title: Proline-induced potentiation of glutamate transmission.
abstract: The amino acid proline has long been suspected to serve as a modulator of synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain, but no such function has been identified. The selective expression of high affinity proline transport by a subset of glutamate pathways suggested that proline might play a role in synaptic transmission at these sites. This idea was tested with use of one such pathway, the Schaffer collateral-commissural projection to CA1 pyramidal cells of the rat hippocampus. Proline enhanced the initial slope of the field EPSP without affecting axonal excitability or the magnitude of paired-pulse facilitation. Proline-induced potentiation far outlasted the period of proline application and required the activation of NMDA receptors. Proline enhanced Schaffer collateral-commissural synaptic transmission even when the connections between areas CA1 and CA3 had been interrupted. Potentiation was observed with a proline concentration normally present in human CSF (3 microM). A concentration typical of CSF in persons with the genetic disorder hyperprolinemia type II (30 microM) produced a somewhat greater effect. Occlusion experiments suggested that proline-induced potentiation and tetanus-induced long-term potentiation utilize largely distinct transduction mechanisms. Proline-induced potentiation could be blocked by a prior high frequency stimulus, whether or not the stimulus evoked long-term potentiation. These results suggest that endogenous extracellular proline regulates the basal function of some glutamate synapses by maintaining them in a partially potentiated state. They may also facilitate understanding of the seizures and/or mental retardation associated with genetic disorders of proline metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Nadler
mesh_terms: D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004594:Electrophysiology; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011392:Proline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D011392:Proline