Biomaterial Database

Characterization of spontaneous synaptic transmission in rat medial vestibular nucleus. 2003

Sang Woo Chun, and Jeong Hee Choi, and Min Sun Kim, and Byung Rim Park

Department of Oral Physiology, Wonkwang University College of Dentistry, Iksan 570-749, South Korea.

Spontaneous synaptic currents of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons were studied using whole cell recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (20 microM), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine (1 microM). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were 4.3 +/- 0.9 Hz, 18.1 +/- 2.0 pA and 8.9 +/- 0.4 ms, respectively. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 (50 microM) completely blocked the non-NMDA-mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs), indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA-mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency (1.5 +/- 0.4 Hz), small amplitude (13.9 +/- 1.9 pA) and rapid decay kinetics (2.8 +/- 0.2 ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D011810	Quinoxalines		Quinoxaline
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001569	Benzodiazepines	A group of two-ring heterocyclic compounds consisting of a benzene ring fused to a diazepine ring.	Benzodiazepine,Benzodiazepine Compounds
D001640	Bicuculline	An isoquinoline alkaloid obtained from Dicentra cucullaria and other plants. It is a competitive antagonist for GABA-A receptors.	6-(5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-6-methyl-1,3-dioxolo(4,5-g)isoquinolin-5-yl)furo(3,4-e)1,3-benzodioxol-8(6H)one
D013331	Strychnine	An alkaloid found in the seeds of STRYCHNOS NUX-VOMICA. It is a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors and thus a convulsant. It has been used as an analeptic, in the treatment of nonketotic hyperglycinemia and sleep apnea, and as a rat poison.	Strychnine Nitrate,Nitrate, Strychnine
D014726	Vestibular Nuclei	The four cellular masses in the floor of the fourth ventricle giving rise to a widely dispersed special sensory system. Included is the superior, medial, inferior, and LATERAL VESTIBULAR NUCLEUS. (From Dorland, 27th ed)	Schwalbe Nucleus,Vestibular Nucleus, Medial,Schwalbe's Nucleus,Medial Vestibular Nucleus,Nuclei, Vestibular,Nucleus, Medial Vestibular,Nucleus, Schwalbe,Nucleus, Schwalbe's,Schwalbes Nucleus
D015763	2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate	The D-enantiomer is a potent and specific antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE). The L form is inactive at NMDA receptors but may affect the AP4 (2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate; APB) excitatory amino acid receptors.	2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic Acid,2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric Acid,2-APV,2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoate,5-Phosphononorvaline,d-APV,dl-APV,2 Amino 5 phosphonopentanoate,2 Amino 5 phosphonopentanoic Acid,2 Amino 5 phosphonovalerate,2 Amino 5 phosphonovaleric Acid,5 Phosphononorvaline
D016202	N-Methylaspartate	An amino acid that, as the D-isomer, is the defining agonist for the NMDA receptor subtype of glutamate receptors (RECEPTORS, NMDA).	N-Methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA,N-Methyl-D-aspartic Acid,Acid, N-Methyl-D-aspartic,N Methyl D aspartate,N Methyl D aspartic Acid,N Methylaspartate