Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-1-23
pubmed:abstractText
The melanotrope cell of Xenopus laevis is innervated by nerve terminals that contain, among other transmitter substances, the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Postsynaptically the melanotrope cell possess both GABAA and GABAB receptors. Activation of either receptor type leads to an inhibition of alpha MSH release from the cell. The present study concerns the functional significance of the existence of two types of GABA receptors on the melanotrope regarding two questions: 1) do the different receptor types have different effects on the melanotrope? and 2) can the endogenous ligand GABA differentially activate these receptors? Concerning the first question, we have tested the hypothesis that the GABAA receptor (a chloride ion channel) and the GABAB receptor (a G protein-coupled receptor negatively linked to adenylyl cyclase) may have differential effects on the sensitivity of the cell to stimulation by cAMP-dependent mechanisms. We show that treatments with either isoguvacine (GABAA agonist) or baclofen (GABAB agonist) inhibit intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and peptide secretion from melanotrope cells. Treatments known to increase intracellular cAMP in the melanotrope (e.g. use of the peptide sauvagine or the cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP) completely overcame the inhibition induced by baclofen, but not that caused by isoguvacine. We conclude that the GABAA and GABAB receptors have different effects on the Xenopus melanotrope cell by differentially affecting the sensitivity the cell shows to stimulation by cAMP-dependent mechanisms. Concerning possible differential activation of the receptor types, we found that we could use a membrane potential probe (from the bis-oxonol family) to differentiate between GABAA and GABAB receptor activation. Using this probe we showed that low GABA concentrations (< 10(-7) M) give a response indicative of the GABAB receptor, whereas at high GABA concentrations (> 10(-7) M), the GABAA receptor response predominates. We, therefore, conclude that GABA can differentially activate the two types of GABA receptors on the Xenopus melanotrope cell.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0013-7227
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
138
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
203-12
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Neuroendocrine gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): functional differences in GABAA versus GABAB receptor inhibition of the melanotrope cell of Xenopus laevis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Nijmegen Institute for Neurosciences, Subfaculty of Biology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't