The mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 blocks the effects of GLT-1 upregulation on prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in adult rats

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 May;35(6):1253-60. doi: 10.1038/npp.2009.225. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

Abstract

The main glutamate transporter GLT-1 is responsible for clearing synaptically released glutamate from the extracellular space and contributes to the shaping of glutamatergic transmission. Recently, it has been shown that ceftriaxone (CEF)-induced GLT-1 upregulation is associated with an impairment of the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex, a simple form of information processing that is reduced in schizophrenia, and determines a strong reduction in hippocampal metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)2/3-dependent long-term depression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that administration of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 blocks the effect of GLT-1 upregulation on PPI of the startle. We showed that administration of LY379268 (1 mg/kg) prevented PPI alterations associated with GLT-1 upregulation, suggesting that CEF-induced PPI impairment was mGluR2/3 dependent. In addition, we showed that CEF-induced GLT-1 upregulaton did not alter the expression of mGluR2/3, and also that it occurred at sites of mGluR2/3 expression. These results indicate a novel mechanism by which GLT-1 upregulation modulates PPI of the startle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 / drug effects*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 / metabolism*
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / drug effects
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / physiology
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / agonists*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / metabolism
  • Sensory Gating / drug effects*
  • Sensory Gating / physiology
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / physiology

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2
  • LY 379268
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor 2
  • Glutamic Acid