Selective depression of dopamine-induced depolarization by morphine and enkephalins in snail neurons

Morphine, met-enkephalin, and leu-enkephalin in a concentration of 1×10^?5 M depress rapidly and reversibly the amplitude of depolarization induced by dopamine application toHelix pomatia neurons; the effect is naloxone-dependent. The amplitudes of dopamine-induced hyperpolarization and also of the depolarization and hyperpolarization responses to acetylcholine application are unchanged under these circumstances. The hypothesis of blocking of chemosensitive sodium channels by enkephalins is discussed. It is suggested that this hypothesis is true for high concentrations of morphine and enkephalins (1×10^?4 to 1×10^?3 M). In lower concentrations (1×10^?5 M) morphine and enkephalins lead to modulation of the reponses to the action of neurotransmitters, evidently through their influence on the cyclic nucleotide system.     

The role of cAMP in generating excitatory serotonin responses of neurons in the edible snail

The neurons of the dorsal surface of snail Helix subesophageal ganglia respond similarly to the application of serotonin and the intracellular cAMP injection. These responses represent membrane depolarization. They increase in amplitude with membrane hyperpolarization and have a reverse potential between +10 and -30 mV. Presumably, these responses are associated with increased conductance for several ions. The values of the reverse potentials of serotonin and cAMP responses coincide in 7 out of 17 cells. Phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline caused a reversible increase in the amplitude and duration of both serotonin and cAMP responses and, used at a concentration of 1 mM, simulated them. The results obtained meet 2 out of 4 criteria demonstrating that cyclic nucleotides mediate a neurotransmitter response. It is suggested that cAMP may act as a second messenger in excitatory serotonin responses of snail Helix neurons.     

缰核痛相关神经元对伤害性刺激和吗啡的反应

目的:观察缰核痛相关神经元对经典镇痛药吗啡的反应,了解缰核的痛觉属性.方法:实验在浅麻醉下的成年大鼠进行.通过脑室插管微量注射,或经五管微电极电泳吗啡、纳络酮、八肽胆囊收缩素(CCK-8)等,并记录缰核内痛相关神经元的单位放电.结果:在内侧缰核、外侧缰核记录的痛相关神经元放电,又可分为痛兴奋性神经元和痛抑制性神经元.在缰核微电泳吗啡后,痛兴奋性神经元以抑制反应为主,痛抑制性神经元以兴奋反应为主.微电泳纳洛酮可以翻转吗啡对缰核的作用.在吗啡耐受大鼠腹腔注射吗啡10 mg/kg,LHb痛相关神经元表现为镇痛效应的数量远大于MHb痛相关神经元的,表明外侧缰核受吗啡的作用程度高于内侧缰核.对吗啡耐受大鼠脑室注入CCK拮抗剂后,再由腹腔注射吗啡,可减弱对吗啡的耐受程度.反之,在腹腔注射吗啡(10 mg/kg)10 min后,侧脑室注射CCK-8(15 ng/10μl),CCK-8可拮抗吗啡对LHb的镇痛作用,但对MHb的拮抗作用不明显.结论:缰核的痛兴奋性神经元和痛抑制性神经元对伤害性(痛)刺激敏感而不易发生适应.其中外侧缰核神经元对吗啡的敏感性高于内侧缰核神经元.     

Serotonin-induced changes in the responses of the electroexcitable membrane of snail neurons

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) added to the washing solution on the plastic properties of the electroexcitable membrane of nonidentified neurons of the parietal ganglion and identified neurons RPa2 are studied on the isolated nervous system of the snail. The neurons of the first group, which became rapidly habituated to the intracellular stimulation, are shown to manifest the ability to restore action potential generation in the presence of 5-HT. In contrast, the neurons possessing endogenous rhythmic activity (RPa2) in the presence of 5-HT generate burst activity against the background of the development of slow waves of the membrane potential. A comparative analysis of the effect of 5-HT and compounds with a known effect on Ca²⁺ and the calcium-dependent potassium channels (quinine, CoCl₂ and CdCl₂) points to the existence of various mechanisms providing for the serotoninergic regulation of the plasticity of the electroexcitable neuron membrane. This difference stems from the processes of activation and blockade of the Ca-dependent mechanisms.A. I. Karaev Institute of Physiology Azerbaizhan Academy of Sciences, Baku. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 286–290, May–June, 1992.     

Hyperpolarization by glucose of feeding-related neurons in snail

In the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, D-glucose action was investigated on electrical activity of identified central neurons. In the CNS preparations isolated from specimens that starved for 24-96 h, D-glucose added to a standard or HiDi saline at 500-700 microg/ml effectively hyperpolarized ca. 90% of feeding related neurons B1, SO and CGC. However, not all feeding-related neurons examined were responsive to glucose. Experiments on cells of the serotonergic Pedal A cluster have shown that hyperpolarizing action of D-glucose is retained following complete isolation of "hunger" neurons. Threshold concentration producing 1-3 mV hyperpolarization was ca. 50 microg/ml. The results suggest a direct glucose involvement in the mechanisms that control feeding behavior in Lymnaea.     

Interfacing a silicon chip to pairs of snail neurons connected by electrical synapses

 Future hybrid neuron-semiconductor chips will consist of complex neural networks that are directly interfaced to electronic integrated circuits. They will help us to understand the dynamics of neuronal networks and may lead to novel computational facilities. Here we report on an elementary step towards such neurochips. We designed and fabricated a silicon chip for multiple two-way interfacing, and cultured on it pairs of neurons from the pedal ganglia of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis. These neurons were joined to each other by an electrical synapse, and to the chip by a capacitive stimulator and a recording transistor. We obtained a set of neuroelectronic units with sequential and parallel signal transmission through the neuron–silicon interface and the synapse, with a bidirectionally interfaced neuron-pair and with a signal path from the chip through a synaptically connected neuron pair back to the chip. The prospects for assembling more involved hybrid networks on the basis of these neuroelectronic units are considered. Received: 13 April 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 29 September 2000     

Calcium entry induced by acetylcholine action on snail neurons

A study was made of excitatory and inhibitory responses elicited by acetylcholine (ACh) in neurons of the snail Eobania vermiculata. At resting potential, ACh evoked a depolarizing inward current in some neurons (D-cells) and a hyperpolarizing current in others (H-cells). The currents elicited by ACh were nonlinearly dependent on membrane potential. After either D- or H-cells were equilibrated in chloride-free isotonic calcium, ACh evoked a depolarizing inward current which reversed sign at about -55 mV. These results suggest that ACh causes an influx of Ca2+ in both types of neurons.     

Noise-modulated-microwave-induced response in snail neurons

Helix aspersa neurons were irradiated with noise-amplitude-modulated microwaves (carrier frequency 2450 MHz, 20% AM, 0-20 kHz, specific absorption rate 6.8 and 14.4 mW/g). It was found that such an exposure caused an appearance of high frequency bursts and a rise in membrane resistance.     

Behavioural responses to visual stimuli by the snail Littorina irrorata

The visual capabilities of gastropod molluses and most other invertebrates possessing structurally simple eyes are poorly known. We studied vision in untrained marsh periwinkles (Littorina irrorata) in the laboratory, using oriented movements toward test shapes as the response measure. This intertidal species is active when exposed at low tide, both during the day and at night, and it travels vertically on plant stems with a tidal rhythm. In detection tests, the estimated response threshold for a single vertical bar was 0.9°, while the response threshold for an equal-size horizontal bar was 2.4° or 3.7°, depending on bar position. Snails detected a 5°-wide bar in 4.3 1x of light and a 40°-wide square having about 95% reflectance (‘off-white’) on a white (100% nominal reflectance) background in 2800 1x. Discrimination tests revealed a strong preference for vertical bars over both diagonal and horizontal bars of the same width, but no preferences in several other situations. Various factors suggest that L. irrorata may see better than most other gastropods.     

Ionic mechanisms underlying modulating effects of serotonin on acetylcholine-induced responses in Helix pomatia neurons

The ionic mechanisms underlying modulatory effects of serotonin on acetylcholine-response in identified and nonidentifiedHelix pomatia neurons were investigated using voltage-clamping techniques at the neuronal membrane. External application of 10^–5–10^–4 M serotonin to the membrane of neurons responding to application of acetylcholine depending on Na⁺ depolarization (D_Na response) reduced membrane conductivity during response to acetylcholine without changing reversal potential of acetylcholine-induced current. Acetylcholine (10^–6–10^–4 M) administration took place 1–3 min later. Neurons with response to acetylcholine application dependent on Cl⁺ depolarization (D_Cl response) or hyperpolarization (H_Cl response) behaved similarly. Analogous effects could be produced by external application of theophylline which, together with the latency and residual effect characteristic of serotonin action points to the participation of intracellular processes associated with the cellular cyclase system in the changes produced by serotonin in acetylcholineinduced response. Serotonin brought about a shift in reversal potential and an increase in the acetylcholine-induced current in those neurons where this response was associated with changed permeability at the membrane to certain types of ions. During two-stage acetylcholine-induced response of the D_Na-H_K type, serotonin inhibited the inward current stage. Mechanisms underlying modulatory serotonin action on acetylcholine-induced response in test neurons are discussed in the light of our findings.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 57–64, January–February, 1988.     

Channels activated by stretch in neurons of a helix snail.

Single-channel recordings from central neurons of the helix snail, Cepaea nemoralis, revealed two types of channels that could be activated by stretch (i.e., by the membrane deformation produced when suction is applied to the patch pipette). One, a K+ channel (58 pS in physiological solution), was evident in excised and cell-attached patches. Its conductance in symmetrical [K+] solutions indicated a channel of high K+ permeability (PK = 3.4 x 10(-13) cm/s). Though osmoregulation has been suggested as a function for such channels, comparisons among molluscs indicate osmotic milieu does not govern their expression; Cepaea is terrestrial, and stretch-activated K+ channels similar to those described here occur in aquatic and marine molluscs. The second type of channel, observed only in excised patches, was Cl- permeant; it had a large conductance (130 pS) and was inactive prior to patch excision. Membrane tension may not be the physiological activator of either the K+ or Cl- channel; the channels are designated as stretch-activated channels on the basis of their experimental behaviour during single-channel recording.     

Slowing of sodium current inactivation by ruthenium red in snail neurons

The effects of ruthenium red (RuR) were tested on the membrane currents of internally perfused, voltage-clamped nerve cell bodies from the snail Limnea stagnalis. Bath application of nanomolar concentrations of RuR produces a prolonged Na current that decays approximately 40 times slower than the normal Na current in these cells. The relationship between the reversal potential for the prolonged Na current and the intracellular concentration of Na+ agrees well with the constant-field equation, assuming a small permeability for Cs+. Because a strong correlation was found between the magnitude of the normal Na current and that of the prolonged Na current, it is concluded that the prolonged Na current flows through the normal Na channels. This conclusion is supported by the similar selectivities, voltage dependencies, and tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitivities of these two currents. This action of RuR to slow the inactivation of the Na channel was not observed at concentrations below 1 nM, but was complete at 10 nM. When the concentration of RuR is increased to 0.1 mM, the Ca current in these cells is blocked; but at this high concentration RuR also reduces the outward voltage-dependent currents and resting membrane resistance. Therefore, RuR is not a good Ca blocker because of its lack of specificity. However, its action of slowing Na current inactivation is very specific and could prove to be useful in studying the inactivation of the Na channel.     

Contribution of serotonin to establishing a conditioned food aversion reflex in the snail

Combined presentation of food and noxious electrical stimulation produced no response in snails injected 6–16 days previously with 5,7-dihydrooxytryptamine, which produces degeneration of serotoninergic nerve terminals and reduced serotonin synthesis, although a defense (aversive) response was observed in the control group. Application of serotonin to a preparation of the snail central nervous system (contained in a bath) was used as reinforcement during neurophysiological experiments. The amplitude of synaptic response to nerve stimulation increased significantly in preparations in which stimulation was paired with serotonin application. After 3–7 sets of twin stimuli consisting of serotonin application and applying a drop of juice to the chemoreceptive surface area of the skin, a spike response to the latter stimulus was produced. No such effects were seen in response to unpaired stimuli. It was deduced that serotonin makes a major contribution to establishing conditioned aversive reactions in the snail.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 291–298, May–June, 1986.     

Effect of serotonin on the activity of the neurons involved in the realization of the avoidance reflex of the snail

Bath application of 10(-5) mol/l of serotonin (5-HT) elicited a 50% increase of summary EPSPs recorded in command neurones for avoidance behaviour. No significant changes of rest potential and input resistance were seen in these cells. 5-HT evoked an increase of spontaneous level of firing in motoneurones involved in the same reflex, as well as an increase in the number of spikes which paralleled increase of EPSPs to the same stimulus in command neurones. In sensory cells, presynaptic to the command neurones, application of 5-HT evoked a significant increase of excitability and of input resistance. Monosynaptic EPSPs recorded in the command neurones showed a 40% increase after serotonin application. It is concluded that the major locus of plastic changes evoked by 5-HT application in the neuronal chain underlying avoidance reflex is the synaptic contact between sensory and command neurones.     

Multiple cellular responses to serotonin contribute to epithelial homeostasis

Epithelial homeostasis incorporates the paradoxical concept of internal change (epithelial turnover) enabling the maintenance of anatomical status quo. Epithelial cell differentiation and cell loss (cell shedding and apoptosis) form important components of epithelial turnover. Although the mechanisms of cell loss are being uncovered the crucial triggers that modulate epithelial turnover through regulation of cell loss remain undetermined. Serotonin is emerging as a common autocrine-paracine regulator in epithelia of multiple organs, including the breast. Here we address whether serotonin affects epithelial turnover. Specifically, serotonin's roles in regulating cell shedding, apoptosis and barrier function of the epithelium. Using in vivo studies in mouse and a robust model of differentiated human mammary duct epithelium (MCF10A), we show that serotonin induces mammary epithelial cell shedding and disrupts tight junctions in a reversible manner. However, upon sustained exposure, serotonin induces apoptosis in the replenishing cell population, causing irreversible changes to the epithelial membrane. The staggered nature of these events induced by serotonin slowly shifts the balance in the epithelium from reversible to irreversible. These finding have very important implications towards our ability to control epithelial regeneration and thus address pathologies of aberrant epithelial turnover, which range from degenerative disorders (e.g.; pancreatitis and thyrioditis) to proliferative disorders (e.g.; mastitis, ductal ectasia, cholangiopathies and epithelial cancers).