• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.1041-1046
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• 2014

Evidence is growing that the $GABA_B$ receptor, which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, is involved in tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that ${\beta}$-arrestin can serve as a scaffold to recruit signaling protein c-Jun N-terminal knase (JNK) to GPCR. Here we investigated whether ${\beta}$-arrestin recruits JNK to the $GABA_B$ receptor and facilitates its activation to affect the growth of cancer cells. Our results showed that ${\beta}$-arrestin expression is decreased in breast cancer cells in comparison with controls. ${\beta}$-arrestin could enhance interactions of the $GABA_BR{\cdot}{\beta}-arrestin{\cdot}JNK$ signaling module in MCF-7 and T-47D cells. Further studies revealed that increased expression of ${\beta}$-arrestin enhances the phosphorylation of JNK and induces cancer cells apoptosis. Collectively, these results indicate that ${\beta}$-arrestin promotes JNK mediated apoptosis via a $GABA_BR{\cdot}{\beta}-arrestin{\cdot}JNK$ signaling module.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권5호
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• pp.461-469
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• 1999

Glutamate and ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA) are major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the vertebrate retina, respectively. Using the whole-cell patch clamp technique and a rapid solution changer, glutamate and GABA receptors have been extensively investigated in carp retina. Glutamate receptors on both horizontal and amacrine cells may be an AMPA preferring subtype, which predominantly consists of flop splice variants. $GABA_A$ and $GABA_C$ receptors coexist in bipolar cells and they both show significant desensitization. Kinetics analysis demonstrated that activation, deactivation and desensitization of the $GABA_C$ receptor-mediated response of these cells are overall slower than those of the $GABA_A$ response. Endogenous modulator $Zn^{2+}$ in the retina was found to differentially modulate the kinetic characteristics of the $GABA_C$ and $GABA_A$ responses.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.469-473
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• 2009

Induced activation of the gamma-aminobutyric $acid_A$ ($GABA_A$) receptor in the retina of goldfish caused the fish to rotate in the opposite direction to that of the spinning pattern during an optomotor response (OMR) measurement. Muscimol, a $GABA_A$ receptor agonist, modified OMR in a concentration-dependent manner. The $GABA_B$ receptor agonist baclofen and $GABA_C$ receptor agonist CACA did not affect OMR. The observed modifications in OMR included decreased anterograde rotation $(0.01\sim0.03\;{\mu}M)$, coexistence of retrograde rotation and decreased anterograde rotation $(0.1\sim30\;{\mu}M)$ and only retrograde rotation $(100\;{\mu}M\sim1\;mM)$. In contrast, the $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist bicuculline blocked muscimol-induced retrograde rotation. Based on these results, we inferred that the coding inducing retrograde movement of the goldfish retina is essentially associated with the GABAA receptor-related visual pathway. Furthermore, from our novel approach using observations of goldfish behavior the induced discrete snapshot duration was approximately 573 ms when the fish were under the influence of muscimol.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.202-207
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• 2002

This study was performed to investigate the effect of tetrahydroisoxazolopyridine (THIP), a $GABA_A$ agonist, on the morphine-induced hyperactivity, reverse tolerance and postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity in mice. A single administration of morphine induced hyperactivity in mice. However, the morphine-induced hyperactivity was inhibited dose-dependently by the administration of THIP (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg, i.p.). In contrast, daily administration of morphine resulted in a reverse tolerance to the hyperactivity caused by morphine (10 mg/kg ,s.c.). THIP inhibited the development of reverse tolerance in the mice that had received the repeated same morphine (10 mg/kg s.c.) doses. The postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity, which was evidenced by the enhanced ambulatory activity its after the administration of apomorphine (2 mg/kg s.c.), also developed in the reverse tolerant mice. THIP also inhibited the development of the postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity indulged by the chronic morphine administration. These results suggest that the hyperactivity, reverse toterance and postsynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by morphine can be inhibited activating the $GABA_A$ receptors.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.238-242
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• 2005

Many reports demonstrate that extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MFs, 60 Hz) may be involved in hyperalgesia. In a previous investigation, we suggested that MFs may produce hyperalgesia and such a response may be regulated by the benzodiazepine system. In order to further confirm this effect of MFs, we used diazepam and/or flumazenil with MFs exposure. When testing the pain threshold of rats using hot plate tests, MFs or diazepam ($0.5\;{\mu}g$, i.c.v.; a benzodiazepine receptor agonist) induced hyperalgesic effects with the reduction of latency. These effects were blocked by a pretreatment of flumazenil (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.; a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist). When the rats were exposed simultaneously to MFs and diazepam, the latency tended to decrease without statistical significance. The induction of hyperalgesia by co-exposure to MFs and diazepam was also blocked by flumazenil. However, the pretreatment of GABA receptor antagonists such as bicuculline ($0.1\;{\mu}g$, i.c.v.; a $GABA_A$ antagonist) or phaclofen ($10\;{\mu}g$, i.c.v.; a $GABA_B$ antagonist) did not antagonize the hyperalgesic effect of MFs. These results suggest that the benzodiazepine system may be involved in MFs-induced hyperalgesia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제1권6호
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• pp.647-655
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• 1997

