Metabotropic glutamate receptors activate G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels in Xenopus oocytes

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Abstract

Receptor-mediated activation of a G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel (GIRK) is a common mechanism for synaptic modulation in the CNS. However, evidence for metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation of GIRK is virtually nonexistent, despite the widespread and overlapping distribution of these proteins. We examined this apparent paradox by coexpressing mGluRs 1a, 2, and 7 with the GIRK subunits Kir3.1 and Kit3.4 in Xenopus oocytes. Functional expression of GIRK was confirmed by coexpression with the D2 dopamine receptor that is known to activate GIRK in neurons. Agonist activation of each of the three mGluRs evoked inward potassium currents in symmetrical KCl solutions. The current amplitudes evoked by mGluR1a, mGluR2, and D2 were comparable, whereas mGluR7 currents were somewhat smaller. mGluR1a-evoked GIRK currents were not blocked in BAPTA- treated oocytes, demonstrating that GIRK activation was distinct from phospholipase C-mediated activation of the endogenous calcium-dependent chloride current (/(CaCl)). Pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment significantly reduced both the mGluR and D2 receptor-evoked GIRK currents. In oocytes in which mGluR2 and D2 were coexpressed, activation of mGluR2 occluded additional D2 receptor current, indicating that mGluR2 and D2 receptor coupling to GIRK involves a common G-protein. The efficient coupling of mGluRs to GIRK in oocytes suggests either that mGluR activation of GIRK has been overlooked in neurons or possibly that mGluRs are excluded from GIRK- containing microdomains.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5979-5985
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume16
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 1996

Keywords

  • G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channel
  • Xenopus oocyte
  • glutamate receptors
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor
  • microdomains
  • synaptic inhibition
  • synaptic modulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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