Vigabatrin Induces Tonic Inhibition Via GABA Transporter Reversal Without Increasing Vesicular GABA Release

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 2021-2034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanming Wu ◽  
Wengang Wang ◽  
George B. Richerson
Keyword(s):  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Gaba Receptors ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Gaba Release ◽  
Tonic Inhibition ◽  
Gabaergic Inhibition ◽  
Gaba Transporter ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Ambient Gaba

Two forms of GABAergic inhibition coexist: fast synaptic neurotransmission and tonic activation of GABA receptors due to ambient GABA. The mechanisms regulating ambient GABA have not been well defined. Here we examined the role of the GABA transporter in the increase in ambient [GABA] induced by the anticonvulsant vigabatrin. Pretreatment of cultured rat hippocampal neurons with vigabatrin (100 μM) for 2–5 days led to a large increase in ambient [GABA] that was measured as the change in holding current induced by bicuculline during patch-clamp recordings. In contrast, there was a decrease in the frequency of spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents mIPSCs with no change in their amplitude distribution, and a decrease in the magnitude of IPSCs evoked by presynaptic stimulation during paired recordings. The increase in ambient [GABA] was not prevented by blockade of vesicular GABA release with tetanus toxin or removal of extracellular calcium. During perforated patch recordings, the increase in ambient [GABA] was prevented by blocking the GABA transporter, indicating that the GABA transporter was continuously operating in reverse and releasing GABA. In contrast, blocking the GABA transporter increased ambient [GABA] during whole cell patch-clamp recordings unless GABA and Na+ were added to the recording electrode solution, indicating that whole cell recordings can lead to erroneous conclusions about the role of the GABA transporter in control of ambient GABA. We conclude that the equilibrium for the GABA transporter is a major determinant of ambient [GABA] and tonic GABAergic inhibition. We propose that fast GABAergic neurotransmission and tonic inhibition can be independently modified and play complementary roles in control of neuronal excitability.

Carrier-Mediated GABA Release Activates GABA Receptors on Hippocampal Neurons

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 270-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi L. Gaspary ◽  
Wengang Wang ◽  
George B. Richerson
Keyword(s):  
Gaba Receptors ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Gaba Release ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Neuronal Firing ◽  
Gaba Transporter ◽  
Gaba Transporters ◽  
Acid Hydrochloride

Gaspary, Heidi L., Wengang Wang, and George B. Richerson. Carrier-mediated GABA release activates GABA receptors on hippocampal neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 270–281, 1998. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters are electrogenic and sodium-dependent and can operate in reverse when cells are depolarized or when there is reversal of the inward sodium gradient. However, the functional relevance of this phenomenon is unclear. We have examined whether depolarization induced by a physiologically relevant increase in extracellular [K+] leads to sufficient amounts of carrier-mediated GABA release to activate GABAA receptors on neurons. Patch-clamp recordings were made from rat hippocampal neurons in culture with solutions designed to isolate chloride currents in the recorded neuron. Pressure microejection was used to increase extracellular [K+] from 3 to 12 mM. After blockade of vesicular GABA release by removal of extracellular calcium, this stimulus induced a large conductance increase in hippocampal neurons [18.9 ± 6.8 (SD) nS; n = 16]. This was blocked by the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin and bicuculline and had a reversal potential that followed the Nernst potential for chloride, indicating that it was mediated by GABAA receptor activation. Similar responses occurred after block of vesicular neurotransmitter release by tetanus toxin. GABAA receptors also were activated when an increase in extracellular [K+] (from 3 to 13 mM) was combined with a reduction in extracellular [Na+] or when cells were exposed to a decrease in extracellular [Na+] alone. These results indicate that depolarization and/or reversal of the Na+ gradient activated GABA receptors via release of GABA from neighboring cells. We found that the GABA transporter antagonists 1-(4,4-diphenyl-3-butenyl)-3-piperidinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride (SKF89976A; 20–100 μM) and 1-(2-{[(diphenylmethylene)amino]oxy}ethyl) -1, 2, 5, 6 - tetrahydro - 3 - pyridine - carboxylic acid hydrochloride (NO-711; 10 μM) both decreased the responses, indicating that the release of GABA resulted from reversal of the GABA transporter. We propose that carrier-mediated GABA release occurs in vivo during high-frequency neuronal firing and seizures, and dynamically modulates inhibitory tone.

