Metabotropic glutamate receptor modulation of synaptic transmission in corticostriatal co-cultures: role of calcium influx.

Modulation of excitatory glutamatergic transmission at corticostriatal synapses by a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) was examined using a newly developed cell culture preparation in which small explants of cortical tissue are grown in co-culture with isolated striatal neurons. Electrical stimulation of cortical tissue evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) observed during tight-seal, whole-cell recordings from striatal neurons. Transmission was mediated by activation of AMPA/kainate-type glutamate receptors. The mGluR agonists, 1SR,3RS-ACPD and DCG-IV, reduced eEPSC amplitude. The effect of 1SR,3RS-ACPD increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Application of phorbol diacetate (PDAc) potentiated eEPSC amplitude and reduced the inhibitory effect of mGluR activation. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) also reduced inhibition by 1SR,3RS-ACPD. Under conditions in which transmission was independent of the function of voltage-gated calcium channels, mGluR activation reduced the frequency of occurrence of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs), but did not alter mEPSC amplitude. This effect of mGluR activation was reduced by PDAc treatment. mGluR activation modulates glutamatergic transmission via a presynaptic autoreceptor at corticostriatal synapses in this newly-developed corticostriatal co-culture preparation as in striatal slices. Modulation of transmission occurs whether or not transmission involves activation of voltage-gated calcium channels. Furthermore, many of the characteristics of mGluR modulation of eEPSCs are shared by mGluR modulation of mEPSCs. These findings indicate that mechanisms downstream from calcium entry may contribute to modulation of synaptic transmission by mGluR autoreceptors.

Short- and long-term synaptic depression in rat neostriatum.

1. We have examined plasticity at glutamatergic synapses on neurons in slices of neostriatum, a forebrain area involved in movement and cognitive function. 2. High-frequency stimulation of afferent inputs to neostriatal neurons induced depression of glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Depression could be induced using either prolonged trains or short repetitive bursts of high-frequency stimulation. Depression developed within seconds after such stimulation. Responses recovered to baseline levels within 10 min in most slices but persisted for up to 60 min in others. 3. Postsynaptic passive electrical properties and the ability to elicit action potentials by postsynaptic depolarization were not altered during depression. 4. The magnitude and time course of depression was similar whether postsynaptic responses were mediated by alpha amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptors. Depression was not altered by antagonism of AMPA or NMDA receptors or potentiation of AMPA receptor function with aniracetam. 5. Depression was blocked by treatments that increase transmitter release including increased extracellular Ca2+, application of 4-aminopyridine, or application of phorbol ester. 6. Our findings indicate that glutamatergic synapses in neostriatum are capable of expressing a form of synaptic depression that may involve decreased glutamate release.

A review of algorithms for molecular sequence comparison.

Computers have recently become an essential component of research in molecular biology. Most computer analyses of nucleic acid and protein sequences depend on comparisons between sequences. These comparisons, depending on their purpose, may differ not only in the kinds of comparisons that are done, but also in the way the results of the comparison are used by molecular biologists or by other computer programs. This paper reviews algorithms currently in use to solve comparison problems in molecular biology. Each algorithm is explained in detail and discussed in terms of the molecular biology problems it is most suited to solve.