PGE2 modulates the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current in neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurones via the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A cascade.
1. In current-clamp recordings, 1 microM prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased the excitability of neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurones. The current threshold for firing was reduced, and the response to a constant suprathreshold stimulation was modified such that a single evoked action potential was converted to a train of action potentials. The excitatory action of PGE2 was still apparent when action potentials were evoked in the presence of 500 nM tetrodotoxin. 2. In voltage-clamp experiments 1 microM PGE2 frequently increased the magnitude of the peak currents recorded, and caused a hyperpolarizing shift (of approximately 6 mV) in the activation curve for the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current (TTX-R INa). In some cells, the hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve was accompanied by a decrease in peak conductance. PGE2 also caused a hyperpolarizing shift in the steady-state inactivation curve for the sodium current. 3. Extracellular application of the cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) at a concentration of 1 mM produced effects on both the current-voltage relationship and the steady-state inactivation curve for the TTX-R INa which were indistinguishable from those observed with PGE2. Prior exposure of the neurones to dbcAMP occluded the effect of a subsequent treatment with PGE2. 4. Forskolin (10 microM), a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, mimicked the effects of PGE2 and dbcAMP on TTX-R INa. The inactive congener of forskolin, 1, 9-dideoxyforskolin (10 microM), reduced the amplitude of TTX-R INa, but did not evoke a hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve. 5. Intracellular perfusion of the neurones with an inhibitor of protein kinase A inhibited the effect of PGE2 on TTX-R INa. 6. PGE2 also reduced the amplitude of voltage-gated potassium currents (IK), which will contribute to the excitatory action. The mechanisms underlying the changes in IK have yet to be elucidated. 7. We propose that the PGE2-mediated increase in excitability in sensory neurones may be due, at least in part, to the cAMP-protein kinase A-dependent modulation of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel.
Sandoz Institute for Medical Research, London, UK. england@sandoz.com
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England
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Bevan
R J
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Docherty
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015222:Sodium Channels; D005576:Colforsin; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D003994:Bucladesine; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D015232:Dinoprostone