L-argininosuccinate modulates L-glutamate response in acutely isolated cerebellar neurons of immature rat

Abstract Fura-2microfluorometry revealed that as little as 10 −13 M l -argininosuccinate, an intermediate of the l -arginine synthesizing pathway, is sufficient to reduce the increase in intracellular free calcium produced by l -glutamate in the acutely isolated cerebellar neurons of immature rats. In these neurons l -argininosuccinate also reduced the response to quisqualate, but not the response to kainate orN-methyl- d -aspartate. The results suggest that l -argininosuccinate may function as a transmitter or modulator in the brain.