title: Inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate- and kainic acid-induced neurotransmitter release by omega-conotoxin GVIA.
abstract: 1. The role of voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- and kainic acid (KA)-evoked neurotransmitter release from rat cortical and hippocampal brain slices was evaluated by determining the effects of omega-conotoxin GVIA, an inhibitor of neuronal L- and N-type VSCC, and PN 200-110, a selective inhibitor of L-type VSCC. 2. Selective antagonists of the NMDA receptor ionophore complex, Mg2+, CPP and MK-801, inhibited NMDA- but not KA-evoked release of [3H]-noradrenaline from hippocampal and cortical brain slices. This suggests that cortical and hippocampal receptors are similar and that NMDA and KA act at distinct excitatory amino acid receptor subtypes. 3. [3H]-noradrenaline release induced by both NMDA and KA was similarly inhibited (approximately 30%) by omega-conotoxin GVIA. In contrast, PN 200-110 had no significant effect, although there was a tendency towards inhibition. 4. The results suggest that although NMDA- and KA-receptors are pharmacologically distinct, the N-type, but not the L-type, VSCC plays a small but significant role in neurotransmitter release induced by both NMDA and KA. It remains to be determined whether the N-type VSCC are involved in the physiological and/or pathological manifestations of excitatory amino acid receptor stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, ICI Americas Inc., Wilmington, DE 19897.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Mangano
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Salama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008297:Male; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA
chemical_list: D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA; D007608:Kainic Acid; D009638:Norepinephrine