Strychnine inhibits the binding of glycine to Rat brain-cortex membrane

Abstract

THE excitatory action of strychnine on the central nervous system results from its ability to antagonize the effect of synaptic inhibition1. Recently, evidence has accumulated for glycine as an inhibitory transmitter, especially at lower levels2,3. Because strychnine is capable of antagonizing the inhibitory effect of iontophoretically applied glycine 3, the contention is that it does not interfere with transmitter liberation, but interacts with receptors located on postsynaptic membranes, rendering them less sensitive to glycine-mediated inhibition. In vitro studies of the mechanism of action of strychnine, concerned chiefly with the active transport of glycine, have invariably yielded negative results3,4. © 1970 Nature Publishing Group.