NMDA Receptor Open Channel Blocker Research Articles

MK801-induced locomotor activity in preweanling and adolescent male and female rats: role of the dopamine and serotonin systems.

MK801, like other NMDA receptor open-channel blockers (e.g., ketamine and phencyclidine), increases the locomotor activity of rats and mice. Whether this behavioral effect ultimately relies on monoamine neurotransmission is of dispute. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these psychopharmacological effects and underlying neural mechanisms vary according to sex and age. Across four experiments, male and female preweanling and adolescent rats were pretreated with vehicle, the monoamine-depleting agent reserpine (1 or 5 mg/kg), the dopamine (DA) synthesis inhibitor ∝-methyl-DL-p-tyrosine (AMPT), the serotonin (5-HT) synthesis inhibitor 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (PCPA), or both AMPT and PCPA. The locomotor activity of preweanling and adolescent rats was then measured after saline or MK801 (0.3 mg/kg) treatment. As expected, MK801 increased the locomotor activity of all age groups and both sexes, but the stimulatory effects were significantly less pronounced in male adolescent rats. Preweanling rats and adolescent female rats were more sensitive to the effects of DA and 5-HT synthesis inhibitors, as AMPT and PCPA caused only small reductions in the MK801-induced locomotor activity of male adolescent rats. Co-administration of AMPT+PCPA or high-dose reserpine (5 mg/kg) treatment substantially reduced MK801-induced locomotor activity in both age groups and across both sexes. These results, when combined with other recent studies, show that NMDA receptor open-channel blockers cause pronounced age-dependent behavioral effects that can vary according to sex. The neural changes underlying these sex and age differences appear to involve monoamine neurotransmission.

Treatment with Piribedil and Memantine Reduces Noise-Induced Loss of Inner Hair Cell Synaptic Ribbons.

Noise overstimulation can induce loss of synaptic ribbons associated with loss of Inner Hair Cell – Auditory Nerve synaptic connections. This study examined if systemic administration of Piribedil, a dopamine agonist that reduces the sound evoked auditory nerve compound action potential and/or Memantine, an NMDA receptor open channel blocker, would reduce noise-induced loss of Inner Hair Cell ribbons. Rats received systemic Memantine and/or Piribedil for 3 days before and 3 days after a 3 hour 4 kHz octave band noise at 117 dB (SPL). At 21 days following the noise there was a 26% and 38% loss of synaptic ribbons in regions 5.5 and 6.5 mm from apex, respectively, elevations in 4-, 8- and 20 kHz tonal ABR thresholds and reduced dynamic output at higher intensities of stimulation. Combined treatment with Piribedil and Memantine produced a significant reduction in the noise-induced loss of ribbons in both regions and changes in ABR sensitivity and dynamic responsiveness. Piribedil alone gave significant reduction in only the 5.5 mm region and Memantine alone did not reach significance in either region. Results identify treatments that could prevent the hearing loss and hearing disorders that result from noise-induced loss of Inner Hair Cell – Auditory Nerve synaptic connections.

Effects of MK-801 and amphetamine treatments on allergic lung inflammatory response in mice

Glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter within the Central Nervous System (CNS) and modifies immune cell activity. In lymphocytes, NMDA glutamate receptors regulate intracellular calcium, the production of reactive oxygen species and cytokine synthesis. MK-801, a NMDA receptor open-channel blocker, inhibits calcium entry into mast cells, thereby preventing mast cell degranulation. Several lines of evidence have shown the involvement of NMDA glutamate receptors in amphetamine (AMPH)-induced effects. AMPH treatment has been reported to modify allergic lung inflammation. This study evaluated the effects of MK-801 (0.25mg/kg) and AMPH (2.0mg/kg), given alone or in combination, on allergic lung inflammation in mice and the possible involvement of NMDA receptors in this process. In OVA-sensitized and challenged mice, AMPH and MK-801 given alone decreased cellular migration into the lung, reduced IL-13 and IL10 levels in BAL supernatant, reduced ICAM-1 and L-selectin expression in granulocytes in the BAL and decreased mast cell degranulation. AMPH treatment also decreased IL-5 levels. When both drugs were administered, treatment with MK-801 reversed the decrease in the number of eosinophils and neutrophils induced by AMPH in the BAL of OVA-sensitized and challenged mice as well as the effects on the expression of L-selectin and ICAM-1 in granulocytes, the IL-10, IL-5 and IL-13 levels in BAL supernatants and increased mast cell degranulation. At the same time, treatment with MK-801, AMPH or with MK-801+AMPH increased corticosterone serum levels in allergic mice. These results are discussed in light of possible indirect effects of AMPH and MK-801 via endocrine outflow from the CNS (i.e., HPA-axis activity) to the periphery and/or as a consequence of the direct action of these drugs on immune cell activity, with emphasis given to mast cell participation in the allergic lung response of mice.

