Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of the pathogenic prion protein (PrP) peptide (PrP106-126) on the excitability and membrane receptors of cholinergic neurons in rat basal forebrain.Methods Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record the frequency of action potential on cholinergic neurons isolated from rat basal forebrain.The membrane receptor of PrP was detected by AC253.Results Our results showed that PrP106-126 (10 nmol/L) had excitatory effect on cholinergic neurons in basal forebrain.Under the model of current clamp,the frequency of action potential induced by PrP106-126 peptide increased from (2.2±1.9) Hz to (58.0±18.0) Hz (n=32,P<0.001).Using AC253 (10 nmol/L),a competitive antagonist of amylin receptor,can block the effect of PrP106-126.Conclusions The effect of PrP106-126 on the membrane excitability of central neurons is mediated by amylin receptor.

Key words: Spongiform encephalopathy, Prion protein, Amylin receptor, Patch clamp