Abstract
Using the patch-clamp technique in combination with sliced tissue preparation the membrane properties of newborn rabbit area postrema neurons were investigated. The neurons responded upon depolarization with a fast Na +-current followed by an inactivating and non-inactivating K +-current. GABA-activated currents were investigated resulting in a large Cl--conductance, indicating the expression of GABAA-receptors. The expression of glutamate receptor mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization and electrophysiological measurements of these receptors by means of the patch-clamp technique. As a main result it was found that ionotropic glutamate receptors in the area postrema are composed of “flop” variants of the GluA-, GluB- and GluC-subunits.
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Abbreviations
- AP :
-
area postrema
- GABA :
-
γ-aminobutyric acid
- Glu :
-
glutamate
- I–V :
-
current-voltage
- SFO :
-
subfornical organ
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Bufler, J., Weindl, A., Arzberger, T. et al. Patch-clamp study on membrane properties and transmitter activated currents of rabbit area postrema neurons. J Comp Physiol A 178, 771–778 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225825
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225825