MODE OF BLOCKADE BY MK-801 OF N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE-INDUCED INCREASE IN INTRACELLULAR CA-2+ IN CULTURED MOUSE HIPPOCAMPAL-NEURONS

Microfluorometry with fura-2 was applied to study the action of the anticonvulsant (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801) on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]1) in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. MK-801 caused a potent and long-lasting blockade of the NMDA-activated [Ca2+]i elevation in a selective manner, not affecting the [Ca2+]i rise induced by quisqualate or kainate. Blockade and recovery from the blockade by MK-801 showed use dependency; the degree of blockade was dependent on the presence of NMDA. The use-dependent onset of antagonism was, however, highly sensitive to the bath temperature. MK-801 applied in the absence of NMDA had no effect on the response to subsequent application of NMDA at 22°C, whereas it reduced the subsequent response to NMDA significantly at 37°C. MK-801 interacted with the receptor-ion channel complex even when Mg2+, which is considered to block the open channel, had already blocked the NMDA-induced [Ca2+]i. The recovery from blockade by MK-801 was not accelerated by the application of 10 mM Mg2+ for 5 min. These results suggest that MK-801 can gain access to its binding site in the absence of NMDA at physiological temperature, and that this binding site is distinct from that for Mg2+. © 1990.