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Protein Kinase C-Dependent Effects of Neurosteroids on Synaptic GABAA Receptor Inhibition Require the δ-Subunit

ABSTRACT: The dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) contains preganglionic motor neurons important for interpreting sensory input from the periphery, integrating that information, and coding the appropriate parasympathetic (vagal) output to target organs. Despite the critical role of hormonal regulation of vagal motor output, few studies examine the role of neurosteroids in the regulation of the DMV. Of the few examinations, no studies have investigated the potential impact of allopregnanolone (Allo), a neuroactive progesterone-derivative, in the regulation of neurotransmission on the DMV. Since DMV neuronal function is tightly regulated by GABAA receptor activity and Allo is an endogenous GABAA receptor ligand, the present study used in vitro whole cell patch clamp to investigate whether Allo alters GABAergic neurotransmission to DMV neurons. Although Allo did not influence GABAergic neurotransmission during initial application (5–20 min), a TTX-insensitive prolongment of decay time and increase in frequency of GABAergic currents was established after Allo was removed from the bath for at least 30 min (LtAllo). Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) abolished these effects, suggesting that PKC is largely required to mediate Allo-induced inhibition of the DMV. Using mice that lack the δ-subunit of the GABAA receptor, we further confirmed that PKC-dependent activity of LtAllo required this subunit. Allo also potentiated GABAA receptor activity after a repeated application of δ-subunit agonist, suggesting that the presence of Allo encodes stronger δ-subunit-mediated inhibition over time. Using current clamp recording, we demonstrated that LtAllo-induced inhibition is sufficient to decrease action potential firing and excitability within DMV neurons. We conclude that the effects of LtAllo on GABAergic inhibition are dependent on δ-subunit and PKC activation. Taken together, DMV neurons can undergo long lasting Allo-dependent GABAA receptor plasticity.

SUBMITTER: Littlejohn E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8573421 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Key pointsCurrent views suggest ?2 subunit-containing GABAA receptors mediate phasic IPSCs while extrasynaptic ? subunits mediate diffusional IPSCs and tonic current. We have re-examined the roles of the two receptor populations using mice with picrotoxin resistance engineered into receptors containing the ? subunit. Using pharmacological separation, we find that in general ? and ? IPSCs are modulated in parallel by manipulations of transmitter output and diffusion, with evidence favouring modestly more diffusional contribution to ? IPSCs. Our findings also reveal that spontaneous ? IPSCs are mainly driven by channel deactivation, rather than by diffusion of GABA. Understanding the functional contributions of the two receptor classes may help us understand the actions of drug therapies with selective effects on one population over the other.AbstractGABAA receptors mediate transmission throughout the central nervous system and typically contain a ? subunit (? receptors) or a ?2 subunit (?2 receptors). ? IPSCs decay slower than ?2 IPSCs, but the reasons are unclear. Transmitter diffusion, rebinding, or slow deactivation kinetics of channels are candidates. We used gene editing to confer picrotoxin resistance on ? receptors in mice, then pharmacologically isolated ? receptors in mouse dentate granule cells to explore IPSCs. ?2 and ? components of IPSCs were modulated similarly by presynaptic manipulations and manipulations of transmitter lifetime, suggesting that GABA release recruits ? receptors proportionally to ?2 receptors. ? IPSCs showed more sensitivity to altered transmitter release and to a rapidly dissociating antagonist, suggesting an additional spillover contribution. Reducing GABA diffusion with 5% dextran increased the peak amplitude and decreased the decay of evoked ? IPSCs but had no effect on ? or dual-component (mainly ?2-driven) spontaneous IPSCs, suggesting that GABA actions can be local for both receptor types. Rapid application of varied [GABA] onto nucleated patches from dentate granule cells demonstrated a deactivation rate of ? receptors similar to that of ? spontaneous IPSCs, consistent with the idea that deactivation and local GABA actions drive ? spontaneous IPSCs. Overall, our results indicate that ? IPSCs are activated by both synaptic and diffusional GABA. Our results are consistent with a functional relationship between ? and ?2 GABAA receptors akin to that of slow NMDA and fast AMPA EPSCs at glutamate synapses.

Project description:BackgroundDisruption of normal brain development is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Widespread abnormalities in brain structure and functions caused by dysregulations of neurodevelopmental processes has been recently shown to exert adverse effects across generations. An imbalance between excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) transmission is the putative hypothesis of ASD pathogenesis, supporting by the specific implications of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in autistic individuals and animal models of ASD. However, the contribution of GABAergic system in the neuropathophysiology across generations of ASD is still unknown. Here, we uncover profound alterations in the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in the amygdala across generations of the VPA-induced animal model of ASD.MethodsThe F2 generation was produced by mating an F1 VPA-induced male offspring with naïve females after a single injection of VPA on embryonic day (E12.5) in F0. Autism-like behaviors were assessed by animal behavior tests. Expression and functional properties of GABAARs and related proteins were examined by using western blotting and electrophysiological techniques.ResultsSocial deficit, repetitive behavior, and emotional comorbidities were demonstrated across two generations of the VPA-induced offspring. Decreased synaptic GABAAR and gephyrin levels, and inhibitory transmission were found in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with greater reductions in the F2 generation. Weaker association of gephyrin with GABAAR was shown in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Moreover, dysregulated NMDA-induced enhancements of gephyrin and GABAAR at the synapse in the VPA-induced offspring was worsened in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Elevated glutamatergic modifications were additionally shown across generations of the VPA-induced offspring without generation difference.ConclusionsTaken together, these findings revealed the E/I synaptic abnormalities in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with GABAergic deteriorations in the F2 generation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the GABAergic system to generational pathophysiology of ASD.

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Protein Kinase C-Dependent Effects of Neurosteroids on Synaptic GABAA Receptor Inhibition Require the δ-Subunit

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