Dopaminergic substantia nigra neurons express functional nmda receptors in postnatal rats.
Activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the Substantia Nigra zona compacta (SNc) may determine the degree of physiological apoptosis during the early postnatal period. However, the expression of these receptors during this stage of development is uncertain, as a recent study failed to detect responses to NMDA in unidentified SNc neurons isolated from 2-wk-old rats. Using conventional or perforated-patch whole cell recordings, we examined the presence of NMDA-evoked responses in SNc neurons acutely dissociated from P4 to P16 rats, applying strict criteria for identification of these neurons as nigrostriatal and dopaminergic. The SNc neurons were identified by retrograde labeling after striatal injection of Fluoro-Gold; the presence of I(h) current; and the inhibition of firing by dopamine (50 microM). NMDA (100 microM, V(hold) = -60 mV) evoked inward, APV-sensitive currents (56.4 +/- 8.6 pA) in all tested neurons (n = 29). Strong depolarizing responses were observed under current-clamp. These results indicate that NMDA receptors play a functional role in SNc neurons during the first two postnatal weeks.
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
J Y
JY
Lin
J
J
Lipski
D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013266:Stilbamidines; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
C049774:2-hydroxy-4,4'-diamidinostilbene, methanesulfonate salt; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D013266:Stilbamidines; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D004298:Dopamine