Zinc Modulates Olfactory Bulb Kainate Receptors
Laura J Blakemore1, Paul Q Trombley1
1Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
Neuroscience
|December 25, 2019
Summary
Zinc inhibits kainate receptors (KARs) in the olfactory bulb, impacting how mitral/tufted cells process odor information. This study reveals zinc
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Olfactory system research
- Synaptic transmission
Background:
- Kainate receptors (KARs) are crucial for synaptic transmission in the olfactory bulb (OB).
- Zinc is abundant in the OB and modulates synaptic activity, but its effects on KARs are poorly understood.
- Previous work indicated KARs influence OB excitatory and inhibitory transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of zinc on KARs in olfactory bulb mitral/tufted (M/T) cells.
- To determine if zinc modulates KARs at physiologically relevant concentrations.
- To explore the role of zinc in olfactory information processing circuits.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of M/T cells in the olfactory bulb.
- Application of KAR agonists (kainate, SYM 2081) and AMPA receptor antagonist (SYM 2206).
- Assessment of zinc's effects (100 µM) on agonist-evoked currents.
Main Results:
- Zinc (100 µM) significantly inhibited currents evoked by KAR agonists.
- The strongest inhibition by zinc occurred with agonists preferring GluK1 and GluK2 subunits.
- Findings align with known inhibitory effects of zinc on certain recombinant KAR subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Zinc modulates KARs in olfactory bulb M/T cells, suggesting a role in synaptic transmission.
- Synaptically released zinc may influence odor information processing in the OB via KARs.
- This interaction is significant as M/T cells receive input from zinc-containing olfactory sensory neurons.
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