Effects of continuous diazepam administration on GABAA subunit mRNA in rat brain.

Rats treated chronically with diazepam develop tolerance to diazepam effects and show changes in sensitivity of GABAergic systems. In order to investigate possible molecular mechanisms associated with these changes, we have evaluated the effects of acute and chronic diazepam treatment on levels of mRNA for the alpha 1 and beta 1 subunits of the GABAA receptor. Northern blots were hybridized with 32P-labeled GABA alpha 1 and beta 1 cDNA probes, and resulting bands were quantified by autoradiography and densitometry. Levels of alpha 1 mRNA were significantly decreased in cerebral cortex but not in cerebellum or hippocampus of chronic diazepam-treated rats. Acute diazepam treatment did not change levels of alpha 1 mRNA in any of the brain regions. Levels of beta 1 mRNA were examined by Northern blot analysis and also by solution hybridization analysis using a 32P-labeled riboprobe. Both methods showed that beta 1 mRNA was not significantly changed by chronic diazepam treatment. These results demonstrate a specific change in alpha 1 subunit that is associated with a state of altered GABA sensitivity and provide further support for the regional heterogeneity of chronic diazepam effects.

The GABAA receptor alpha 6 subunit gene (Gabra6) is tightly linked to the alpha 1-gamma 2 subunit cluster on mouse chromosome 11.

We have established that the GABAA receptor alpha 6 (Gabra6) and alpha 1 (Gabra 1) subunit genes are tightly linked on mouse chromosome 11 by analysing the strain distribution patterns of RFLPs for the two genes and microsatellite markers flanking these genes in 26 BXD recombinant inbred strains. These results further demonstrate clustering of the GABAA receptor subunit genes on mouse chromosomes and the synteny for these clusters between the mouse and human genomes.

Anxiolytics by ethanol, diazepam and buspirone in a novel murine behavioral assay.

This study extends the pharmacological characterization of a novel quantitative murine behavioral method, the mirrored chamber aversion assay, which appears to be selectively sensitive to anxiolytic agents. Behavioral effects of acute diazepam administration were compared with those of the 5-HT1A anxiolytic buspirone and those of ethanol in C57BL/6J mice. These known anxiolytics produced a dose-dependent reduction in avoidance behavior of large magnitude, as evidenced by statistically significant decreases in latency to enter and increases in time spent in the mirrored chamber. Anxiolytic-like effects of these compounds in the mirrored chamber assay differed from those observed by the elevated plus-maze method. The behavioral effects of the test compounds were not due to alteration of locomotor activity. These findings indicate that the murine mirrored chamber assay responds to several agents known to be anxiolytic in man but differs from the plus-maze in the pharmacological spectrum of the anxiolytics to which it is sensitive.

Diazepam-sensitive GABA(A) receptors in the NTS participate in cardiovascular control.

The present study employed neuropharmacological and receptor binding protocols to determine if diazepam-sensitive (DS) gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA(A)) receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) participate in autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function. The first set of protocols was designed to determine if GABA(A) receptors in the NTS were functionally modulated by the benzodiazepine agonist, diazepam. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate responses to microinjection of GABAergic substances into the NTS were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. Microinjection of the GABA(A) agonist isoguvacine into the NTS increased mean arterial pressure and heart rate, and these effects were blocked by the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline. Preadministration of diazepam into the NTS potentiated the pressor actions of isoguvacine and had variable effects on heart rate changes. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, blocked the diazepam-induced potentiation of the pressor response to isoguvacine. The second protocol employed receptor autoradiography to examine the presence of DS and diazepam-insensitive (DI) GABA(A) receptors in the NTS. Autoradiography confirmed that DS GABA(A) receptors were present in the NTS; however, no measurable levels of DI GABA(A) receptors were detected. We conclude that GABA(A)-mediated integration of central autonomic control in the NTS is mediated solely by DS GABA(A) receptors.

Neurosteroid modulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding in the medulla: an autoradiographic study.

Neurosteroids bind to unique sites on the GABA(A) receptor complex and modulate receptor function. The effects of neurosteroids on GABA(A) receptors have been well characterized in forebrain regions. However, little is known about their effects on GABA(A) receptors in the medulla, especially those areas involved in autonomic reflex pathways. Stimulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to the GABA(A) receptor by two progesterone metabolites, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha-OH-DHP) and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3beta-OH-DHP), was studied using autoradiographic methods in the medulla and cerebellum of female rats at estrus. [3H]Flunitrazepam binding was enhanced by 3alpha-OH-DHP in every nucleus examined in the medulla and cerebellum. This effect was stereoselective since 3beta-OH-DHP had no effect on binding in any region. No differences were observed in the degree of stimulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding by 3alpha-OH-DHP among medullary brain regions. However, in the cerebellum, the stimulation of binding was significantly greater in the granular layer than in the molecular layer. Stimulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding by 3alpha-OH-DHP in nuclei involved in the baroreflex pathways supports previous studies which report that neurosteroids modulate autonomic regulation of blood pressure. These actions may also underlie alterations in autonomic function during pregnancy.

