Patch-clamp study of membrane properties and GABA-activated currents of rat magnocellular supraoptic neurons in thin slice preparation.
The magnocellular neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus were investigated by using (a) the patch-clamp technique on thin brain slice preparations to demonstrate voltage- and GABA-activated ionic currents, and (b) immunohistochemistry to demonstrate the expression of the beta 2 and beta 3 subunits of the GABAA-receptor on their membrane surface and the contents of the neuropeptides vasopressin and oxytocin. During electrophysiological recording in the whole-cell mode neurons were stained with Lucifer Yellow and camera lucida drawings were made. Two types of neurons could be distinguished by their different K(+)-currents, an inactivating and a noninactivating type. All neurons had a fast Na+ inward current. GABAA-activated currents were characterized by investigation of their ionic conductance and by blocking experiments with the GABAA-antagonist bicuculline.
Bufler
J
J
Department of Neurology, Technical University, München, Germany.
Jahn
K
K
Weindl
A
A
Arzberger
T
T
Hatt
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000502:physiology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
D018079:Receptors, GABA; D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D001640:Bicuculline