BRAIN L-GLUTAMATE DECARBOXYLASE - INHIBITION BY PHOSPHORYLATION AND ACTIVATION BY DEPHOSPHORYLATION

Previously we showed that the activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid- synthesizing enzyme L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in crude brain ext ract is inhibited by ATP and protein phosphatase inhibitors. We sugges ted that GAD activity is regulated by protein phosphorylation. In this paper we further present evidence to support our hypothesis that prot ein kinase A and calcineurin may be involved in regulation of GAD acti vity through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of GAD, respectivel y. In addition, the effect of neuronal stimulation on GAD activity in cultured neurons is also included. A model to link neuronal excitation and activation of GAD by Ca2+ dependent phosphatase is proposed.