"Low" concentrations of sodium fluoride inhibit neurotransmitter release from the guinea-pig superior cervical ganglion.

The role of G proteins and related second messenger system on the modulation of acetylcholine release from [3H]choline-preloaded guinea-pig superior cervical ganglion was investigated using the potent general activator NaF. The electrically evoked (1 Hz, 5 min) [3H] release was inhibited by "low" F- concentrations (1-2.5 mM), by the adenylyl cyclase blocker MDL 12330A (10 microM), alone and in combination with 1 mM NaF, and increased by 0.5 mM 8Br-cAMP, 100 microM forskolin and 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxantine. No effect of 1 mM F- was observed on spontaneous release. Fluoride-induced inhibition was counteracted by the G protein blocker sulmazole (1 mM), forskolin and alteration of calcium influx by increasing [Ca2+]out from 2.2 to 6 mM, raising the rate of stimulation (10 Hz, 30 s), or broadening the presynaptic action potential with 10 microM 4-aminopyridine and 50 microM tetraethylammonium chloride. Thus a NaF-sensitive G protein, linked to cAMP synthesis, is determinant for the inhibition of neurosecretion in this cholinergic synapse, involving Ca2+-dependent mechanisms. Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.