The purpose of present study is to investigate the influence of a spinal gamma-aminobutyric acid B($GABA_B$) receptor on a central regulation of blood pressure(BP) and heart rate(HR), and to define its mechanism in the spinal cord. In urethane-anesthetized, d-tubocurarine-paralyzed and artificially ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats, intrathecal administration of drugs were carried out using injection cannula(33-gauge stainless steel) through the guide cannula(PE 10) which was inserted intrathecally at lower thoracic level through the puncture of a atlantooccipital membrane. Intrathecal injection of an $GABA_B$ receptor agonist, baclofen(30, 60, 100 nmol) decreased both BP and HR dose-dependently. Pretreatment with 8-bromo-cAMP(50 nmol), a cAMP analog, or glipizide(50 nmol), a ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel blocker, attenuated the depressor and bradycardic effects of baclofen(100 nmol), but not with 8-bromo-cGMP(50 nmol), a cGMP analog. These results suggest that the $GABA_B$ receptor in the spinal cord plays an inhibitory role in central cardiovascular regulation and that this depressor and bradycardic actions are mediated by the decrease of cAMP via the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and the opening of $K^+$ channel.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.359-381
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• 1992

Benzodiazepine계 약물들은 진정 최면제의 대표적인 약물로서, 중추신경계에서의 그 작용은 gamma amino butyric acid(GABA) 수용체와 짝지워져 있는 benzodiazepine 수용체를 통해서 나타나며 또한 뇌에 있는 synaptosome에서 전위 의존성 calcium channel을 통한 calcium의 섭취를 억제함으로써 진정작용 및 최면 작용이 나타난다. 이와 아울러 말초 장기에서도 benzodiazepine 수용체와 GABA 수용체가 발견 되었는데 이들의 기능과 상호관계는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 이에 본 실험에서는 benzodiazepine계통의 대표적인 약물이며 중추신경과 말초 장기에 동시에 작용하는 diazepam이 흰쥐 적출자궁의 자발 수축 및 oxytocin 유발 수축에 미치는 영향을 검색하고, 이러한 diazepam의 효과와 GABA 수용체 및 calcium과의 상호관계를 검색함으로써 그 작용기전을 추구해 보기 위하여 다음과 같은 실험을 하였다. 난소를 제거한 후 estrogen(17 beta-estradiol : $500{\mu}g/kg/day$)을 4일 동안 전 처치한 흰쥐의 자궁을 적출하여 등척성 장력을 측정함으로써 그 수축력의 변화를 관찰하였다. Diazepam과 GABA 수용체 효현제 및 그 봉쇄제들이 자궁절편의 자발 수축과 oxytocin 유발 수축에 미치는 영향을 검색하였고, 또 이들 약물의 작용에 관련된 calcium 동원기전에 대하여 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. Diazepam은 흰쥐 적출자궁의 자발수축 및 oxytocin 유발수축을 농도 의존적으로 억제하였다. GABA, GABA A 수용체 효현제인 muscimol, GAGA A 수용체의 상경적 봉쇄제인 bicuculline, GABA A 수용체의 비상경적 봉쇄제인 picrotoxin, GABA B 수용체 효현제인 boclofen, 그리고 GABA B 수용체 봉쇄제인 delta-aminovaleric acid는 흰쥐 적출 자궁의 자발 수축 및 oxytocin 유발수축에 아무런 영향을 미치지 않았다. 자발 수축 및 oxytocin 유발수축에 대한 diazepam의 억제 작용은 GABA 수용체 효현제 및 봉쇄제의 영향을 받지 않았다. 그러나 bicuculline은 diazepam의 억제 작용에 상가적으로 작용하였는데, bicuculline의 이러한 작용은 muscimol에 의해서 길항되지 않았다. 정상 PSS 내에서 diazepam에 의해 억제되었던 자발수욱 및 oxytocin유발수촉은 calcium의 첨가 및 calcium inophore인 A23187의 첨가로 일부 회복되었다. Calcium 배제 용액내에서는 diazepam이 calcium 첨가로 인한 수축력 회복을 방해하였으며 calcium inophore인 A23187에 의한 수축력 증가는 막지 못하였다. 또 세포외액에 calcium이 결핍된 상태에서는 oxytocin 자체에 의한 수축을 방해하지 못하였으나 이어 첨가된 calcium에 의한 oxytocin 유발 수축의 증가는 일부 억제하였다. 이상의 실험결과로 미루어 볼 때 diazepam은 자궁의 자발수측 및 oxytocin 유발 수축을 억제할 수 있으며, 이러한 작용은 GABA 수용체 의존성이 아닌 세포외액의 calcium의 유입을 억제함으로써 나타나는 것으로 사료된다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2005

