L-焦谷氨酸对抗谷氨酸钠诱发的大鼠皮层神经元损伤

目的:在大鼠皮层神经元研究L-吡咯烷酮羧酸(L-PGA)对谷氨酸钠(Glu)诱发神经毒性的拮抗作用。方法:原代培养的皮层神经元取自16d龄的胎鼠,与Glu作用30分钟,24小时后测定神经元的存活及培养介质中亚硝酸盐的浓度;以Fura 2-AM为细胞内[Ca~(2 )]_i荧光探针,AR-CM-MIC阳离子测定系统测定[Ca~(2 )]_i。结果:L-PGA 10-80μmol·L~(-1)浓度依赖地抑制Glu 500μmol·L~(-1)引起的神经损伤,其IC_(50)为(41±9)μmol·L~(-1),95％可信区间:(30.3-54.7)μmol·L~(-1)。L-PGA也能浓度依赖地降低Glu引起的NO释放。L-PGA 1,3,10,30,100μmol·L~(-1)对Glu 100μmol·L~(-1)引起的[Ca~(2 )]_i升高的抑制率分别为20.5％,34.4％,47.7％,70.6％,80.4％。结论:L-PGA可能通过抑制NO形成或细胞内Ca~(2 )浓度的升高而拮抗Glu的神经毒性。     

The antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone blocks Kv1.5 potassium channels in an open state

An antidiabetic drug, rosiglitazone is a member of the drug class of thiazolidinedione. Although restrictions on use due to the possibility of heart toxicity have been removed, it is still a drug that is concerned about side effects on the heart. We here examined, using Chinese hamster ovary cells, the action of rosiglitazone on Kv1.5 channels, which is a major determinant of the duration of cardiac action potential. Rosiglitazone rapidly and reversibly inhibited Kv1.5 currents in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 18.9 µM) and accelerated the decay of Kv1.5 currents without modifying the activation kinetics. In addition, the deactivation of Kv1.5 current, assayed with tail current, was slowed by the drug. All of the results as well as the use-dependence of the rosiglitazone-mediated blockade indicate that rosiglitazone acts on Kv1.5 channels as an open channel blocker. This study suggests that the cardiac side effects of rosiglitazone might be mediated in part by suppression of Kv1.5 channels, and therefore, raises a concern of using the drug for diabetic therapeutics.     

谷氨酸触发大鼠大脑皮质神经元Ca~(2+)内流与PTK的关系

目的　研究谷氨酸 (glutamate,Glu)触发大鼠大脑皮质神经元Ca2 + 内流特性 ,蛋白酪氨酸激酶 (PTK)抑制剂genistein及蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶 (PTP)抑制剂vanadate对其影响 ,揭示PTK与Glu触发大鼠大脑皮质神经元Ca2 + 内流的内在联系。方法　采用Fura 2 /AM荧光测定胞浆Ca2 + 变化技术 ,在原代培养的大鼠大脑皮质神经元上观察药物对Glu触发Ca2 + 内流的影响。结果　Glu触发的Ca2 + 内流不受电压依赖性钙通道 (VDCC)阻断剂尼莫地平影响 ,亦不受非VDCC阻断剂SK&F96 36 5影响 ,但可被PTK抑制剂genis tein抑制 ,被PTP抑制剂vanadate增强。genistein(1～ 30μmol·L-1)呈浓度依赖性抑制Glu触发的Ca2 + 内流。vana date则浓度依赖性增强Glu触发的Ca2 + 内流。结论　对尼莫地平敏感的VDCC及对SK&F96 36 5敏感的非VDCC没有参与Glu触发的Ca2 + 内流。PTK激活参与了Glu触发的Ca2 + 内流     

