Metabotropic glutamate type 5, dopamine D2 and adenosine A2a receptors form higher-order oligomers in living cells

G protein-coupled receptors are known to form homo- and heteromers at the plasma membrane, but the stoichiometry of these receptor oligomers are relatively unknown. Here, by using bimolecular fluorescence complementation, we visualized for the first time the occurrence of heterodimers of metabotropic glutamate mGlu₅ receptors (mGlu₅R) and dopamine D₂ receptors (D₂R) in living cells. Furthermore, the combination of bimolecular fluorescence complementation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer techniques, as well as the sequential resonance energy transfer technique, allowed us to detect the occurrence receptor oligomers containing more than two protomers, mGlu₅R, D₂R and adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR). Interestingly, by using high-resolution immunoelectron microscopy we could confirm that the three receptors co-distribute within the extrasynaptic plasma membrane of the same dendritic spines of asymmetrical, putative glutamatergic, striatal synapses. Also, co-immunoprecipitation experiments in native tissue demonstrated the existence of an association of mGlu₅R, D₂R and A_2AR in rat striatum homogenates. Overall, these results provide new insights into the molecular composition of G protein-coupled receptor oligomers in general and the mGlu₅R/D₂R/A_2AR oligomer in particular, a receptor oligomer that might constitute an important target for the treatment of some neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Adenosine A2A receptors enable the synaptic effects of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the rodent striatum

Adenosine A_2A, cannabinoid CB₁ and metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu₅) receptors are all highly expressed in the striatum. The aim of the present work was to investigate whether, and by which mechanisms, the above receptors interact in the regulation of striatal synaptic transmission. By extracellular field potentials (FPs) recordings in corticostriatal slices, we demonstrated that the ability of the selective type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB₁R) agonist WIN55,212-2 to depress synaptic transmission was prevented by the pharmacological blockade or the genetic inactivation of A_2ARs. Such a permissive effect of A_2ARs towards CB₁Rs does not seem to occur pre-synaptically as the ability of WIN55,212-2 to increase the R2/R1 ratio under a protocol of paired-pulse stimulation was not modified by ZM241385. Furthermore, the effects of WIN55,212-2 were reduced in slices from mice lacking post-synaptic striatal A_2ARs. The selective mGlu₅R agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) potentiated the synaptic effects of WIN55,212-2, and such a potentiation was abolished by A_2AR blockade. Unlike the synaptic effects, the ability of WIN55,212-2 to prevent NMDA-induced toxicity was not influenced by ZM241385. Altogether, these results show that the state of activation of A_2ARs regulates the synaptic effects of CB₁Rs and that A_2ARs may control CB₁ effects also indirectly, namely through mGlu₅Rs.     

Adenosine A(2A) receptors are required for normal BDNF levels and BDNF-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission in the mouse hippocampus

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of neurotrophin family, enhances synaptic transmission and regulates neuronal proliferation and survival. Both BDNF and its tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkB) are highly expressed in the hippocampus, where an interaction with adenosine A_2A receptors (A_2ARs) has been recently reported. In the present paper, we evaluated the role of A_2ARs in mediating functional effects of BDNF in hippocampus using A_2AR knock-out (KO) mice. In hippocampal slices from WT mice, application of BDNF (10 ng/mL) increased the slope of excitatory post-synaptic field potentials (fEPSPs), an index of synaptic facilitation. This increase of fEPSP slope was abolished by the selective A_2A antagonist ZM 241385. Similarly, genetic deletion of the A_2ARs abolished BDNF-induced increase of the fEPSP slope in slices from A_2AR KO mice The reduced functional ability of BDNF in A_2AR KO mice was correlated with the reduction in hippocampal BDNF levels. In agreement, the pharmacological blockade of A₂Rs by systemic ZM 241385 significantly reduced BDNF levels in the hippocampus of normal mice. These results indicate that the tonic activation of A_2ARs is required for BDNF-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission and for sustaining a normal BDNF tone in the hippocampus.     

GDNF control of the glutamatergic cortico-striatal pathway requires tonic activation of adenosine A2A receptors

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) affords neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease in accordance with its ability to bolster nigrostriatal innervation. We previously found that GDNF facilitates dopamine release in a manner dependent on adenosine A_2A receptor activation. As motor dysfunction also involves modifications of striatal glutamatergic innervation, we now tested if GDNF and its receptor system, Ret ( rearranged during transfection ) and GDNF family receptor α1 controlled the cortico-striatal glutamatergic pathway in an A_2A receptor-dependent manner. GDNF (10 ng/mL) enhanced (by ≈13%) glutamate release from rat striatal nerve endings, an effect potentiated (up to ≈30%) by the A_2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 (10 nM) and prevented by the A_2A receptor antagonist, SCH 58261 (50 nM). Triple immunocytochemical studies revealed that Ret and GDNF family receptor α1 were located in 50% of rat striatal glutamatergic terminals (immunopositive for vesicular glutamate transporters-1/2), where they were found to be co-located with A_2A receptors. Activation of the glutamatergic system upon in vivo electrical stimulation of the rat cortico-striatal input induced striatal Ret phosphorylation that was prevented by pre-treatment with the A_2A receptor antagonist, MSX-3 (3 mg/kg). The results provide the first functional and morphological evidence that GDNF controls cortico-striatal glutamatergic pathways in a manner largely dependent on the co-activation of adenosine A_2A receptors.     

Inhibition of Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channels by the A2A Adenosine Receptor in PC12 cells

Abstract: The role of the A_2A adenosine receptor in regulating voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) was investigated in PC12 cells. Ca²⁺ influx induced by membrane depolarization with 70 m M K⁺ could be inhibited with CGS21680, an A_2A receptor-specific agonist. Both L- and N-type VSCCs were inhibited by CGS21680 treatment. Effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists indicate that the typical A_2A receptor mediates inhibition of VSCCs. Cholera toxin (CTX) treatment for 24 h completely eliminated the CGS21680 potency. Similar inhibitory effects on VSCCs were obtained by membrane-permeable activators of protein kinase A (PKA). These effects were blocked by Rp -adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, a PKA inhibitor. The data suggest that activation of the A_2A receptor leads to inhibition of VSCCs via a CTX-sensitive G protein and PKA. ATP pretreatment caused a reduction in subsequent rise in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration induced by 70 m M K⁺, presumably by inactivation of VSCCs. Simultaneous treatment with ATP and CGS21680 produced significantly greater inhibition of VSCCs than treatment with CGS21680 or ATP alone. Furthermore, the CGS21680-induced inhibition of VSCCs was not affected by the presence of reactive blue 2. CGS21680 still significantly inhibited ATP-evoked Ca²⁺ influx without VSCC activity after cobalt or 70 m M K⁺ pretreatment. These data suggest that the A_2A receptor-sensitive VSCCs differ from those activated by ATP treatment. Although A_2A receptors induce inhibition of VSCCs as well as ATP-induced Ca²⁺ influx, the two inhibitory effects are clearly distinct from each other.     

Regulation of A(2A) adenosine receptor expression and functioning following permanent focal ischemia in rat brain

Ischemia, through modulation of adenosine receptors (ARs), may influence adenosine-mediated-cellular responses. In the present study, we investigated the modulation of rat A_2A receptor expression and functioning, in rat cerebral cortex and striatum, following in vivo focal ischemia (24 h). In cortex, middle cerebral artery occlusion did not induce any alterations in A_2A receptor binding and functioning. On the contrary, in striatum, a significant decrease in A_2A ligand affinity, associated with an increase in receptor density, were detected. In striatum, ischemia also induced a significant reduction both in G protein pool and in A_2A receptor-G protein coupling. On the contrary, A_2A receptor functional responsiveness, measured as stimulation of adenylyl cyclise, was not affected by ischemia, suggesting receptor up-regulation may represent a compensatory mechanism to maintain receptor functioning during cerebral damage. Immunohistochemical study showed that following 24 h middle cerebral artery occlusion, A_2A ARs were definitely expressed both on neurons and activated microglia in ischemic striatum and cortex, but were not detected on astrocytes. In the non-ischemic hemisphere and in sham-operated rats A_2A ARs were barely detected. Modifications of ARs may play a significant role in determining adenosine effects during ischemia and therefore should be taken into account when evaluating time-dependent protective effects of specific A_2A active compounds.     

Activation of Phosphodiesterase IV During Desensitization of the A2A Adenosine Receptor-Mediated Cyclic AMP Response in Rat Pheochromocytoma (PC12) Cells

Abstract: Prolonged activation of an A_2A adenosine receptor significantly inhibits the cellular response to subsequent stimulation (A_2A desensitization). We have reported previously that activation of phosphodiesterase (PDE) contributes to A_2A desensitization in PC12 cells. In the present study, we show that a type IV PDE (PDE4)-selective inhibitor (Ro 20-1724) effectively blocks the increase in PDE activity in desensitized cells. Thus, PDE4 appears to be the PDE specifically activated during A_2A desensitization in PC12 cells. Prolonged treatment of PC12 cells with an A_2A-selective agonist (CGS21680) leads to increased PDE4 activity in a dose-dependent manner, which can be blocked by an A_2A-selective antagonist [8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine]. Using two PDE4 antibodies, we were able to demonstrate that the levels of two PDE4-immunoreactive bands (72 and 79 kDa) were increased significantly during A_2A desensitization. Prolonged treatment with forskolin to elevate intracellular cyclic AMP contents also resulted in increased PDE4 activity. In addition, activation of PDE4 activity during A_2A desensitization could be blocked by a protein kinase A (PKA)-selective inhibitor (H89) and was not observed in a PKA-deficient PC12 cell line (A123). Taken together, activation of PDE4 via a cyclic AMP/PKA-dependent pathway plays a critical role in dampening the signal of the A_2A receptor.     

Desensitisation of the Adenosine A1 Receptor by the A2A Receptor in the Rat Striatum

Abstract: The influence of the adenosine A_2A receptor on the A₁ receptor was examined in rat striatal nerve terminals, a model for other cells in which these receptors are coexpressed. Incubation of striatal synaptosomes with the A_2A receptor agonist 2- p -(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'- N -ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680) caused the appearance of a low-affinity binding site for the A₁ receptor agonist 2-chloro- N ⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA). This effect was blocked by the A_2A receptor antagonist ZM241385 and by the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine, but not by the protein kinase A inhibitor N -(2-guanidinoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (HA 1004). The effect was not seen with striatal membranes or with hypotonically lysed synaptosomes. These results demonstrate a protein kinase C-mediated heterologous desensitisation of the A₁ receptor by the A_2A receptor.     

Modulation of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in C6 glioma cells during hypoxia: involvement of endogenous adenosine

During hypoxia, extracellular adenosine levels are increased to prevent cell damage, playing a neuroprotective role mainly through adenosine A₁ receptors. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of hypoxia in both adenosine A₁ and A_2A receptors endogenously expressed in C6 glioma cells. Two hours of hypoxia (5% O₂) caused a significant decrease in adenosine A₁ receptors. The same effect was observed at 6 h and 24 h of hypoxia. However, adenosine A_2A receptors were significantly increased at the same times. These effects were not due to hypoxia-induced alterations in cells number or viability. Changes in receptor density were not associated with variations in the rate of gene expression. Furthermore, hypoxia did not alter HIF-1α expression in C6 cells. However, HIF-3α, CREB and CREM were decreased. Adenosine A₁ and A_2A receptor density in normoxic C6 cells treated with adenosine for 2, 6 and 24 h was similar to that observed in cells after oxygen deprivation. When C6 cells were subjected to hypoxia in the presence of adenosine deaminase, the density of receptors was not significantly modulated. Moreover, DPCPX, an A₁ receptor antagonist, blocked the effects of hypoxia on these receptors, while ZM241385, an A_2A receptor antagonist, was unable to prevent these changes. These results suggest that moderate hypoxia modulates adenosine receptors and cAMP response elements in glial cells, through a mechanism in which endogenous adenosine and tonic A₁ receptor activation is involved.     

[3H]SCH 58261, a Selective Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist, Is a Useful Ligand in Autoradiographic Studies

Abstract: We have characterized the new potent and selective nonxanthine adenosine A_2A receptor antagonist SCH 58261 as a new radioligand for receptor autoradiography. In autoradiographic studies using agonist radioligands for A_2A receptors ([³H]CGS 21680) or A₁ receptors ( N ⁶-[³H]cyclohexyladenosine), it was found that SCH 58261 is close to 800-fold selective for rat brain A_2A versus A₁ receptors ( K _i values of 1.2 n M versus 0.8 µ M ). Moreover, receptor autoradiography showed that [³H]SCH 58261, in concentrations below 2 n M , binds only to the dopamine-rich regions of the rat brain, with a K _D value of 1.4 (0.8–1.8) n M . The maximal number of binding sites was 310 fmol/mg of protein in the striatum. Below concentrations of 3 n M , the nonspecific binding was <15%. Three adenosine analogues displaced all specific binding of [³H]SCH 58261 with the following estimated K _i values (n M ): 2-hex-1-ynyl-5'- N -ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, 3.9 (1.8–8.4); CGS 21680, 130 (42–405); N ⁶-cyclohexyladenosine, 9,985 (3,169–31,462). The binding of low concentrations of SCH 58261 was not influenced by either GTP (100 µ M ) or Mg²⁺ (10 m M ). The present results show that in its tritium-labeled form, SCH 58261 appears to be a good radioligand for autoradiographic studies, because it does not suffer from some of the problems encountered with the currently used agonist radioligand [³H]CGS 21680.     

Effect of glutamate intake during gestation on adenosine A(1) receptor/adenylyl cyclase pathway in both maternal and fetal rat brain

Pregnant Wistar rats were orally treated with 1 g/L l -glutamate during the entire gestational period and the status of adenosine A₁ receptor (A₁R)/adenylyl cyclase transduction pathway from maternal and fetal brain was analyzed. Glutamate consumption, estimated from the loss of water from the drinking bottles, was 110 ± 4.6 mg/kg/day. In mother brains glutamate intake did not significantly alter the B _max value, although the K _d value was significantly decreased. However in fetus brain, a significant decrease in B _max was observed, without an alteration of K _d value. Similar results were observed by western blot assays using specific A₁R antibody, suggesting a down-regulation of A₁R in fetal brain. Concerning α subunits of inhibitory G proteins (Gi), αGi₃ protein was slightly but significantly decreased in maternal brain without alterations of either Gi₁ or Gi₂. In contrast, αGi₁ and αGi₂ isoforms were increased in fetal brain. On the other hand, basal, forskolin, and forskolin plus GTPγS-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly decreased in both maternal and fetal brain, and this was more prominent in fetal than in maternal brain. Finally, A₁R functionality was significantly decreased in mother brain whereas no significant differences were detected in fetus brain. These results suggest that glutamate administered to pregnant rats modulates A₁R signaling pathways in both tissues, showing an A₁R down-regulation in fetal brain, and desensitization in maternal brain.     

A2A Adenosine Receptors Inhibit ATP-Induced Ca2+ Influx in PC12 Cells by Involving Protein Kinase A

Abstract: The regulatory role of A_2A adenosine receptors in P₂ purinoceptor-mediated calcium signaling was investigated in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. When PC12 cells were treated with 2- p -(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino-5'- N -ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680), a specific agonist of the A_2A adenosine receptor, the extracellular ATP-evoked rise in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was inhibited by 20%. Both intracellular calcium release and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production evoked by ATP were not affected by CGS-21680 treatment. However, ATP-evoked Ca²⁺ influx was inhibited following CGS-21680 stimulation. The CGS-21680-mediated inhibition occurred independently of nifedipine-induced inhibition of the [Ca²⁺]_i rise. The CGS-21680-induced inhibition was completely blocked by reactive blue 2. The CGS-21680 effect was mimicked by forskolin and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP and blocked by Rp -adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, a protein kinase A inhibitor, or by staurosporine, a general kinase inhibitor. The data suggest that in PC12 cells activation of A_2A adenosine receptors leads to inhibition of P₂ purinoceptor-mediated Ca²⁺ influx through ATP-gated cation channels and involves protein kinase A.     

Regulation of Serotonin2A Receptor Expression by an Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide

Abstract: The regulation of 5-HT_2A receptor expression by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, complementary to the coding region of rat 5-HT_2A receptor mRNA, was examined in a cortically derived cell line and in rat brain. Treatment of A₁A₁ variant cells, which express the 5-HT_2A receptor coupled to the stimulation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreased the maximal stimulation of PI hydrolysis by the partial agonist quipazine and the number of 5-HT_2A receptor sites as measured by the binding of 2-[¹²⁵I]-iodolysergic acid diethylamide. Treatment of cells with random, sense, or mismatch oligodeoxynucleotide did not alter the stimulation of PI hydrolysis by quipazine or 5-HT_2A receptor number. Intracerebroventricular infusion of antisense, but not mismatch, oligodeoxynucleotide for 8 days resulted in a significant increase in cortical 5-HT_2A receptor density and an increase in headshake behavior induced by the 5-HT₂ receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane. The density of cortical 5-HT_2A receptors was not altered by administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for 1, 2, or 4 days. We hypothesize that in brain this antisense oligodeoxynucleotide relieved some form of translational suppression, resulting in an increase in 5-HT_2A receptor expression.     

