Ethanol affects the function of a neurotransmitter receptor protein without altering the membrane lipid phase.
Using patch-clamp and fluorescence techniques we found that ethanol (10-200 mM) potentiated strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors without having detectable effects on lipid order parameters in mouse spinal cord neurons. Hepthanol (0.01-1 mM), in contrast, did not affect the glycine current, but it altered the core and surface of spinal neuron membranes as detected by changes in 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and Laurdan fluorescence parameters. These findings support the idea that ethanol affects these membrane proteins without changing lipid fluidity.
Tapia
J C
JC
Department of Physiology, University of Concepcion, Chile.
Aguilar
L F
LF
Sotomayor
C P
CP
Aguayo
L G
LG
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005998:Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D018118:Chloride Channels; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D000431:Ethanol; D005998:Glycine