Increased GABAB receptor-mediated signaling reduces the susceptibility of fragile X knockout mice to audiogenic seizures

LKK Pacey, SP Heximer, DR Hampson - Molecular pharmacology, 2009 - ASPET
LKK Pacey, SP Heximer, DR Hampson
Molecular pharmacology, 2009ASPET
Mice lacking the gene encoding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMR1) are susceptible
to audiogenic seizures, and antagonists of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors
(mGluRs) have been shown to block seizures in FMR1 knockout mice. We investigated
whether the G-protein-inhibitory activity of the regulator of G-protein signaling protein, RGS4,
could also alter the susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in FMR1 mice. We were surprised
to find that male FMR1/RGS4 double-knockout mice showed reduced susceptibility to …
Mice lacking the gene encoding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMR1) are susceptible to audiogenic seizures, and antagonists of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been shown to block seizures in FMR1 knockout mice. We investigated whether the G-protein-inhibitory activity of the regulator of G-protein signaling protein, RGS4, could also alter the susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in FMR1 mice. We were surprised to find that male FMR1/RGS4 double-knockout mice showed reduced susceptibility to audiogenic seizures compared with age-matched FMR1 mice. These data raised the intriguing possibility that loss of RGS4 increased signaling through another G-protein pathway that reduces seizure susceptibility in FMR1 mice. Indeed, administration of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen to FMR1 mice inhibited seizures, whereas the GABAB receptor antagonist (3-aminopropyl)(cyclohexylmethyl)phosphinic acid (CGP 46381) increased seizure incidence in double-knockout mice but not in wild-type mice. Finally, audiogenic seizures could be induced in wild-type mice by coadministering CGP 46381 and the mGluR5-positive allosteric modulator 3-cyano-N-(1,2 diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide. These data show for the first time that GABAB receptor-mediated signaling antagonizes the seizure-promoting effects of the mGluRs in FMR1 knockout mice and point to the potential therapeutic benefit of GABAB agonists for the treatment of fragile X syndrome.
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