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Distinct pharmacological and functional properties of NMDA receptors in mouse cortical astrocytes

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Palygin, Oleg, Lalo, Ulyana and Pankratov, Yuriy. (2011) Distinct pharmacological and functional properties of NMDA receptors in mouse cortical astrocytes. British Journal of Pharmacology, Vol.163 (No.8). pp. 1755-1766. ISSN 1476-5381

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01374.x

Abstract

Background and purpose
Astrocytes of the mouse neocortex express functional NMDA receptors which are not blocked by
Mg2+ions. However, study of the pharmacological profile of glial NMDARs and their subunit composition
is far from complete.
Experimental approach
In the present study we tested the sensitivity of NMDA receptor-mediated currents in the cortical
astrocytes and neurons to the novel GluN2C/D subunit-selective antagonist UBP141. We also examined
the action of memantine, an antagonist reported to have substantially different affinities for GluN2A/B
and GluN2C/D-containing receptors in physiological concentrations of extracellular Mg2+
.
Key results
UBP141 had a strong inhibitory action on NMDA receptor-mediated transmembrane currents in the
cortical layer II/III astrocytes with an IC50 of 2.29 μM and a modest inhibitory action on NMDA-responses
in the pyramidal neurons with IC50 of 19.8 μM. Astroglial and neuronal NMDA receptors exhibited
different sensitivities to memantine with corresponding IC50 of 2.19 and 10.8 μM, respectively.
Consistent with pharmacological differences between astroglial and neuronal NMDA receptors, NMDA
receptors in astrocytes showed lower Ca2+-permeability than neuronal ones with PCa/PNa ratio of 3.4.
Conclusions and Implications
The combination of biophysical and pharmacological properties of astrocytic NMDA receptors strongly
suggests they have tri-heteromeric structure composed of GluN1, GluN2C/D and GluN3 subunits.
Dramatic difference between astroglial and neuronal NMDA receptors in their sensitivity to UBP141 and
memantine may enable selective modulation of astrocytic signalling that could be very helpful for elucidating the mechanisms of neuron-glia communications. Our results may also provide a clue for
development novel therapeutic agents specifically targeting glial signalling.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

Q Science > QP Physiology

Divisions:

Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) > Biological Sciences ( -2010)
Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- )

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Astrocytes, Neocortex, Neural transmission

Journal or Publication Title:

British Journal of Pharmacology

Publisher:

John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

ISSN:

1476-5381

Official Date:

August 2011

Dates:

Date	Event
August 2011	Published

Volume:

Vol.163

Number:

No.8

Page Range:

pp. 1755-1766

Identification Number:

10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01374.x

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

Funder:

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Great Britain) (BBSRC)

Grant number:

BB/F021445 (BBSRC)

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