Recovery of NMDA receptor currents from MK-801 blockade is accelerated by Mg2+ and memantine under conditions of agonist exposure

MK-801 is a use-dependent NMDA receptor open channel blocker with a very slow off-rate. These properties can be exploited to ‘pre-block’ a population of NMDARs, such as synaptic ones, enabling the selective activation of a different population, such as extrasynaptic NMDARs. However, the usefulness of this approach is dependent on the stability of MK-801 blockade after washout. We have revisited this issue, and confirm that recovery of NMDAR currents from MK-801 blockade is enhanced by channel opening by NMDA, and find that it is further increased when Mg2+ is also present. In the presence of Mg2+, 50% recovery from MK-801 blockade is achieved after 10′ of 100 μM NMDA, or 30′ of 15 μM NMDA exposure. In Mg2+-free medium, NMDA-induced MK-801 dissociation was found to be much slower. Memantine, another PCP-site antagonist, could substitute for Mg2+ in accelerating the unblock of MK-801 in the presence of NMDA. This suggests a model whereby, upon dissociation from its binding site in the pore, MK-801 is able to re-bind in a process antagonized by Mg2+ or another PCP-site antagonist. Finally we show that even when all NMDARs are pre-blocked by MK-801, incubation of neurons with 100 μM NMDA in the presence of Mg2+ for 2.5 h triggers sufficient unblocking to kill >80% of neurons. We conclude that while synaptic MK-801 ‘pre-block’ protocols are useful for pharmacologically assessing synaptic vs. extrasynaptic contributions to NMDAR currents, or studying short-term effects, it is problematic to use this technique to attempt to study the effects of long-term selective extrasynaptic NMDAR activation.This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity’.

Desensitization increase as an additional mode of action for NMDA receptor open channel blockers

NMDA receptor channel blockers have different mechanisms of interaction with ion channels. “Trapping blockers” remain within ion channel having no influence on gating process. Others, “foot-in-the-door blockers”, interfere with gating mechanism, preventing agonist to dissociate while blocker is inside the channel. In the latter case channel blockade compete with desensitization according to the kinetic scheme. Thus blocking mechanism has apparent influence on desensitization, which could mask real influence on desensitization. In the present work monocationic phenylcyclohexyls IEM-2044 and IEM-2014 and memantine were checked on their direct influence on desensitization. We observed a shift of steady-state desensitization curve to the left in the presence of each blocker, regardless of their action mechanism. More receptors became desensitized in the presence of each blocker. No correlation between the channel blocking mechanism and desensitization increase was observed. Unlike channel blockade measured at the steadystate level, which was strongly voltage-dependent, influence on desensitization measured at the peak level was voltage independent. Taken together, the results suggest the existence of two different binding sites, which mediate channel blockade and desensitization increase. These data should be taken into account when interpreting clinical data on channel blocker usage.

Synaptic Metaplasticity through NMDA Receptor Lateral Diffusion

Lateral diffusion of glutamate receptors was proposed as a mechanism for regulating receptor numbers at synapses and affecting synaptic functions, especially the efficiency of synaptic transmission. However, a direct link between receptor lateral diffusion and change in synaptic function has not yet been established. In the present study, we demonstrated NMDA receptor (NMDAR) lateral diffusion in CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices by detecting considerable recovery of spontaneous or evoked EPSCs from the block of (+)-MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate], an irreversible NMDAR open-channel blocker. We observed changes on both the number and the composition of synaptic NMDAR on recovery. More importantly, after the recovery, long-term potentiation (LTP)-producing protocol induced only LTD (long-term depression) instead of LTP. In contrast, a complete recovery from competitive NMDAR blocker D,L-AP-5 was observed without subsequent changes on synaptic plasticity. Our data suggest a revised model of NMDAR trafficking wherein extrasynaptic NMDARs, mostly NR1/NR2B receptors, move laterally into synaptic sites, resulting in altered rule of synaptic modification. Thus, CA1 synapses exhibit a novel form of metaplasticity in which the direction of synaptic modification can be reverted through subtype-specific lateral diffusion of NMDA receptors.

