title: NR2B-containing NMDA autoreceptors at synapses on entorhinal cortical neurons.
abstract: We have previously shown that presynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) can facilitate glutamate release onto principal neurons in the entorhinal cortex (EC). In the present study, we have investigated the subunit composition of these presynaptic NMDARs. We recorded miniature alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), from visually identified neurons in layers II and V of the EC in vitro. In both layers, bath application of the NR2A/B subunit-selective agonist, homoquinolinic acid (HQA), resulted in a marked facilitation of mEPSC frequency. Blockade of presynaptic Ca(2+) entry through either NMDARs or voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels with Co(2+) prevented the effects of HQA, confirming that Ca(2+) entry to the terminal was required for facilitation. When the NR2B-selective antagonist, ifenprodil, was applied prior to HQA, the increase in mEPSC frequency was greatly reduced. In addition, we found that an NMDAR antagonist blocked frequency-dependent facilitation of evoked release and reduced mEPSC frequency in layer V. Thus we have demonstrated that NMDA autoreceptors in layer V of the EC bear the NR2B subunit, and that NMDARs are also present at terminals onto superficial neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom. g.i.woodhall@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Woodhall
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017660:Autoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D018728:Entorhinal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology*; D011805:Quinolinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017660:Autoreceptors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D010880:Piperidines; D011805:Quinolinic Acids; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; C040632:homoquinolinic acid; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; C010739:ifenprodil; D002118:Calcium