Release of neuroactive substances: homocysteic acid as an endogenous agonist of the NMDA receptor

J Neural Transm. 1988;72(3):185-90. doi: 10.1007/BF01243418.

Abstract

Sulfur containing amino acids such as homocysteic acid (HCA), cysteinsulfinic acid, homocysteinsulfinic acid are released by depolarization of slices from various rat brain regions in a Ca++-dependent manner. L-HCA excites caudate neurons through their N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor and potentiates their cortically evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials. 35S-methionine can label the releasable pool of HCA, and thus appears as a precursor of HCA. Thus HCA is a transmitter candidate which acts predominantly on the NMDA receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Aspartic Acid / pharmacology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cysteine / analogs & derivatives
  • Cysteine / metabolism
  • Cysteine / pharmacology
  • Homocysteine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Homocysteine / metabolism
  • Homocysteine / pharmacology
  • Homocysteine / physiology
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Homocysteine
  • homocysteic acid
  • Aspartic Acid
  • homocysteinesulfinic acid
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Cysteine
  • cysteine sulfinic acid