Staurosporine directly blocks Kv1.3 channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The effects of staurosporine (ST), a widely used protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, were examined on Kv1.3 channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using the whole-cell and excised inside-out configurations of the patch clamp technique. In whole-cell recordings, ST, at external concentrations from 300 nM to 10 μM, accelerated the rate of inactivation of Kv1.3 currents and thereby reduced the current at the end of the depolarizing pulse in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ of 1.2 μM. The actions of ST were unaffected by pretreatment with another selective PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine, or by including the PKC pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor, PKC 19-36, in the intracellular solution. Rp-cAMPS, a specific protein kinase A inhibitor, included in intracellular solution did not affect the effects of ST. Furthermore, the same effects of ST on Kv1.3 were also observed in excised inside-out patches when applied to the internal face of the membrane. These effects were completely reversible upon washing. Current-voltage relations for Kv1.3 currents at the end of voltage steps indicated that ST reduced Kv1.3 currents over a wide voltage range. The blockade exhibited a shallow voltage dependence between –10 mV and +40 mV, increasing at more positive potentials. ST had no effect on the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation. It reduced the tail current amplitude and slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a crossover phenomenon. These results suggest that the action of ST on Kv1.3 is independent of PKC and PKA inhibition. ST blocks the open state of Kv1.3 channels to produce an apparent acceleration of the inactivation rate. Received: 19 October 1998 / Accepted: 12 January 1999     

兴奋性神经毒性中的钙稳态失调及其在退行性病变中的作用

兴奋性氨基酸受体的过度活化会导致神经元的兴奋性死亡,该过程与细胞内钙离子([Ca2+]i)稳态失调密切相关。谷氨酸兴奋毒性参与许多急慢性神经病变的发病及病程进展,提示Ca2+信号传导阻滞剂的应用可能在疾病的早期阶段就阻断病变进程,达到有效治疗。     

大鼠背根神经节酸感受离子通道(ASICs)的药理学特性研究

目的研究大鼠背根神经节(DRG)细胞酸感受离子通道(ASICs)的电生理学和药理学特性。方法应用全细胞膜片钳技术,在急性分散的成年大鼠DRG细胞上记录并分析由不同浓度H+(降低pH值)诱发的ASICs电流。结果在266个大鼠DRG神经元上记录到由H+诱发的3种不同类型的ASICs电流,分别为ASIC1样电流(n=66,24·8%)、ASIC2样电流(n=81,30·4%)和ASIC3样电流(n=119,44·7%)。ASIC1样电流具有快速失活成份,衰减快;ASIC2样电流具有稳态失活成份,衰减十分缓慢;而ASIC3样电流具有快速失活与稳态失活双相成份。三者均不具有整流现象。此3种电流对细胞外H+表现出不同的敏感性,H+诱发电流的pH50分别是:ASIC1-like,pH5·82;ASIC2-like,pH5·18;ASIC3-like,pH6·24。氨氯吡咪以浓度依赖性方式可逆性阻断大鼠DRG神经元的ASICs,对3种ASICs电流的抑制效应差异有显著性。其IC50分别为:ASIC1-like,19·86μmol·L-1;ASIC2-like,42·73μmol·L-1;ASIC3-like,27·91μmol·L-1。结论成年大鼠DRG神经元细胞上表达了3种不同类型的ASICs,且其在表达率、H+敏感性、失敏以及氨氯吡咪敏感性等方面差异均有显著性。     

毛绞股蓝皂甙对体外培养小鼠脑皮层神经元损伤的保护作用

目的研究毛绞股蓝皂甙（ＳＧＰ）对谷氨酸（Ｇｌｕ）介导的神经毒作用及缺糖缺氧损害的保护作用。方法体外培养小鼠脑皮层神经元，测定孵育液中乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）的含量。结果ＳＧＰ２，１０ｍｇ·Ｌ－１可拮抗Ｇｌｕ介导的神经毒作用，使ＬＤＨ漏出减少，细胞死亡率降低。结论ＳＧＰ可拮抗Ｇｌｕ介导的神经毒作用，对皮层神经元缺糖缺氧致损伤亦具有保护作用。     

Capsazepine block of voltage-activated calcium channels in adult rat dorsal root ganglion neurones in culture

