Presynaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor-mediated stimulation of glutamate and GABA release in the rat striatum in vivo: a dual-label microdialysis study

Abstract

The existence of presynaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA)-type glutamate autoreceptors on glutamate nerve terminals in vitro has recently been demonstrated using synaptosomal and brain slice preparations. In the present study we have used a modification of a rapid dual-label intracerebral microdialysis method, previously developed by Young and co-workers 80,81 for the study of presynaptic mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, to investigate whether presynaptic AMPA receptors also play a role in the control of striatal glutamate release in vivo. For comparative purposes, the action of locally applied AMPA on striatal GABA release in vivo was also monitored. Local application of AMPA (0.01–100 μM), by reverse dialysis, into the striatum resulted in concentration-dependent increases in the Ca 2+-dependent efflux of both [ 3H] l-glutamate and [ 14C]GABA. Maximum responses reached 142.0±6.5% and 166.8±7.7% of basal efflux for [ 3H] l-glutamate and [ 14C]GABA, respectively. No marked behavioural changes were observed at any dose of the agonist. Unexpectedly, the AMPA-evoked responses were not potentiated by the AMPA receptor desensitization inhibitors cyclothiazide (10–100 μM) or aniracetam (1 mM). Consistent with this finding, AMPA-stimulated [ 3H] l-glutamate and [ 14C]GABA efflux were significantly attenuated by co-perfusion with the selective, competitive AMPA receptor antagonist 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo(F)quinoxaline-2,3-dione (100 μM) but not 1-(aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylendioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine (100 μM), a non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist known to interact with the cyclothiazide site to control AMPA receptor function. The broad spectrum ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, kynurenic acid (100–1000 μM) also markedly inhibited the AMPA-evoked responses in the striatum in vivo. None of the antagonists, when given alone, influenced basal efflux of [ 3H] l-glutamate suggesting a lack of tonic regulatory control of glutamate release via presynaptic AMPA-type autoreceptors in the rat striatum. These results demonstrate the presence of presynaptic AMPA receptors, of a novel cyclothiazide- and aniracetam-insensitive subtype, on presynaptic nerve terminals in the rat striatum in vivo, acting to enhance glutamate and GABA release. Our data support the concept of AMPA receptor heterogeneity in vivo, a finding which may facilitate the development of novel, more selective drugs for the treatment of a range of neurological disorders associated with abnormal cerebral glutamate release. The pharmacological profile of these novel presynaptic receptors is currently under investigation.