An update on the mechanisms of the psychostimulant effects of caffeine

There has been a long debate about the predominant involvement of the different adenosine receptor subtypes and the preferential role of pre- versus post-synaptic mechanisms in the psychostimulant effects of the adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine. Both striatal A₁ and A_2A receptors are involved in the motor-activating and probably reinforcing effects of caffeine, although they play a different role under conditions of acute or chronic caffeine administration. The present review emphasizes the key integrative role of adenosine and adenosine receptor heteromers in the computation of information at the level of the striatal spine module (SSM). This local module is mostly represented by the dendritic spine of the medium spiny neuron with its glutamatergic and dopaminergic synapses and astroglial processes that wrap the glutamatergic synapse. In the SSM, adenosine acts both pre- and post-synaptically through multiple mechanisms, which depend on heteromerization of A₁ and A_2A receptors among themselves and with D₁ and D₂ receptors, respectively. A critical aspect of the mechanisms of the psychostimulant effects of caffeine is its ability to release the pre- and post-synaptic brakes that adenosine imposes on dopaminergic neurotransmission by acting on different adenosine receptor heteromers localized in different elements of the SSM.     

Regulation of L-Type Calcium Channels in GH4 Cells via A1 Adenosine Receptors

Abstract: Identification of A₁ adenosine receptors (A₁Rs) in a tumor cell line derived from rat pituitary (GH₄ cells) was performed by ligand binding and immunological experiments. Subsequently, the involvement of A₁Rs in the regulation of calcium conductance was studied in these cells. The agonist N ⁶-( R )-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine ( R -PIA) did not modify the intracellular calcium basal levels, whereas it inhibited the increase produced by 15 m M KCl depolarization. The antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine led to the opening of voltage-dependent cell surface calcium channels in the absence of exogenous KCl. The channels were of the L type because the effect was abolished by calciseptine and by verapamil. These results suggest that endogenous adenosine exerts a tonic inhibitory effect on calcium transport. This was confirmed by the high adenosine concentration found in cell supernatants (up to 1 µ M ) and by the calcium mobilization produced by exogenously added adenosine deaminase. In depolarizing conditions, the calcium peak in the presence of adenosine deaminase was reduced when cells were preincubated with R -PIA, thus suggesting that A₁R activation regulates the intensity of depolarization. These results demonstrate that adenosine is an important regulator of the physiological state of pituitary tumor cells by modulating, in an autocrine manner, the activity of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels.     

Adenosine A1 Receptors in Cultured Cerebellar Granule Cells: Role of Endogenous Adenosine

Abstract: Adenosine A₁ receptors as well as other components of the adenylate cyclase system have been studied in cultured cerebellar granule cells. No significant changes in adenosine A₁ receptor number, assayed by radioligand binding in intact cells, were detected from 2 days in vitro (DIV) until 7 DIV. Nevertheless, a decline in this parameter was detected at 9 DIV. The steady-state levels of α-G_s and α-G_i, detected by immunoblotting, showed similar profiles, increasing from 2 to 5 DIV and decreasing afterward. Forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase levels also showed an increase until 5 DIV, decreasing at 7 and 9 DIV. The adenosine A₁ receptor analogue cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) was able to inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation at 2, 5, and 7 DIV but failed to do so at 9 DIV. This inhibition was prevented by the specific adenosine A₁ receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine. The presence of adenosine deaminase in the culture increased adenosine A₁ receptor number during the period studied and induced recovery of the inhibitory effect of CPA, lost after 7 DIV. These data suggest that functional expression of adenosine A₁ receptors and the other components of the adenylate cyclase system is subjected to regulation during the maturation of cultured cerebellar granule cells and demonstrates a key role for endogenous adenosine in the process.     

