THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOLECULAR ECOLOGY FORM MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IS AN EXAMPLE OF CONCEPT CHANGE

ＴＨＥＤＥＶＥＬＯＰＭＥＮＴＯＦＭＯＬＥＣＵＬＡＲＥＣＯＬＯＧＹＦＯＲＭＭＯＬＥＣＵＬＡＲＢＩＯＬＯＧＹＩＳＡＮＥＸＡＭＰＬＥＯＦＣＯＮＣＥＰＴＣＨＡＮＧＥＸｉａｎｇＪＭ,ＬｉｎＹＬ,ＬｉｕＸＦ,ＬｉＨＶＩＲＵＳＲＥＳＥＡＲＣＨＩＮＳＴＩＴＵＴＥＡＮ...     

腺病毒载体介导的肝癌细胞专一性自杀基因表达

构建由肝癌细胞专一的ａｆｐ基因表达调节元件控制自杀基因ＨＳＶ－ｔｋ的穿梭质粒,将它与缺陷型腺病毒载体重组,得到ＡｄｒＡＦＰＴＫ病毒。经ＰＣＲ及Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交等证实它们含ａｆｐ元件和ｔｋ基因。空斑形成试验表明病毒效价达１×１０１５ｐｆｕ／Ｌ。同时构建由ＣＭＶ启动子控制ｔｋ基因的类似载体作为对照。将这两个重组腺病毒分别感染ＡＦＰ阳性（ＨｅｐＧ２）或阴性（ＨｅＬａ,ＢＲＬ－３Ａ）细胞株（ｍ．ｏ．ｉ．＝１００）,以丙氧鸟苷（ｇａｎｃｉｃｌｏｖｉｒ,ＧＣＶ）处理后,用ＭＴＴ法测定杀伤细胞的效应。结果,ＡｄＣＭＶＴＫ感染这三种细胞后,ＧＣＶ半杀伤浓度分别为１．３、２、＜１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ;但是,ＡｄｒＡＦＰＴＫ感染的ＨｅＬａ和ＢＲＬ－３Ａ细胞的ＧＣＶ半杀伤浓度都＞１０００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,而对ＨｅｐＧ２细胞只有＜１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,表现出极高的细胞专一性。重组腺病毒ＡｄｒＡＦＰＴＫ可望用于肝癌的专一性基因治疗     

天然和氧化修饰型LDL、VLDL及HDL对培养人动脉平滑肌细胞原癌基因fos及myc表达的影响

动脉平滑肌细胞（ＳＭＣ）是动脉粥样硬化（ＡＳ）斑块中的主要细胞,它的增殖在ＡＳ形成过程中极其重要。脂蛋白和氧化修饰型脂蛋白对ＳＭＣ增殖的影响以及ＳＭＣ增殖与原癌基因异常表达的关系是当前ＡＳ发病机制研究的热点之一。我们在建立人主动脉ＳＭＣ体外培养方法的基础上,观察了ＬＤＬ,ＶＬＤＬ及ＨＤＬ和相应的氧化修饰型脂蛋白对培养人ＳＭＣｆｏｓ,ｍｙｃ,ｅｒｂ－Ｂ原癌基因转录表达的影响。结果表明：①ＨＤＬ对ＳＭＣｆｏｓ,ｍｙｃ基因表达无影响;②ＬＤＬ和ＶＬＤＬ有使这些基因表达增加的趋势,但与对照比较差异不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）;③ＯＸ－ＶＬＤＬ,ＯＸ－ＶＬＤＬ和ＯＸ－ＨＤＬ有使ＳＭＣｆｏｓ,ｍｙｃ基因表达显著增强的作用（Ｐ＜０．０１）,且其作用较相应的天然脂蛋白大（Ｐ＜０．０１）．上述结果说明：ＬＤＬ,ＶＬＤＬ,ＯＸ－ＬＤＬ,ＯＸ－ＶＬＤＬ和０Ｘ－ＨＤＬ的致ＡＳ作用可能与刺激ＳＭＣｆｏｓ和ｍｙｃ癌基因表达增加有关。     

