Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol 57, Issue 1 121-131, Copyright © 1987 by APS

ARTICLES

Differential effects of tetanus toxin on inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in mammalian spinal cord neurons in culture: a presynaptic locus of action for tetanus toxin

G. K. Bergey, H. Bigalke and P. G. Nelson

Tetanus toxin reduces monosynaptic inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in mouse spinal cord neurons in culture. Inhibitory transmission is preferentially reduced by the toxin; however, excitatory transmission is also ultimately reduced and blocked by the concentrations of toxin used in these studies. Recordings from monosynaptically connected cell pairs revealed a marked diminution in amplitude of evoked monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials coincident with the onset of convulsant action at a time when evoked monosynaptic EPSPs were relatively unaffected. Increased polysynaptic excitation occurred as a result of diminished inhibition. This supports the reduction of inhibition as an important mechanism in the convulsant action of tetanus toxin. Quantal analysis of the late effects of tetanus toxin on the monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potential revealed a reduction in quantal number with no reduction in quantal size, thus demonstrating a presynaptic locus of action for the toxin on spinal neurons.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Gonzalez-Forero, R. R. de la Cruz, J. M. Delgado-Garcia, F. J. Alvarez, and A. M. Pastor Functional Alterations of Cat Abducens Neurons After Peripheral Tetanus Neurotoxin Injection J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2003; 89(4): 1878 - 1890. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Jabaudon, M. Scanziani, B. H. Gahwiler, and U. Gerber Acute decrease in net glutamate uptake during energy deprivation PNAS, May 9, 2000; 97(10): 5610 - 5615. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Schiavo, M. Matteoli, and C. Montecucco Neurotoxins Affecting Neuroexocytosis Physiol Rev, April 1, 2000; 80(2): 717 - 766. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. E. Latham, B. J. Richmond, S. Nirenberg, and P. G. Nelson Intrinsic Dynamics in Neuronal Networks. II. Experiment J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2000; 83(2): 828 - 835. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Sattler, Z. Xiong, W.-Y. Lu, J. F. MacDonald, and M. Tymianski Distinct Roles of Synaptic and Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptors in Excitotoxicity J. Neurosci., January 1, 2000; 20(1): 22 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. A. Neale, L. M. Bowers, M. Jia, K. E. Bateman, and L. C. Williamson Botulinum Neurotoxin A Blocks Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis but Not Endocytosis at the Nerve Terminal J. Cell Biol., December 13, 1999; 147(6): 1249 - 1260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. C. Williamson, K. E. Bateman, J. C. M. Clifford, and E. A. Neale Neuronal Sensitivity to Tetanus Toxin Requires Gangliosides J. Biol. Chem., August 27, 1999; 274(35): 25173 - 25180. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Smith, C. L. Lee, and J. W. Swann Local Circuit Abnormalities in Chronically Epileptic Rats After Intrahippocampal Tetanus Toxin Injection in Infancy J Neurophysiol, January 1, 1998; 79(1): 106 - 116. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Capogna, R. A. McKinney, V. O'Connor, B. H. Gahwiler, and S. M. Thompson Ca2+ or Sr2+ Partially Rescues Synaptic Transmission in Hippocampal Cultures Treated with Botulinum Toxin A and C, But Not Tetanus Toxin J. Neurosci., October 1, 1997; 17(19): 7190 - 7202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. C. Williamson, J. L. Halpern, C. Montecucco, J. E. Brown, and E. A. Neale Clostridial Neurotoxins and Substrate Proteolysis in Intact Neurons J. Biol. Chem., March 29, 1996; 271(13): 7694 - 7699. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]