[Prostaglandins and the functional specificity of central neurons in Helix pomatia]

Effects of intra- and extracellular injected prostaglandins (PG) E2 and F2 alpha on chemosensitivity to transmitter substances as well as on electrical activity of identified neurons were studied in the snail Helix pomatia. Prostaglandin E2 was found to amplify as a rule the electrical activity of identified neurons and prostaglandin F2 alpha was found to inhibit it. Prostaglandin E2 usually depressed the reactions of neurons to serotonin, and F2 alpha -- to acetylcholine. Effects of prostaglandins depended on the level of functional activity of neurons and the way of their application (intra- or extracellular). Possible molecular mechanisms of the discovered effects, their relation to cyclic purine nucleotides, calcium ions and specific proteins are discussed.