Selective gating of glutamatergic inputs to excitatory neurons of amygdala by presynaptic GABAb receptor

Neuron. 2009 Mar 26;61(6):917-29. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.01.029.

Abstract

GABAb receptor (GABAbR)-mediated suppression of glutamate release is critical for limiting glutamatergic transmission across the central nervous system (CNS). Here we show that, upon tetanic stimulation of afferents to lateral amygdala, presynaptic GABAbR-mediated inhibition only occurs in glutamatergic inputs to principle neurons (PNs), not to interneurons (INs), despite the presence of GABAbR in terminals to both types of neurons. The selectivity is caused by differential local GABA accumulation; it requires GABA reuptake and parallels distinct spatial distributions of presynaptic GABAbR in terminals to PNs and INs. Moreover, GABAbR-mediated suppression of theta-burst-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) occurs only in the inputs to PNs, not to INs. Thus, target-cell-specific control of glutamate release by presynaptic GABAbR orchestrates the inhibitory dominance inside amygdala and might contribute to prevention of nonadaptive defensive behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / cytology*
  • Animals
  • Baclofen / pharmacology
  • Benzylamines / pharmacology
  • Biophysics
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • GABA Agents / pharmacology
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Nipecotic Acids / pharmacology
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Phosphinic Acids / pharmacology
  • Presynaptic Terminals / drug effects
  • Presynaptic Terminals / metabolism*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism
  • Receptors, GABA-B / physiology*
  • Receptors, GABA-B / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Synaptic Potentials / physiology*

Substances

  • Benzylamines
  • GABA Agents
  • Nipecotic Acids
  • Phosphinic Acids
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • CGP 52432
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Glutamic Acid
  • N-(4,4-diphenyl-3-butenyl)nipecotic acid
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase
  • glutamate decarboxylase 1
  • Baclofen