GABAB receptor activation protects GABAA receptor from cyclic AMP-dependent down-regulation in rat cerebellar granule cells

Interaction between GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors was studied in rat cerebellar granule cells in culture, by the whole-cell patch-clamp approach. Our data show that the GABA(B) agonist(-)baclofen is not able, per se, to significantly change the muscimol-activated chloride current. However, (-)baclofen dose-dependently prevents the reduction of GABA(A) receptor function by forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase. The effect of baclofen is mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. In fact, in cells treated with pertussis toxin, baclofen and forskolin, the toxin is able to block baclofen action, allowing forskolin to act fully. The protective effect by GABA(B) receptor activation under these circumstances is most probably related to the prevention of cyclic AMP increases after forskolin treatment. In fact, in these neurons cyclic AMP and protein kinase A activation result in a downregulation of GABA(A) receptor function. On the whole, the data indicate the presence of complex modulation of GABA(A) receptors by GABA(B) receptor types in cerebellum granule cells. (C) 1999 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.