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R Dingledine

Publications and source records attributed to R Dingledine.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Spontaneous and synaptic input from granule cells and the perforant path to dentate basket cells in the rat hippocampus.

To characterize excitatory inputs to dentate basket cells from dentate granule cells and the perforant path, the whole-cell recording technique was used in neonatal rat hippocampal slices. Spontaneous excitatory input to basket cells was also examined and compared to that of other interneurons in the dentate gyrus. Basket cells were separable from other neurons in the dentate gyrus based on morphology and location, as determined by biocytin staining following recording, and by resting membrane potential, propensity to fire action potentials spontaneously, and miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) characteristics. Minimal electrical stimulation of the granule cell layer evoked in basket cells short latency EPSCs that were composed of both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) components as judged by their time course, voltage dependence, and blockade by selective antagonists. Perforant path EPSCs exhibited slower kinetics than EPSCs evoked by granule cell stimulation. Like granule cell evoked EPSCs, however, perforant path EPSCs were composed of both NMDA and AMPA components. Minimal electrical stimulation of the granule cell layer and perforant path evoked monosynaptic EPSCs in only 67% and 62% of the trials, respectively, suggesting that these inputs are as unreliable as previously determined inputs from CA3 pyramidal cells (48%). Tetrodotoxin-insensitive spontaneous miniature EPSCs were frequent in basket cells and non-basket interneurons residing either at the border between the granule cell layer and the hilus or deep within the hilus. Miniature EPSCs recorded from all cells held at -70 mV were blocked completely by 3 microM 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Though a component of the miniature EPSCs recorded from border and deep hilar interneurons at +40 mV was blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist D-2-amino-phosphonovaleric acid (D-APV), miniature EPSCs in basket cells were insensitive to D-APV. We conclude that input from granule cells and the perforant path results in activation of basket cells via glutamatergic synapses that employ both NMDA and AMPA receptors. These inputs to basket cells likely contribute to feedback and feedforward inhibition of granule cells. The absence of an NMDA receptor component in spontaneous miniature EPSCs of dentate basket cells implies a difference in organization of excitatory synapses made onto basket cells compared with other hilar interneurons.

Animals↗

Topology profile for a glutamate receptor: three transmembrane domains and a channel-lining reentrant membrane loop.

We investigated the transmembrane topology of the GluR3 subunit that was translated in rabbit reticulocytes supplemented with microsomal membranes. A prolactin reporter epitope was fused to GluR3 at six locations, bracketing each of the proposed transmembrane domains. The sidedness of the epitope in the microsomal membrane was then assessed by proteinase K sensitivity. The N terminus and the entire region between M3 and M4 was extracellular, and the C terminus was intracellular by this method. Four native N-linked glycosylation sites in the amino terminus and one introduced site between M3 and M4 were utilized, confirming the extracellular location of these regions. Epitopes inserted upstream and downstream of M2 were protease sensitive and thus intracellular. Our results support a topological model for glutamate receptor subunits that consists of three transmembrane domains, M1, M3, and M4, and another domain, the proposed channel-lining M2, which forms a reentrant membrane segment with both ends facing the cytoplasm.

Animals↗

Multiple structural determinants of voltage-dependent magnesium block in recombinant NMDA receptors.

The voltage-dependent block of NMDA channels by Mg2+ is an important functional element of NMDA receptors, since relief of block by depolarization plays a key role in some forms of ischemic neurodegeneration and synaptic plasticity. To identify the relevant structural domains responsible for block by Mg2+ and TCP, we used site-directed mutagenesis to change individual amino acids of the rat NR1A subunit in a transmembrane region (599-DALTLSSAMWFSWGVLLNSGIGE-621, mutated residues underlined) previously shown to donate residues that influence ionic selectivity. Ten mutant NR1A subunits were co-expressed in Xenopus oocytes with either the epsilon 1 or NR2A subunits, and receptor properties were analyzed under two-electrode voltage clamp. The mutation N616R virtually abolished voltage-dependent Mg2+ block, reduced Zn2+ block 5-fold and greatly reduced Ba2+ permeability in confirmation of previous reports. This mutation also reduced the potency of TCP as a use-dependent blocker by 200-fold. The remaining low-affinity TCP block did not appear to be use-dependent, suggesting two blocking sites for TCP. None of the other mutations differed significantly from NR1A itself except S617N, which displayed a 6-fold reduction in Mg2+ block. A well-barrier model of permeation through the NMDA receptor channel is presented that quantitatively reproduces voltage-dependent Mg2+ block. This model demonstrates that only minimum changes energy profiles experienced by permeating ions, equivalent to the energy of a single hydrogen or ionic bond, are required to abolish Mg2+ block. These findings indicate that only small structural changes are needed to convert a Mg(2+)-insensitive ion channel to a channel with pronounced voltage-dependent Mg2+ block.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Heterogeneity of synaptic glutamate receptors on CA3 stratum radiatum interneurones of rat hippocampus.

1. Whole-cell recordings were made from interneurons located within CA3 stratum radiatum of neonate rat hippocampal slices. All experiments were performed in the continued presence of tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and bicuculline (5 microM) to permit the isolation of spontaneous miniature excitatory synaptic currents (mEPSCs). 2. Two distinct populations of interneurones were identified based on current-voltage relations of kainate and the kinetic properties of spontaneous mEPSCs. These cell types were classified as type I and type II interneurones. 3. The I-V relation of kainate in type I cells was linear or modestly outwardly rectifying. Currents reversed polarity close to 0 mV. The kainate I-V relationship in type II interneurones was strongly inwardly rectifying with little or no outward current passed at potentials up to +50 mV. 4. Spontaneous mEPSCs were observed at a low frequency. At -70 mV mEPSCs received by type I interneurones had fast rise times (approximately 1 ms) and decay time constants (approximately 5 ms) and were mediated by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. Miniature EPSCs on type I interneurones reversed polarity at approximately 0 mV. At +50 mV the kinetics of the mEPSCs on type I interneurones were slowed and comprised both AMPA and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated components as revealed by their sensitivity to 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-APV). 5. The kinetics of spontaneous mEPSCs on type II cells were slower than their type I counterparts at -70 mV. Spontaneous mEPSCs received by type II interneurones showed extreme inward rectification with no cells possessing fast events at +50 mV. In a few cells slowly rising and slowly falling spontaneous mEPSCs were observed at positive holding potentials. These events were abolished by D-APV and were therefore mediated solely by NMDA receptor activation. 6. Type I or type II interneurones filled with Lucifer Yellow or biocytin possessed similar morphologies. Both cell types were typically large triangular cells with three to six branching dendrites often possessing varicosities. The dendrites of these interneurones arborized throughout strata radiatum, pyramidale, oriens and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. 7. In the majority of interneurones (both type I and II) the rise times of individual mEPSCs were correlated with their half-width and decay time constant, suggesting that the shape of the mEPSC is in part determined by the dendritic origin of the synaptic input.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

CNQX increases spontaneous inhibitory input to CA3 pyramidal neurones in neonatal rat hippocampal slices.

Whole-cell recordings were made from immature CA3 pyramidal neurones in the rat hippocampal slice. The addition of the glutamate receptor antagonist, CNQX, caused a robust increase in the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents (IPSC) concomitant with the expected reduction of excitatory drive to these neurones. This effect of CNQX was not shared by structurally related quinoxalinediones or kynurenic acid, which are also antagonists of non-NMDA glutamate receptors. This effect of CNQX was abolished by tetrodotoxin suggesting that an increase in interneurone spiking was responsible for the IPSCs. Recordings from stratum radiatum interneurones of CA3 confirmed this suggestion, since some interneurones were directly depolarized by CNQX. The excitation by CNQX of a small population of stratum radiatum interneurones of CA3 complicates interpretation of experiments designed to assess the consequences of blocking excitatory transmission with this drug.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Dual-component miniature excitatory synaptic currents in rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons.