Specific effects of chronic phenobarbital administration on high- and low-affinity benzodiazepine receptors in mouse cerebellum and forebrain.

Characteristics of [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H]FLU) binding to cortical and cerebellar membrane receptors were examined following chronic (six days) administration of phenobarbital (PB) to C57B1 mice. Following PB treatment, the number of [3H]FLU binding sites (Bmax) was significantly reduced in both cerebral cortex and in cerebellum. No change in the affinity (KD) of these binding sites was observed. Using 3-methyl-6-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,2,4-triazolo [4,3-beta]pyridazine (CL-218,872), further analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of high-affinity CL-218,872 binding sites in cerebellar tissue. In the forebrain areas, however, a significant decrease in the number of low-affinity binding sites was found. Finally, the enhancement of [3H]FLU binding, produced by in vitro addition of pentobarbital, was significantly less pronounced in the cerebellum of PB-treated animals.

The effects of opiates on calcium accumulation on rat peritoneal mast cells.

Opiate agonists, morphine, levorphanol and beta-endorphin increased calcium accumulation in rat peritoneal mast cells. This effect was dose dependent and beta-endorphin was 10 times more potent than morphine. The stimulation was stereospecific and inhibited by naloxone. The site of the opiate action appears to be on the outer surface of the plasma membrane since lysis of the mast cell did not alter the response to morphine. Tolerance to the opiate effect was not seen after chronic morphine administration. Morphine did not stimulate histamine release even at relatively high doses in vivo or high concentrations in vitro. It is reasoned that the enhancing effects on external calcium accumulation may reduce the critical cytosol calcium level for effecting histamine release.

Role of calcium in ethanol-membrane interactions: a model for tolerance and dependence.

The calcium content of membranes may regulate a number of key neuronal processes. Studies are described in which acute and chronic administration of ethanol was shown to alter calcium binding to synaptosomal plasma membranes.

Heterogeneity of brain benzodiazepine receptors: effects of physiological conditions.

A number of investigators have shown compelling evidence for multiplicity of benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptors. The present study addresses the query of BDZ receptor heterogeneity, in vitro, with respect to temperature. In competition studies involving rat cerebellar tissue, CL 218,872 produced Hill slopes near unity at both 0 degree C and 37 degrees C. In contrast, similar experiments utilizing cortical tissue from rats and mice produced Hill slopes of 0.69 and 0.66 at 0 degree C and 37 degrees C respectively. 3H-Flunitrazepam-photoaffinity labeling of cortical and cerebellar membranes was conducted at 0 degree C and 37 degrees C. SDS-PAGE fluorographic analyses of photolysed 3H-flunitrazepam (3H-Flu) revealed one intensely labeled 51K band in the cerebellum at both temperatures, which was specifically chased by diazepam. Similar experiments conducted in cortical tissue revealed photoaffinity labeling of at least three distinct macromolecules, one intense 51K and two less intense 55K and 59K bands. Labeling of each of these bands was chased specifically by diazepam. These data, taken together, indicate the existence of regional BDZ receptor heterogeneity under physiological conditions.

A benzodiazepine antagonist action of CL 218,872.

The effect of the Type I benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptor agonist, CL 218,872, on convulsions generated by low doses of methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid ( MBCC ), bicuculline, picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in mice was examined. Low doses of CL 218,872 enhanced the convulsions produced by all agents except PTZ. An anticonvulsant action of CL 218,872 was observed at higher doses. Since CL 218,872 exhibits proconvulsive effects at low doses, and a proconvulsant action is a characteristic of compounds classified as BDZ antagonists, it appears that CL 218,872 has some antagonist action.

The development of type I and type II benzodiazepine receptors in the mouse cortex and cerebellum.

The postnatal development of benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptors was monitored in Heterogeneous Stock (HS) mice, and the BDZ receptors were characterized and categorized into Type I and Type II receptors. When the number of 3H-Flu binding sites (Bmax) was assessed at weekly intervals after the birth of the animal, the number of sites in both the cortex and cerebellum increased significantly if the data was expressed as fmol/mg tissue. On the other hand, no significant change in 3H-Flu binding sites was evidenced in the cortex, and the number of 3H-Flu binding sites in the cerebellum decreased during postnatal development if Bmax values were expressed as fmole/mg protein. When receptor binding data was analyzed for the presence of Type I and Type II BDZ receptors, the changes in KD values for 3H-Flu binding development could be accounted for by changes in relative proportions of Type I and Type II receptors present in the cortex and cerebellum during the maturation process. Type II receptors predominated in both cortex and cerebellum at birth, and Type I receptors proliferated primarily during the first two weeks of postnatal life. In the cortex of adult mice there were approximately equal numbers of Type I and Type II BDZ receptors. In the cerebellum of adult mice, computer assisted analysis of binding data could not distinguish the presence of two distinct BDZ binding sites. However, Hill coefficients and overall binding constants determined from data on CL-218,872 displacement of 3H-Flu binding to cerebellar membranes indicated that cerebellar tissue from adult mice did contain a heterogeneous array of BDZ receptors.

Heterogeneity of benzodiazepine binding sites: a review of recent research.

This paper reviews selected aspects of benzodiazepine binding site heterogeneity. These include receptor heterogeneity revealed by biochemical determinations of receptor numbers, autoradiographic localization in histological sections of brain, lesion studies, solubilization of receptors, and photoaffinity labelling. The data summarized support the concept of benzodiazepine receptor multiplicity. In addition, we have reviewed recent work on peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites and suggest that further study of these sites may increase our understanding of both the central and peripheral actions of benzodiazepines and other ligands.

5-HT 3 receptor antagonist ICS 205-930 alters the discriminative effects of ethanol.

The ability of a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT(3)) receptor antagonist, ICS 205-930 (3-tropanyl-indole-1-carboxylate, tropisetron), to block the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol was investigated in rats that were trained to discriminate ethanol (1.25 g/kg ip) from saline with food as the reinforcement. Prior administration of ICS 205-930, at the dose of 0.01 mg/kg, significantly decreased ethanol's discriminative stimulus effect at ED(75) dose of ethanol, while higher doses of ICS 205-930 (10 and 17 mg/kg) showed enhancement of ethanol's discriminative effects at ED(0), ED(25), and ED(50) doses of ethanol. Under conditions where ICS 205-930 (10, 17 mg/kg) was tested alone, rats responded exclusively on the saline-appropriate lever. These effects occurred without significantly altering response rates or blood ethanol concentrations. The results suggest that the 5-HT(3) antagonist ICS 205-930 at lower concentration decreases, and at higher concentration enhances the discriminative stimulus effects associated with a lower to moderate dose of ethanol.

Opiate delta-2-receptor antagonist naltriben does not alter discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol.

The ability of a selective 2-opiate receptor antagonist, naltriben, to modulate ethanol discrimination was investigated in a rat model using a drug discrimination procedure. Rats were trained to discriminate ethanol (1.25 g/kg, IP) from saline on a fixed-ratio schedule, FR10. Once rats had acquired the ethanol-saline discrimination, ethanol dose-response tests were conducted with 15-min pretest injections. Following the characterization of the ethanol dose-response curve, the effect of naltriben on ethanol's discriminative stimulus was assessed by administering naltriben (0. 032-5.6 mg/kg, IP) 15 min before the ethanol administration. In the present study, naltriben did not have any modulatory effect on ethanol discrimination, suggesting that either Delta(2)-opiate receptors are not involved in the formation of ethanol's discriminative stimulus or the antagonism of Delta(2)-opiate receptors is not sufficient to alter ethanol's compound discriminative stimulus.

Serotonin and serotonin receptors in the central auditory system.

Immunohistochemical and ligand-binding techniques were used to visualize the neurotransmitter serotonin and one of its receptors, the 5-HT1A subtype, in auditory nuclei of the brainstem. Serotonergic fibers and terminal endings were found in all auditory nuclei extending from the cochlear nucleus to the inferior colliculus, including the superior olivary complex and the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus. The density of the innervation varied between and within each nucleus. All serotonergic cell bodies were located outside the auditory nuclei. The 5-HT1A receptor subtype was found in the cochlear nucleus as well as in the inferior colliculus. With no serotonergic cell bodies present in the auditory nuclei, the present neuroanatomic and neurochemical findings support behavioral and neurophysiologic findings that the serotonergic system may modulate central auditory processing.

Effects of prenatal phenobarbital on benzodiazepine receptor development.

Phenobarbital (PB) was administered to pregnant mice during days 9-21 of gestation. Forebrain and cerebellar [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H]FLU) binding was assayed in the offspring at birth and at 21 days of age. Prenatal treatment produced a decrease in the number (Bmax) of [3H]FLU receptors in both the forebrain and cerebellum at birth. A small decrease in the [3H]FLU dissociation constant (KD) values in the forebrain was also detected at birth, but no changes were seen in the [3H]FLU KD values in the cerebellum. No changes were observed in forebrain and cerebellar [3H]FLU Bmax or KD values at 21 days of age, indicating that the effects of prenatal exposure to PB on [3H]FLU binding are eliminated during the postnatal development of the forebrain and cerebellum. The receptor affinity for the triazolopyridazine CL 218,872, which distinguishes the type I and type II benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptors, was not altered by prenatal PB treatment. The coupling of the BDZ receptor to the gamma-aminobutyric acid and pentobarbital binding sites was unaffected by exposure to PB in utero.

Substrate requirements and subcellular distribution of calcium transport activities in brain membranes.

Ca2+ transport activity in synaptosomal membranes has been identified as having two major components: Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolysis and ATP-dependent CA2+ uptake. Both processes exhibit similar affinities for Ca2+ and operate maximally under identical buffer conditions. Subcellular fractionation studies revealed the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase and ATP-dependent CA2+ uptake activities to be highest in synaptic plasma membrane fractions 1 and 2, with lesser activity in synaptic vesicles and mitochondria. Progressive treatment with Triton X-100 activated, then decreased Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase, Mg2+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase. ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was progressively decreased by similar treatment with Triton X-100. These studies illustrate that Ca2+ ATPase and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake may provide two important mechanisms for buffering of cytosolic Ca2+ at the nerve terminal. These systems may function to rapidly sequester cytosolic Ca2+ following a rise during depolarization and then extrude Ca2+ from the terminal against a concentration gradient. This regulation of cytosolic Ca2+, represented by two processes of the type seen in other plasma membranes, may play critical roles in calcium homeostasis in nerve cells.

Enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor activity by alpha-chloralose.

alpha-Chloralose is widely used as an anesthetic in the laboratory due to its minimal effects on autonomic and cardiovascular systems, yet little is known about its mechanism of action. We examined the effects of alpha-chloralose on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor activity because recent studies have shown that several classes of general anesthetics modulate the function of this receptor. GABAA receptor activity was assayed by measuring the GABA-induced current in Xenopus oocytes expressed with human GABAA receptor alpha-1, beta-1 and gamma-2L subunits. alpha-Chloralose produced a concentration-dependent potentiation of the GABA-induced current with an EC50 value of 49 microM and a maximal effect of 239% of control. Membrane current was not affected by alpha-chloralose in the absence of GABA. alpha-Chloralose (100 microM) increased the affinity for GABA 5-fold and produced a small (17%) increase in the efficacy of GABA. Measurement of the reversal potentials for the alpha-chloralose response suggested that the effect is mediated through increased Cl- conductance. Studies of alpha-chloralose interactions with other allosteric modulators determined that alpha-chloralose binds to a site on the GABAA receptor complex distinct from the benzodiazepine, neurosteroid and barbiturate sites. Chloral hydrate, trichloroethanol and urethane also augmented GABA-induced currents. alpha-Chloralose had no effect on the hydroxytryptamine-induced currents in oocytes expressed with the 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor. These data extend the number of classes of anesthetics that allosterically modulate GABAA receptor activity and indicate that GABAA receptors may be a common site of action for diverse classes of general anesthetics.

Effects of in vivo ethanol administration on Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake activity in synaptosomal membranes.

Acute administration of ethanol (4 g/kg, i.p.) to mice inhibits the sequestration of calcium into endoplasmic reticulum-like organelles in synaptosomal membranes. Ethanol administration inhibits both Ca2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis and ATP-dependent calcium uptake in the vesicles at time of loss of righting reflex. At recovery of righting reflex, the Ca2+-ATPase activity returns to normal levels, while the ATP-dependent uptake remains inhibited. The effect of ethanol is specific for the sequestration (active transport) of calcium since calcium binding to synaptic membranes is not altered. Alteration in mechanisms responsible for synaptosomal buffering of cytosolic Ca2+ levels by in vivo ethanol may contribute to altered transmitter release rates following ethanol administration.

Effect of halide ions on t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding.

The binding of t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate [( 35S]TBPS) to a site on the GABAA receptor complex is ion dependent. This study was conducted to determine the effects of ion species and concentration on the time course, affinity, and number of sites of [35S]TBPS binding. At a concentration of 200 mM ion, the time to equilibrium for [35S]TBPS binding was shortest for I-, followed by Br- less than Cl- less than F-. A similar rank order was observed for the concentration of ion required to produce half-maximal [35S]TBPS binding. Saturation binding experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing ion concentration on the KD and Bmax of [35S]TBPS binding. The Bmax was independent of both ion species and concentration. The receptor affinity, however, increased with increasing concentration for each ion. Calculated maximal affinity values were not different between ions; however, the EC50 to produce those values was different among ions and ranked in the same order as that for time course and maximal binding data. Association and dissociation rates for [35S]TBPS binding were greater in I- than in Cl-. These data emphasize the importance of ion selection and incubation times on [35S]TBPS binding.