Whole-cell patch-clamp analysis of voltage-dependent calcium conductances in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons

1989 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Meyers ◽  
J. L. Barker
Keyword(s):  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Calcium Currents ◽  
Tetraacetic Acid ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Inward Current ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Cells Cultured ◽  
In Cells

1. Voltage-dependent calcium currents in embryonic (E18) hippocampal neurons cultured for 1-14 days were investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. 2. Calcium currents were isolated by removing K+ from both the internal and external solutions. In most recordings the external solution contained tetrodotoxin, tetraethylammonium ions, and low concentrations of Na+, whereas the internal solution contained the large cations and anions, N-methyl-D-glucamine and methanesulphonate, and an adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) regenerating system (Forscher and Oxford, 1985) to retard “run-down” of Ca currents. 3. Under these conditions, the sustained inward current triggered during depolarizing steps was enhanced when extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]0) was raised from 2 to 10 mM and abolished when [Ca2+]0 was lowered to 0.1 mM or by addition of Co2+ ions. These results indicate that the inward current was carried primarily by Ca2+ ions and was designated ICa. This current may be comparable to the “high-voltage-activated” Ca current described in other preparations. 4. In cells cultured for 1-3 days, ICa was small or absent (less than 20 pA for cells 1 day in culture and less than 80 pA for cells 3 days in culture). Although ICa decayed considerably during depolarizing steps, there was little evidence of the transient calcium current (T current) that was recorded in approximately 40% of cells cultured longer than 6 days. Maximal (i.e., the largest) ICa increased from 20 to 80 pA in 1- to 3-day cells to 150–450 pA in cells cultured for longer than 6 days. 5. The decay of ICa elicited by depolarizations from holding potentials of -60 mV or more negative was usually greatest for the maximal ICa. Replacement of extracellular Ca2+ (4 mM) with Ba2+ (2 mM) resulted in a substantial decrease in the extent of decay of ICa and a shift of the I-V relation in the hyperpolarizing direction. 6. Qualitative data obtained from experiments in which different levels of internal Ca2+ buffering were employed demonstrated that, on average, the decay of ICa was reduced as the capacity and/or rate of buffering was increased. The mean decay of ICa in cells buffered with 5 mM 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) was 9 +/- 7 (SD) %, (n = 12) and 25 +/- 12%, (n = 12) for cells buffered with the same concentration of ethyleneglycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Oxidative Downmodulation of the Transient K-CurrentI A by Intracellular Arachidonic Acid in Rat Hippocampal Neurons

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 508-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Bittner ◽  
Wolfgang Müller
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Intracellular Glutathione

Membrane-permeable arachidonic acid (AA) is liberated in a Ca2+-dependent way inside cells. By using whole cell patch clamp we show that intracellular AA (1 pM) selectively reduces I A in rat hippocampal neurons, whereas extracellular application requires a 106-fold concentration. The nonmetabolized AA analogue ETYA mimics the effect of AA that is blocked by ascorbic acid or intracellular glutathione, suggesting an intracellular oxidative mechanism. We conclude that intracellular AA is extremely potent in reducing I A by an oxidative mechanism, particularly during oxidative stress.

Selective enhancement of tonic inhibition by increasing ambient GABA is insufficient to suppress excitotoxicity in hippocampal neurons

2005 ◽  
Vol 338 (3) ◽  
pp. 1417-1425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiann-Horng Yeh ◽  
Chung-Jiuan Jeng ◽  
Yi-Wen Chen ◽  
Huey-Min Lin ◽  
Yen-Sheng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Tonic Inhibition ◽  
Ambient Gaba ◽  
Selective Enhancement

The Transmembrane Sodium Gradient Influences Ambient GABA Concentration by Altering the Equilibrium of GABA Transporters

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 2425-2436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanming Wu ◽  
Wengang Wang ◽  
George B. Richerson
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Gaba Release ◽  
Synaptic Cleft ◽  
Tonic Inhibition ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Sodium Removal ◽  
Gaba Transporters ◽  
Sodium Gradient ◽  
Ambient Gaba ◽  
Tonic Current

Tonic inhibition is widely believed to be caused solely by “spillover” of GABA that escapes the synaptic cleft and activates extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. However, an exclusively vesicular source is not consistent with the observation that tonic inhibition can still occur after blocking vesicular release. Here, we made patch-clamp recordings from neurons in rat hippocampal cultures and measured the tonic current that was blocked by bicuculline or gabazine. During perforated patch recordings, the tonic GABA current was decreased by the GAT1 antagonist SKF-89976a. Zero calcium solution did not change the amount of tonic current, despite a large reduction in vesicular GABA release. Perturbations that would be expected to alter the transmembrane sodium gradient influenced the tonic current. For example, in zero calcium Ringer, TTX (which can decrease cytosolic [Na+]) reduced tonic current, whereas veratridine (which can increase cytosolic [Na+]) increased tonic current. Likewise, removal of extracellular sodium led to a large increase in tonic current. The increases in tonic current induced by veratridine and sodium removal were completely blocked by SKF89976a. When these experiments were repeated in hippocampal slices, similar results were obtained except that a GAT1- and GAT3-independent nonvesicular source(s) of GABA was found to contribute to the tonic current. We conclude that multiple sources can contribute to ambient GABA, including spillover and GAT1 reversal. The source of GABA release may be conceptually less important in determining the amount of tonic inhibition than the factors that control the equilibrium of GABA transporters.

