title: Na+-dependent gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport in the choroid plexus of rabbit.
abstract: The goal of this study was to examine the mechanisms of transport of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the choroid plexus. Choroid plexus slices from the rabbit were depleted of ATP with 2,4-dinitrophenol. GABA accumulated in the choroid plexus slices in a concentrative manner in the presence of an inwardly-directed Na+ gradient. Uptake occurred in the presence of Cl-; replacement of Cl- with gluconate abolished uptake. SCN-, NO3- or Br- were able to support uptake in the absence of Cl- to a significant extent (80, 68 and 61% of control, respectively). GABA uptake was saturable (Km of 37 +/- 8.5 microM, Vmax of 409 +/- 43 nmol/g/min). Na+-driven GABA uptake was inhibited by beta-alanine (IC50 = 22.9 microM) and hypotaurine (IC50 = 21.9 microM) but less potently by nipecotic acid (IC50 = 244 microM) and hydroxy-nipecotic acid (IC50 = 284 microM). Betaine, L-(2,4)-diaminobutyric acid, guvacine and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-3-ol were weak inhibitors (IC50 > 500 microM). GABA inhibited Na+-driven uptake of taurine (IC50 = 230 microM); taurine, however, did not inhibit GABA uptake (IC50 > 1 mM). RT-PCR, using degenerate primers for cloned GABA transporters, did not result in the amplification of a band from rat choroid plexus RNA. The location of the choroid plexus in the ventricles of the brain, and its role in the secretion of the cerebrospinal fluid, suggest a role for the choroid plexus Na+-GABA transporter in the disposition of GABA in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco 94143, USA.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Giacomini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011817:Rabbits; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D012964:Sodium