title: A functional assay to measure postsynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acidB responses in cultured spinal cord neurons: heterologous regulation of the same K+ channel.
abstract: The stimulation of postsynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)B receptors leads to slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials due to the influx of K(+)-ions. This was studied biochemically, in vitro in mammalian cultured spinal cord neurons by using 86Rb as a substitute for K+. (-)-Baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, produced a concentration-dependent increase in the 86Rb-influx. This effect was stereospecific and blocked by GABAB receptor antagonists like CGP 35 348 (3-aminopropyl-diethoxymethyl-phosphonic acid) and phaclofen. Apart from the GABAB receptors, both adenosine via adenosine1 receptors and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) via 5-HT1 alpha agonists also increased the 86Rb-influx. These agonists failed to show any additivity between them when they were combined in their maximal concentration. In addition, their effect was antagonized specifically by their respective antagonists without influencing the others. These findings suggest the presence of GABAB, adenosine1 and 5-HT1 alpha receptors in the cultured spinal cord neurons, which exhibit a heterologous regulation of the same K(+)-channel. The effect of these agonists were antagonized by phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, an activator of protein kinase C, and pretreatment with pertussis toxin. This suggests that these agonists by acting on their own receptors converge on the same K(+)-channel through the Gi/Go proteins. In summary, we have developed a biochemical functional assay for studying and characterizing GABAB synaptic pharmacology in vitro, using spinal cord neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Kamatchi
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ticku
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012414:Rubidium Radioisotopes; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D012414:Rubidium Radioisotopes; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D005576:Colforsin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium