title: A role for Src kinase in spontaneous epileptiform activity in the CA3 region of the hippocampus.
abstract: Members of the Src family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) have been implicated in the regulation of cellular excitability and synaptic plasticity. We have investigated the role of these PTKs in in vitro models of epileptiform activity. Spontaneous epileptiform discharges were induced in vitro in the CA3 region of rat hippocampal slices by superfusion with the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine in Mg(2+)-free medium. In hippocampal slices treated in this fashion, Src kinase activity was increased and the frequency of epileptiform discharges could be greatly reduced by inhibitor of the Src family of PTKs, 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2), but not by the inactive structural analog 4-amino-7-phenylpyrazol[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP3). 4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine also reduced epileptiform activity induced by either 4-aminopyridine or Mg(2+)-free medium alone. These observations demonstrate a role for Src family PTKs in the pathophysiology of epilepsy and suggest potential therapeutic targets for antiepileptic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cammalleri
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tallent
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Siggins
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Francesconi
mesh_terms: D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C412373:AG 1879; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D011743:Pyrimidines; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D019061:src-Family Kinases; D008274:Magnesium