MODIFICATION OF TRITIATED GAMMA-AMINO-N-BUTYRIC ACID TRANSPORT IN RABIES VIRUS-INFECTED PRIMARY CORTICAL CULTURES

The role of brain neurotransmitter transport processes in rabies virus infection of neurons was examined. The uptake and release of gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) in rabies virus-infected embryonic rat cortical neurons was assayed using tritiated ligands. A 45% reduction of [H-3]GABA uptake was observed 3 days post-infection, when a maximum level of infectious particle release occurs. At this time, kinetic analysis revealed significant changes in V-max, whereas no changes were found in K-m values in comparison with the control values. K+ and veratridine-induced [H-3]GABA release was increased in infected cultures (98% and 35%, respectively) as compared with control values. The results obtained from rabies virus-infected cultures provide some preliminary evidence of the involvement of GABA in the pathogenesis of rabies.