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Synaptic acidification enhances GABAA signaling.

Craig J Dietrich1, Martin Morad

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|November 26, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Cellular protons influence synaptic signaling. The study found that the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) acidifies the synaptic cleft during GABAergic transmission, creating an acidic nano-environment.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Physiology
  • Synaptic Transmission

Background:

  • Cellularly generated protons play a role in synaptic signaling.
  • Extracellular pH buffering capacity influences neuronal activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cellular protons in synaptic signaling.
  • To determine the contribution of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity to synaptic acidification.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded GABA miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) from cultured rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs).
  • Varied extracellular pH buffering capacity and inhibited NHE activity.

Main Results:

  • Alkalinization sped mIPSC rise time and suppressed amplitude and charge transfer.
  • Acidification slowed rise time and increased amplitude and charge transfer.
  • NHE inhibition altered mIPSCs, consistent with alkalinization, suggesting NHE contributes to synaptic acidification.

Conclusions:

  • Synaptic cleft acidification occurs physiologically during GABAergic transmission.
  • NHE plays a critical role in generating the acidic nano-environment at the synapse.