GABA-B receptor activation and conflict behaviour

Baclofen and oxazepam enhance extinction of conflict behaviour in the Geller-Seifter test while baclofen and diazepam release punished behaviour in Vogel's conflict test. In order to investigate the possibility that the effect of the selective GABA-B receptor agonist baclofen is mediated indirectly via the GABA-A/benzodiazepine receptor complex, the effect of pretreatment of rats with baclofen on [3H]-diazepam binding to washed and unwashed cortical and cerebellar membranes of rats has been studied. Baclofen pretreatment increased Bmax in washed cerebellar membranes when bicuculline was present in the incubation mixture. No effect was seen in cortical membranes. The present results render it unlikely that the effect of baclofen on extinction of conflict behaviour and punished drinking is mediated via the GABA-A/benzodiazepine receptor complex.     

GABA and the regulation of serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity in amphibian retina—I. Effects of GABA agonists and antagonists

Retinal melatonin biosynthesis is regulated in part by changes in the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT), which increases at night in dark-adapted retinas, but not in light-exposed retinas. Using an in vitro preparation of Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog) eye cups, we have obtained evidence supporting the involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the regulation of NAT activity. GABA, the GABA-A receptor agonists muscimol and isoguvacine, and the GABA-B receptor agonist (−)baclofen, in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, mimicked dark adaptation by increasing the activity of NAT in light-exposed retinas. The response to GABA agonists was not additive to that observed in darkness. Diazepam increased NAT activity of light-exposed retinas when added in the presence of muscimol, but had no significant effect when added alone. Picrotoxin, an antagonist of the GABA-A receptor-linked Cl⁻ channel, blocked both the stimulation caused by dark adaptation and that caused by GABA-A agonists. The increase of NAT activity elicited by muscimol, but not that by baclofen, was blocked by bicuculline methobromide and picrotoxin. The results implicate GABA, acting through GABA-A and possibly GABA-B receptors, in the regulation of NAT activity in retina.     

Effects of muscimol and baclofen on levels of monoamines and their metabolites in the El mouse brain

We compared the changes in monoamines and their metabolites in the El mouse brain induced by GABA-A and GABA-B receptor agonists. Muscimol was used as a GABA-A receptor agonist, and baclofen as a GABA-B receptor agonist. Muscimol (3 mg/kg) significantly increased the DOPAC level in all parts of the mouse brain and the HVA level in the cortex, striatum, and midbrain. No significant change was observed in the dopamine (DA) level. These findings suggest that muscimol may accelerate both the synthesis and catabolism of DA. Baclofen (20 mg/kg) increased the DA level in the hippocampus and midbrain, and the DOPAC level in the hippocampus. Muscimol increased 5-HIAA levels and decreased 5-HT levels. This result suggests that 5-HT metabolism is accelerated by muscimol. No change in 5-HT or 5-HIAA levels was induced by baclofen. The GABA-A receptor system seems to have a potent effect not only on DA neurons, but on 5-HT neurons. However, the GABA-B receptor system appears to have almost no effect on 5-HT neurons, though it appears to have some effect on DA neurons.     

Molecular and physiological evidence for functional gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-C receptors in growth hormone-secreting cells

The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), released by hypothalamic neurons as well as by growth hormone- (GH) and adrenocorticotropin-producing cells, is a regulator of pituitary endocrine functions. Different classes of GABA receptors may be involved. In this study, we report that GH cells, isolated by laser microdissection from rat pituitary slices, possess the GABA-C receptor subunit rho2. We also demonstrate that in the GH adenoma cell line, GH3, GABA-C receptor subunits are not only expressed but also form functional channels. GABA-induced Cl- currents were recorded using the whole cell patch clamp technique; these currents were insensitive to bicuculline (a GABA-A antagonist) but could be induced by the GABA-C agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid. In contrast to typical GABA-C mediated currents in neurons, they quickly desensitized. Ca2+i recordings were also performed on GH3 cells. The application of either GABA or cis-4-aminocrotonic acid led to Ca2+ transients of similar amplitude, indicating that the activation of GABA-C receptors in GH3 cells may cause membrane depolarization, opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and a subsequent Ca2+ influx. Our results point at a role for GABA in pituitary GH cells and disclose an additional pathway to the one known via GABA-B receptors.     

Different Subtypes of GABA-A Receptors Are Expressed in Human, Mouse and Rat T Lymphocytes

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most prominent neuroinhibitory transmitter in the brain, where it activates neuronal GABA-A receptors (GABA-A channels) located at synapses and outside of synapses. The GABA-A receptors are primary targets of many clinically useful drugs. In recent years, GABA has been shown to act as an immunomodulatory molecule. We have examined in human, mouse and rat CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells which subunit isoforms of the GABA-A channels are expressed. The channel physiology and drug specificity is dictated by the GABA-A receptor subtype, which in turn is determined by the subunit isoforms that make the channel. There were 5, 8 and 13 different GABA-A subunit isoforms identified in human, mouse and rat CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, respectively. Importantly, the γ2 subunit that imposes benzodiazepine sensitivity on the GABA-A receptors, was only detected in the mouse T cells. Immunoblots and immunocytochemistry showed abundant GABA-A channel proteins in the T cells from all three species. GABA-activated whole-cell transient and tonic currents were recorded. The currents were inhibited by picrotoxin, SR95531 and bicuculline, antagonists of GABA-A channels. Clearly, in both humans and rodents T cells, functional GABA-A channels are expressed but the subtypes vary. It is important to bear in mind the interspecies difference when selecting the appropriate animal models to study the physiological role and pharmacological properties of GABA-A channels in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and when selecting drugs aimed at modulating the human T cells function.     

The role of GABA-A and GABA-B receptors in the development of amnesia

The paper deals with analysis of the influence of blockade of separate components of benzodiazepine-GABA-ionophore complex on the recovery of memory trace amnesia under GABA-A and GABA-B receptors activation in the experiments with conditioned reaction of passive avoidance of mice. Activation of GABA-A receptors did not change the behavioural amnesia manifestation at all terms of testing. Activation of GABA-B receptors before learning and amnestic influence caused spontaneous recovery of avoidance reaction. Blockade of chloride channel by picrotoxin and of benzodiazepine receptor by flumazepil restored the reproduction of the memory trace disturbed against the background of GABA-B receptors activation. Systemic flumazepil administration contributed to the memory trace reproduction against the background of GABA-A receptors activation by muscimol in the dose of 0.5 mg/kg. In conditions of amnesia development against the background of muscimol in the dose of 1 mg/kg the blockade of any component of benzodiazepine-GABA-ionophore complex was not effective. The obtained data testify that activation of GABA-A and GABA-B receptors changes the amnesia development and correction of amnesia memory trace by the blockade of separate components of benzodiazepine-GABA-ionophore complex.     

GABA-A and GABA-B receptors in the cuneate nucleus of the rat in vivo

Electric stimulation of the rat forepaw evokes a negative potential (N-wave) at the ipsilateral cuneate nucleus. The responses of the N-wave to microiontophoretically applied GABA agonists and antagonists have been studied. Applications of GABA-A agonists (3-amino-propanesulfonic acid and muscimol) reduce the amplitude of the N-wave. This effect decreases during prolonged application, suggesting a desensitization of GABA-A receptors. In addition the effect of muscimol is reduced by (-)-bicuculline methiodide. Baclofen (a GABA-B agonist) also depresses the N-wave but its action lasts longer, is less reversible, shows no desensitization and is not blocked by (-)-bicuculline methiodide. The different responses of the N-wave to GABA-A and GABA-B agonists are compatible with the existence of different types of functional receptors for them in the cuneate nucleus of the rat. The receptors activated by muscimol (GABA-A) are clearly not the same as the ones activated by baclofen (conceivably GABA-B).     

Formation of GABA-Aα1 and GABA-B1 receptor-mediated inhibitory network in the ventrolateral part of the solitary tract nucleus during the early postnatal period under normal conditions and prenatal serotonin deficiency

Time course of formation of the inhibitory receptor network (GABA-Aα1 and GABA-B1) in the respiratory subnuclei (ventral and lateral) of the solitary tract (NTS) during the early postnatal period was studied on laboratory Wistar rats under normal conditions and prenatal serotonin deficiency. It was found that in normal rats the maturation of the inhibitory receptor networks in both NTS subnuclei occurs within the first three postnatal weeks. Some features of their formation were noticed. The dynamics of changes in intensity of GABA-Аα1 expression in the ventral and lateral subnuclei proceeds in a similar way. During the first postnatal week, GABA-Aα1 expression is low. In the neuropil, the network of GABA-Aα1-containing presynaptic terminals and synapses is poorly developed. Within the second week, the number of GABA-Aα1-expressing neurons increases in both subnuclei with a simultaneous rise in the density of the network of terminals and synaptic structures. By the end of the third week, the number of GABA-Aα1-expressing neurons decreases, but the network density continues to increase. GABA-B1 expression in the ventral and lateral subnuclei occurs also simultaneously, although with some distinctions. During the first postnatal week, intensity of GABA-B1 expression is weak. In the neuropil, few GABA-B1-containing terminals form a loose network with sporadic synaptic structures. During the second week, expression of the receptor increases, being particularly considerable in the ventral subnuclei. Simultaneously, the density of the presynaptic terminals increases. By the end of the third week, the number of GABA-B1-expressing neurons in the ventral subnuclei decreases, while in the lateral subnuclei remains almost intact and the network density increases. The data obtained show that prenatal serotonin deficiency leads to malformation and impaired maturation of the GABAergic inhibitory neuronal network in the ventrolateral part of NTS.     

Classification of inhibitory amino acid receptors in the mammalian nervous system

Electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence is summarized for the existence of an inhibitory receptor system operated by glycine and another two separate systems operated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) through GABA-A and GABA-B receptors, respectively. Claims for subclasses of GABA-A receptor are critically reviewed and found not-proven. A quantitative pharmacological profile of the GABA-A receptor and associated regulatory sites for picrotoxin, barbiturates and benzodiazepines on the dorsal funiculus of the rat cuneate nucleus is described. When compared with this profile and the pharmacological properties of the glycine receptor complex, the effects of taurine cannot be entirely explained by actions on these two receptor systems.     

GABAergic mediation of stress-induced secretion of corticosterone and oxytocin, but not prolactin, by the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) participates in mediating the response to stressful stimuli. Within the HPA, neurons in the medial parvocellular region of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus integrate excitatory and inhibitory signals triggering secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the main secretagogue of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Stressful situations alter CRH secretion as well as other hormones, including prolactin and oxytocin. Most inputs to the PVN are of local origin, half of which are GABAergic neurons, and both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors are present in the PVN. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of GABA-A and GABA-B receptors in the PVN's control of stress-induced corticosterone, oxytocin and prolactin secretion. Rats were microinjected with saline or different doses (0.5, 5 and 50 pmol) of GABA-A (bicuculine) or GABA-B (phaclofen) antagonists in the PVN. Ten minutes later, they were subjected to a stressor (ether inhalation) and blood samples were collected 30 min before and 10, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the stressful stimulus to measure hormone levels by radioimmunoassay. Our results indicate that GABA acts in the PVN to inhibit stress-induced corticosterone secretion via both its receptor subtypes, especially GABA-B. In contrast, GABA in the PVN stimulates oxytocin secretion through GABA-B receptors and does not alter prolactin secretion.     

Action of GABA-B antagonist on cortical epileptic afterdischarges in rats is similar to that of GABA-A antagonist

Threshold intensities for epileptic phenomena induced by cortical stimulation were used for comparison of the action of GABA-B and GABA-A antagonists in rats with implanted electrodes. Both CGP 35348 (200 mg/kg i.p.) and bicuculline (4 mg/kg i.p.) significantly decreased thresholds for spike-and-wave afterdischarges and their motor counterpart (clonic seizures) whilst transition into the second, limbic type of afterdischarge as well as threshold for movements directly bound to stimulation remained uninfluenced by either drug.     

Modulation of Calcium Channels by Taurine Acting Via a Metabotropic-like Glycine Receptor

Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the central nervous system, where it displays several functions. However, its molecular targets remain unknown. It is well known that taurine can activate GABA-A and strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors, which increases a chloride conductance. In this study, we describe that acute application of taurine induces a dose-dependent inhibition of voltage-dependent calcium channels in chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medullae. This taurine effect was not explained by the activation of either GABA-A, GABA-B or strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors. Interestingly, glycine mimicked the modulatory action exerted by taurine on calcium channels, although the acute application of glycine did not elicit any ionic current in these cells. Additionally, the modulation of calcium channels exerted by both taurine and glycine was prevented by the intracellular dialysis of GDP-β-S. Thus, the modulation of voltage-dependent calcium channels by taurine seems to be mediated by a metabotropic-like glycinergic receptor coupled to G-protein activation in a membrane delimited pathway.     

GABA and development of the Xenopus optic projection

In the developing visual system of Xenopus laevis retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons extend through the brain towards their major target in the midbrain, the optic tectum. Enroute, the axons are guided along their pathway by cues in the environment. In vitro, neurotransmitters have been shown to act chemotropically to influence the trajectory of extending axons and regulate the outgrowth of developing neurites, suggesting that they may act to guide or modulate the growth of axons in vivo. Previous work by Roberts and colleagues (1987) showed that populations of cells within the developing Xenopus diencephalon and mid-brain express the neurotransmitter gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). Here we show that Xenopus RGC axons in the midoptic tract grow alongside the GABAergic cells and cross their GABA immunopositive nerve processes. Moreover, RGC axons and growth cones express GABA-A and GABA-B receptors, and GABA and the GABA-B receptor agonist baclofen both stimulate RGC neurite outgrowth in culture. Finally, the GABA-B receptor antagonist CGP54626 applied to the developing optic projection in vivo causes a dose-dependent shortening of the optic projection. These data indicate that GABA may act in vivo to stimulate the outgrowth of Xenopus RGC axons along the optic tract.     

Interactions between GABA-B1 receptors and Kir 3 inwardly rectifying potassium channels

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. It acts via both ionotropic GABA-A and metabotropic GABA-B receptors. We evaluated the interaction of receptors with members of the inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir 3) channel family, which also play an important role in neuronal transmission and membrane excitability. These channels are functionally regulated by GABA-B receptors. Possible physical interactions between GABA-B receptor and Kir 3 channels expressed in HEK cells were evaluated using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) experiments, co-immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy. Our data indicate that Kir 3 channels and Gβγ subunits can interact with the GABA-B₁ subunits independently of the GABA-B₂ subunit or Kir 3.4 which are ultimately responsible for their targetting to the cell surface. Thus signalling complexes containing GABA-B receptors, G proteins and Kir channels are formed shortly after biosynthesis most likely in the endoplasmic reticulum.     

GABA receptors ameliorate Hcy-mediated integrin shedding and constrictive collagen remodeling in microvascular endothelial cells

Mammalian endothelial cells are deficient in cystathionine β synthetase (CBS) activity, which is responsible for homocysteine (Hcy) clearance. This deficiency makes the endothelium theprime target for Hcy toxicity. Hcy induces integrin shedding in microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) by increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). Hcy competes with inhibitory neurotransmitter γ aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor. We hypothesized that Hcy transduces MVEC remodeling by increasing metalloproteinase activity and shedding β-1 integrin by inactivating the GABA-A/B receptors, thus behaving as an excitatory neurotransmitter. MVEC were isolated from mouse brain. The presence of GABA-A receptor was determined by immunolabeling. It was induced by muscimol, an agonist of GABA-A receptors as measured by Western blot analysis. Hcy induced MMP-2 activity in a dose- and time-dependent maner, measured by zymography. GABA-A/B receptors ameliorated the Hcy-mediated MMP-2 activation. Hcy selectively increased the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-3 but decreased the levels of TIMP-4. Treatment with muscimol decreased the levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 and increased the levels of TIMP-4 to control. Hcy caused a robust increae in the levels of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM)-12. In the medium of MVEC reated with Hcy, the levels of β-1 integrin were significantly increased. Treatment with muscimol or baclofen (GABA-B receptor agonist) ameliorated the levels significantly increased. Treatment with muscimol or baclofen (GABA-B receptor agonist) ameliorated the levels of β-1 integrin in the medium. These results suggested that Hcy induced DAM-12. Significantly, Hcy facilitated the β-1 integrin shedding. Treatment of MVEC with muscimole or baclofen during Hcy administration ameliorated the expression of metalloproteinase, integrin-shedding, and constrictive collagen remodeling, suggesting a role of Hcy in GABA receptor-mediated cerebrovascular remodeling.     

An antagonist of GABA-B receptors potentiates activity of cortical epileptic foci

Cortical epileptic foci elicited by local application of bicuculline methiodide represent a model of interictal epileptic activity with a transition into ictal phases. We studied a role of GABA-B receptors in this model using GABA-B receptor antagonist CGP35348 in adult rats with implanted cortical electrodes and cannula. CGP35348 (100 or 200 mg/kg i.p.) did not affect interictal discharges but it augmented ictal activity. Latency to the first ictal episode was decreased by the lower dose of CGP35348, duration of episodes was increased by the higher dose. GABA-B receptor antagonist did not influence purely cortical epileptic phenomenon but it is proconvulsant in ictal activity generated with participation of subcortical structures.     

Depression of the vestibulo-ocular and optokinetic responses by intrafloccular microinjection of GABA-A and GABA-B agonists in the rabbit

The functional implication of the cerebellar flocculus in regulation of the VOR and OKR gain has mostly been studied by lesion experiments, and the hypotheses derived from these experiments are not always in line with one another. In the present study, a reversible method was used to inhibit floccular Purkinje cells. The GABA-A agonist muscimol or the GABA-B agonist baclofen were bilaterally injected into the flocculus of rabbits, and the effects of these injections on the gain of the VOR and OKR were studied. Both drugs induced a reduction by at least 50% of the gain of the VOR in light and darkness, and of the OKR. Although GABA-A and GABA-B receptors are known to have different cerebellar localizations, muscimol and baclofen injections resulted in quantitatively similar effects. It is suggested that these GABA-agonists cause either direct or indirect inhibition of floccular Purkinje cells, thus reducing modulation of the firing rate of these neurons by afferent mossy and climbing fibers. Because the flocular Purkinje cells act out of phase with the vestibular neurons which drive the oculomotor neurons, a reduced output of floccular Purkinje cells would result in a reduction of the VOR and OKR gain. These experiments provide strong evidence that the cerebellar flocculus has a positive influence on the basic VOR and OKR gain.     

GABAergic signaling in primary lens epithelial and lentoid cells and its involvement in intracellular Ca2+ modulation

Primary lens epithelial cell (LEC) cultures derived from newborn (P0) and one-month-old (P30) mouse lenses were used to study GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) signaling expression and its effect on the intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) level. We have found that these cultures express specific cellular markers for lens epithelial and fiber cells, all components of the functional GABA signaling pathway and GABA, thus recapitulating the developmental program of the ocular lens. Activation of both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors (GABA_AR and GABA_BR) with the specific agonists muscimol and baclofen, respectively induces [Ca²⁺]_i transients that could be blocked by the specific antagonists bicuculline and CGP55845 and were dependent on extracellular Ca²⁺. Bicuculline did not change the GABA-evoked Ca²⁺ responses in Ca²-containing buffers, but suppressed them significantly in Ca²⁺-free buffers suggesting the two receptors couple to convergent Ca²⁺ mobilization mechanisms with different extracellular Ca²⁺ sensitivity. Prolonged activation of GABA_BR induced wave propagation of the Ca²⁺ signal and persistent oscillations. The number of cells reacting to GABA or GABA + bicuculline in P30 mouse LEC cultures expressing predominantly the synaptic type GABA_AR did not differ significantly from the number of reacting cells in P0 mouse LEC cultures. The GABA-induced Ca²⁺ transients in P30 (but not P0) mouse LEC could be entirely suppressed by co-application of bicuculline and CGP55845. The GABA-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling may be involved in a variety of Ca²⁺-dependent cellular processes during lens growth and epithelial cell differentiation.     

The GABA-A receptor gene family: new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Until 1987, when the first GABA-A receptor subunit cDNAs were cloned and sequenced, it was thought that there were perhaps two subtypes of receptor in the brain. These were defined by the fact that benzodiazepines, which act through the GABA-A receptor, had two binding sites with different affinities. By 1991 it was known that the GABA-A receptor family existed as a family of subunits which coassembled to form a family of receptor subtypes in the brain. More recently, two additional GABA-A receptor subunits have been identified, epsilon and theta. The identification of these new members of the gene family, and the characterisation of the receptor subtypes into which they are incorporated, is reviewed.     

GABA receptors and nitric oxide ameliorate constrictive collagen remodeling in hyperhomocysteinemia

Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with vascular dementias and Alzheimer's disease. The role of Hcy in brain microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) remodeling is unclear. Hcy competes with muscimol, an gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-A receptor agonist. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Our hypothesis is that Hcy induces constrictive microvascular remodeling by altering GABA-A/B receptors. MVEC from wild type, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) knockout (-/-), heterozygote cystathionine beta synthase (CBS-/+), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout (eNOS-/-) mouse brains were isolated. The MVEC were incorporated into collagen (3.2 mg/ml) gels and the decrease in collagen gel diameter at 24 h was used as an index of constrictive MVEC remodeling. Gels in the absence or presence of Hcy were incubated with muscimol or baclofen, a GABA-B receptor agonist. The results suggested that Hcy-mediated MVEC collagen gel constriction was ameliorated by muscimol, baclofen, MMP-9, and eNOS gene ablations. There was no effect of anti-alpha 3 integrin. However, Hcy-mediated brain MVEC collagen constriction was abrogated with anti-beta-1 integrin. The co-incubation of Hcy with L-arginine ameliorated the Hcy-mediated collagen gel constriction. The results of this study indicated amelioration of Hcy-induced MVEC collagen gel constriction by induction of nitric oxide through GABA-A and -B receptors.