2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine and 4-carboxyphenylglycine

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulates synaptic transmission, whereas the roles of mGluRs in GABAergic transmission in the entorhinal cortex (EC) are elusive. Here, we examined the effects of mGluRs on GABAergic transmission onto the principal neurons in the superficial layers of the EC. Bath application of DHPG, a selective Group I mGluR agonist, increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) whereas application of DCG-IV, an agonist for Group II mGluRs or L-AP4, an agonist for Group III mGluRs failed to change significantly sIPSC frequency and amplitude. Bath application of DHPG failed to change significantly the frequency and amplitude of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) recorded in the presence of tetradotoxin but significantly reduced the amplitude of IPSCs evoked by extracellular field stimulation or in synaptically connected interneuron-pyramidal neuron pairs in layer III of the EC. DHPG increased the frequency but reduced the amplitude of APs recorded from entorhinal interneurons. Bath application of DHPG generated membrane depolarization and increased the input resistance of GABAergic interneurons. DHPG-mediated depolarization of GABAergic interneurons was mediated by inhibition of background K(+) channels which are insensitive to extracellular Cs(+), TEA, 4-AP, and Ba(2+). DHPG-induced facilitation of sIPSCs was mediated by mGluR(5) and required the function of Galphaq but was independent of phospholipase C activity. Elevation of synaptic glutamate concentration by bath application of glutamate transporter inhibitors significantly increased sIPSC frequency and amplitude demonstrating a physiological role of mGluRs in GABAergic transmission. Our results provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to explain the physiological and pathological roles of mGluRs in the EC.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anticonvulsants; Benzoates; Cardiotonic Agents; Cyclopropanes; Entorhinal Cortex; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; GABA Agents; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Glycine; In Vitro Techniques; Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials; Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; Neural Inhibition; Neurons; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Phenylacetates; Potassium Channel Blockers; Pyrimidines; Rats; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; Signal Transduction; Synaptic Transmission; Tetraethylammonium

The effects of group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors on excitatory transmission in the rat dorsal horn, but mostly substantia gelatinosa, neurons were investigated using conventional intracellular recording in slices. The broad spectrum mGlu receptor agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S, 3R-ACPD), the group I mGlu receptor selective agonist (S)-3, 5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), and the selective mGlu subtype 5 agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG), all induce long-lasting depression of A primary afferent fibers-mediated monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), and long-lasting potentiation of polysynaptic EPSP, and EPSP in cells receiving C-afferent fiber input. The DHPG potentiation of polysynaptic EPSP was partially or fully reversed by (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (S-4CPG), the mGlu subtype 1 preferring antagonist. 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine, the potent and selective mGlu subtype 5 antagonist, partially reversed the CHPG potentiation of polysynaptic EPSP. The effects of DHPG on monosynaptic and polysynaptic EPSPs were reduced, or abolished, by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5). A clear and pronounced facilitation of the expression of DHPG- and CHPG-induced enhancement of polysynaptic EPSP, and EPSP evoked at C-fiber strength, was seen in the absence of gamma-aminobutyric acid subtype A receptor- and glycine-mediated synaptic inhibition. Besides dual modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission, DHPG induces depression of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials evoked by primary afferent stimulation in dorsal horn neurons. In addition, group I mGlu receptor agonists produced a direct persistent excitatory postsynaptic effect consisting of a slow membrane depolarization, an increase in input resistance, and an intense neuronal discharge. Cyclothiazide and (S)-4-CPG, the mGlu receptor subtype 1 preferring antagonists, significantly attenuated the DHPG-induced depolarization. These results demonstrate that the pharmacological activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors induces long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn. These types of long-term synaptic plasticity may play a functional role in the generation of post-injury hypersensitivity (LTP) or antinociception (LTD).

Topics: Animals; Benzoates; Bicuculline; Cycloleucine; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; Female; Glycine; In Vitro Techniques; Kinetics; Magnesium; Male; Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; Nerve Fibers; Phenylacetates; Posterior Horn Cells; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; Spinal Cord; Strychnine; Substantia Gelatinosa; Synaptic Transmission

1. We have investigated the antagonist properties of 6 alpha-substituted phenylglycine analogues based on the structure of 4-carboxyphenylglycine (4-CPG) for group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1alpha and mGlu5a) permanently expressed in CHO cells. 2. (S)-4-CPG and (S)-MCPG were the most selective mGlu1alpha receptor antagonists. Longer chain alpha-carbon substitutions resulted in a progressive loss of antagonist affinity at mGlu1alpha receptors but not at mGlu5a receptors. Thus mGlu1alpha receptor antagonists require small aliphatic groups at the alpha-position. Alpha-cyclopropyl-4-CPG showed a tendency towards mGlu5a selectivity, suggesting that bulky groups at this position may favour mGlu5a receptor antagonism. 3. We demonstrate that the mGlu5a receptor displays agonist-dependent antagonism. L-glutamate-induced Ca2+ release in mGlu5a receptor expressing cells was more susceptible to antagonism by cyclic alpha-carbon derivatives than (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG)-induced Ca2+ release in the same cell line. 4. The data presented suggests that mGlu1alpha and mGlu5a receptors have different steric and/or conformational requirements for the binding of antagonists and different amino acids which could interact with agonists. 5. These phenylglycine analogues could provide leads for the development of subtype selective antagonists.

Topics: Animals; Benzoates; Binding, Competitive; Calcium; CHO Cells; Cricetinae; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Glutamic Acid; Glycine; Phenylacetates; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; Resorcinols