Methylene blue inhibits GABAA receptors by interaction with-GABA binding site

Methylene blue (MB) is commonly used in diagnostic procedures and is also used to treat various medical conditions. Neurological effects of MB have been reported in clinical observations and experimental studies. Thus the modulation of GABA(A) receptor function by MB was investigated. Whole-cell GABA-activated currents were recorded from HEK293 cells expressing various GABA(A) receptor subunit configurations. MB inhibition of GABA currents was apparent at 3 mu M, and it had an IC50 of 31 mu M in human alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 receptors. The MB action was rapid and reversible. MB inhibition was not mediated via the picrotoxin site, as a mutation (T6'F of the (beta 2 subunit) known to confer resistance to picrotoxin had no effect on MB-induced inhibition. Blockade of GABA(A) receptors by MB was demonstrated across a range of receptors expressing varying subunits, including those expressed at extrasynaptic sites. The sensitivity of alpha 1 beta 2 receptors to MB was similar to that observed in alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 receptors, indicating that MB's action via the benzodiazepine or Zn2+ site is unlikely. MB-induced inhibition of GABA response was competitive with respect to GABA. Furthermore, mutation of alpha 1 F64 to A and beta 2 Y205 to F in the extracellular N-terminus, both residues which are known to comprise GABA binding pocket, remarkably diminished MB inhibition of GABA currents. These data suggest that MB inhibits GABA(A) receptor function by direct or allosteric interaction with the GABA binding site. Finally, in mouse hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, MB inhibited GABA-activated currents as well as GABAergic IPSC5. We demonstrate that MB directly inhibits GABA(A) receptor function, which may underlie some of the effects of MB on the CNS. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.