Alpha-latrotoxin stimulates glutamate release from cortical astrocytes in cell culture.
The mechanism responsible for the ability of bradykinin to cause calcium-dependent release of glutamate from astrocytes in vitro was investigated. The glutamate transport inhibitor, dihydrokainate, did not block bradykinin-induced glutamate release, and bradykinin did not cause cell swelling. These data exclude the involvement of glutamate transporters or swelling mechanisms as mediating glutamate release in response to bradykinin. alpha-Latrotoxin (3 nM), a component of black widow spider venom, stimulated calcium-independent glutamate release from astrocytes. Since alpha-latrotoxin induces vesicle fusion and calcium-independent neuronal neurotransmitter release, our data suggest that astrocytes may release neurotransmitter using a mechanism similar to the neuronal secretory process.
Parpura
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Department of Zoology and Genetics, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
Liu
F
F
Brethorst
S
S
Jeftinija
K
K
Jeftinija
S
S
Haydon
P G
PG
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005971:Glutamates; D013111:Spider Venoms; C020763:alpha-latrotoxin; D001920:Bradykinin; D002118:Calcium