Augmentation of endogenous GABA pool size induced by Magainin II peptide
Highlights: • Magainin II peptide enhances GABA content by affecting the activity of GABA shunt enzymes both in vitro and in vivo. • The peptide augments the activity of GABA biosynthetic enzyme, while quenching the activities of two catabolizing enzymes. • Magainin II appears to interact directly with the enzymes based on the in vitro model. Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, is produced via decarboxylation of l-glutamate through the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme. The synchronic action of GABA-transaminase (GABA-T) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) enzymes convert the GABA metabolite into succinate. Given this background, our research was aimed at probing the effect of Magainin II, on the activity of GABA shunt metabolizing enzymes.