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The Envelope Glycoprotein of HIV‐1 Alters NMDA Receptor Function
Author(s) -
Sweetnam Paul M.,
Saab Omar H.,
Wroblewski Jarda T.,
Price Christopher H.,
Karbon E. William,
Ferkany John W.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1993.tb00494.x
Subject(s) - nmda receptor , biology , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , mechanism of action , central nervous system , in vivo , pharmacology , neuroscience , chemistry , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1) infection often results in central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, yet the mechanism(s) of action for HIV‐1 in the CNS are not fully understood. In the present study gp120, the HIV‐1 envelope glycoprotein, was shown to selectively inhibit N ‐methyl‐ d ‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor function. In addition to inhibiting radioligand binding to rat NMDA receptors, gp120 inhibited NMDA‐induced currents in Xenopus oocytes, attenuated NMDA‐stimulated calcium flux and cytotoxicity in cultured cerebellar granule cells, and provided partial protection against NMDA‐induced lethality in vivo. These findings suggest that NMDA receptor complex is a possible site of action of HIV‐1 within the CNS.