Cortex Membranes Research Articles

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in human kidney tissue and urine extracellular vesicles with age, sex, and COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 virus infects cells by engaging with ACE2 requiring protease TMPRSS2. ACE2 is highly expressed in kidneys. Predictors for severe disease are high age and male sex. We hypothesized that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteins are more abundant (1) in males and with increasing age in kidney and (2) in urine and extracellular vesicles (EVs) from male patients with COVID-19 and (3) SARS-CoV-2 is present in urine and EVs during infection. Kidney cortex samples from patients subjected to cancer nephrectomy (male/female; < 50years/˃75years, n = 24; ˃80years, n = 15) were analyzed for ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein levels. Urine from patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection was analyzed for ACE2 and TMPRSS2. uEVs were used for immunoblotting and SARS-CoV-2 mRNA and antigen detection. Tissue ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein levels did not change with age. ACE2 was not more abundant in male kidneys in any age group. ACE2 protein was associated with proximal tubule apical membranes in cortex. TMPRSS2 was observed predominantly in the medulla. ACE2 was elevated significantly in uEVs and urine from patients with COVID-19 with no sex difference compared with urine from controls w/wo albuminuria. TMPRSS2 was elevated in uEVs from males compared to female. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 did not co-localize in uEVs/apical membranes. SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and mRNA were not detected in urine. Higher kidney ACE2 protein abundance is unlikely to explain higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in males. Kidney tubular cells appear not highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Loss of ACE2 into urine in COVID could impact susceptibility and angiotensin metabolism.

Decreased MARCKS Protein Expression in Kidney Cortex Membrane Fractions of Cathepsin B Knockout Mice Is Associated with Reduced Lysophosphatidylcholine and Protein Kinase C Activity.

Cathpesin B is a multi-functional protease that plays numerous roles in physiology and pathophysiology. We hypothesized that actin cytoskeleton proteins that are substrates of cathepsin B, various lipids, and kinases that are regulated by lipids would be down-regulated in the kidney of cathepsin B knockout mice. Here, we show by Western blot and densitometric analysis that the expression and proteolysis of the actin cytoskeleton proteins myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) and spectrin are significantly reduced in kidney cortex membrane fractions of cathepsin B knockout mice compared to C57B6 wild-type control mice. Lipidomic results show that specific lipids are increased while other lipids, including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) species LPC (16:0), LPC (18:0), LPC (18:1), and LPC (18:2), are significantly decreased in membrane fractions of the kidney cortex from Cathepsin B null mice. Protein Kinase C (PKC) activity is significantly lower in the kidney cortex of cathepsin B knockout mice compared to wild-type mice, while calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity and phospholipase D (PLD) activity are comparable between the two groups. Together, these results provide the first evidence of altered actin cytoskeleton organization, membrane lipid composition, and PKC activity in the kidneys of mice lacking cathepsin B.

Dapagliflozin Attenuates Sodium Chloride Cotransporter (NCC) Protein Expression while Improving Urine Osmolality and Decreasing Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Diabetic db/db Mice

The prevalence of hypertension in diabetic patients varies depending on age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), glycemic management history, and the presence of kidney disease. In addition, hypertension is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCV), heart failure, and microvascular consequences. In the kidney, NCC is expressed in cells of the distal convoluted tubules. About 10% of the filtered load of sodium is reabsorbed by renal NCC. Recently, dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, was introduced as an effective class of glucose-lowering agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesize that dapagliflozin mitigates blood pressure by restoring normal renal functions. Twelve week-old male db/db mice with a blood glucose of more than 300 mg/dl were salt-loaded (4% NaCl) for 10 days to induce hypertension. The mice were subjected to metabolic cage studies for 24-hour urine collections to measure urinary electrolytes. Blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin (n=8), or vehicle (n=8) given by oral gavage (1 mg/kg of body weight per day for 2 weeks). Total NCC protein expression was reduced in kidney cortex membrane fractions, while there was increased urinary sodium levels, from dapagliflozin treated mice compared to vehicle treated mice. Urine osmolality was improved in the dapagliflozin treated group compared to the vehicle treated. Additionally, blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and urinary potassium levels were reduced in the dapagliflozin treated group. Taken together, these results suggest blood pressure is normalized after dapagliflozin treatment in a mechanism involving reduced renal NCC and increased excretion of sodium. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Clinical, radiological, and genetic characterization of SLC13A5 variants in Saudi families: Genotype phenotype correlation and brief review of the literature.