A quantitative method to assess extrasynaptic NMDA receptor function in the protective effect of synaptic activity against neurotoxicity

BackgroundExtrasynaptic NMDA receptors couple to a CREB shut-off pathway and cause cell death, whereas synaptic NMDA receptors and nuclear calcium signaling promote CREB-mediated transcription and neuronal survival. The distribution of NMDA receptors (synaptic versus extrasynaptic) may be an important parameter that determines the susceptibility of neurons to toxic insults. Changes in receptor surface expression towards more extrasynaptic NMDA receptors may lead to neurodegeneration, whereas a reduction of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors may render neurons more resistant to death. A quantitative assessment of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors in individual neurons is needed in order to investigate the role of NMDA receptor distribution in neuronal survival and death.ResultsHere we refined and verified a protocol previously used to isolate the effects of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors using the NMDA receptor open channel blocker, MK-801. Using this method we investigated the possibility that the known neuroprotective shield built up in hippocampal neurons after a period of action potential bursting and stimulation of synaptic NMDA receptors is due to signal-induced trafficking of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors or a reduction in extrasynaptic NMDA receptor function. We found that extrasynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated calcium responses and whole cell currents recorded under voltage clamp were surprisingly invariable and did not change even after prolonged (16 to 24 hours) periods of bursting and synaptic NMDA receptor activation. Averaging a large number of calcium imaging traces yielded a small (6%) reduction of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated responses in hippocampal neurons that were pretreated with prolonged bursting.ConclusionThe slight reduction in extrasynaptic NMDA receptor function following action potential bursting and synaptic NMDA receptor stimulation could contribute to but is unlikely to fully account for activity-dependent neuroprotection. Other factors, in particular calcium signaling to the nucleus and the induction of survival promoting genes are more likely to mediate acquired neuroprotection.

Mechanisms intrinsic to 5-HT2B receptor-induced potentiation of NMDA receptor responses in frog motoneurones.

In the presence of NMDA receptor open-channel blockers [Mg(2+); (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801); 1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane (memantine)] and TTX, high concentrations (30-100 microm) of either 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-Me-5-HT) significantly potentiated NMDA-induced depolarizations of frog spinal cord motoneurones. Potentiation was blocked by LY-53,857 (10-30 microm), SB 206553 (10 microm), and SB 204741 (30 microm), but not by spiroxatrine (10 microm), WAY 100,635 (1-30 microm), ketanserin (10 microm), RS 102221 (10 microm), or RS 39604 (10-20 microm). Therefore, alpha-Me-5-HT's facilitatory effects appear to involve 5-HT(2B) receptors. These effects were G-protein dependent as they were prevented by prior treatment with guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate (GMP-PNP, 100 microm) and H-Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-D-Trp-Phe-D-Trp-D-Trp-Met-NH(2) (GP antagonist 2A, 3-6 microm), but not by pertussis toxin (PTX, 3-6 ng ml(-1), 48 h preincubation). This potentiation was not reduced by protein kinase C inhibition with staurosporine (2.0 microm), U73122 (10 microm) or N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide HCl (H9) (77 microm) or by intracellular Ca(2+) depletion with thapsigargin (0.1 microm) (which inhibits Ca(2+)/ATPase). Exposure of the spinal cord to the L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers nifedipine (10 microm), KN-62 (5 microm) or gallopamil (100 microm) eliminated alpha-Me-5-HT's effects. The calmodulin antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphtalenesulfonamide (W7) (100 microm) diminished the potentiation. However, the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM Kinase II) blocker KN-93 (10 microm) did not block the 5-HT enhancement of the NMDA responses. In summary, activation of 5-HT(2B) receptors by alpha-Me-5-HT facilitates NMDA-depolarizations of frog motoneurones via a G-protein, a rise in [Ca(2+)](i) from the entry of extracellular Ca(2+) through L-type Ca(2+) channels, the binding of Ca(2+) to calmodulin and a lessening of the Mg(2+) -produced open-channel block of the NMDA receptor.

Ginsenoside Rg3 antagonizes NMDA receptors through a glycine modulatory site in rat cultured hippocampal neurons

We previously reported that ginseng, a well-known herbal medicine, inhibited NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. Here, we further examined the detailed mechanism of ginseng-mediated inhibition using its main active ingredient, ginsenoside Rg3. Co-application of ginsenoside Rg3 with increasing concentrations of NMDA did not change the EC50 of NMDA to the receptor, suggesting that ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits NMDA receptors without competing with the NMDA-binding site. Ginsenoside Rg3-mediated inhibition also occurred in a distinctive manner from the well-characterized NMDA receptor open channel blocker, MK-801. However, ginsenoside Rg3 produced its effect in a glycine concentration-dependent manner and shifted the glycine concentration–response curve to the right without changing the maximal response, suggesting the role of ginsenoside Rg3 as a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. We also demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3 significantly protected neurons against NMDA insults. Therefore, these results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 protects NMDA-induced neuronal death via a competitive interaction with the glycine-binding site of NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons.