The positive allosteric modulator GS39783 enhances GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP formation in rat striatum in vivo

Abstract

We studied the effects of the positive allosteric modulator GS39783 on GABAB receptors at a biochemical level in vivo. Changes in extracellular levels of cyclic AMP following GABAB receptor activation were monitored in the striatum of freely moving rats using microdialysis. Locally applied GABAB agonist R(-)-baclofen inhibited cyclic AMP formation stimulated by a water-soluble forskolin analogue in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 7.3 μm, maximal inhibition 40%). The selective GABAB antagonist CGP56999 reversed R(-)-baclofen-induced cyclic AMP inhibition to control levels, but not higher. Orally applied GS39783 lacked effects on its own but, together with a threshold concentration of R(-)-baclofen (1 μm), significantly decreased cyclic AMP formation in a dose-dependent fashion. Effects of GS39783 were revoked with CGP56999, showing dependence on GABAB receptor activation and suggesting allosteric modulation as a mechanism of action in vivo. Administered with a maximally active dose of R(-)-baclofen, GS39783 failed to further inhibit cyclic AMP formation. The data obtained with CGP56999 and the lack of effect of GS39783 alone suggest that there is no detectable endogenous activation of GABAB receptors controlling cyclic AMP formation in rat striatum. To our knowledge, these results provide the first biochemical demonstration of in vivo activity of a G protein-coupled receptor-positive allosteric modulator. © 2006 The Authors.