1. We have found that capsazepine, a competitive antagonist at the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor, blocks voltage-activated calcium currents in sensory neurones.
2. The block of calcium current was slow to develop with a half time of about one minute at 100 μM and lasted for the duration of the experiment. The rate of block of calcium current was strongly concentration-dependent.
3. The EC₅₀ for the blocking effect at 0 mV was 7.7±1.4 μM after 6 min exposure to capsazepine. The EC₅₀ at equilibrium was estimated to be 1.4±0.2 μM.
4. The block of calcium current showed some voltage-dependence but there was no indication of any selectivity of action for a calcium channel subtype. The characteristics of the blocking action of capsazepine on the residual current of cells which were pretreated with either □Omega;-conotoxin or nimodipine were similar to control.
5. The data suggest that capsazepine, in addition to its competitive antagonism of vanilloid receptors, has a non-specific blocking action on voltage-activated calcium channels which should be taken into account when interpreting the effects of this substance on intact preparations in vitro or in vivo.

     

Alkaloids from the hook-bearing branch of Uncariarhynchophylla and their neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death

One new alkaloid, 4-geissoschizine N-oxide methyl ether (1), was isolated from the EtOH extract of the hook-bearing branch of Uncariarhynchophylla, together with 10 known alkaloids, 3-epi-geissoschizine methyl ether (2) isolated from U.rhynchophylla for the first time, geissoschizine methyl ether (3), 4-hirsuteine N-oxide (4), hirsuteine (5), hirsutine (6), 3α-dihydro-cadambine (7), 3β-isodihydro-cadambine (8), cadambine (9), strictosamide (10), and akuammigine (11). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including UV, ESI-QTOF MS, NMR, and circular dichroism experiments. Neuroprotective effects of 1–9 were investigated against 3 mM glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. The activity assay showed that 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. However, only weak neuroprotective activities were observed for 1, 4, 7, 8, and 9.     

Genistein directly blocks glycine receptors of rat neurons freshly isolated from the ventral tegmental area

The effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the glycine-induced current (I(Gly)) were studied in rat neurons freshly isolated from the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Genistein reversibly and concentration-dependently depressed I(Gly), with an IC(50) of 13 microM. Preincubation with genistein had no effect on I(Gly), indicating that genistein is effective only when glycine is bound to the receptor and channels are most likely open. Genistein depressed maximum I(Gly) without significantly changing the EC(50) for glycine. Genistein-induced inhibition of I(Gly) was sensitive to membrane voltage, being greater at positive membrane potentials. A kinetic analysis indicated that genistein lengthens the time constant of I(Gly) activation, but has no effect on deactivation or desensitization. When genistein was rapidly washed out, a transient rebound current probably reflected a faster dissociation of genistein, with respect to glycine. Results of competition experiments suggest that genistein acts on the same region of the glycine receptor as picrotoxin. Daidzein, an analog of genistein that does not act on protein kinases, also inhibited I(Gly). Co-application of lavendustin A, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, had no effect on I(Gly). Our results extend to neurons isolated from the VTA, the previous finding that genistein directly inhibits glycine receptors of hypothalamic brain slices.     

The sigma agonist 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine directly blocks SK channels in dopaminergic neurons and in cell lines

Small conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (SK) channels are widely expressed in the brain and underlie medium-duration afterhyperpolarizations (mAHPs) in many types of neurons. It was recently reported that the activation of sigma-1 (σ₁) receptors inhibits SK currents in rat hippocampus. Because many interactions between σ receptors and brain dopaminergic systems have been reported, we set out to examine putative effects of σ receptor ligands on the SK mediated mAHP in midbrain dopaminergic neurons. We found that 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine (DTG) inhibited the mAHP in a concentration-dependent manner (∼ 60% inhibition at 100 µM), while other σ receptor agonists (carbetapentane, (+)-SKF10047 and PRE-084) had little effect. Moreover, the effect of DTG was not affected by high concentrations of the σ₁ receptor antagonist BD 1047. A role for σ₂ receptors could also be excluded by the lack of effect of the σ₂ receptor ligand 5-bromo-tetrahydroisoquinolinylbenzamide. These results argue against a coupling of σ receptors to SK channels in dopaminergic neurons. We next hypothesized that DTG could directly block the channel. This hypothesis was tested in HEK-293 cells which were transiently transfected with rSK2 or hSK3 subunits. DTG inhibited the current flowing through both subtypes with mean IC₅₀s ∼ 200 µM. This action was also unaffected by BD 1047. Other σ receptor ligands had little or no effect. We conclude that DTG directly blocks SK channels. This pharmacological action may be important to consider in future experimental settings.     

