title: Effects of the epileptogenic agent bicuculline methiodide on membrane currents induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate and kainate (oocyte; Xenopus laevis).
abstract: The actions of bicuculline methiodide (BIC) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- and kainate (KA)-activated ion channels were studied using Xenopus oocytes, previously microinjected with RNA from rat brains. BIC reduced NMDA- and, with a lower efficiency, KA-induced membrane currents in a dose-dependent manner. The BIC effect on both agonist responses showed a voltage dependency with a lower grade of reduction at more positive holding potentials. By increasing the concentrations of the agonists, the reduction of the agonist-induced membrane currents by BIC was increased.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physiologie, Münster, FRG.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Musshoff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madeja
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bloms-Funke
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Speckmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
chemical_list: C017069:bicuculline methiodide; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D007608:Kainic Acid; D001640:Bicuculline