Heparin modulates the single channel kinetics of reconstituted AMPA receptors from rat brain

Glutamate receptors specifically activated by α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA) have been reported to interact with the highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan, heparin, and to subsequently express lower binding affinity for [ 3 H]AMPA. The present study examined whether heparin also modifies the kinetic properties of single channel activity expressed by isolated AMPA receptors from rat forebrain. Upon application of 280 nM AMPA, the partially purified receptors reconstituted in lipid bilayers expressed bursting channel activity that was inhibited by dinitroquinoxaline‐2‐3,‐dione (DNQX). Treating the receptors with heparin (10 μg/ml) produced no change in conductance but the mean burst length for 280 nM AMPA was nearly doubled. Heparin also prolonged the lifetime of open states of the individual ion channels 3–5‐fold, perhaps by causing a decrease in the closing rate constant for channel gating. Heparin had no effect on the lifetime of the closed state or on the amplitude of currents. The single channel open time was voltage‐dependent and an increase of applied voltage caused a decrease in the heparin effect on channel open times. While the lifetime of the open channel was increased 3–4 times by heparin at 20 mV, there was no significant change induced at 43 mV. The equivalent electric charge of the channel gate was increased by 40%. The heparin effects were specific as another polysaccharide, dextran, and a monomeric constituent of heparin, glucosamine 2,3‐disulfate, failed to have any effect on the receptors. These findings suggest that heparin‐containing extracellular matrix components can interact with AMPA receptors and influence their functional properties. Synapse 31:203–209, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.