scholarly journals Rapid regulation of tonic GABA currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

2013 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 803-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher B. Ransom ◽  
Wucheng Tao ◽  
Yuanming Wu ◽  
William J. Spain ◽  
George B. Richerson
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Gaba Release ◽  
Tonic Inhibition ◽  
Concanamycin A ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Tonic Current ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Time Frames

Subacute and chronic changes in tonic GABAergic inhibition occur in human and experimental epilepsy. Less is known about how tonic inhibition is modulated over shorter time frames (seconds). We measured endogenous tonic GABA currents from cultured rat hippocampal neurons to evaluate how they are affected by 1) transient increases in extracellular GABA concentration ([GABA]), 2) transient postsynaptic depolarization, and 3) depolarization of presynaptic cells. Transient increases in [GABA] (1 μM) reduced tonic currents; this reduction resulted from GABA-induced shifts in the reversal potential for GABA currents ( EGABA). Transient depolarization of postsynaptic neurons reversed the effects of exogenous GABA and potentiated tonic currents. The voltage-dependent potentiation of tonic GABA currents was independent of EGABA shifts and represented postdepolarization potentiation (PDP), an intrinsic GABAA receptor property (Ransom CB, Wu Y, Richerson GB. J Neurosci 30: 7672–7684, 2010). Inhibition of vesicular GABA release with concanamycin A (ConA) did not affect tonic currents. In ConA-treated cells, transient application of 12 mM K+ to depolarize presynaptic neurons and glia produced a persistent increase in tonic current amplitude. The K+-induced increase in tonic current was reversibly inhibited by SKF89976a (40 μM), indicating that this was caused by nonvesicular GABA release from GABA transporter type 1 (GAT1). Nonvesicular GABA release due to GAT1 reversal also occurred in acute hippocampal brain slices. Our results indicate that tonic GABA currents are rapidly regulated by GABA-induced changes in intracellular Cl− concentration, PDP of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, and nonvesicular GABA release. These mechanisms may influence tonic inhibition during seizures when neurons are robustly depolarized and extracellular GABA and K+ concentrations are elevated.

scholarly journals Expression and function of KV2-containing channels in human urinary bladder smooth muscle

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (11) ◽  
pp. C1599-C1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiril L. Hristov ◽  
Muyan Chen ◽  
Serge A. Y. Afeli ◽  
Qiuping Cheng ◽  
Eric S. Rovner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Electrical Field Stimulation ◽  
Bladder Smooth Muscle ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp

The functional role of the voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels in human detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) is largely unexplored. Here, we provide molecular, electrophysiological, and functional evidence for the expression of KV2.1, KV2.2, and the electrically silent KV9.3 subunits in human DSM. Stromatoxin-1 (ScTx1), a selective inhibitor of KV2.1, KV2.2, and KV4.2 homotetrameric channels and of KV2.1/9.3 heterotetrameric channels, was used to examine the role of these channels in human DSM function. Human DSM tissues were obtained during open bladder surgeries from patients without a history of overactive bladder. Freshly isolated human DSM cells were studied using RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, live-cell Ca2+ imaging, and the perforated whole cell patch-clamp technique. Isometric DSM tension recordings of human DSM isolated strips were conducted using tissue baths. RT-PCR experiments showed mRNA expression of KV2.1, KV2.2, and KV9.3 (but not KV4.2) channel subunits in human isolated DSM cells. KV2.1 and KV2.2 protein expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Perforated whole cell patch-clamp experiments revealed that ScTx1 (100 nM) inhibited the amplitude of the voltage step-induced KV current in freshly isolated human DSM cells. ScTx1 (100 nM) significantly increased the intracellular Ca2+ level in DSM cells. In human DSM isolated strips, ScTx1 (100 nM) increased the spontaneous phasic contraction amplitude and muscle force, and enhanced the amplitude of the electrical field stimulation-induced contractions within the range of 3.5–30 Hz stimulation frequencies. These findings reveal that ScTx1-sensitive KV2-containing channels are key regulators of human DSM excitability and contractility and may represent new targets for pharmacological or genetic intervention for bladder dysfunction.

New insights on the role of gephyrin in regulating both phasic and tonic GABAergic inhibition in rat hippocampal neurons in culture

Neuroscience ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 164 (2) ◽  
pp. 552-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Marchionni ◽  
Z. Kasap ◽  
J.W. Mozrzymas ◽  
W. Sieghart ◽  
E. Cherubini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Gabaergic Inhibition
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