Abstract
Major pelvic ganglia (MPG) are relay centers for autonomic reflexes such as micturition and penile erection. MPG innervate the urogenital system, including bladder. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, and may also play an important role in some peripheral autonomic ganglia, including MPG. However, the electrophysiological properties and function of GABAA receptor in MPG neurons innervating bladder remain unknown. This study examined the electrophysiological properties and functional roles of GABAA receptors in bladder-innervating neurons identified by retrograde Dil tracing. Neurons innervating bladder showed previously established parasympathetic properties, including small membrane capacitance, lack of T-type Ca2+ channel expression, and tyrosine-hydroxylase immunoreactivity. GABAA receptors were functionally expressed in bladder innervating neurons, but GABAC receptors were not. GABA elicited strong depolarization followed by increase of intracellular Ca2+ in neurons innervating bladder, supporting the hypothesis GABA may play an important role in bladder function. These results provide useful information about the autonomic function of bladder in physiological and pathological conditions.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 205-209 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications |
Volume | 447 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 Apr 25 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (No. 2009-0059868 ).
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology