of the ionotropic GABA(C) receptor were determined. The localization of the GAT2-IR and GAT3-IR to horizontal cell dendrites at the base of the cone synaptic complex was the main characteristic at the ultrastructural level. Very rarely, GAT2-IR and GAT3-IR were found in horizontal cell dendrites innervating rod spherules. alpha1-IR and alpha3-IR were seen in wide bands in the OPL, whereas rho1-IR appeared as a narrow band in the OPL. Most alpha1-IR was intracellular in rod and cone terminals. Membrane-associated alpha1-IR was observed in cone pedicles but not in rod spherules; postsynaptic elements were also labeled. alpha3-IR was concentrated in the lateral elements of horizontal cell dendrites in cone pedicles. In contrast, rho1-IR was found mainly on the spinules of the horizontal cell dendrites in cone pedicles. In addition, in another type of cone pedicle, rho1-IR was found at the position of OFF-bipolar cell dendrites. alpha3-IR and rho1-IR were rarely found in horizontal cell dendrites innervating rods. We suggest that two GABAergic pathways exist in the outer retina- first, a GABAergic positive loop with GABA receptors mainly on the horizontal cell dendrites and spinules and, second, a GABAergic feedback pathway involving GABA receptors on cone pedicles and GABA transporters on horizontal cells and that this pathway presumably modulates feedback strength from horizontal cells to cones.


Assuntos
Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras , Neurônios/metabolismo , Transportadores de Ânions Orgânicos , Receptores de GABA/metabolismo , Retina/metabolismo , Retina/ultraestrutura , Sinapses/ultraestrutura , Animais , Western Blotting/métodos , Encéfalo/anatomia & histologia , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte/classificação , Proteínas da Membrana Plasmática de Transporte de GABA , Proteína Glial Fibrilar Ácida/metabolismo , Carpa Dourada , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Proteínas de Membrana/classificação , Microscopia Confocal/métodos , Microscopia Imunoeletrônica/métodos , Neurônios/ultraestrutura , Ratos , Receptores de GABA/classificação , Células Fotorreceptoras Retinianas Cones/metabolismo , Células Fotorreceptoras Retinianas Cones/ultraestrutura , Células Fotorreceptoras Retinianas Bastonetes/metabolismo , Células Fotorreceptoras Retinianas Bastonetes/ultraestrutura , Sinapses/metabolismo , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismo
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