Co-localization and co-release of GABA and putative allosteric modulators of GABA receptor

Diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) belongs to a family of newly discovered neuropeptides that, when acting on the benzodiazepine/beta-carboline recognition site, provide an allosteric modulation of the function of GABAA receptor. The molecular size of DBI (10K Da) and its amino acid sequence characteristics are compatible with the view that this polypeptide can function as a precursor of smaller biologically active neuropeptides. In neurons of the cerebral cortex of the neonatal rat, in primary culture, DBI coexists with at least 4 different processing products. These peptides immunoreact with an antiserum directed against a biologically active octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) amino acid sequence of which (QATVGDVNTDRPGLLDLK) is included in the middle portion of the amino acid sequence of DBI. One of the immunoreactive peptides extracted from neurons has a retention time in high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) identical to that of synthetic ODN. Double immunofluorescence staining of the cultured neurons with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and antibodies for ODN indicates that ODN and ODN-like peptides are localized with GABA in 58% of the GAD-positive neurons. Moreover, the proportion of the neuronal stores of GABA, ODN, DBI-like peptides and DBI that are released together following depolarization with veratridine is similar. These experiments provide evidence to suggest that ODN, ODN-like peptides derived from DBI, might participate as putative neuromodulators of physiological significance in changing the probability that a quantum of GABA opens specific chloride (Cl-) channels located on post-synaptic cell membranes.