The rapid uptake and release of [3H]adenosine by rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes

Adenosine, a putative inhibitory transmitter or modulator in the brain, is rapidly transported by rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes. The uptake may represent a facilitated diffusion process, which is saturable and temperature-dependent. In this study, the uptake process was very rapid, reaching completion within 60 s of incubation at 37 degrees C, and had an apparent Km value of 0.9 microM and a Vmax value of 5.26 pmol/mg protein/30 s. Over 70% of the adenosine taken up remained unchanged, whereas 14% was metabolized to inosine. Twelve percent of the adenosine was converted to nucleotides. Rapid uptake of adenosine into rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes was partially inhibited by replacing Na+ with choline chloride in the medium. Ca2+ ion is important for the uptake process, as inhibition of adenosine uptake occurs in the presence of either Co2+ or EGTA. Rapid uptake of adenosine is apparently mediated by a nucleoside carrier, a conclusion based on its inhibition by a variety of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides. Uptake was inhibited by dipyridamole, hexobendine, papaverine, flurazepam, and morphine. Over 60% of the adenosine taken up by the rapid uptake system (30 s) was released by depolarizing agents. In contrast, only 30% of the adenosine taken up during a 15-min incubation period was released under the same conditions. [3H]Adenosine was the predominant purine released in the presence or absence of depolarizing agents. The basal and KCl-evoked release mechanisms were found to be at least partially Ca2+-dependent, however, the release of adenosine by veratridine was increased in the presence of EGTA. This finding is in agreement with the reported Ca2+-independent release of ATP from brain synaptosomes. The present findings suggest that there are at least two functional pools of adenosine in synaptosomes. Adenosine taken up by different uptake systems may be destined for different uses (metabolism or release) in the neuron.