Synaptic activation of GABAA receptors induces neuronal uptake of Ca2+ in adult rat hippocampal slices. (1/54)

Synaptically evoked transmembrane movements of Ca2+ in the adult CNS have almost exclusively been attributed to activation of glutamate receptor channels and the consequent triggering of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Using microelectrodes for measuring free extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) and extracellular space (ECS) volume, we show here for the first time that synaptic stimulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors can result in a decrease in [Ca2+]o in adult rat hippocampal slices. High-frequency stimulation (100-200 Hz, 0.4-0.5 s) applied in stratum radiatum close (+info)

Role of a novel photosystem II-associated carbonic anhydrase in photosynthetic carbon assimilation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. (2/54)

Intracellular carbonic anhydrases (CA) in aquatic photosynthetic organisms are involved in the CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM), which helps to overcome CO2 limitation in the environment. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, this CCM is initiated and maintained by the pH gradient created across the chloroplast thylakoid membranes by photosystem (PS) II-mediated electron transport. We show here that photosynthesis is stimulated by a novel, intracellular alpha-CA bound to the chloroplast thylakoids. It is associated with PSII on the lumenal side of the thylakoid membranes. We demonstrate that PSII in association with this lumenal CA operates to provide an ample flux of CO2 for carboxylation.  (+info)

Light-induced stimulation of carbonic anhydrase activity in pea thylakoids. (3/54)

Stimulation of the bicarbonate dehydration reaction in thylakoid suspension under conditions of saturating light at pH 7.6-8.0 was discovered. This effect was inhibited by nigericin or the lipophilic carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor ethoxyzolamide (EZ), but not by the hydrophilic CA inhibitor, acetazolamide. It was shown that the action of EZ is not caused by an uncoupling effect. It was concluded that thylakoid CA is the enzyme utilizing the light-generated proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane thus facilitating the production of CO(2) from HCO(3)(-) and that this enzyme is covered from the stroma side of thylakoids by a lipid barrier.  (+info)

Equilibrium potential of GABA(A) current and implications for rebound burst firing in rat subthalamic neurons in vitro. (4/54)

Reciprocally connected glutamatergic subthalamic and GABAergic globus pallidus neurons have recently been proposed to act as a generator of low-frequency oscillatory activity in Parkinson's disease. To determine whether GABA(A) receptor-mediated synaptic potentials could theoretically generate rebound burst firing in subthalamic neurons, a feature that is central to the proposed oscillatory mechanism, we determined the equilibrium potential of GABA(A) current (E(GABA(A))) and the degree of hyperpolarization required for rebound firing using perforated-patch recording. In the majority of neurons that fired rebounds, E(GABA(A)) was equal to or more hyperpolarized than the hyperpolarization required for rebound burst firing. These data suggest that synchronous activity of pallidal inputs could underlie rhythmic bursting activity of subthalamic neurons in Parkinson's disease.  (+info)

Inhibition of muscle carbonic anhydrase slows the Ca(2+) transient in rat skeletal muscle fibers. (5/54)

A countertransport of H(+) is coupled to Ca(2+) transport across the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. We propose that SR carbonic anhydrase (CA) accelerates the CO(2)-HCO reaction so that H(+) ions, which are exchanged for Ca(2+) ions, are produced or buffered in the SR at sufficient rates. Inhibition of this SR-CA is expected to reduce the rate of H(+) fluxes, which then will retard the kinetics of Ca(2+) transport. Fura 2 signals and isometric force were simultaneously recorded in fiber bundles of the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) from rats in the absence and presence of the lipophilic CA inhibitors L-645151, chlorzolamide (CLZ), and ethoxzolamide (ETZ), as well as the hydrophilic inhibitor acetazolamide (ACTZ). Fura 2 and force signals were analyzed for time to peak (TTP), 50% decay time (t(50)), and their amplitudes. L-645151, CLZ, and ETZ significantly increased TTP of fura 2 by 10-25 ms in SOL and by 5-7 ms in EDL and TTP of force by 6-30 ms in both muscles. L-645151 and ETZ significantly prolonged t(50) of fura 2 and force by 20-55 and 40-160 ms, respectively, in SOL and EDL. L-645151, CLZ, and ETZ also increased peak force of single twitches and amplitudes of fura fluorescence ratio (R(340/380)) at an excitation wavelength of 340 to 380 nm. All effects of CA inhibitors on fura 2 and force signals could be reversed. ACTZ did not affect TTP, t(50), and amplitudes of fura 2 signals or force. L-645151, CLZ, and ETZ had no effects on myosin-, Ca(2+)-, and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activities, nor did they affect the amplitude and half-width of action potentials. We conclude that inhibition of SR-CA by impairing H(+) countertransport is responsible for deceleration of intracellular Ca(2+) transients and contraction times.  (+info)

