What is "bicuculline"

n. (context biochemistry English) A light-sensitive competitive antagonist of GABA receptors; it is used in the study of epilepsy

Bicuculline is a phthalide-isoquinoline compound that is a light-sensitive competitive antagonist of GABA receptors. It was originally identified in 1932 in plant alkaloid extracts and has been isolated from Dicentra cucullaria, Adlumia fungosa, Fumariaceae, and several Corydalis species. Since it blocks the inhibitory action of GABA receptors, the action of bicuculline mimics epilepsy. This property is utilized in laboratories across the world in the in vitro study of epilepsy, generally in hippocampal or cortical neurons in prepared brain slices from rodents. This compound is also routinely used to isolate glutamatergic (excitatory amino acid) receptor function.

The action of bicuculline is primarily on the ionotropic GABA receptors, which are ligand-gated ion channels concerned chiefly with the passing of chloride ions across the cell membrane, thus promoting an inhibitory influence on the target neuron. These receptors are the major targets for benzodiazepines and related anxiolytic drugs.

The half-maximal inhibitory concentration ( IC) of bicuculline on GABA receptors is 3 μM.

In addition to being a potent GABA receptor antagonist, bicuculline can be used to block Ca-activated potassium channels.

Sensitivity to bicuculline is defined by IUPHAR as a major criterion in the definition of GABA receptors