The metabolism of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the lobster nervous system--glutamic decarboxylase.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
In this study, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining analysis, and the transport mechanism was characterized using a conditionally immortalized mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line (TM-BBB) as an in vitro model of the BBB. gamma-Aminobutyric acid transport was studied by the cellular uptake of [ 3 H]GABA. [3H]GABA uptake by TM-BBB cells was Na (+)-, Cl(-)-, and concentration-dependent. The corresponding Michaelis-Menten constant was 679 +/- 80 micromol/L and the maximal uptake rate was 4,790 +/- 494 pmol/(mg protein x 5 minutes). [3H]GABA uptake by TM-BBB cells was significantly inhibited by betaine, beta-alanine, nipecotic acid, taurine, and quinidine, whereas probenecid, L-proline, creatine, and glycine had no effect. This type of inhibition is consistent with the predominant involvement of the GAT2/BGT-1 transporter in TM-BBB cells. RT-PCR analysis showed that GAT2/BGT-1 mRNA was expressed in TM-BBB cells, whereas Western blot analysis showed that TM-BBB cells and mouse brain capillaries express GAT2/BGT-1 protein. Moreover, confocal immunofluorescent microscopy of dual-labeled mouse brain sections demonstrated the colocalization of GAT2/BGT-1 and P-glycoprotein, a BBB-specific marker, on brain capillaries labeled with anti-GAT2/BGT-1 antibody and anti-P-glycoprotein antibody, respectively. These results are evidence that GAT2/BGT-1 is expressed at the BBB and is involved in GABA transport across the BBB.
In the catfish retina, horizontal cells that receive inputs exclusively from red-sensitive cones are the only neurons that accumulate exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid under our experimental conditions. When isolated eyecups are perfused with bicuculline methochloride, an antagonist of postsynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, responses of cone photoreceptors to a field of light (3 mm in diameter) become much slower and approach those to a small spot of light (0.3 mm). In addition, bicuculline methochloride decreases the frequency responses of cone horizontal cells to a field of light. These findings indicate that, in the catfish retina, feedback synapses from cone horizontal cells to cones are chemically mediated and may use gamma-aminobutyric acid as a neurotransmitter. Our results also confirm the hypothesis that, in the catfish retina, a function of the negative feedback is to improve the frequency responses of the system.