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Lanthanum inhibits brain adenylate cyclase and blocks noradrenergic depression of Purkinje cell discharge independent of calcium

Nature volume 261, pages 330–332 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

IT has been reported that lanthanum (La3+) can reversibly antagonise the depressant effect of noradrenaline (NA) on cerebral cortical neurones1,2. Because this ion is known to interfere with membrane actions of calcium3–7, it was proposed, on the basis of this and other data, that the inhibitory effects of NA are mediated through a mechanism involving transmembrane movement of Ca2+ (refs 1 and 2). On the other hand, evidence from other laboratories has suggested that the effects of NA are primarily related to the activation of a NA-sensitive adenylate cyclase, with a consequent increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP8–10. We now report that La3+ is a potent inhibitor of brain adenylate cyclase and suggest that this ion blocks responses of cerebellar Purkinje cells to NA by means of a mechanism involving the inhibition of NA-stimulated increases in cyclic AMP, independent of an effect on calcium.

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Author notes

  1. R. FREEDMAN

    Present address: Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, St Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC, 20032

    J. A. NATHANSON, R. FREEDMAN & B. J. HOFFER

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  1. J. A. NATHANSON
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  2. R. FREEDMAN
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  3. B. J. HOFFER
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NATHANSON, J., FREEDMAN, R. & HOFFER, B. Lanthanum inhibits brain adenylate cyclase and blocks noradrenergic depression of Purkinje cell discharge independent of calcium. Nature 261, 330–332 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/261330a0

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