L－NNA及NO供体对延髓腹外侧头端区神经元自发放电的影响

在麻醉大鼠观察了静注ＮＯ合成酶抑制剂Ｎ－硝基左旋精氨酸（Ｌ－ＮＮＡ）和ＮＯ供体──硝普钠（ＳＮＰ）和ＳＩＮ－Ｉ对血压、心率和延髓腹外侧头端区（ＲＶＬＭ）神经元自发放电活动的影响,旨在探讨Ｌ－ａｒｇ：ＮＯ通路对动脉血压调节的中枢作用部位。所得结果如下：（１）静注Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后,平均动脉压（ＭＡＰ）升高,心率（ＨＲ）加快,１１个ＲＶＬＭ神经元自发放电频率增加。这些变化发生于给药后５ｍｉｎ,持续时间达３０ｍｉｎ以上。（２）静注ＳＮＰ后,ＭＡＰ降低,ＨＲ加快,２３个ＲＶＬＭ神经元自发放电频率降低,且有剂量依赖性。ＳＮＰ作用发生快,持续时间短。为了排除脑缺血的影响,还特意向一侧颈动脉内注射相同剂量ＳＮＰ,结果引起ＭＡＰ轻度降低,而ＨＲ无明显改变,但ＲＶＬＭ神经元自发放电频率仍显著降低。（３）静注另一ＮＯ供体ＳＩＮ－Ｉ后,ＭＡＰ降低,１１个ＲＶＬＭ神经元自发放电频率降低．与ＳＮＰ的效应基本一致。以上结果提示,ＲＶＬＭ是Ｌ－ａｒｇ：ＮＯ通路实现动脉血压调节的一个中枢作用部位。     

糖皮质激素及其他甾体激素对大鼠下丘脑薄片释放精氨酸加压素的影响

本工作采用离体孵育技术,观察大鼠下丘脑薄片（含有室旁核和视上核）释放精氨酸加压素（ＡＶＰ）和糖皮质激素（ＧＣ）及其他甾体激素对ＡＶＰ释放的快速影响。结果如下：（１）大鼠下丘脑薄片经过９０ｍｉｎ的恢复之后,在长达６ｈ的孵育过程中能够相当稳定地释放ＡＶＰ,释放量为９．０６±１．２３ｐｇ／ｍｉｎ;（２）皮质酮（Ｂ）在２０ｍｉｎ内可明显地抑制ＡＶＰ的释放,在１０－７—１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ范围内呈剂量－效应关系;（３）在同一剂量（１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,皮质醇、１７β－雌二醇和睾丸酮也可快速地抑制ＡＶＰ的释放,而相同剂量的地塞米松、醛固酮、孕酮、ＲＵ４８６和胆固醇却无此效应;（４）ＲＵ４８６（１０－７—１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对ＡＶＰ的释放没有影响,但却能（１０－５—１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）部分地阻断Ｂ的快速抑制效应。这些结果表明,ＧＣ对大鼠下丘脑ＡＶＰ的释放具有不通过传统的基因组机制的快速抑制效应,此种抑制效应可能与ＧＣ的负反馈调节作用有关。     

臭灵丹中的黄酮醇成分

臭灵丹中的黄酮醇成分李顺林,丁靖垲（中国科学院昆明植物研究所植物化学开放研究室验室,昆明６５０２０４）关键词四棱峰属,臭灵丹,黄酮醇ＴＨＥＦＬＡＶＯＮＯＬＳＦＲＯＭＬＡＧＧＥＲＡＰＴＥＲＯＤＯＮＴＡ￥ＬＩＳｈｕｎ－Ｌｉｎ;ＤＩＮＧＪｉｎｇ－Ｋａｉ（Ｌ...     

