Regulation of the NMDA receptor by redox phenomena: inhibitory role of ascorbate

Brain Res. 1990 Dec 24;537(1-2):328-32. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(90)90379-p.

Abstract

Redox phenomena seem to modulate activity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Some reductants (ascorbate, hydroquinone) inhibit, while others (dithiothreitol, mercaptoethanol, penicillamine) potentiate NMDA receptor function. Ascorbate inhibits binding of [3H]glutamate and [3H]thienylcycohexylpiperidine to the NMDA receptor complex, and impedes NMDA-gated currents in isolated neurons; dithiothreitol-like reductants enhance NMDA-induced currents. The ability of reductants to alter function of the NMDA receptor is abolished by oxidation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Dithiothreitol / pharmacology
  • Electrophysiology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Ion Channel Gating / drug effects
  • Kainic Acid / metabolism
  • Kinetics
  • Mercaptoethanol / pharmacology
  • N-Methylaspartate / metabolism
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Penicillamine / pharmacology
  • Quisqualic Acid / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / drug effects

Substances

  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Mercaptoethanol
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Quisqualic Acid
  • Penicillamine
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Kainic Acid
  • Dithiothreitol