Zinc-dependent modulation of α2- and α3-glycine receptor subunits by ethanol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors (GlyRs) are expressed throughout the brain and spinal cord and are among the strongly supported protein targets of alcohol. This is based largely on studies of the α1-subunit; however, α2- and α3-GlyR subunits are as or more abundantly expressed than α1-GlyRs in multiple forebrain brain areas considered to be important for alcohol-related behaviors, and uniquely some α3-GlyRs undergo RNA editing. Nanomolar and low micromolar concentrations of zinc ions potentiate GlyR function, and in addition to zinc's effects on glycine-activated currents, we have recently shown that physiological concentrations of zinc also enhance the magnitude of ethanol (EtOH)'s effects on α1-GlyRs.

Methods

Using 2-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiol

SUBMITTER: McCracken LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4452379 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature