Proton receptors of the acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) family are expressed in sensory neurons and thus could play a critical role in the detection of noxious acidosis. To investigate the subunit composition of native ASICs in peripheral and central neurons, we coinjected human as well as rodent ASIC2a and ASIC3 subunits in Xenopus oocytes. The amplitudes of acidinduced biphasic responses mediated by co-expressed ASIC2a and ASIC3 subunits were much larger (as much as 20-fold) than the currents mediated by the respective homomers, clearly indicating functional association. The reversal potential of the ASIC2a؉3 current (>؉20 mV) reflected a cationic current mainly selective for sodium. The sensitivity to pH or amiloride of single versus co-expressed ASIC subunits was not significantly different; however, gadolinium ions inhibited ASIC3 and ASIC2a؉3 responses with much higher potency (IC 50 ϳ40 M) than the ASIC2a response (IC 50 >1 mM). Biochemical interaction between ASIC2a and ASIC3 subunits was demonstrated by co-purification from transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and Xenopus oocytes. Our in situ hybridization data showed that rat ASIC2a and ASIC3 transcripts are colocalized centrally, whereas reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data led us to detect co-expression of human ASIC2a and ASIC3 subunits in trigeminal sensory ganglia, brain, and testis where they might coassemble into a novel subtype of proton-gated channels sensitive to gadolinium.
We have examined the rapid development of synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in zebrafish embryos and larvae by patch-clamp recording of spontaneous miniature endplate currents (mEPCs) and single acetylcholine receptor (AChR) channels. Embryonic (24-36 h) mEPCs recorded in vivo were small in amplitude (<50 pA). The rate of mEPCs increased in larvae (3.5-fold increase measured by 6 days), and these mEPCs were mostly of larger amplitude (10-fold on average) with (=5-fold) faster kinetics. Intracellular labeling with Lucifer yellow indicated extensive coupling between muscle cells in both embryos and larvae (=10 days). Blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with eserine had no effect on mEPC kinetics in embryos at 1 day and only partially slowed (by approximately 1/2) the decay rate in larvae at 6 days. In acutely dissociated muscle cells, we observed the same two types of AChR with conductances of 45 and 60 pS and with similar, brief (<0.5 ms) mean open times in both embryos and larvae. We conclude that AChR properties are set early during development at these early stages; functional maturation of the NMJ is only partly shaped by expression of AChE and may also depend on postsynaptic AChR clustering and presynaptic maturation.
Cl− channels on the pressure‐sensitive (P) neuron in the leech are directly activated by synaptic release of serotonin (5‐HT) and are indirectly stimulated by the cAMP second messenger pathway, suggesting an unusual dual regulation of the channels. We have investigated the mode of action of 5‐HT and dopamine (DA) on a Cl− channel in adult P cells in culture by recording from cell‐attached patches.
5‐HT increased Cl− channel activity only when included in the recording pipette and not when applied in the bath.
Pipette or, more effectively, bath application of DA led to an increase in Cl− channel activity. This effect was blocked by the potent and specific dopaminergic (DA1) receptor blocker, SCH‐23390.
The stimulation by DA, but not by 5‐HT, was also blocked by the cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor Rp‐cAMP and was mimicked by the membrane‐permeant cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP (db‐cAMP).
Our results show that 5‐HT directly gates a Cl− channel that is also activated by DA via the cAMP pathway. This study demonstrates that a ligand‐gated channel can be independently operated by another transmitter acting via a second messenger pathway.
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