Neurotensin excites basal forebrain cholinergic neurons: ionic and signal-transduction mechanisms

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 Mar 29;91(7):2853-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.7.2853.

Abstract

The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of neurotensin on cholinergic neurons cultured from the rat nucleus basalis of Meynert. Neurotensin excited the neurons by inducing an initial inward current carried, at least in part, by Na+ and by reducing inwardly rectifying K+ conductance. Reduction of the inwardly rectifying K+ conductance was mediated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cholinergic Fibers / drug effects*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / drug effects
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / analogs & derivatives
  • Ions
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Microelectrodes
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurotensin / pharmacology*
  • Pertussis Toxin
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Substantia Innominata / cytology
  • Substantia Innominata / drug effects*
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella / pharmacology

Substances

  • Ions
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella
  • Neurotensin
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • Pertussis Toxin
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Potassium