NMDA- and kainate-evoked GABA release from striatal neurones differentiated in primary culture: differential blocking by phencyclidine.

N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) stimulated (EC50 = 19.4 +/- 1.9 microM) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from highly purified striatal neurones differentiated in primary culture. NMDA effect was inhibited (i) in a competitive manner by DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) and (ii) in a non-competitive manner by phencyclidine (PCP). Kainate (KA) also stimulated GABA release, but this effect was never inhibited by PCP despite the multiple conditions tested (KA stimulation performed, after or not NMDA application, in the presence or not of NMDA). The existence of two distinct receptor-channel complexes on striatal neurones selectively activated by NMDA and KA is discussed.