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the neurons of the central nervous system. However, its detailed action mechanisms in the rostral gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarius (rNTS) have not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the distribution, role and action mechanisms of GABA in rNTS. Membrane potentials were recorded by whole cell recordings in isolated brain slices of the rat medulla. Superfusion of GABA resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in input resistance in the neurons in rNTS. The change in input resistance ws accompanied by response to a depolarizing pulse were diminished by GABA. Superfusion of the slices with either $GABA_A$ agonist, muscimol, $GABA_B$ agonist, baclofen or $GABA_C$ agonist, TACA, decreased input resistance and reduced the nerve activity in association with membrane hyperpolarization. It is suggested that inhibitory signals playa role in sensory processing by the rNTS, in that GABA actions occur through activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptor. These results suggest that GABA has an inhibitory effect on the rNTS through an activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptors and that the GABAergic inhibition probably plays an important role in sensory processing by the rNTS.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.382-395
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• 1992

GABA는 중추신경계의 대표적인 신경전달 물질로서 $GABA_A$수용체 또는 $GABA_B$수용체에 작용하여 진정 작용, 항 불안 작용, 및 근이완 작용을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 근래에는 말초조직에도 GABA가 존재하며 신경조정인자 혹은 신경전달인자로서 작용한다는 보고가 있다. 정관에 대한 자율신경 지배는 아드레날린성, 콜린성과 비콜린성 비아드레날린성 신경섬유들이 분포하고 있으나, 종 혹은 부위에 따라 이들 구성요소들의 수축성에 대한기여도가 다른 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 실험에서는 흰쥐의 전립선 부위 정관의 기본장력 및 전기장 유발 수축에 대한 교감 신경성, 부교감 신경성 및 퓨린성 효현제의 영향을 관찰하였으며, 정관의 흥분성 약물 및 전기장 유발 수축에 미치는 GABA 및 GABA 관련 약물의 영향을 관찰함으로서 정관의 수축운동에 대한 GABA의 작용기전을 규명해 보고자 흰쥐(Sprague-Dawley)의 전립선 부위 정관 절편을 적출 근편 실조에 현수하고, 등척성 장력을 측정하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. GABA, muscimol 및 baclofen은 전기장자극(0.2 Hz, 1 msec, 80 V) 유발 수축을 농도 의존적으로 억제하였으며 그 효력은 GABA, baclofen 그리고 muscimol 순이었다. 2. GABA의 억제작용은 $GABA_B$ 수용체 길항제인 DAVA에 의하여 길항되었으나, $GABA_A$ 수용체 길항제인 bicuculline에 의해서는 길항되지 않았다. 3. Baclofen의 억제작용은 DAVA에 의하여 길항되었으나 muscimol의 억제작용은 bicuculline에 의해서는 길항되지 않았다. 4. Norepinephrine과 ATP는 농도 의존적으로 정관의 수축력을 증가 시켰으나 acetylcholine은 영향을 미치지 못하였다. 5. GABA, baclofen 및 muscimol은 정관의 기본 장력에는 영향을 미치지 않았으며, GABA는 norepinephrine과 ATP 유발 수축에는 영향을 주지 못하였다. 6. 적출 정관을 20초간 전기장 자극을 가하였을 때 ATP 수용체 탈감작제인 mATP를 전처치한 경우에는 FPC가 감소되었고, 신경원에서 catecholamine을 고갈시키는 reserpine을 전처치한 경우에는 STC가 감소되었다. 7. GABA는 mATP를 전처치한 군에서는 정관의 전기장 유발 수축에 영향을 주지 못하였으나, reserpine을 전처치한 군에서는 전기장 유발 수축을 억제하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 흰쥐정관의 전립선 부위에는 아드레날린성 신경전달기전과 퓨린성 신경전달기전이 동시에 작용하고 있으며, GABA는 주로 신경원의 $GABA_B$ 수용체를 통하여 ATP의 유리를 억제하는 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.433-440
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• 2020

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is the first relay site for the orofacial nociceptive inputs via the thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C primary afferent fibers. Borneol, one of the valuable time-honored herbal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, is a popular treatment for anxiety, anesthesia, and antinociception. However, to date, little is known as to how borneol acts on the SG neurons of the Vc. To close this gap, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanism responding for the actions of borneol on the SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In the voltage-clamp mode, holding at -60 mV, the borneol-induced non-desensitizing inward currents were not affected by tetrodotoxin, a voltage-gated Na⁺ channel blocker, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist. However, borneol-induced inward currents were partially decreased in the presence of picrotoxin, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A receptor antagonist, or strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, and was almost suppressed in the presence of picrotoxin and strychnine. Though borneol did not show any effect on the glycine-induced inward currents, borneol enhanced GABA-mediated responses. Beside, borneol enhanced the GABA-induced hyperpolarization under the current-clamp mode. Altogether, we suggest that borneol contributes in part toward mediating the inhibitory GABA and glycine transmission on the SG neurons of the Vc and may serve as an herbal therapeutic for orofacial pain ailments.