Somatostatin release from cerebral cortical cells: influence of amino acid neurotransmitters

We examined the ability of several putative amino acid neurotransmitters to influence immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) release from cultured rat cerebral cortical cells. The cells were exposed to either or sequential incubations in various concentrations of glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), GABA, glycine, taurine and arginine. Glu and Asp were stimulatory to IRS release, whereas GABA was inhibitory. Glu-induced IRS release was calcium-dependent. Glycine and taurine were weak stimulants.