title: Determination of GABA receptor-linked Cl- fluxes in rat cerebellar granule cells using a fluorescent probe SPQ.
abstract: Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced Cl- fluxes in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells were measured using the chloride-sensitive fluorescent probe SPQ (6-methoxy-N-(3-sulphopropyl)quinolinium) incorporated into the cells. The fluorescence of SPQ is quenched by Cl-ions. GABA and pentobarbitone increased the fluorescence of the probe when the Cl- gradient was directed outward by bathing cells, grown in the presence of GABA, in a low Cl- medium. Picrotoxin and bicuculline inhibited the response to GABA. The results suggest that SPQ is a suitable probe for measuring GABA-induced Cl- fluxes in living cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Abo Akademi, Finland.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Engblom
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Holopainen
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Akerman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology*; D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides / Q000502:physiology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D011806:Quinolinium Compounds; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011806:Quinolinium Compounds; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C052335:6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium