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pubmed:abstractText |
The efflux of 20 amino acids, induced by either high K+ concentration or veratrine, was determined in pigeon tectal slices. Ca2+-dependent, K+-induced release of beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate was observed. Veratrine caused release of the same amino acids plus glycine in a tetrodotoxin-sensitive manner. beta-Alanine had a strong inhibitory effect on the activity of tectal neurons which was blocked by strychnine but not by bicuculline. The results indicated a transmitter function for beta-alanine in the optic tectum, and were consistent with the previously proposed transmitter role of GABA and glutamate in this structure.
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