A highly conserved tryptophan residue in the fourth transmembrane domain of the A1 adenosine receptor is essential for ligand binding but not receptor homodimerization

Dimerization between G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a clearly established phenomenon. However, limited information is currently available on the interface essential for this process. Based on structural comparisons and sequence homology between rhodopsin and A₁ adenosine receptor (A₁R), we initially hypothesized that four residues in transmembrane (TM) 4 and TM5 are involved in A₁R homodimerization. Accordingly, these residues were substituted with Ala by site-directed mutagenesis. Interestingly, the mutant protein displayed no significant decrease in homodimer formation compared with wild-type A₁R, as evident from coimmunoprecipitation and BRET² analyses (improved bioluminescence resonance energy transfer system offered by Perkin-Elmer Life Sciences), but lost ligand binding activity almost completely. Further studies disclosed that this effect was derived from the mutation of one particular residue, Trp132, which is highly conserved among many GPCRs. Confocal immunofluorescence and cell-surface biotinylation studies revealed that the mutant receptors localized normally at transfected cell membranes, signifying that loss of ligand binding was not because of defective cellular trafficking. Molecular modeling of the A₁R-ligand complex disclosed that Trp132 interacted with several residues located in TM3 and TM5 that stabilized agonist binding. Thus, loss of interactions of Trp with these residues may, in turn, disrupt binding to agonists. Our study provides strong evidence of the essential role of the highly conserved Trp132 in TM4 of adenosine receptors.     

GABA Alters GABAA Receptor mRNAs and Increases Ligand Binding

Abstract: Adenosine A_2a receptors have been localized to GABAergic striatopallidal neurons, but their functional role is unknown. To address this question, the modulation of endogenous GABA release by adenosine A_2a receptors was examined in slices of rat globus pallidus. The selective adenosine A_2a receptor agonist CGS-21680 (3.0–10 n M ) significantly increased electrically stimulated release (overflow) of GABA, with 10 n M CGS-21680 resulting in a 44% increase compared with the control. Both the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (10 μ M ) and the selective A_2a receptor antagonist KF-17837 (100 n M ) abolished the CGS-21680-induced increase in GABA overflow. Higher concentrations of CGS-21680 (0.10–1.0 μ M ) decreased GABA overflow by ˜25%.8-Phenyltheophylline (10 μ M ) antagonized these effects, whereas KF-17837 (100 n M ) did not, suggesting actions of CGS-21680 on other adenosine receptors at these concentrations. These results demonstrate that activation of adenosine A_2a receptors augments electrically stimulated release of GABA from globus pallidus slices and suggest a mechanism by which adenosine may modulate GABAergic output from the striatopallidal efferent system.     

Chronic Exposure to Adenosine Receptor Agonists and Antagonists Reciprocally Regulates the A1 Adenosine Receptor-Adenylyl Cyclase System in Cerebellar Granule Cells

Abstract: Chronic treatment with the adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine evokes an up-regulation of A₁ adenosine receptors and increased coupling of the receptor to G proteins in rat brain membranes. However, chronic agonist exposure has not been explored. Primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells were exposed chronically to A₁ adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists. Exposure to the A₁ adenosine receptor agonist N ⁶-cyclopentyladenosine resulted in (1) a time- and concentration-dependent reduction in the density of receptors labeled by 1,3-[³H]dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine, (2) an enhanced ability of guanyl nucleotides to decrease the fraction of A₁ adenosine receptor sites displaying high affinity for 2-chloroadenosine, and (3) a functional uncoupling of receptors from adenylyl cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1). The adenosine antagonists caffeine and 8- p -sulfophenyltheophylline produced alterations in A₁ adenosine receptor homeostasis that were antipodal to those associated with agonist treatment. Antagonist exposure (1) increased the density of A₁ adenosine receptors in cerebellar granule cell membranes, (2) blunted the effect of guanyl nucleotides on receptor coupling to G proteins, and (3) increased the functional coupling of receptors to adenylyl cyclase inhibition. Forskolin treatment of cerebellar granule cells did not affect receptor density, suggesting that cyclic AMP is not involved in the regulation of A₁ adenosine receptor expression.     

Dual Signalling by the Adenosine A2a Receptor Involves Activation of Both N- and P-Type Calcium Channels by Different G Proteins and Protein Kinases in the Same Striatal Nerve Terminals

Abstract: Many G_s-linked receptors have been reported to use multiple signalling pathways in transfected cells but few in their normal cell environment. We show that the adenosine A_2a receptor uses two signalling pathways to increase the release of acetylcholine from striatal nerve terminals. One pathway involves activation of G_s, adenylyl cyclase, protein kinase A, and P-type calcium channels; the other is mediated by a cholera toxin-insensitive G protein, protein kinase C, and N-type calcium channels. The effects of these two pathways are not additive, the second pathway being inhibited by the first; but they are equally sensitive to the A_2a receptor antagonist KF17837. This demonstrates that the A_2a receptor activates two signalling systems in striatal cholinergic neurons.