title: K(+)-Evoked [(3)H]D-aspartate release in rat spinal cord synaptosomes: modulation by neuropeptide Y and calcium channel antagonists.
abstract: This study was conducted to investigate mechanisms regulating the release of [(3)H]D-aspartate (or endogenous glutamate) in the rat spinal cord. Presynaptic modulation of glutamate release was studied in superfused synaptosomes depolarized with 20 mM KCl. Calcium-channel antagonists, omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTx GVIA; N-type), nifedipine (L-type), and omega-conotoxin MVIIC (omega-CmTx MVIIC; P/Q type), were used to characterize the voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCCs) involved in this release. Nifedipine had no significant effect on the K(+)-evoked release of [(3)H]D-aspartate, but the omega-conotoxins GVIA and MVIIC produced dose-dependent inhibitory effects that were additive. The most substantial reduction (54.30% +/- 4.40%) was seen with omega-CgTx GVIA, indicating that N-type channels play a major role in the release of glutamate in this tissue. We investigated the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY), NPY(13-36), and [Leu(31)][Pro(34)]NPY on Ca(2+)-dependent, K(+)-evoked [(3)H]D-aspartate release. NPY and NPY(13-36) equipotently inhibited the release of glutamate in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal response was observed at about 12 nM; maximal inhibition of 44.22% +/- 4.60% was achieved with 0.3 microM. The selective GABA(B) agonist (-)baclofen inhibited K(+)-evoked [(3)H]D-aspartate release from superfused spinal cord synaptosomes by 50.00% +/- 4.80% at 10 microM. When NPY(13-36) and (-)baclofen were used together at maximal doses, their release-inhibiting effects were not additive. In addition, neither of the agonists was able to enhance the inhibition produced by pretreating the synaptosomes with the selective inhibitor of N-type VOCCs omega-CgTx GVIA. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that presynaptic Y(2)-like and GABA(B) receptors regulate glutamate release by blocking Ca(2+) currents through N-type VOCCs. Characterization of the receptors that can inhibit the release of glutamate may provide useful information for treatment of conditions characterized by excessive glutamatergic transmission in the spinal cord.
authors: Institute of Pharmacology, Catholic University of S. Heart, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. mmartire@rm.unicatt.it
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Martire
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Altobelli
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Maurizi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Preziosi
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Fuxe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008297:Male; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000502:physiology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D020033:Protein Isoforms; C062924:neuropeptide Y (13-36); C062259:neuropeptide Y, Leu(31)-Pro(34)-; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA; D001418:Baclofen; D009543:Nifedipine; D011188:Potassium