NMDA receptor activation enhances inhibitory GABAergic transmission onto hippocampal pyramidal neurons via presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) are implicated in synaptic plasticity and modulation of glutamatergic excitatory transmission. Effect of NMDAR activation on inhibitory GABAergic transmission remains largely unknown. Here, we report that a brief application of NMDA could induce two distinct actions in CA1 pyramidal neurons in mouse hippocampal slices: 1) an inward current attributed to activation of postsynaptic NMDARs; and 2) fast phasic synaptic currents, namely spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs), mediated by GABA(A) receptors in pyramidal neurons.

[A simple and effective method for extracting total RNA from domestic fungus].

With Flammulina velutipes material,an improved method was developed for extracting total RNA from domestic fungus that are rich in RNase,polyphenols, polymeric carbohydrates and proteoglycans. Phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol were used twice to clear DNA and protein under higher concentration of denaturing solution and isopentanol, sodium acetate were used to precipitate RNA selectively. Pure and intact RNA can be effectively prepared by this method.