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Published on: September 5, 2015
Transient receptor potential A1 increase glutamate release on brain stem neurons
Boram Sun1, Sung-Il Bang, Young-Ho Jin
1Department of Physiology and Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Neuroreport
|June 4, 2009
Summary
Transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) channels in the nucleus tractus solitarii are activated by allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), increasing glutamate release. This suggests TRPA1
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) channels are activated by low temperatures and noxious chemicals.
- TRPA1 ligands, found in pungent spices, can induce autonomic reflexes and affect blood pressure.
- TRPA1's presence on the visceral afferent pathway suggests a role in non-nociceptive autonomic responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TRPA1 in autonomic responses.
- To examine the effects of the TRPA1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) on neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii.
Main Methods:
- Mechanically dispersed nucleus tractus solitarii neurons were used.
- Neurons were treated with AITC (200 microM) and the TRP channel antagonist ruthenium red (50 microM).
- The effects of tetrodotoxin and Cd on AITC-evoked glutamate release were assessed.
Main Results:
- AITC increased glutamate release in 58% of tested neurons.
- Ruthenium red blocked the AITC-induced increase in glutamate release.
- Tetrodotoxin and Cd did not abolish the AITC-evoked glutamate release.
- TRPA1 expression was observed in both capsaicin-sensitive and insensitive neurons.
Conclusions:
- TRPA1 activation in the nucleus tractus solitarii neurons leads to increased glutamate release.
- This suggests a role for TRPA1 in modulating autonomic responses via the visceral afferent pathway.
- TRPA1's function in these neurons is independent of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels.
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