cAMP-dependent presynaptic regulation of spontaneous glycinergic IPSCs in mechanically dissociated rat spinal cord neurons

Spontaneous miniature glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in mechanically dissociated rat sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCN) neurons attached with intact glycinergic presynaptic nerve terminals and evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs) in the slice preparation were investigated using nystatin-perforated patch and conventional whole cell recording modes under the voltage-clamp conditions. Trans-ACPD (tACPD) reversibly reduced the mIPSC frequency without affecting the mean amplitude. The effect was mimicked by a specific metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) II subtype agonist, (2S, 1'S, 2'S)-2-(carboxycyclo propyl) glycine (L-CCG-I), and a specific mGluRIII subtype agonist, 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (L-AP4). These inhibitory effects on mIPSC frequency were blocked by the specific antagonists for mGluRII, alpha -methyl-1-(2S, 1'S, 2'S)-2-(carboxycyclo propyl) glycine and (RS)-alpha -cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine. In the slice preparation, eIPSC amplitude and mIPSC frequency were decreased reversibly by L-CCG-I (10(-6) M) and L-AP4 (10(-6) M). In K+-free or K+-free external solution with Ba2+ and Cs+, Ca2+-free or Cd2+ external solution, the inhibitory effect of tACPD on mIPSC frequency was unaltered. Forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP significantly increased presynaptic glycine release, and prevented the inhibitory action of tACPD on mIPSC frequency. Sp-cAMP, however, did not prevent the inhibitory action of tACPD on mIPSC frequency. It was concluded that the activation of mGluRs inhibits glycine release by reducing the action of cAMP/PKA pathway.