P物质在谷氨酸兴奋外侧下丘脑-穹窿周围区引起的升压反应中之作用

Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）能神经元及其轴突末梢和受体广泛分布于很多心血管中枢。外侧下丘脑含ＳＰ能神经元,外侧下丘脑投射的升压区内又存在ＳＰ能纤维及ＳＰ受体;因此本工作检验ＳＰ在外侧下丘脑升压反应中的作用。实验显示：（１）Ｌ－谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）兴奋外侧下丘脑的穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或将ＳＰ分别注入各ＬＨ投射区：蓝斑（ＬＣ）、臂旁核（ＮＰＢ）或中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）均引起升压反应;（２）［Ｄ－Ｐｒｏ２,Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ７,Ｄ－Ｔｒｐ９］－ＳＰ（ＳＰ拮抗剂）预先注入ＬＣ或ＰＡＧ可使Ｇｌｕ兴奋ＬＨ／ＰＦ引起的升压反应减小,而注入ＮＰＢ对该反应无明显影响;（３）双侧延髓头端腹外侧区（ＲＶＬ）分别用酚妥拉明、心得安或阿托品预处理也可明显削弱该反应。结合我们以往的实验结果：ＲＶＬ内的α－、β－、Ｍ－受体介导ＬＣ升压反应,α－和β－受体介导ＰＡＧ－升压反应;本工作显示ＬＨ／ＰＦ可通过其ＳＰ能投射纤维作用于ＬＣ－ＲＶＬ和ＰＡＧ－ＲＶＬ升压系统而实现其升压反应。     

乙酰胆碱,谷氨酸与GABA对丘脑腹内侧核神经元活动的影响

本文采用微电泳方法观察到在大鼠丘脑腹内侧核（ＶＭ）,微电泳给予乙酰胆碱（ＡＣＨ）使所有受试神经元自发放电频率加快,谷氨酸（ＧＬＵ）使大多数神经元放电加快,它们的作用依赖于电流强度;而γ氨基丁酸（ＧＡＢＡ）和氯苯氨丁酸则抑制大多数神经元的放电活动,但前者的作用快速而暂短,而后者的作用相对缓慢而持久。在微电泳ＡＣＨ或ＧＬＵ的过程中,给予ＧＡＢＡ可拮抗它们的兴奋作用。双钴碱使大多数神经元的自发放电频率加快,而阿托品和ＭＫ８０１对自发放电的影响较小。这些结果表明ＧＡＢＡ,ＡＣＨ和ＧＬＵ等递质活动在同一ＶＭ神经元有重要的会聚作用;ＧＡＢＡ对ＶＭ神经元有紧张性抑制作用。     

P~（53） PROTEIN OVEREXPRESSION IN PREMALIGNANT AND MALIGNANT LESIONS OF ORAL MUCOSA：IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL OBSERVATION

Ｐ~（５３）　ＰＲＯＴＥＩＮ　ＯＶＥＲＥＸＰＲＥＳＳＩＯＮ　ＩＮ　ＰＲＥＭＡＬＩＧＮＡＮＴ　ＡＮＤ　ＭＡＬＩＧＮＡＮＴ　ＬＥＳＩＯＮＳ　ＯＦ　ＯＲＡＬ　ＭＵＣＯＳＡ：ＩＭＭＵＮＯＨＩＳＴＯＣＨＥＭＩＣＡＬ　ＯＢＳＥＲＶＡＴＩＯＮＰ~（５３）ＰＲＯＴＥＩ...     

CRF在谷氨酸兴奋中央杏仁核引起的升压反应中之作用

促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子（ＣＲＦ）能神经元的胞体和轴突末梢广泛分布在中央杏仁核（ＡＣ）及其投射的重要升压区。本工作显示：（１）谷氨酸兴奋ＡＣ或将ＣＲＦ分别注入ＡＣ投射区：室旁核（ＮＰＶ）、外侧下丘脑／穹窿周围区（ＬＨ／ＰＦ）、蓝斑（ＬＣ）、臂旁核（ＮＰＢ）、中脑导水管周围灰质（ＰＡＧ）或延髓头端腹外侧区（ＲＶＬ）均引起升压反应;（２）ＡＣ的上述投射区内预先分别注入α－ＨｅｌｉｃａｌＣＲＦ［９－４１］（ＣＲＦ拮抗剂）均能阻断谷氨酸兴奋ＡＣ引起的升压反应。以上结果结合以往报道：ＬＨ／ＰＦ也有纤维投射至ＬＣ、ＮＰＢ和ＰＡＧ,后三者均可通过ＲＶＬ引起升压反应,表明ＡＣ发出的ＣＲＦ能投射纤维一方面可兴奋ＮＰＶ,另一方面则可间接（通过ＬＨ／ＰＦ）或直接作用于ＬＣ、ＮＰＢ和ＰＡＧ,进而激活ＲＶＬ－交感兴奋神经元,也可能直接兴奋ＲＶＬ而引起升压反应     

