title: Activation of synaptic and extrasynaptic glycine receptors by taurine in preoptic hypothalamic neurons.
abstract: Taurine is an essential amino-sulfonic acid having a fundamental function in the brain, participating in both cell volume regulation and neurotransmission. Using a whole cell voltage patch clamp technique, the taurine-activated neurotransmitter receptors in the preoptic hypothalamic area (PHA) neurons were investigated. In the first set of experiments, different concentrations of taurine were applied on PHA neurons. Taurine-induced responses were concentration-dependent. Taurine-induced currents were action potential-independent and sensitive to strychnine, suggesting the involvement of glycine receptors. In addition, taurine activated not only α-homomeric, but also αβ-heteromeric glycine receptors in PHA neurons. Interestingly, a low concentration of taurine (0.5mM) activated glycine receptors, whereas a higher concentration (3mM) activated both glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors in PHA neurons. These results suggest that PHA neurons are influenced by taurine and respond via glycine and GABAA receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Janardhan Prasad
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bhattarai
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Joung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Physiology, College of Dentistry, Institute of Wonkwang Biomaterial and Implant, Wonkwang University, 344-2 Shinyong Dong, Iksan 570-749, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonbuk National University Hospital and School of Medicine, Jeonj 561-756, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: obgyn2001@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Dong Hyu
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: skhan@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seong Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018684:Glycine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013331:Strychnine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013654:Taurine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001640:Bicuculline; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D018684:Glycine Agents; D010852:Picrotoxin; D011724:Pyridazines; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D013331:Strychnine; D013654:Taurine; C049853:gabazine
keywords: -Heteromeric; -Homomeric; GABA receptors; Glycine receptors; Preoptic hypothalamic neurons; Taurine; α; αβ