Spinal carbonic anhydrase contributes to nociceptive reflex enhancement by midazolam, pentobarbital, and propofol. (6/54)

BACKGROUND: Systemic administration of acetazolamide blocks nociceptive hyperreflexia induced by pentobarbital. The authors assessed the effect of intrathecal carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) on nociceptive reflex enhancement by pentobarbital, propofol, and midazolam. METHODS: Twenty-seven rats with chronic indwelling subarachnoid catheters were studied. Nociceptive paw reflex latency (PWL) for paw withdrawal from radiant heat was measured in forelimbs and hind limbs. Measurements were obtained under control conditions, 15 min after lumbar intrathecal injection of 10 microl artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing the CAIs acetazolamide or ethoxyzolamide, and during the 55 min after intraperitoneal injection of three sedative drugs: 30 mg/kg pentobarbital, 50 mg/kg propofol, or 1.9 mg/kg midazolam. RESULTS: Control values of PWL averaged 10.9 +/- 1.5 s in the forelimbs and 11.1 +/- 1.6 s in the hind limbs (P = 0.18). Intrathecal injection of 50 microm ethoxyzolamide reduced PWL by 8% and 4% in the forelimbs and hind limbs, respectively (P = 0.01); all other CAI injections had no effect on PWL. Following anesthetic injection, PWL in the forelimbs was reduced by approximately 35-40% of control values; in the hind limbs, CAI treatment decreased the PWL reduction to 8-16% for pentobarbital (P < 0.001), 30-32% for propofol (P < 0.02), and 9-16% for midazolam (P < 0.001). The hind limb reduction of hyperreflexia by CAI was less for propofol than for midazolam or pentobarbital (P < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Spinal carbonic anhydrase contributes to nociceptive hyperreflexia induced by pentobarbital and midazolam and to a lesser extent with propofol. These findings are consistent with a role for carbonic anhydrase in nociceptive signal enhancement by these drugs.  (+info)

Sodium and chloride transport in soft water and hard water acclimated zebrafish (Danio rerio). (7/54)

While the zebrafish is commonly used for studies of developmental biology and toxicology, very little is known about their osmoregulatory physiology. The present investigation of Na(+) and Cl(-) transport revealed that the zebrafish is able to tolerate extremely low ambient ion concentrations and that this is achieved at least in part by a greatly enhanced apparent uptake capacity and affinity for both ions. Zebrafish maintain plasma and whole body electrolyte concentrations similar to most other freshwater teleosts even in deionized water containing only 35 microM NaCl, i.e soft water. We recorded an extremely low transport affinity constant (K(m)) of 8+/-1 microM for the active uptake of Cl(-) in soft water acclimated fish, while other transport kinetic parameters were in agreement with reports for other freshwater organisms. While both Na(+) and Cl(-) uptake in soft water clearly depends on apical proton pump activity, changes in abundance and possibly localization of this protein did not appear to contribute to soft water acclimation. Active Cl(-) uptake was strongly dependent on branchial carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity regardless of water type, while the response of Na(+) transport to a CA inhibitor was more variable. Differential response of Na(+) uptake to amiloride depending on acclimation medium suggests that different Na(+) transport mechanisms are employed by zebrafish acclimated to soft and hard water.  (+info)

Inhibition of alpha(1E) Ca(2+) channels by carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. (8/54)

We examined if a range of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) interacted with the high-voltage activated voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) encoded by the human alpha(1E) subunit. Whole-cell recordings were made from HEK293 cells stably expressing human alpha(1E)beta(3)-mediated calcium channels. SNX-482 (an alpha(1E) inhibitor) blocked alpha(1E)-mediated VSCCs with an IC(50) close to 10 nM. The anticonvulsant CAI ethoxyzolamide also inhibited these currents, with an IC(50) close to 1 microM, and produced an accompanying 20-mV hyperpolarizing shift in the steady-state inactivation profile. Other structurally diverse CAIs (e.g., acetazolamide and benzolamide) produced approximately 30 - 40% inhibition of alpha(1E)beta(3)-mediated Ca(2+) currents at 10 microM. Topiramate (10 microM), an anticonvulsant with CAI activity, inhibited these currents by 68 +/- 7%. This off-target activity of CAIs at VSCCs may contribute to some of the effects they produce both in vitro and in vivo.  (+info)