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Pharmacology of GABA receptor CI− channels in rat retinal bipolar cells - Nature

  • ️Bormann, Joachim
  • ️Thu Jan 14 1993
  • Letter
  • Published: 14 January 1993

Nature volume 361, pages 159–162 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

γ-AMlNOBUTYRlC acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian nervous system, is known to operate bicuculline-sensitive CI− channels through GABAA receptors and bicuculline-insensitive cation channels through GABAB receptors1,2. Recent observations indicate that the retina may contain GABA receptors with unusual pharmacological properties3–5. Here we report that GABA gates bicuculline-insensitive CI− channels in rod bipolar cells of the rat retina, which were not modulated by flunitrazepam, pentobarbital and alphaxalone and were only slightly blocked by picrotoxinin. Moreover, the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen, and the antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen had no effect. The underlying single-channel conductance was 7 pS and the open time 150 ms. These values are clearly different from those obtained for GABAA receptor channels recorded in other neurons of the same preparation, and in other parts of the brain1,6–8. The bicuculline- and baclofen-insensitive GABA receptors were activated selectively by the GABA analogue cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA)9. Hence they may be similar to those receptors termed GABAC receptors10.

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Author notes

  1. Joachim Bormann: To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-lnstitut für Hirnforschung, Deutschordenstrasse 46, W-6000, Frankfurt am Main, 71, Germany

    Andreas Feigenspan, Heinz Wässle & Joachim Bormann

Authors

  1. Andreas Feigenspan

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  2. Heinz Wässle

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  3. Joachim Bormann

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Feigenspan, A., Wässle, H. & Bormann, J. Pharmacology of GABA receptor CI− channels in rat retinal bipolar cells. Nature 361, 159–162 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/361159a0

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  • Received: 08 July 1992

  • Accepted: 02 November 1992

  • Issue Date: 14 January 1993

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/361159a0

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