Embryonically expressed GABA and glutamate drive electrical activity regulating neurotransmitter specification.

J Neurosci

Neurobiology Section, Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Molecular Genetics, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0357, USA.

Published: April 2008

Neurotransmitter signaling in the mature nervous system is well understood, but the functions of transmitters in the immature nervous system are less clear. Although transmitters released during embryogenesis regulate neuronal proliferation and migration, little is known about their role in regulating early neuronal differentiation. Here, we show that GABA and glutamate drive calcium-dependent embryonic electrical activity that regulates transmitter specification. The number of neurons expressing different transmitters changes when GABA or glutamate signaling is blocked chronically, either using morpholinos to knock down transmitter-synthetic enzymes or applying pharmacological receptor antagonists during a sensitive period of development. We find that calcium spikes are triggered by metabotropic GABA and glutamate receptors, which engage protein kinases A and C. The results reveal a novel role for embryonically expressed neurotransmitters.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3318922PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4873-07.2008DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

gaba glutamate
16
embryonically expressed
8
glutamate drive
8
electrical activity
8
nervous system
8
gaba
4
expressed gaba
4
glutamate
4
drive electrical
4
activity regulating
4

Similar Publications

Glutamate-mediated antidepressant effects of Jieyu I Formula via modulation of PFC-LHb circuitry in lipopolysaccharide-induced depression model.

J Ethnopharmacol

January 2025

State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China; Chinese Medicine Guangdong Laboratory, Guangdong Hengqin, 519031, China. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Jieyu I Formula (JY-I) is an improved version of the classic formula "Sini San" documented in the books Shanghan Lun, which is known for regulating the liver and treating depression. However, the disturbance of neuronal signal transmission in the neural circuit of the brain is closely related to the occurrence of depression, yet its neural mechanism is still unclear.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to observe the antidepressant effect of JY-I on depressed mice induced by lipopolysaccharide and its underlying central nervous system mechanisms, focusing on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to lateral habenular nucleus (LHb) neural circuit in the depressed mice model.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The gene GAD1 encodes a glutamate decarboxylase, which is a rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of endogenous γ-aminobutyrate acid (GABA), but a potential role of GAD1 in regulating cadmium (Cd) tolerance needs to be further elucidated in plants. The objective of this study was to investigate Cd tolerance of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and transgenic yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing AsGAD1. The Cd-tolerant creeping bentgrass cultivar LOFTSL-93 accumulated more endogenous GABA in relation to a significant upregulation of AsGAD1 in leaf and root than the Cd-sensitive W66569 in response to Cd stress.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

New plant-based kefir fermented beverages as potential source of GABA.

J Food Sci Technol

February 2025

Food Science and Nutrition Department, School of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 80, Monteiro Lobato, Campinas, SP 13083-862 Brazil.

The aim of this study was to assess the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in plant-based fermented beverages with kefir cultures (milk and water kefir). Water-soluble extracts of peanut and Brazil nut were evaluated as non-dairy substrates for the development of new bioactive beverages. A total of 12 formulations were developed and evaluated for their chemical composition, physical chemical characterization, and microbiological counts (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactobacilli, lactococci and yeasts).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a multifaceted set of neurodevelopmental conditions marked by social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Astragaloside IV (ASIV), a natural compound derived from the traditional Chinese herb Astragali Radix, exhibits robust neuroprotective effects. However, whether ASIV can ameliorate behavioral deficits in ASD remains unknown.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Chronic Pain and Comorbid Emotional Disorders: Neural Circuitry and Neuroimmunity Pathways.

Int J Mol Sci

January 2025

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.

Chronic pain is a multidimensional experience that not only involves persistent nociception but is also frequently accompanied by significant emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which complicate its management and amplify its impact. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of chronic pain and emotional disturbances. Key areas of focus include the dysregulation of major neurotransmitter systems (serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate) and the resulting functional remodeling of critical neural circuits implicated in pain processing, emotional regulation, and reward.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!