title: Specific binding of L-[3H]-glutamic acid to rat substantia nigra synaptic membranes.
abstract: The specific binding of L-[3H]-glutamic acid (GLU) was investigated in synaptic membranes from rat substantia nigra. L-[3H]-GLU binding to the membrane preparations occurred in a reversible and saturable way. The specific binding was stimulated by the presence of CaCl2 and was reduced by freezing and thawing the membranes. Scatchard analysis of the saturation isotherms yielded a non-linear plot suggesting that the binding reaction does not occur through a simple bimolecular association. Assuming non-interacting binding sites, a high (KD1, 139 nM; Bmax1, 3.5 pmoles/mg protein) and a low (KD2, 667 nM; Bmax2, 15.1 pmoles/mg protein) affinity L-[3H]-GLU binding site were obtained. The kinetics of dissociation of bound L-[3H]-GLU was biphasic; the respective dissociation rate constant (k-1) being 0.20 min-1 and 0.013 min-1. A series of amino acid receptor agonists and antagonists were tested as inhibitors of L-[3H]-GLU specific binding. Quisqualic acid, L-GLU and D-alpha-aminoadipate (D-alpha-AA) were the most potent inhibitors. DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB), N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and D-GLU were moderate inhibitors, whereas diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) and glutamate diethyl ester (GDEE) exhibited the lowest relative potency. Kainic acid (KA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and bicuculline were not able to modify at any concentration used the specific binding of L-[3H]-GLU. These data demonstrate the presence of specific GLU binding sites in synaptic structures at substantia nigra level and support the idea that excitatory amino acids may play a role in synaptic transmission in this brain region.
mesh_terms: D015074:2-Aminoadipic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D016318:Quisqualic Acid; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism*; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000613:Aminobutyrates; D005971:Glutamates; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D015074:2-Aminoadipic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D016318:Quisqualic Acid; C012729:2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid