The objective of this research is to gain an understanding, on a molecular level, of the pharmacological basis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated synaptic transmission. Whereas a considerable body of electrophysiological and biochemical information is available for the nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors, and for the adrenergic receptor, a similar depth of fundamental knowledge of GABA receptor function requires further investigation. A thorough study of the pharmacological basis for the postsynaptic action of GABA in a defined preparation derived from the vertebrate central nervous system will add significantly to our understanding of GABA receptor action. We have previously shown that GABA is used like a neurotransmitter in embryonic chick spinal cord neurons grown in primary monolayer cell culture. Standard intracellular microelectrode recording techniques have been combined with the application of known concentrations of drugs to single neurons by multiple barrel pressure pipets, permitting the determination of complete dose response curves for transmitters and modulators on individual neurons. The GABA induced conductance of such neurons is potentiated by benzodiazepine tranquilizers and inhibited by certain anxiety producing beta-carbolines. The principal goal of this proposal is to investigate the mechanism of positive and negative control of GABA induced conductance increases. A study of the effects of GABA agonists and antagonists, and modulators of GABA action on the kinetics of desensitization will be carried out.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS022116-02
Application #
3404122
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Project Start
1985-04-01
Project End
1988-03-31
Budget Start
1986-04-01
Budget End
1987-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Brooklyn
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11203
Gyenes, M; Wang, Q; Gibbs, T T et al. (1994) Phosphorylation factors control neurotransmitter and neuromodulator actions at the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. Mol Pharmacol 46:542-9
Wu, F S; Gibbs, T T; Farb, D H (1993) Dual activation of GABAA and glycine receptors by beta-alanine: inverse modulation by progesterone and 5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one. Eur J Pharmacol 246:239-46
Celentano, J J; Gyenes, M; Gibbs, T T et al. (1991) Negative modulation of the gamma-aminobutyric acid response by extracellular zinc. Mol Pharmacol 40:766-73
Wu, F S; Gibbs, T T; Farb, D H (1991) Pregnenolone sulfate: a positive allosteric modulator at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Mol Pharmacol 40:333-6
Wu, F S; Gibbs, T T; Farb, D H (1990) Inverse modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid- and glycine-induced currents by progesterone. Mol Pharmacol 37:597-602
Borden, L A; Gibbs, T T (1990) Flunitrazepam photoaffinity labeling of the GABA(A) receptor reduces inhibition of [3H]Ro15-4513 binding by GABA. Eur J Pharmacol 188:391-7
Roca, D J; Rozenberg, I; Farrant, M et al. (1990) Chronic agonist exposure induces down-regulation and allosteric uncoupling of the gamma-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine receptor complex. Mol Pharmacol 37:37-43
Roca, D J; Schiller, G D; Friedman, L et al. (1990) gamma-Aminobutyric acidA receptor regulation in culture: altered allosteric interactions following prolonged exposure to benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and methylxanthines. Mol Pharmacol 37:710-9
Czajkowski, C; Farb, D H (1989) Identification of an intracellular pool of gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptors en route to the cell surface of brain neurons in culture. Mol Pharmacol 35:183-8
Czajkowski, C; Gibbs, T T; Farb, D H (1989) Transmembrane topology of the gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptor: subcellular distribution and allosteric coupling determined in situ. Mol Pharmacol 35:75-84

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