title: Spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents mediated by a G protein-coupled receptor.
abstract: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) affect many physiological processes by modulating both intrinsic membrane conductances and synaptic transmission. This study describes spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents mediated by vesicular dopamine release acting locally on metabotropic D2 receptors leading to the activation of a G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium conductance. Thus, individual exocytotic events result in spontaneous GPCR-mediated transmission, similar to synaptic activation of classical ligand-gated ion channels.
authors.affiliation: Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gantz
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bunzow
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053444:Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; C581293:DRD2 protein, human; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005576:Colforsin; D007980:Levodopa; D004533:Egtazic Acid; C066430:CGP 35348; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; C025603:1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid; D004298:Dopamine