Lanthanoides are known to affect a variety of membrane phenomena; for example, an inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca
2+ channels. Recent studies have revealed that each of aminoacid receptor-channels is affected in its activation by La
3+ in a different manner. La
3+ inhibits kainate and NMDA receptor-channel responses while potentiating AMPA, GABAA, GABAC and glycine receptor-channel responses. A positive modulation by La
3+ of GABAA receptorchannels on rat septal cholinergic neurons in culture is shared by other lanthanoide ions and Y
3+ but not by Sc
3+, all of which belong to the same group (III a) in the periodic table. It is suggested that there may be a specific site for binding of lanthanoides on GABAA receptorchannels.
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