Abstract
High levels of D-aspartate occur in the brain and endocrine glands, such as pineal, adrenal and pituitary. In the brain, D-aspartate levels are highest in embryonic and early postnatal stages. Notably high levels occur in the early postnatal cortical plate and subventricular zone of the cerebral cortical cultures, implying a role in development. In embryonic neuronal primary culture cells, we detected high levels of endogenous D-aspartate and demonstrated biosynthesis of [14C]D-aspartate using [14C]L-aspartate as precursor. Synthesis of D-aspartate in cell cultures is inhibited by amino-oxyacetic acid, an inhibitor of pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes. In the rat adrenal medulla, D-aspartate is depleted by treatment of the animals with intraperitoneal nicotine injections. In adrenal slices, D-aspartate is released by depolarization with KCl or acetylcholine, implying physiological release by activation of the cholinergic innervation of the adrenal.Our characterization of D-aspartate ontogeny, biosynthesis and depolarization-induced release implies specific physiological roles for this amino acid. Copyright (C) 2000 IBRO.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 183-189 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Neuroscience |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 7 2000 |
Keywords
- Adrenal medulla
- D-amino acid oxidase
- D-amino acids
- D-aspartate oxidase
- D-serine
- Pineal gland
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)