1. Spontaneous miniature synaptic events were studied with tight-seal whole-cell recordings from CA3 neurons maintained in the hippocampal slice from immature rats (3-15 days). CA3 neurons suffer a constant, high-frequency barrage of inhibitory synaptic input. When inhibitory postsynaptic currents were suppressed by bicuculline, a smaller contribution from excitatory synapses was revealed. 2. Addition of tetrodotoxin (TTX) removed a persistent inward current and substantially reduced the baseline noise facilitating the detection of "miniature" excitatory currents. Addition of hyperosmotic media increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). 3. Under both physiological and elevated potassium conditions, individual spontaneous miniature EPSCs (10-30 pA amplitude) were composed of components mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors as determined by their voltage dependence, time course, and sensitivity to selective antagonists. 6-Cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) or D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-APV) shifted the amplitude distribution of miniature EPSCs to a smaller mode at both +40 mV and -40 mV. Similar to EPSCs recorded in CA1 neurons, the rise and decay times of the NMDA receptor component were slower than those of the non-NMDA component. The time course of the non-NMDA component was voltage independent. 4. In 13 of 21 neurons, no correlation existed between individual EPSC rise times and their corresponding halfwidth, peak amplitude, or decay time constant. This suggests that the large range of EPSC kinetics observed in each individual neuron was not due solely to cable attenuation of EPSCs widely distributed over the dendritic tree. Plots of the mean EPSC rise time against mean halfwidth for each cell, however, revealed a striking correlation, suggesting that in neonates, active synapses may be grouped in a restricted region of the dendritic tree and as such are subject to similar amounts of dendritic filtering. 5. The electrotonic length of CA3 neurons (L = 0.52) predicted that at this maturity the electrotonic compactness of the neuron facilitated voltage control over all but the most distal synapses. The reversal potential of the fast component of spontaneous events was close to 0 mV, whereas the reversal potential of exogenously applied kainate and NMDA was more positive. This discrepancy likely reflects a compromise of the voltage clamp by the activation of conductances distributed over the entire cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Structural determinants of barium permeation and rectification in non-NMDA glutamate receptor channels.

A single site in recombinant glutamate receptor channels of the GluR1-GluR4 family has been previously identified as a key regulator of ion permeation. The natural amino acid at this position (arginine in GluR2 but glutamine in GluR1, GluR3, and GluR4) determines both the ability to pass outward current and the divalent cation permeability of kainate-activated receptor channels. By mutagenesis of GluR6, we demonstrated that the same site also controls the ability to pass outward current in another non-NMDA receptor family. Additional mutations at and near this site in GluR3 indicated that the position of the arginine is critical to function, that the ability to pass outward current is not necessarily linked to low barium permeability, and that the size as well as the charge of the side chain at this position influences barium permeation. These results provide evidence that this site forms part of the selectivity filter of glutamate receptor channels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selectivity of amino acid transmitters acting at N-methyl-D-aspartate and amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate receptors.

The endogenous neurotransmitter candidates L-aspartate, L-cysteine sulfinate (CSA), L-glutamate, L-homocysteate (HCA), and the endogenously occurring analogue quinolinate were compared in terms of potency, maximal activity, and selectivity for steady state activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA [(RS)-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)] types of glutamate receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA isolated from rat brain (minus cerebellum). Selective activation of NMDA receptors was achieved by deleting Mg2+ and including 3-10 microM glycine in the perfusion medium and by applying ligands in the presence of 30 microM quisqualate, which blocks the AMPA receptor and desensitizes the oocyte's own Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- current. Oocytes were voltage clamped, and steady state inward currents were measured in response to perfusion with agonists at known concentrations. Under the NMDA receptor-preferring condition, the potency rank order was L-glutamate (EC50 = 2.2 microM, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-3.6 microM) greater than L-aspartate (13 microM) = HCA (13 microM) greater than CSA (59 microM) greater than quinolinate (greater than or equal to 7200 microM). All amino acids tested evoked similar maximal currents, which were 120-159% that of NMDA itself. The Hill coefficient was greater than 1 for all agonists except L-HCA (0.6), which might reflect heterogeneity of NMDA receptors expressed. This was supported by the finding that glycine was more potent in combination with HCA than NMDA, in activating NMDA receptors. To study the activity of agonists at AMPA receptors, glycine and quisqualate were omitted and 1 mM Mg2+ was included to block NMDA receptors. Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- currents activated by L-glutamate were prevented by inclusion of 0.4 M ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid in the recording electrode. All amino acids were less potent at AMPA receptors than at NMDA receptors; the potency rank order for steady state activation of AMPA receptors was L-glutamate (EC50 = 11 microM, 95% confidence interval = 7.3-18 microM) greater than HCA (430 microM) greater than CSA (3300 microM). L-Aspartate and quinolinate produced little or no inward current even up to 10 mM, i.e., were inactive at forebrain AMPA receptors. The maximal currents activated by all amino acids at steady state were 5-10% that of kainate, presumably due to severe desensitization of the AMPA receptor by the natural agonists. These results are consistent with L-glutamate acting as a mixed agonist at both AMPA and NMDA synaptic receptors and L-aspartate being involved exclusively in NMDA receptor-mediated synapses.

Amino Acids↗

Gadolinium block of calcium channels: influence of bicarbonate.

The selectivity of block of voltage-activated barium (Ba2+) currents by lanthanide ions was studied in a rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cell line (F11-B9), rat and frog peripheral neurons, and rat cardiac myocytes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Gadolinium (Gd3+) produced a dose-dependent and complete inhibition of whole-cell Ba2+ current in all cells studied, including cells expressing identified dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type currents and omega-conotoxin-sensitive N-type currents. Like Gd3+, lutetium (Lu3+) and lanthanum (La3+) blocked all Ba2+ current with little selectivity for different components of the whole-cell current. Gd3+ block of Ba2+ currents was incomplete, however, when sodium bicarbonate (5-22.6 mM) was added to the standard HEPES-buffered external Ba2+ solution. In rat DRG neurons and F11-B9 cells, a fraction of the whole-cell Ba2+ current recorded in the presence of bicarbonate was resistant to block by saturating concentrations of Gd3+ (50-100 microM). The resistant current inactivated more rapidly than the original current giving the appearance that, under these conditions, Gd3+ block is more selective for the slowly inactivating component of the whole-cell current. Bicarbonate modification of Gd3+ block occurred both before and after omega-conotoxin block of N-type currents in rat DRG neurons, suggesting that even in the presence of bicarbonate, Gd3+ block was not selective for N-type currents.

Animals↗

Identification of a site in glutamate receptor subunits that controls calcium permeability.

The neurotransmitter glutamate mediates excitatory synaptic transmission throughout the brain. A family of genes encoding subunits of the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) type of glutamate receptor has been cloned. Some combinations of these subunits assemble into receptors with a substantial permeability to calcium, whereas others do not. To investigate the structural features that control ion permeation through these ligand-gated channels, mutant receptor subunits with single-amino acid changes were constructed. Mutation of a certain amino acid that results in a net charge change (from glutamine to arginine or vice versa) alters both the current-voltage relation and the calcium permeability of non-NMDA receptors. A site has thus been identified that regulates the permeation properties of these glutamate receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of hippocampal NMDA receptors by magnesium and glycine during development.

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play an important role in the development of neuronal connections in the retina and visual cortex, and in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. The objective of this study was to determine whether the sensitivity of hippocampal NMDA receptors to magnesium, glycine or NMDA changes during development. Xenopus oocytes were injected with mRNA prepared from hippocampi from rats of different ages, and NMDA receptor properties studied under voltage clamp. Voltage-dependent block of the NMDA receptor by magnesium was studied with voltage steps of -90 mV to -30 mV, in increments of 10 mV, during application of 100 microM NMDA, 3 microM glycine and 0-1000 microM Mg2+. The IC50 of Mg2+ for blocking NMDA receptor-mediated currents varied e-fold (2.72-fold) for approximately every 15 mV of membrane potential in the middle range of membrane potential (-70 to -50 mV), but the relationship between log[IC50] for Mg2+ and membrane potential was not linear, as would be expected for simple channel block. The slopes of the curves did not change with development, indicating no change in the voltage-dependence of Mg2+ block with age. However, the IC50 of Mg2+ block did change with age at every membrane potential tested. NMDA receptors expressed from mRNA isolated from 14-15 day old rats were nearly 2-fold less sensitive to block by Mg2+ (IC50 = 33 microM at -60 mV) than those from 1-2 day old rats (IC50 = 18 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Inhibition by bradykinin of voltage-activated barium current in a rat dorsal root ganglion cell line: role of protein kinase C.

The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record Ba2+ currents through voltage-activated calcium channels in the clonal dorsal root ganglion cell line F11-B9. The pain-producing peptide bradykinin (BK; 100 nM) reduced the sustained Ba2+ current in F11-B9 cells by 30%. In cultures prelabeled with 3H-arachidonic acid and tested under ionic conditions similar to those used for recording Ba2+ currents, BK also induced a concentration-dependent, transient, 2.7-fold accumulation of 3H-diacylglycerol. Both the elevation of 3H-diacylglycerol and the inhibition of Ba2+ current began within 5 sec following BK exposure, and the effective concentration range of BK was similar for the 2 responses. In whole-cell recordings, extracellularly applied 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG; 0.5-5 microM) mimicked the degree of block and occluded the block of sustained current by BK. Another protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8), blocked 70-100% of sustained current when applied intracellularly or extracellularly at 5 microM, whereas extracellular application of ethylene glycol dioctanoate (5 microM), an analog reported not to stimulate PKC, inhibited only 14% of sustained current. The pseudosubstrate peptide PKC19-36 (2 microM in pipette) and the lipid staurosporine (100 nM in pipette), both inhibitors of PKC, reduced the effects of maximal concentrations of OAG or BK by 55-60%. Dynorphin A applied intracellularly (2 microM) as a control for nonspecific effects of PKC19-36 did not inhibit the block of sustained current by BK. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that BK inhibits whole-cell sustained Ba2+ current in F11-B9 cells via a mechanism that involves activation of PKC.

Alkaloids↗

5,7-Dichlorokynurenic acid, a potent and selective competitive antagonist of the glycine site on NMDA receptors.

Fourteen substituted derivatives of kynurenic acid were compared for their ability to block ionic currents evoked by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) plus glycine, or kainate, in voltage-clamped Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain messenger RNA. Among these analogues there was an excellent correlation between the Ki for displacing [3H]glycine binding to rat brain membranes, and the ability to inhibit ionic currents evoked by glycine/NMDA in Xenopus oocytes. In the oocyte 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid (5,7-DCK) was a competitive blocker of the glycine recognition site on NMDA receptors, and was more potent (KB 65 nM in Schild analysis) and selective (509-fold more potent vs glycine than kainate) than the prototype glycine antagonist, 7-chlorokynurenic acid, 5,7-DCK also reduced NMDA-induced neuron injury in rat cortical cell cultures.

Animals↗

Regional variation of extracellular space in the hippocampus.

The factors responsible for the unusual susceptibility of the hippocampus to seizures and ischemic cell damage are not well understood. The CA1 pyramidal subfield of the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to seizure activity and damage after ischemia. The possibility was examined that regional differences exist in extracellular volume, which might influence neuronal excitability and response to injury in the hippocampus. CA1 stratum pyramidale exhibited an exceptionally low extracellular volume fraction (EVF) of 0.12, whereas the EVFs of CA3 and dentate were considerably higher--0.18 and 0.15, respectively. The EVF of CA1 stratum pyramidale was reversibly reduced by 30 percent when the extracellular potassium concentration was raised from 3.5 to 8.5 mM, a procedure that induced spontaneous electrographic seizures in CA1. Thus there are regional variations in the properties of the extracellular space in the hippocampus that might underlie the propensity of the CA1 region to develop seizures and to suffer damage after ischemia.

Animals↗

Expression of sensory neuron antigens by a dorsal root ganglion cell line, F-11.

The F-11 cell line is a fusion product of embryonic rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells with mouse neuroblastoma cell line N18TG-2 (Platika, D., Boulos, M.H., Baizer, L. and Fishman, M.C., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 82 (1985) 3499-3503). F-11 cells were uniformly labelled using a monoclonal antibody (RT-97) to the 200 kDa subunit of neurofilament protein, which labels a subpopulation of adult rat DRG neurons. F-11 cells did not stain for antigenic markers of fibroblasts or Schwann/satellite cells which are also present in DRG. Monoclonal antibodies that recognize cell surface carbohydrates have been shown to label subpopulations of DRG neurons. The stage-specific embryonic antigens SSEA-3 and SSEA-4, and the antigen recognized by B23D8, were expressed by some F-11 cells but not by the neuroblastoma parent of the hybrid cells. SSEA-3 was expressed by about 20% of the F-11 cells, whereas 40-60% expressed SSEA-4 or the antigen recognized by B23D8. The stability of F-11 cell subpopulations for sensory antigen expression was demonstrated by isolating single cells and growing the progeny as clonal lines. In some subclones, nearly 100% of the cells stably expressed SSEA-4 and/or B23D8, or failed to stain with anti-SSEA-4, anti-SSEA-3, or B23D8 over 12 passages. Other subclones were unstable for the expression of these antigens. This study demonstrates the derivation of the F-11 cell line from sensory neurons but also indicates that multiple phenotypes of varying stability are present in this line. This information is important for the use of this line as a model for DRG neurons.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