The envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 alters NMDA receptor function

Eur J Neurosci. 1993 Mar 1;5(3):276-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1993.tb00494.x.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection often results in central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, yet the mechanism(s) of action for HIV-1 in the CNS are not fully understood. In the present study gp120, the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, was shown to selectively inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function. In addition to inhibiting radioligand binding to rat NMDA receptors, gp120 inhibited NMDA-induced currents in Xenopus oocytes, attenuated NMDA-stimulated calcium flux and cytotoxicity in cultured cerebellar granule cells, and provided partial protection against NMDA-induced lethality in vivo. These findings suggest that NMDA receptor complex is a possible site of action of HIV-1 within the CNS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / metabolism
  • Electrophysiology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / pharmacology*
  • N-Methylaspartate / antagonists & inhibitors
  • N-Methylaspartate / physiology
  • N-Methylaspartate / poisoning
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Phencyclidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Phencyclidine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phencyclidine / metabolism
  • Pipecolic Acids / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Pipecolic Acids / metabolism
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Rats
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Pipecolic Acids
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • selfotel
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • tenocyclidine
  • Phencyclidine