L-dopa induces Ca(2+)-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive release of endogenous glutamate from rat striatal slices

L-DOPA (10-1000 microM) concentration-dependently released glutamate (Glu) from superfused rat striatal slices. D-DOPA and dopamine (300 microM) produced no effects. The L-DOPA-induced release of Glu was not affected by 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine (20 microM), an L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor. L-DOPA methyl ester (200 microM), a selective L-DOPA antagonist, antagonized the effect of L-DOPA in a competitive manner. Ca2+ deprivation and tetrodotoxin decreased L-DOPA (300 microM)-induced release of Glu. These findings indicate that L-DOPA induces a transmitter-like release of Glu via activation of a recognition site for itself.