Modulation of receptor-mediated inositol phospholipid breakdown in the brain

Abstract

Since the discovery in 1953 by Hokin and Hokin of an increased 32P-labelling of phospholipids upon stimulation of muscarinic receptors with acetylcholine, there have been great advances in our understanding of the way in which receptors are coupled to the phosphoinositide cycle and the way in which the phosphoinositide derived second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol mediate a number of cellular processes. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in studying the modulation of such receptor-mediated inositol phospholipid breakdown responses in the brain, both in vitro by feedback, receptor crosstalk and desensitization mechanisms as well as by modulatory agents, such as metal ions and ex vivo following a number of surgical and pharmacological treatments. These studies are reviewed in the present article. © 1991.