Use-dependent AMPA receptor block reveals segregation of spontaneous and evoked glutamatergic neurotransmission

Yildirim Sara, Manjot Bal, Megumi Adachi, Lisa M Monteggia, Ege T Kavalali

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Earlier findings had suggested that spontaneous and evoked glutamate release activates non-overlapping populations of NMDA receptors. Here, we evaluated whether AMP Areceptor populations activated by spontaneous and evoked release show a similar segregation. To track the receptors involved in spontaneous or evoked neurotransmission, we used a polyamine agent, philanthotoxin, that selectively blocks AMPA receptors lacking GluR2 subunits in a use- dependent manner. In hippocampal neurons obtained from GluR2-deficient mice, philanthotoxin application decreased AMPA-receptor-mediated spontaneous miniature EPSCs (AMPA-mEPSCs) down to 20% of their initial level within 5 min. In contrast, the same philanthotoxin application at rest decreased the subsequent AMPA-receptormediated evoked EPSCs (eEPSCs) only down to 80% of their initial value. A 10-min-long perfusion of philanthotoxin further decreased AMPA-eEPSC amplitudes to 60% of their initial magnitude, which remained substantially higher than the level of AMPA-mEPSC block achieved within 5 min. Finally, stimulation after removal of philanthotoxin resulted in reversal of AMPA-eEPSC block, verifying strict use dependence of philanthotoxin. These results support the notion that spontaneous and evoked neurotransmission activate distinct sets of AMPA receptors and bolster the hypothesis that synapses harbor separate microdomains of evoked and spontaneous signaling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5378-5382
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume31
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 6 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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