Ketamine Increases the Function of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptors in Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons

2017 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dian-Shi Wang ◽  
Antonello Penna ◽  
Beverley A. Orser
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Type A ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
General Anesthetic ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Tonic Current

Abstract Background The “dissociative ” general anesthetic ketamine is a well-known N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist. However, whether ketamine, at clinically relevant concentrations, increases the activity of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor type A (GABAA) receptors in different brain regions remains controversial. Here, the authors studied the effects of ketamine on synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in hippocampal neurons. Ketamine modulation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in cortical neurons was also examined. Methods Whole cell currents were recorded from cultured murine neurons. Current evoked by exogenous GABA, miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, and currents directly activated by ketamine were studied. Results Ketamine did not alter the amplitude, frequency, or kinetics of postsynaptic currents but increased a tonic inhibitory current generated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in hippocampal neurons. For example, ketamine (100 µM) increased the tonic current by 33.6 ± 6.5% (mean ± SEM; 95% CI, 18.2 to 48.9; n = 8, P < 0.001). Ketamine shifted the GABA concentration–response curve to the left, but only when GABAA receptors were activated by low concentrations of GABA (n = 6). The selective increase in tonic current was attributed to ketamine increasing the apparent potency of GABA at high-affinity extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Ketamine also increased a tonic current in cortical neurons (n = 11). Ketamine directly gated the opening of GABAA receptors, but only at high concentrations that are unlikely to occur during clinical use. Conclusions Clinically relevant concentrations of ketamine increased the activity of high-affinity extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in the hippocampus and cortex, an effect that likely contributes to ketamine’s neurodepressive properties.

Gabapentin Increases a Tonic Inhibitory Conductance in Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons

2006 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Y. Cheng ◽  
Robert P. Bonin ◽  
Mary W. Chiu ◽  
J Glen Newell ◽  
John F. MacDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Gabab Receptors ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Inhibitory Conductance ◽  
Tonic Current

Background The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic actions of gabapentin remain poorly understood. The chemical structure and behavioral properties of gabapentin strongly suggest actions on inhibitory neurotransmission mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); however, gabapentin does not directly modulate GABAA or GABAB receptors. Two distinct forms of GABAergic inhibition occur in the brain: postsynaptic conductance and a persistent tonic inhibitory conductance primarily generated by extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. The aim of this study was to determine whether gabapentin increased the tonic conductance in hippocampal neurons in vitro. As a positive control, the effects of vigabatrin, which irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase, were also examined. Methods GABAA receptors in hippocampal neurons from embryonic mice were studied using whole cell patch clamp recordings. Miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents and the tonic current were recorded from cultured neurons that were treated for 36-48 h with gabapentin, vigabatrin, or gabapentin and vigabatrin. To determine whether gabapentin increased the expression of GABAA receptors, Western blots were stained with antibodies selective for alpha1, alpha2, and alpha5 subunits. Results GABAA receptors were insensitive to the acute application of gabapentin, whereas chronic treatment increased the amplitude of the tonic current threefold (EC50 = 209 microm) but did not influence miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Vigabatrin increased the tonic conductance, and the maximally effective concentration did not occlude the actions of gabapentin, which suggests that these compounds act by different mechanisms. Neither gabapentin nor vigabatrin increased the expression of GABAA receptors in the neurons. Conclusions Gabapentin increases a tonic inhibitory conductance in mammalian neurons. High-affinity GABAA receptors that generate the tonic conductance may detect small increases in the ambient concentration of neurotransmitter caused by gabapentin.

scholarly journals Differential Regulation of the Postsynaptic Clustering of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A (GABAA) Receptors by Collybistin Isoforms

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (25) ◽  
pp. 22456-22468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzu-Ting Chiou ◽  
Bevan Bonhomme ◽  
Hongbing Jin ◽  
Celia P. Miralles ◽  
Haiyan Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Type A ◽  
Differential Regulation ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Acid Type

Classic Benzodiazepines Modulate the Open–Close Equilibrium in α1β2γ2Lγ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptors

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 783-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Rüsch ◽  
Stuart A. Forman
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Sulfonic Acid ◽  
Site Occupancy ◽  
Type A ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Benzodiazepine Site

Background Classic benzodiazepine agonists induce their clinical effects by binding to a site on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and enhancing receptor activity. There are conflicting data regarding whether the benzodiazepine site is allosterically coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid binding versus the channel open-close (gating) equilibrium. The authors tested the hypothesis that benzodiazepine site ligands modulate alpha1beta2gamma2L GABAA receptor gating both in the absence of orthosteric agonists and when the orthosteric sites are occupied. Methods GABAA receptors were recombinantly expressed in Xenopus oocytes and studied using two-microelectrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. To test gating effects in the absence of orthosteric agonist, the authors used spontaneously active GABAA receptors containing a leucine-to-threonine mutation at residue 264 on the alpha1 subunit. To examine effects on gating when orthosteric sites were fully occupied, they activated wild-type receptors with high concentrations of a partial agonist, piperidine-4-sulfonic acid. Results In the absence of orthosteric agonists, the channel activity of alpha1L264Tbeta2gamma2L receptors was increased by diazepam and midazolam and reduced by the inverse benzodiazepine agonist FG7142. Flumazenil displayed very weak agonism and blocked midazolam from further activating mutant channels. In wild-type receptors activated with saturating concentrations of piperidine-4-sulfonic acid, midazolam increased maximal efficacy. Conclusions Independent of orthosteric site occupancy, classic benzodiazepines modulate the gating equilibrium in alpha1beta2gamma2L GABAA receptors and are therefore allosteric coagonists. A Monod-Wyman-Changeux coagonist gating model quantitatively predicts these effects, suggesting that benzodiazepines minimally alter orthosteric ligand binding.

scholarly journals A Cysteine Substitution Probes β3H267 Interactions with Propofol and Other Potent Anesthetics in α1β3γ2L γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptors

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex T. Stern ◽  
Stuart A. Forman
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Barbituric Acid ◽  
Type A ◽  
Homology Model ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Cysteine Substitution ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Contact Residues

Abstract Background Anesthetic contact residues in γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors have been identified using photolabels, including two propofol derivatives. O-propofol diazirine labels H267 in β3 and α1β3 receptors, whereas m-azi-propofol labels other residues in intersubunit clefts of α1β3. Neither label has been studied in αβγ receptors, the most common isoform in mammalian brain. In αβγ receptors, other anesthetic derivatives photolabel m-azi-propofol-labeled residues, but not βH267. The authors’ structural homology model of α1β3γ2L receptors suggests that β3H267 may abut some of these sites. Methods Substituted cysteine modification–protection was used to test β3H267C interactions with four potent anesthetics: propofol, etomidate, alphaxalone, and R-5-allyl-1-methyl-5-(m-trifluoromethyl-diazirinylphenyl) barbituric acid (mTFD-MPAB). The authors expressed α1β3γ2L or α1β3H267Cγ2L GABAA receptors in Xenopus oocytes. The authors used voltage clamp electrophysiology to assess receptor sensitivity to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and anesthetics and to compare p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate modification rates with GABA versus GABA plus anesthetics. Results Enhancement of low GABA (eliciting 5% of maximum) responses by equihypnotic concentrations of all four anesthetics was similar in α1β3γ2L and α1β3H267Cγ2L receptors (n > 3). Direct activation of α1β3H267Cγ2L receptors, but not α1β3γ2L, by mTFD-MPAB and propofol was significantly greater than the other anesthetics. Modification of β3H267C by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate (n > 4) was rapid and accelerated by GABA. Only mTFD-MPAB slowed β3H267C modification (approximately twofold; P = 0.011). Conclusions β3H267 in α1β3γ2L GABAA receptors contacts mTFD-MPAB, but not propofol. The study results suggest that β3H267 is near the periphery of one or both transmembrane intersubunit (α+/β− and γ+/β−) pockets where both mTFD-MPAB and propofol bind.

Structure–Function Evaluation of Imidazopyridine Derivatives Selective for δ-Subunit-Containing γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A (GABAA) Receptors

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1951-1968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Yakoub ◽  
Sascha Jung ◽  
Christian Sattler ◽  
Helen Damerow ◽  
Judith Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structure Function ◽  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Type A ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Function Evaluation ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Imidazopyridine Derivatives

Dexmedetomidine Prevents Excessive γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Function after Anesthesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dian-Shi Wang ◽  
Kirusanthy Kaneshwaran ◽  
Gang Lei ◽  
Fariya Mostafa ◽  
Junhui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Type A ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Cell Surface Expression ◽  
Receptor Function ◽  
Anesthetic Drugs ◽  
Acid Type

Abstract What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Postoperative delirium is associated with poor long-term outcomes and increased mortality. General anesthetic drugs may contribute to delirium because they increase cell-surface expression and function of α5 subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, an effect that persists long after the drugs have been eliminated. Dexmedetomidine, an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, prevents delirium in patients and reduces cognitive deficits in animals. Thus, it was postulated that dexmedetomidine prevents excessive function of α5 γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Methods Injectable (etomidate) and inhaled (sevoflurane) anesthetic drugs were studied using cultured murine hippocampal neurons, cultured murine and human cortical astrocytes, and ex vivo murine hippocampal slices. γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptor function and cell-signaling pathways were studied using electrophysiologic and biochemical methods. Memory and problem-solving behaviors were also studied. Results The etomidate-induced sustained increase in α5 γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor cell-surface expression was reduced by dexmedetomidine (mean ± SD, etomidate: 146.4 ± 51.6% vs. etomidate + dexmedetomidine: 118.4 ± 39.1% of control, n = 8 each). Dexmedetomidine also reduced the persistent increase in tonic inhibitory current in hippocampal neurons (etomidate: 1.44 ± 0.33 pA/pF, n = 10; etomidate + dexmedetomidine: 1.01 ± 0.45 pA/pF, n = 9). Similarly, dexmedetomidine prevented a sevoflurane-induced increase in the tonic current. Dexmedetomidine stimulated astrocytes to release brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which acted as a paracrine factor to reduce excessive α5 γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function in neurons. Finally, dexmedetomidine attenuated memory and problem-solving deficits after anesthesia. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine prevented excessive α5 γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor function after anesthesia. This novel α2 adrenergic receptor- and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-dependent pathway may be targeted to prevent delirium.

scholarly journals Etomidate and Etomidate Analog Binding and Positive Modulation of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptors

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 959-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan McGrath ◽  
Zhiyi Yu ◽  
Selwyn S. Jayakar ◽  
Celena Ma ◽  
Mansi Tolia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steric Hindrance ◽  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Phenyl Ring ◽  
Type A ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Substituent Group ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Site Selective

Abstract Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Naphthalene-etomidate, an etomidate analog containing a bulky phenyl ring substituent group, possesses very low γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor efficacy and acts as an anesthetic-selective competitive antagonist. Using etomidate analogs containing phenyl ring substituents groups that range in volume, we tested the hypothesis that this unusual pharmacology is caused by steric hindrance that reduces binding to the receptor’s open state. Methods The positive modulatory potencies and efficacies of etomidate and phenyl ring–substituted etomidate analogs were electrophysiology defined in oocyte-expressed α1β3γ2L GABAA receptors. Their binding affinities to the GABAA receptor’s two classes of transmembrane anesthetic binding sites were assessed from their abilities to inhibit receptor labeling by the site-selective photolabels 3[H]azi-etomidate and tritiated R-5-allyl-1-methyl-5-(m-trifluoromethyl-diazirynylphenyl) barbituric acid. Results The positive modulatory activities of etomidate and phenyl ring–substituted etomidate analogs progressively decreased with substituent group volume, reflecting significant decreases in both potency (P = 0.005) and efficacy (P < 0.0001). Affinity for the GABAA receptor’s two β+ − α– anesthetic binding sites similarly decreased with substituent group volume (P = 0.003), whereas affinity for the receptor’s α+ – β–/γ+ – β– sites did not (P = 0.804). Introduction of the N265M mutation, which is located at the β+ − α– binding sites and renders GABAA receptors etomidate-insensitive, completely abolished positive modulation by naphthalene-etomidate. Conclusions Steric hindrance selectively reduces phenyl ring–substituted etomidate analog binding affinity to the two β+ − α– anesthetic binding sites on the GABAA receptor’s open state, suggesting that the binding pocket where etomidate’s phenyl ring lies becomes smaller as the receptor isomerizes from closed to open.

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