Abstract.
N1-coumaroyl spermidine is structurally similar to acylpolyamines found in spider and wasp venoms, which are known to block arthropod glutamate receptors. N1-coumaroyl spermidine reduced the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials recorded in crayfish muscle. This effect was dose dependent, with an IC50 value of 70 µmol l–1. N1-coumaroyl spermidine reversibly reduced the amplitude of potentials elicited by iontophoretic application of L-glutamate, indicating a direct effect on postsynaptic glutamate receptors. Neither 1 mmol l–1 spermidine nor 1 mmol l–1 coumaric acid altered excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude, indicating that blockage requires the conjugated phenolic polyamine. N1-coumaroyl spermine, a slightly longer phenolic polyamine, reduced excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude with approximately the same potency as N1-coumaroyl spermidine. Thus, potency of blockage does not appear to be affected in this experimental preparation by small changes in length of the polyamine. N1-coumaroyl spermidine also reduced excitatory postsynaptic potentials in muscles of the insect Drosophila. The ability of N1-coumaroyl spermidine to attenuate synaptic transmission at insect neuromuscular synapses lends support to the notion that plant-derived phenolic polyamines might serve as natural insecticides.
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Klose, .M., Atkinson, .J. & Mercier, .A. Effects of a hydroxy-cinnamoyl conjugate of spermidine on arthropod neuromuscular junctions. J Comp Physiol A 187, 945–952 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-001-0261-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-001-0261-y