The selective p38 inhibitor SB-239063 protects primary neurons from mild to moderate excitotoxic injury

Inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP Kinase) pathway reduces acute ischemic injury in vivo, suggesting a direct role for this signaling pathway in a number of neurodegenerative processes. The present study was designed to evaluate further the role of p38 MAP Kinase in acute excitotoxic neuronal injury using the selective p38 inhibitor SB-239063 (trans-1-(4hydroxycyclohexyl)-4-(fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-yl) imidazole). Unlike the widely used p38 inhibitor, SB-203580 (4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole), this second generation p38 inhibitor more selectively inhibits p38 MAP Kinase without affecting the activity of other MAP Kinase signaling pathways and provides a more accurate means to selectively assess the role of p38 in excitotoxicity that has not been previously possible. SB-239063 provided substantial protection against cell death induced by either oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) or magnesium deprivation in cultured neurons. The ability of this compound to block excitotoxicity was not due to direct inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated currents as SB-239063 did not alter NMDA electrophysiological responses. SB-239063 did not protect against a severe excitotoxic insult induced by 60-min exposure to NMDA. However, when tested against a less severe, brief (5 min) NMDA exposure, p38 inhibition provided substantial protection. These data demonstrate that inhibition of p38 MAP Kinase can confer neuroprotection in vitro against mild but not severe excitotoxic exposure, and suggests that other additional pathways/mechanism(s) may be involved in severe excitotoxic cell death.     

四氢吖啶类衍生物EDT抑制脑缺血及保护大鼠皮层神经元抗谷氨酸诱发的细胞毒性

目的：考察9—(4—乙氧羰基苯氧基)—6,7—二甲氧基—1,2,3,4—四氢吖啶盐酸盐(EDT)对大鼠局灶性脑缺血及谷氨酸(Glu)和硝普钠(SNP)致鼠皮层神经元损伤的作用．方法：灼断小鼠一侧大脑中动脉形成局灶性脑缺血模型,用氯化三苯基四氮唑（TTC)染色法测定脑梗塞率同时对神经症状进行评分．在原代培养的大鼠皮层神经细胞,采用MTT比色法,测定培养质内LDH及NO释放量．结果：EDT2．5、5和10mg／kg及尼莫地平2mg／kg灌胃5d显著改善局灶性脑缺血小鼠的神经运动功能,缩小脑梗塞范围．在原代培养的鼠皮层神经细胞,EDT 0．01—3μmol/L浓度依赖地对抗Glu诱发的NO过量形成,并提高MTT微量比色值,同时,减少SNP引起的LDH过量释放,提高细胞存活率．结论：EDT能有效对抗脑缺血损伤,其神经保护作用可能是通过阻断Glu受体及抑制NO生成而实现的．     

人参二醇组皂甙对大鼠皮层神经元钙通道的影响

目的研究人参二醇组皂甙（ＰＤＳ）对大鼠大脑皮层神经元膜Ｌ－型钙通道单通道电活动的影响。方法急性分离大鼠皮层神经元和细胞贴附膜片钳技术。结果ＰＤＳ（１．５ｇＬ－１）可明显缩短大鼠皮层神经元Ｌ－型钙通道的平均开放时间，延长其平均关闭时间，降低其开放概率，而对该通道的电流幅值无明显影响，其作用与经典钙通道阻断剂ｖｅｒａ－ｐａｍｉｌ相似但较弱。结论ＰＤＳ对大鼠皮层神经元Ｌ－型通道有明显阻滞作用。     

Trifluoperazine and dibucaine-induced inhibition of glutamate-induced mitochondrial depolarization in rat cultured forebrain neurones

1. Glutamate receptor activation has been previously shown to result in mitochondrial depolarization and activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in cultured neurones. In this study, we characterized the effects of two putative permeability transition inhibitors, namely trifluoperazine and dibucaine, on mitochondrial depolarization in rat intact, cultured forebrain neurones.
2. Permeability transition was monitored by following mitochondrial depolarization in neurones loaded with the mitochondrial membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent indicator, JC-1. Trifluoperazine (10–20 μM) and dibucaine (50–100 μM) inhibited or delayed the onset of glutamate-induced permeability transition.
3. We also investigated the effects of trifluoperazine and dibucaine on neuronal recovery from glutamate-induced Ca²⁺ loads. Trifluoperazine affected Ca²⁺ recovery in a manner similar to the mitochondrial Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange inhibitor, CGP-37157, while dibucaine had no apparent effect on Ca²⁺ recovery. Therefore, inhibition of permeability transition does not appear to be involved in Ca²⁺ recovery from glutamate-induced Ca²⁺ loads.
4. Trifluoperazine and dibucaine did not inhibit [³H]-dizocilpine binding at the concentrations that prevented mitochondrial depolarization.
5. These studies suggest that trifluoperazine and dibucaine inhibit permeability transition in intact neurones. Trifluoperazine also appears to inhibit mitochondrial Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange. These drugs should prove to be valuable tools in the further study of the role of mitochondrial permeability transition in glutamate-induced neuronal death.

     

Glutamate protects against Ca2+ paradox‐induced injury and inhibits calpain activity in isolated rat hearts

This study determined the effects of glutamate on the Ca²⁺ paradoxical heart, which is a model for Ca²⁺ overload‐induced injury during myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion, and evaluated its effect on a known mediator of injury, calpain. An isolated rat heart was retrogradely perfused in a Langendorff apparatus. Ca²⁺ paradox was elicited via perfusion with a Ca²⁺‐free Krebs‐Henseleit (KH) solution for 3 minutes followed by Ca²⁺‐containing normal KH solution for 30 minutes. The Ca²⁺ paradoxical heart exhibited almost no viable tissue on triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and markedly increased LDH release, caspase‐3 activity, cytosolic cytochrome c content, and apoptotic index. These hearts also displayed significantly increased LVEDP and a disappearance of LVDP. Glutamate (5 and 20 mmol/L) significantly alleviated Ca²⁺ paradox‐induced injury. In contrast, 20 mmol/L mannitol had no effect on Ca²⁺ paradox. Ca²⁺ paradox significantly increased the extent of the translocation of μ‐calpain to the sarcolemmal membrane and the proteolysis of α‐fodrin, which suggests calpain activation. Glutamate also blocked these effects. A non‐selective inhibitor of glutamate transporters, dl ‐TBOA (10 μmol/L), had no effect on control hearts, but it reversed glutamate‐induced cardioprotection and reduction in calpain activity. Glutamate treatment significantly increased intracellular glutamate content in the Ca²⁺ paradoxical heart, which was also blocked by dl ‐TBOA. We conclude that glutamate protects the heart against Ca²⁺ overload‐induced injury via glutamate transporters, and the inhibition of calpain activity is involved in this process.     

Multiple voltage-sensitive calcium channels are probably involved in endogenous GABA release from striatal neurones differentiated in primary culture

Summary Calcium-dependent release of neurotransmitters is thought to be due to Ca²⁺ entry into nerve terminals, but the identities of the various voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺ channels (VSCC) involved in this process remain obscure. To elucidate the types of VSCCs involved in the release process, we studied the effects of various organic Ca²⁺ channel antagonists and agonists on the release of endogenous -aminobutyric acid (GABA) from mouse striatal neurones differentiated in primary culture. Diltiazem, verapamil and methoxyverapamil (D 600) inhibited K⁺-evoked (30 mM) GABA release at very high concentrations (> 1 M). The dihydropyridine (DHP) nifedipine, at low concentrations (0.01–1.00 M), was able to inhibit part of the K⁺-evoked GABA release (25.6±7.3% inhibition at 1 M). This is in agreement with the high affinity of nifedipine for DHP binding sites. The DHPs, BAY K 8644 (EC₅₀ = 41±15 nM) and CGP 28.392, which possess agonist properties at VSCCs, increased the 15 mM K⁺-evoked GABA release. The release evoked by the combination of K⁺ (15 M) and BAY K 8644 (up to 10 M) remained smaller than the release elicited by 30 mM K⁺. The effect of BAY K 8644 (1 M) was inhibited by nifedipine (IC₅₀ 0.55±0.05 M). When Na⁺ ions were replaced by choline, basal and K⁺-evoked GABA release was significantly increased. Even in the absence of external Na+, nifedipine (1 M) was not able to totally block the K⁺ effect. Moreover amiloride, a drug known to inhibit Na⁺/Ca⁺ exchange, and tetrodotoxin (TTX), did not modify the 30 mM K⁺ response. Therefore, nifedipine-insensitive K⁺-evoked GABA release is not due to Na⁺-dependent Ca²⁺ entry. These results can be explained by the presence of DHP-sensitive and insensitive Ca²⁺ channels on nerve terminals, each involved in the release process.Abbreviations CGP 28.392 4-[2-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl]-1,4,5,7-tetrahydro-2-methyl-5-oxo-furo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid ethylester - BAY K 8644 (±)-methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3nitro-4-(2 trifluoromethyl) pyridine-5-carboxylate - DHP 1,4-dihydropyridine - DIV days in vitro - D 600 methoxyverapamil - GABA -aminobutyric acid - HEPES 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - TTX tetrodotoxin - VSCC voltage-sensitive calcium channel Send offprint requests to J.-P. Pin at the above address     

Difference in lithium transport between neurones and glia in primary culture

Measurements of Li⁺ influx and efflux in primary cultures with different proportions of neuronal and glial cells dissociated from chick embryonic brain revealed that neuronal cells had higher Li⁺ transport rates and significantly elevated intracellular Li⁺ levels at steady state in comparison with the glial cells, suggesting the importance of this difference in the regulation of Li⁺ homeostasis in the brain during lithium therapy.     

A novel cognition enhancer NS-105 modulates adenylate cyclase activity through metabotropic glutamate receptors in primary neuronal culture

The effect of (+)-5-oxo-D-prolinepiperidinamide monohydrate (NS-105), a novel cognition enhancer, on adenylate cyclase activity was investigated in cultured neurons of the mouse cerebral cortex. NS-105 (10^–7 and 10^–6 M) inhibited forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation, an action that was dependent on pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Conversely, in pertussis toxin-pretreated neurons, NS-105 (10^–7 –10^–5 M) significantly enhanced the forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation, and this action was completely reversed by cholera toxin. A metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (1S, 3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylic acid (1S, 3R-ACPD) produced similar bi-directional actions on the cyclic AMP formation. Both of these inhibitory and facilitatory actions of NS-105 and 1S, 3R-ACPD were blocked by L(+)-2-amino-3-phosphopropinoic acid (L-AP3). NS-105 (10^–6 M) and 1S, 3R-ACPD (10^–4 M) significantly enhanced isoproterenol- and adenosine-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. The enhancement of such Gs-coupled receptor agonists-stimulated cyclic AMP formation was also produced by quisqualate but not by L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (L-AP4). The phosphoinositides hydrolysis was enhanced by 1S, 3R-ACPD (10^–4 M) but not by NS-105 (10^–6 M), however, 1S, 3R-ACPD-induced increase in phosphoinositides turnover was attenuated by NS-105. These findings suggest that NS-105 stimulates metabotropic glutamate receptor subclasses that are coupled both negatively and positively to adenylate cyclase, but it acts as an antagonist at the receptor subclasses that are linked to phosphoinositides hydrolysis. Received: 3 February 1997 / Accepted: 25 April 1997