Effect of GABAergic substances on firing rate and thermal coefficient of hypothalamic neurons in the juvenile chicken

The goal of the study is to investigate the GABAergic action on firing rate (FR) and temperature coefficient (TC) on hypothalamic neurons in the juvenile chicken. Extracellular recordings were obtained from 37 warm-sensitive, 32 cold-sensitive and 56 temperature-insensitive neurons in brain slices to determine the effect of GABA(A)-receptor agonist muscimol, GABA(A)-receptor antagonist bicuculline, GABA(B)-receptor agonist baclofen and GABA(B)-receptor antagonist CGP 35348. Muscimol and baclofen in equimolar concentrations (1 microM) significantly inhibited FR of the neurons, regardless of their type of thermosensitivity. In contrast, bicuculline, as well as CGP 35348 (10 microM) increased FR of the majority of the neurons. The TC of most chick hypothalamic neurons could not be estimated during muscimol application because FR was completely inhibited. GABA(B)-receptor agonist specifically increased TC. This effect was restricted to cold-sensitive neurons, which were determined in a high number. The TC was significantly increased (p<0.05) by baclofen and significantly decreased (p<0.05) by CGP 35348. The effects of muscimol and baclofen on FR and TC were prevented by co-perfusion of the appropriate antagonists bicuculline and CGP 35348. The results suggest that the fundamental mechanisms of GABAergic influence on temperature sensitive and insensitive neurons in the chicken PO/AH are conserved during evolution of amniotes.     

GABA-induced potassium channels in cultured neurons

When gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or baclofen were applied to cultured rat hippocampal neurons, single-channel potassium currents appeared after a delay of 30 s or more in patches of membrane on the cell surface isolated from the agonists by the recording pipette. The appearance of currents in patches not exposed to agonist, the delay in their appearance and the suppression of currents in cells pre-incubated with pertussis toxin indicate the involvement of an intracellular second messenger system. The channels were associated with a GABAB receptor rather than a GABAA receptor as they were blocked by baclofen, a GABAB antagonist, but were not affected by bicuculline, a GABAA antagonist. A feature of the single channel currents was their variable amplitude: they had a maximum conductance of ca. 70 pS and displayed many lower conductance states that were integral multiples of 5-6 pS. In several cells exposed to GABA or baclofen, first small currents and then progressively larger currents appeared: current amplitude was a multiple of an elementary current. It is suggested that binding of GABA to GABAB receptors activates a second messenger system causing opening of oligomeric potassium channels.     

Selective gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid

Two gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) analogues, trans-gamma-hydroxycrotonic acid (t-HCA) and gamma-(p-methoxybenzyl)-gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (NCS-435) displaced [3H]GHB from GHB receptors with the same affinity as GHB but, unlike GHB, failed to displace [3H]baclofen from GABAB receptors. The effect of the GHB analogues, GHB and baclofen, on G protein activity and hippocampal extracellular glutamate levels was compared. While GHB and baclofen stimulated 5'-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphospate) [35S]GTPgammaS binding both in cortex homogenate and cortical slices, t-HCA and NCS-435 were ineffective up to 1 mm concentration. GHB and baclofen effect was suppressed by the GABAB antagonist CGP 35348 but not by the GHB receptor antagonist NCS-382. Perfused into rat hippocampus, 500 nm and 1 mm GHB increased and decreased extracellular glutamate levels, respectively. GHB stimulation was suppressed by NCS-382, while GHB inhibition by CGP 35348. t-HCA and NCS-435 (0.1-1000 microm) locally perfused into hippocampus increased extracellular glutamate; this effect was inhibited by NCS-382 (10 microm) but not by CGP 35348 (500 microm). The results indicate that GHB-induced G protein activation and reduction of glutamate levels are GABAB-mediated effects, while the increase of glutamate levels is a GHB-mediated effect. Neither t-HCA nor NCS-435 reproduced GHB sedative/hypnotic effect in mice, confirming that this effect is GABAB-mediated. The GHB analogues constitute important tools for understanding the physiological role of endogenous GHB and its receptor.     

GABAB receptor expression and function in olfactory receptor neuron axon growth

Neurotransmitters have been implicated in regulating growth cone motility and guidance in the developing nervous system. Anatomical and electrophysiological studies show the presence of functional GABAB receptors on adult olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) nerve terminals. Using antisera against the GABAB R1a/b receptor isoforms we show that developing mouse olfactory receptor neurons express GABAB receptors from embryonic day 14 through to adulthood. GABAB receptors are present on axon growth cones from both dissociated ORNs and olfactory epithelial explants. Neurons in the olfactory bulb begin to express glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the synthetic enzyme for GABA, from E16 through to adulthood. When dissociated ORNs were cultured in the presence of the GABAB receptor agonists, baclofen or SKF97541, neurite outgrowth was significantly reduced. Concurrent treatment of the neurons with baclofen and the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP54626 prevented the inhibitory effects of baclofen on ORN neurite outgrowth. These results show that growing ORN axons express GABAB receptors and are sensitive to the effects of GABAB receptor activation. Thus, ORNs in vivo may detect GABA release from juxtaglomerular cells as they enter the glomerular layer and use this as a signal to limit their outgrowth and find synaptic targets in regeneration and development.     

Modulation by GABA(B) and delta opioid receptors of neurally induced responses in isolated guinea-pig taenia coli and human colonic circular muscle.

The GABA-ergic and opioid modulation of neurally induced muscle responses was studied in isolated guinea-pig taenia coli and human colonic circular muscle, using identical field stimulation parameters (rectangular pulses of 0.5 ms duration, 9 V x cm(-1) intensity, trains of 3 pulses at 0.5 Hz, repeated every 1/3/5 min). The stimulation-induced contractions were inhibited in both preparations by GABA and baclofen; the IC50 values in human colonic circular muscle were approximately 100 and 31.0 microM, respectively. In guinea-pig taenia coli, the inhibition by 10(-4) M GABA was dose-dependently reversed by 10(-4)-10(-3) M of GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP 35348; antagonism by phaclofen was less effective in the same concentration range. In human colonic circular muscle, inhibition by 3 x 10(-5) M baclofen was fully reversed by 10(-3) M CGP 35348. With the exception of caecum, the delta 2 opioid receptor agonist deltorphin II was a potent inhibitor in human colonic circular muscle. 10(-8) M Deltorphin caused a 74.4 +/- 9.6% (n = 4) inhibition which was reversed by 10(-6) M of delta receptor selective peptide antagonist BOC-Tyr-Pro-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr(OtBu). Deltorphin II was ineffective in guinea-pig taenia coli even at 10(-6) M; the same concentration caused an 84.3 +/- 7.9 (n = 4) inhibition in human preparations. It is concluded that: 1) GABA-ergic modulatory mechanisms are present both in human colonic circular muscle and guinea-pig taenia coli; 2) the GABA receptors involved are of type B; and 3) delta opioid receptor-mediated modulation functions only in human colonic circular muscle in regions other than the caecum.     

Studies on pituitary melanotrophs reveal the novel GABAB antagonist CGP 35-348 to be the first such compound effective on endocrine cells.

One obstacle to understanding the action and physiological significance of the responsiveness of various endocrine cells to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been that previously available substances, all active as GABAB antagonists in the nervous system, are ineffective on endocrine cells. The introduction of a potent new member of this class, CGP 35-348, of very different chemical structure, encouraged us to examine its effect on endocrine cells. For this purpose, we studied melanotroph secretion from pituitary neurointermediate lobes. We found that CGP 35-348, in contrast to previously available members of this class, suppressed completely, in rat and toad, secretory responses to baclofen, the classic GABAB agonist. Analysis, in toad, showed CGP 35-348 did not affect responses to GABAA agonists (muscimol; isoguvacine), dopamine, or neuropeptide Y. When tested against GABA, the physiological ligand present in the innervation of melanotrophs (along with dopamine and neuropeptide Y), CGP 35-348 completely suppressed the secretory response, which, in toad, is purely inhibitory and unaffected by bicuculline, the specific GABAA antagonist. In addition, CGP 35-348 unmasked a stimulant effect that bicuculline blocked. In CGP 35-348, we thus have a new tool with which to analyse responses to GABA and their physiological involvement in endocrine cells.     

The anaesthetic agent propofol interacts with GABA(B)-receptors: an electrophysiological study in rat

The mode of action by which propofol induces anaesthesia is not fully understood, although several studies suggest that the compound acts via potentiation of brain GABA(A)-receptors. The aim of the present study is to investigate a putative GABA(B)-receptor agonistic action of propofol. For this purpose the action of propofol on a GABA-receptor mediated regulation of dopamine neurons was analyzed with extracellular single unit recordings of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra in chloral hydrate anaesthetized rats.Intravenous administration of propofol (1-16 mg/kg) was found to dose-dependently decrease the firing rate and burst firing activity of nigral DA neurons. These effects by propofol were effectively antagonized by pretreatment with the selective GABA(B)-receptor antagonist CGP 35348 (200 mg/kg, i.v.) but not by pretreatment with the GABA(A)-receptor antagonist picrotoxin (4.5 mg/kg, i.v.).It is proposed that an activation of central GABA(B)-receptors may, at least partially, contribute to the anesthetic properties of propofol.     

GABAergic drugs and lordosis behavior in the female rat

Agents modifying GABAergic neurotransmission were administered to ovariectomized rats treated with different doses of estradiol benzoate (EB) + progesterone (P) or with EB alone. Hormone treatments were designed to induce an intermediate level of receptivity in order to be able to observe both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on lordosis behavior. Both the GABAA receptor agonist THIP and the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen inhibited lordosis behavior at doses from 20 and 5 mg/kg, respectively. The GABA transaminase inhibitor gamma-acetylen GABA (GAG) and the GABA agonist 3-aminopropanesulfonic acid had no effects, even when high doses were administered. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline had no effect by itself nor did it block the effects of THIP. It is therefore suggested that the GABAA receptor is of slight importance in the control of lordosis behavior. No evidence could be found supporting the hypothesis that an interaction between P and GABA is important for hormone-induced receptivity. It does not appear likely that motor disturbances are responsible for the inhibitory effects of baclofen and THIP. The exact mechanism by which these drugs inhibit lordosis behavior is not clear at present.     

Differential effects of baclofen andγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on rat piriform cortex pyramidal neuronsin vitro

1. The effects of baclofen and GABA on rat piriform cortex neurons were investigated electrophysiologically using a brain slice preparation. 2. At resting potential GABA depolarized and baclofen hyperpolarized the cell, probably through activation of Cl and K conductances acting at GABAA and GABAB receptors, respectively. 3. The GABAA receptors were concentrated on the apical and basal dendrites near the cell body, while the baclofen-sensitive GABA receptors were concentrated particularly on the basal dendrites. 4. The different distributions of receptor localization must have functional consequences which remain to be elucidated.     

Golgi Cell-Mediated Activation of Postsynaptic GABA(B) Receptors Induces Disinhibition of the Golgi Cell-Granule Cell Synapse in Rat Cerebellum

In the cerebellar glomerulus, GABAergic synapses formed by Golgi cells regulate excitatory transmission from mossy fibers to granule cells through feed-forward and feedback mechanisms. In acute cerebellar slices, we found that stimulating Golgi cell axons with a train of 10 impulses at 100 Hz transiently inhibited both the phasic and the tonic components of inhibitory responses recorded in granule cells. This effect was blocked by the GABA(B) receptor blocker CGP35348, and could be mimicked by bath-application of baclofen (30 μM). This depression of IPSCs was prevented when granule cells were dialyzed with GDPβS. Furthermore, when synaptic transmission was blocked, GABA(A) currents induced in granule cells by localized muscimol application were inhibited by the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen. These findings indicate that postsynaptic GABA(B) receptors are primarily responsible for the depression of IPSCs. This inhibition of inhibitory events results in an unexpected excitatory action by Golgi cells on granule cell targets. The reduction of Golgi cell-mediated inhibition in the cerebellar glomerulus may represent a regulatory mechanism to shift the balance between excitation and inhibition in the glomerulus during cerebellar information processing.