Kynurenine may directly interact with GABA receptors in rat brain.
Previous studies have shown that kynurenine may have convulsant activity. In the present investigation the intracerebroventricular injection of L- but not D-kynurenine induced convulsions in the rat. In vitro, L- but not D-kynurenine was able to displace 3H-GABA from rat brain membrane preparations. The action was specific for 3H-GABA and was not observed with other ligands. The data suggest that the convulsant activity of L-kynurenine might be due to an interaction with GABA receptors.
Pinelli
A
A
Govoni
S
S
Ossi
C
C
Battaini
F
F
Caimi
B R
BR
Trivulzio
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007737:Kynurenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D007737:Kynurenine; D014364:Tryptophan; D001640:Bicuculline