Modulation of extracellular GABA levels in the retina by activation of glial P2X‐purinoceptors

In the rat retina, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) released as a transmitter is inactivated by uptake mainly into glial cells (Muller cells). Activation of P2-purinoceptors in Muller cells increases [Ca2+]i and the present study was undertaken to see whether this action affected the glial release of [3H]-GABA from the superfused rat isolated retina. Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and the P2X-purinoceptor agonists, α,β-methylene-ATP (α,β-meATP) and β,γ-methyleneATP (β,γ-meATP) significantly increased the KCl-evoked release of [3H]-GABA from the retina. Adenosine and the P2Y-purinoceptor agonist, 2-chloroATP, had no effect on the KCl-evoked release of [3H]-GABA from the retina. However, 2-methylthioATP (2-Me-S-ATP) significantly enhanced the evoked release of [3H]-GABA. The effect of ATP on the glial release of [3H]-GABA was abolished by the P2-antagonist, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid (PPADS). When the superfused retina was exposed to the GABA uptake inhibitor, SKF89976A, the enhancing effect of α,β-meATP on the KCl-evoked release of GABA was abolished. The KCl-evoked release of [3H]-GABA from the frog retina and rat cerebrocortical slices, which take up GABA mainly into neurones, was not affected by ATP or α,β-meATP. We concluded that the glial Muller cells in the rat retina possess P2-receptors, activation of which increases the ‘release’ of preloaded [3H]-GABA apparently by reducing uptake. On balance, the results suggest the involvement of P2X-purinoceptors, although we cannot exclude the possibility that P2Y-purinoceptors may be involved. Our results suggest that ATP, as well as being a conventional transmitter in the retina, may be involved in neuronal-glial signalling and modulate the extracellular concentration of GABA.