Authors: Magnaghi, Valerio¹; Ballabio, Marinella²; Consoli, Antonio²; Lambert, Jeremy³; Roglio, Ilaria²; Melcangi, Roberto²

Source: Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, Volume 28, Number 1, February 2006 , pp. 89-102(14)

Publisher: Humana Press

Abstract:

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), exerts its action via an interaction with specific receptors (e.g., GABA_A and GABA_B). These receptors are expressed not only in neurons but also on glial cells of the CNS, which might represent a target for the allosteric action of neuroactive steroids. Herein, we have demonstrated first that in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), the sciatic nerve and myelin-producing Schwann cells express both GABA_A and GABA_B receptors. Specific ligands, muscimol and baclofen, respectively, control Schwann-cell proliferation and expression of some specific myelin proteins (i.e., glycoprotein P0 and peripheral myelin protein 22 [PMP22]). Moreover, the progesterone (P) metabolite allopregnanolone, acting via the GABA_A receptor, can influence PMP22 synthesis. In addition, we demonstrate that P, dihydroprogesterone, and allopregnanolone influence the expression of GABA_B subunits in Schwann cells. The results suggest, at least in the myelinating cells of the PNS, a cross-interaction within the GABAergic receptor system, via GABA_A and GABA_B receptors and neuroactive steroids.

Keywords: Peripheral nervous system; Schwann cell; myelin; GABAA receptor; GABAB receptor; progesterone; allopregnanolone

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1385/JMN:30:3:341

Affiliations: 1: Department of Endocrinology and Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy, Email: valerio.magnaghi@unimi.it 2: Department of Endocrinology and Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy, 3: Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee University, DD1 9SY, Dundee, Scotland, UK,

Publication date: 2006-02-01

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• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Zoology ,  Neurology & Psychiatry
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