title: ATP mediates excitatory synaptic transmission in mammalian neurones.
abstract: Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP, 0.1-100 microM), produced inward currents in patch-clamped coeliac neurones from guinea-pig when studied in either the whole cell configuration or in excised (outside-out) patches. The P2-purinoceptor antagonists suramin (80-230 microM) or reactive blue 2 (2-20 microM) depressed the ATP-induced currents but not those produced by acetylcholine. Excitatory post-synaptic currents (e.p.s.cs) were observed in cultured neurones. E.p.s.cs had similar current-voltage relationships to currents evoked by ATP in excised patches and were reduced by suramin or reactive blue 2 to a similar extent as ATP currents. The results suggest that ATP is the excitatory neurotransmitter in cultures of these neurones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Silinsky
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gerzanich
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Vanner
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D058914:Purinergic Antagonists; D013498:Suramin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*; D014227:Triazines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D058914:Purinergic Antagonists; D014227:Triazines; C012842:Cibacron Blue F 3GA; D013498:Suramin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000109:Acetylcholine