Differential effects of methylmercury on gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor currents in rat cerebellar granule and cerebral cortical neurons in culture.

Cerebellar granule cells are particularly sensitive to inhibition by methylmercury (MeHg) on GABA(A) receptor function. This is manifested as a more rapid block of inhibitory postsynaptic currents/inhibitory postsynaptic potentials than for Purkinje cells. The underlying mechanism(s) for differential sensitivity of GABAergic transmission to MeHg in cerebellar neurons is unknown. Differential expression of alpha(6) subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors in cerebellar granule and Purkinje neurons could partially explain this. GABA-evoked currents (I(GABA)) were recorded in response to MeHg in alpha(6) subunit-containing cerebellar granule cells and alpha(6) subunit-deficient cerebral cortical cells in culture. Cortical cells were substituted for Purkinje cells, which do not express alpha(6) subunits. They express the same alpha(1)-containing GABA(A) receptor as Purkinje cells but lack characteristics that enhance Purkinje cell resistance to MeHg. I(GABA) were obtained using whole-cell recording and symmetrical [Cl(-)]. MeHg reduced I(GABA) to complete block in both cell types in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This effect was faster in granule cells than cortical cells. Effects of MeHg on I(GABA) were recorded in granule cells at various developmental stages (days in vitro 4, 6, and 8) to alter the expression level of alpha(6) subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors. Effects of MeHg on I(GABA) were similar in cells at all days. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing either alpha(6) or alpha(1) subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors, time to block of I(GABA) by MeHg was comparable. Thus, the presence of the alpha(6) subunit alone may not underlie the differential effects of MeHg on I(GABA) observed in cerebellar granule and cortical neurons; other factors are likely to be involved as well.