Increased GABA(B) receptor-mediated signaling reduces the susceptibility of fragile X knockout mice to audiogenic seizures

Mol Pharmacol. 2009 Jul;76(1):18-24. doi: 10.1124/mol.109.056127. Epub 2009 Apr 7.

Abstract

Mice lacking the gene encoding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMR1) are susceptible to audiogenic seizures, and antagonists of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been shown to block seizures in FMR1 knockout mice. We investigated whether the G-protein-inhibitory activity of the regulator of G-protein signaling protein, RGS4, could also alter the susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in FMR1 mice. We were surprised to find that male FMR1/RGS4 double-knockout mice showed reduced susceptibility to audiogenic seizures compared with age-matched FMR1 mice. These data raised the intriguing possibility that loss of RGS4 increased signaling through another G-protein pathway that reduces seizure susceptibility in FMR1 mice. Indeed, administration of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen to FMR1 mice inhibited seizures, whereas the GABA(B) receptor antagonist (3-aminopropyl)(cyclohexylmethyl)phosphinic acid (CGP 46381) increased seizure incidence in double-knockout mice but not in wild-type mice. Finally, audiogenic seizures could be induced in wild-type mice by coadministering CGP 46381 and the mGluR5-positive allosteric modulator 3-cyano-N-(1,2 diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide. These data show for the first time that GABA(B) receptor-mediated signaling antagonizes the seizure-promoting effects of the mGluRs in FMR1 knockout mice and point to the potential therapeutic benefit of GABA(B) agonists for the treatment of fragile X syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Baclofen / pharmacology
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / genetics
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphinic Acids / pharmacology
  • RGS Proteins / genetics
  • RGS Proteins / physiology*
  • Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
  • Receptors, GABA-B / physiology*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / analysis
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / physiology
  • Seizures / prevention & control*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Fmr1 protein, mouse
  • Grm5 protein, mouse
  • Phosphinic Acids
  • RGS Proteins
  • Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • 3-aminopropyl-cyclohexylmethylphosphinic acid
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
  • RGS4 protein
  • Baclofen