SLC13A5 (solute carrier family 13, member 5) encodes sodium/citrate cotransporter, which mainly localizes in cellular plasma membranes in the frontal cortex, retina, and liver. Pathogenic variants of the gene cause an autosomal recessive syndrome known as "developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 25 with amelogenesis imperfecta." Here, we have investigated six patients from three different consanguineous Saudi families. The affected individuals presented with neonatal seizures, developmental delay, and significant defects in tooth development. Some patients showed other clinical features such as muscle weakness, motor difficulties, intellectual disability, microcephaly, and speech problems in addition to additional abnormalities revealed by electroencephalography (EEGs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One of the MRI findings was related to cortical thickening in the frontal lobe. To diagnose and study the genetic defects of the patients, whole exome sequencing (WES) coupled with confirmatory Sanger sequencing was utilized. Iterative filtering identified two variants of SLC13A5, one of which is novel, in the families. Families 1 and 2 had the same insertion (a previously reported mutation), leading to a frameshift and premature stop codon. The third family had a novel splice site variant. Confirmatory Sanger sequencing corroborated WES results and indicated full segregation of the variants in the corresponding families. The patients' conditions were poorly controlled by multiple antiepileptics as they needed constant care. Considering that recessive mutations are common in the Arab population, SLC13A5 screening should be prioritized in future patients harboring similar symptoms including defects in molar development.

Dapagliflozin Treatment Augments Bioactive Phosphatidylethanolamine Concentrations in Kidney Cortex Membrane Fractions of Hypertensive Diabetic db/db Mice and Alters the Density of Lipid Rafts in Mouse Proximal Tubule Cells.

In addition to inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption and allowing for glucose excretion, the sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin may be efficacious in treating various comorbidities associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The molecular mechanisms by which dapagliflozin exerts its beneficial effects are largely unknown. We hypothesized dapagliflozin treatment in the diabetic kidney alters plasma membrane lipid composition, suppresses extracellular vesicle (EV) release from kidney cells, and disrupts lipid rafts in proximal tubule cells. In order to test this hypothesis, we treated diabetic db/db mice with dapagliflozin (N = 8) or vehicle (N = 8) and performed mass spectrometry-based lipidomics to investigate changes in the concentrations of membrane lipids in the kidney cortex. In addition, we isolated urinary EVs (uEVs) from urine samples collected during the active phase and the inactive phase of the mice and then probed for changes in membrane proteins enriched in the EVs. Multiple triacylglycerols (TAGs) were enriched in the kidney cortex membrane fractions of vehicle-treated diabetic db/db mice, while the levels of multiple phosphatidylethanolamines were significantly higher in similar mice treated with dapagliflozin. EV concentration and size were lesser in the urine samples collected during the inactive phase of dapagliflozin-treated diabetic mice. In cultured mouse proximal tubule cells treated with dapagliflozin, the lipid raft protein caveolin-1 shifted from less dense fractions to more dense sucrose density gradient fractions. Taken together, these results suggest dapagliflozin may regulate lipid-mediated signal transduction in the diabetic kidney.

Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists in Mice.

Classical psychedelics represent a subgroup of serotonergic psychoactive substances characterized by their distinct subjective effects on the human psyche. Another unique attribute of this drug class is that such effects become less apparent after repeated exposure within a short time span. The classification of psychedelics as a subgroup within the serotonergic drug family and the tolerance to their effects are replicated by the murine head twitch response (HTR) behavioral paradigm. Here, we aimed to assess tolerance and cross-tolerance to HTR elicited by psychedelic and nonpsychedelic serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonists in mice. We show that repeated (4 days) administration of the psychedelic 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) induced a progressive decrease in HTR behavior. Tolerance to DOI-induced HTR was also observed 24 h after a single administration of this psychedelic. Pretreatment with the 5-HT2AR antagonist M100907 reduced not only the acute manifestation of DOI-induced HTR, but also the development of tolerance to HTR. Additionally, cross-tolerance became apparent between the psychedelics DOI and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), whereas repeated administration of the nonpsychedelic 5-HT2AR agonist lisuride did not affect the ability of these two psychedelics to induce HTR. At the molecular level, DOI administration led to down-regulation of 5-HT2AR density in mouse frontal cortex membrane preparations. However, development of tolerance to the effect of DOI on HTR remained unchanged in β-arrestin-2 knockout mice. Together, these data suggest that tolerance to HTR induced by psychedelics involves activation of the 5-HT2AR, is not observable upon repeated administration of nonpsychedelic 5-HT2AR agonists, and occurs via a signaling mechanism independent of β-arrestin-2.

Dysfunctional Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrion Coupling Is Associated with Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis and Neurological Deficits in a Rodent Model of Severe Head Injury.

Cellular homeostasis requires critical communications between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria to maintain the viability of cells. This communication is mediated and maintained by the mitochondria-associated membranes and may be disrupted during acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), leading to structural and functional damage of neurons and supporting cells. To test this hypothesis, we subjected male C57BL/6 mice to severe TBI (sTBI) using a controlled cortical impact device. We analyzed the physical ER-mitochondrion contacts in the perilesional cortex using transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. We specifically measured changes in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, the unfolded protein response (UPR), the neuroinflammatory response, and ER stress-mediated apoptosis in the traumatic injured cerebral tissue. A modified neurological severity score was used to evaluate neurological function in the sTBI mice. We found that sTBI induced significant reorganizations of mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) in the cerebral cortex within the first 24 h post-injury. This ER-mitochondrion coupling was enhanced, reaching its peak level at 6 h post-sTBI. This enhanced coupling correlated closely with increases in the expression of the Ca2+ regulatory proteins (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1 [IP3R1], voltage-dependent anion channel 1 [VDAC1], glucose-regulated protein 75 [GRP75], Sigma 1 receptor [Sigma-1R]), production of ROS, degree of ER stress, levels of UPR, and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Further, the neurological function of sTBI mice was significantly improved by silencing the gene for the ER-mitochondrion tethering factor PACS2, restoring the IP3R1-GRP75-VDAC1 axis of Ca2+ regulation, alleviating mitochondria-derived oxidative stress, suppressing inflammatory response through the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway, and inhibiting ER stress and associated apoptosis. These results indicate that dysfunctional ER-mitochondrion coupling might be primarily involved in the neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficits, and modulating the ER-mitochondrion crosstalk might be a novel therapeutic strategy for sTBI.

Bile Duct Ligation Upregulates Expression and Function of L-Amino Acid Transporter 1 at Blood-Brain Barrier of Rats via Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor by Bilirubin.

Liver failure is associated with increased levels of brain aromatic amino acids (AAAs), whose transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is mainly mediated by L-amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1). We aimed to investigate whether liver failure induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) increases levels of brain AAAs by affecting the expression and function of LAT1. The LAT1 function was assessed using the brain distribution of gabapentin. It was found that BDL significantly increased levels of gabapentin, phenylalanine, and tryptophan in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of rats, and upregulated the expression of total LAT1 protein in hippocampus and striatum as well as cortex membrane LAT1 protein. HCMEC/D3 served as in vitro BBB model, and the data showed that both the serum of BDL rats and bilirubin induced LAT1 expression and function, while bilirubin oxidase almost abolished the upregulation of LAT1 protein by bilirubin and the serum of BDL rats. The enhanced function and expression of LAT1 were also observed in the hippocampus and striatum of hyperbilirubinemia rats. Both aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonist α-naphthoflavone and AhR silencing obviously attenuated the upregulation of LAT1 protein by bilirubin or omeprazole. This study provides the first evidence that BDL upregulates LAT1 at the rat BBB, attributed to the activation of AhR by the increased plasma bilirubin. The results highlight the mechanisms causing BDL-increased levels of brain AAAs and their physiological significance.

Opposite alterations of 5\xadHT2A receptor brain density in subjects with schizophrenia: relevance of radiotracers pharmacological profile

The status of serotonin 5­HT2A receptors (5­HT2ARs) in schizophrenia has been controversial. In vivo positron emission tomography neuroimaging and in vitro post-mortem binding studies have reported conflicting results about 5­HT2AR density. Radiotracers bind different receptor conformations depending on their agonist, antagonist or inverse agonist properties. This study investigates 5­HT2AR density in the post-mortem prefrontal cortex from subjects with schizophrenia and controls using three radiotracers with a different pharmacological profile. The specific binding parameters of the inverse agonist [18F]altanserin, the agonist [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and the antagonist [3H]MDL100907 to brain cortex membranes from 20 subjects with schizophrenia and 20 individually matched controls were evaluated under similar methodological conditions. Ten schizophrenia subjects were antipsychotic-free at death. Saturation curve analyses were performed by non-linear regression to obtain a maximal density of binding sites (Bmax) and the affinity of the respective radiotracers (Kd). In schizophrenia subjects, 5-HT2AR density was decreased when quantified by [18F]altanserin binding, whereas increased when evaluated by [3H]LSD binding. However, [3H]MDL100907 binding was unaltered. A slight loss of affinity (higher Kd) was observed exclusively in [3H]LSD binding. The findings were more evident in antipsychotic-free subjects than in antipsychotic-treated subjects. In conclusion, a higher proportion of the 5-HT2AR-active functional conformation, which is rather identified by agonist radiotracers, was observed in schizophrenia patients. A consequent reduction of the inactive 5-HT2AR conformation, which is preferentially identified by inverse agonist radiotracers, was also obtained. Antagonist radiotracers do not distinguish between molecular conformations of the receptor, and accordingly, the absence of changes was shown. These results are compatible with the proposed increased functional activity of brain cortical 5-HT2ARs in schizophrenia.

Pimavanserin exhibits serotonin 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonism for Gαi1- and neutral antagonism for Gαq/11-proteins in human brain cortex

Pimavanserin is claimed as the first antipsychotic drug that shows selectivity for serotonin 5-HT2 receptors (5-HT2Rs) and lacks of affinity for dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). Cell-based functional assays suggest that pimavanserin and antipsychotics with D2R/5-HT2R affinity could act as inverse agonists of 5-HT2ARs. However, there is not evidence of such pharmacological profile in native brain tissue. 5-HT2ARs are able to engage both canonical Gαq/11- and non-canonical Gαi1-proteins. In the present study, the response to pimavanserin of the 5-HT2AR coupling to Gαq/11- and Gαi1-proteins was measured in membranes of postmortem human prefrontal cortex by antibody-capture [35S]GTPγS binding scintillation proximity assays. Pimavanserin promoted a concentration-dependant inhibition of the 5-HT2AR coupling to Gαi1-proteins whereas the response of Gαq/11-proteins was unaltered, suggesting inverse agonism and neutral antagonism properties, respectively. The inhibition was abolished in the presence of the selective 5-HT2AR antagonist MDL-11,939 and was absent in brain cortex of 5-HT2AR knock-out mice when compared to respective 5-HT2AR wild-type animals. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the existence of constitutive 5-HT2AR activity in human brain for the signalling pathway mediated by Gαi1-proteins. Pimavanserin demonstrates 5-HT2AR functional selectivity and exhibits inverse agonist profile towards Gαi1-proteins, which is considered the effector pathway promoting hallucinogenic responses. In contrast, pimavanserin behaves as neutral antagonist on the 5-HT2AR coupling to the canonical Gαq/11-protein pathway. The results strengthen the relevance of inverse agonism as potential mechanism of antipsychotic activity. Moreover, the existence of functional selectivity of 5-HT2ARs for different Gα-proteins could contribute to better design of 5-HT2AR-related antipsychotic drugs.

Isotopic Nitrogen-15 Labeling of Mice Identified Long-lived Proteins of the Renal Basement Membranes

The kidney is comprised of highly complex structures that rely on self-maintenance for their functions, and tissue repair and regeneration in renal diseases. We devised a proteomics assay to measure the turnover of individual proteins in mouse kidney. Mice were metabolically labeled with a specially formulated chow containing nitrogen-15 (15N) with the absence of normal 14N atoms. Newly synthesized proteins with 15N contents were distinguished from their 14N counterparts by mass spectrometry. In total, we identified over 4,000 proteins from the renal cortex with a majority of them contained only 15N. About 100 proteins had both 14N- and 15N-contents. Notably, the long-lived proteins that had large 14N/15N ratios were mostly matrix proteins. These included proteins such as type IV and type VI collagen, laminin, nidogen and perlecan/HSPG2 that constitute the axial core of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). In contrast, the surface lamina rara proteins such as agrin and integrin had much shorter longevity, suggesting their faster regeneration cycle. The data illustrated matrix proteins that constitute the basement membranes in the renal cortex are constantly renewed in an ordered fashion. In perspective, the global profile of protein turnover is usefully in understanding the protein-basis of GBM maintenance and repair.

Phenytoin induced Steven Johnson syndrome

Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant and Hydantoin, it is mainly used in the management o Seizures, and it stabilizes the neuronal membranes and decreases seizure activity by increasing efflux or reducing the influx of sodium ions across cell membranes in the motor cortex during the generation of nerve impulses. It is available in the market in the form of oral and intravenous forms, a loading dose of Phenytoin for the management of seizures is 10-20 mg, divided into 2-3 doses. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and serious adverse effect of the skin along with the membranes of the mucous. It is caused by specific Drugs or Viral Infections. We have performed causality assessment by using the WHO and NARANJO'S ADR rating scale. It will seem, it is a Probable ADR, and severity assessed it confers a Type-A ADR, and it should be in Probably Preventable. So being a Reliable Clinical Pharmacist, we recommend to all health care professionals be aware of adverse drug reactions, and Desirable vigilance is necessitated toward safe and effective management for specific patients, strictly observe the patients in sequence anticipate Dangerous Adverse events.

Aminophospholipids are signal-transducing TREM2 ligands on apoptotic cells

Variants of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) are associated with an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other neurodegenerative disorders. Using a newly developed, highly sensitive reporter cell model, consisting of Jurkat T cells stably overexpressing a reporter gene and a gene encoding TREM2DAP12 fusion protein, we show here that TREM2-dependent signal transduction in response to apoptotic Neuro2a cells is mediated by aminophospholipid ligands, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which are not exposed on the intact cell surface, but become exposed upon apoptosis. We also show that signal-transducing TREM2 ligands different from aminophospholipids, which appear to be derived from neurons, might be present in membrane fractions of mouse cerebral cortex. These results may suggest that TREM2 regulates microglial function by transducing intracellular signals from aminophospholipids on apoptotic cells, as well as unidentified ligands in the membranes of the cerebral cortex.

PRRT2 deficiency induces paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia by influencing synaptic function in the primary motor cortex of rats

Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) was identified as the causative gene of paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis (PKC) as well as various other neurological diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of how mutant PRRT2 leads to abnormal synaptic function and triggers PKC are still obscure. We generated a Prrt2 truncated mutant rat model which shows spontaneous PKC-like attacks with a relative low frequency as well as increased susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. We demonstrate that PRRT2 is expressed on both pre- and post-synaptic membranes in the M1 cortex. PRRT2 negatively regulates SNARE complex assembly through interaction with SNAP25, STX1A, and VAMP2. In the M1 cortex of the rat model, release of amino acid neurotransmitters is increased. Protein levels of glutamate receptor subunit GRIA1 are significantly increased in PRRT2 mutant rats, while GABA receptor subunits GABRA1 are significantly reduced. Both frequency and amplitude of mEPSC are significantly increased, while amplitude of mIPSC is decreased and the ratio of mEPSC/mIPSC is significantly increased. The balance between excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity is disrupted, which could lead to abnormal neuronal hyperexcitability. These results provide new insights into the function of PRRT2 in synaptic transmission and movement control, as well as the pathogenic mechanism underlying PKC.

P.2.041 - Chronic tetrahydrocannabinol and psychotic-like symptoms in mouse: focusing cortical serotonin 2A receptors functionality

Long-term use of potent cannabis in adolescence increases the risk of developing psychosis [1]. Literature suggests that the serotonin 2A receptor (5HT2AR) is involved in the molecular mechanisms of psychotic symptoms [2]. Moreover, epigenetic modifications in the gen codifying for this receptor have been linked to schizophrenia disease [3]. These data suggest a link between cannabis and psychosis. Up to now, studies involving cannabis exposure and 5HT2AR are scarce and the relationship between cannabis and psychosis remains unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the status and functionality of 5HT2AR in the brain cortex of young mice chronically treated with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as to evaluate sensorimotor gating in these mice, at basal conditions and after acute exposure to the hallucinogenic 5HT2A agonist (±)DOI. Mice were treated during young period (postnatal day 21 to postnatal day 50) with THC (10 mg/kg daily, 30 days, i.p.) or vehicle. After 5 days of washout, prepulse inhibition test (PPI) was performed in both groups at basal conditions and after acute (±)DOI injection (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., 30 minutes prior to test). Two days after the behavioural test, mice were sacrificed and brain cortices were extracted. Cortical 5HT2A protein expression and density were evaluated by western blot and [3H]ketanserin binding. Displacement curves of [3H]ketanserin specific binding (2 nM) by (±)DOI (10-11 to 10-3M) were also carried out in brain cortex membranes. Finally, specific stimulation of different Gα proteins by (±)DOI (10-5M) following a [35S]GTPγS binding assay combined with immunoprecipitation was determined in cortical membranes. Statistical analyses consisted on two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the study of interactions between chronic and acute treatment in PPI test; and unpaired t-test for the comparison between THC and vehicle groups in cortical 5HT2A protein expression, density, both high and low 5HT2A logKi and (±)DOI-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding for each G-protein subtype. Two-way ANOVA revealed a THC chronic treatment x (±)DOI treatment interaction in two of the three prepulses (82 dB: F[1,54] = 9.31, p Our results show that, in mice brain cortex, THC chronic exposure during young period induces a 5HT2AR conformation that may facilitate the development of psychosis-like states and enhances the receptor’s ability to activate specific pathways of inhibitory Gα protein subtypes. Project funded by PE de I+D+i 2013-2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Subdireccion General de Evaluacion y Fomento de la Investigacion, Spanish Ministry of Economy and FEDER (Project FIS PI13/01529).

Modulation of alfa-adrenoceptor activity by beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists in rat brain cortex membranes

The influence of β-adrenoceptor activation and inhibition by isoprenaline and propranolol on the specific binding of nonselective α1- and α2-adrenoceptor antagonists [3H]prazosin and [3H]RX821002 in rat cerebral cortex subcellular membrane fractions was studied. It was established that for the α1- and α2-adrenoceptors the ligand–receptor interaction corresponds to the model of one affinity pool of receptors and binding of two ligand molecules by one dimer receptor. The parameters of [3H]prazosin binding to α1-adrenoceptors were: K d = 1.85 ± 0.16 nM, B max = 31.14 ± 0.35 fmol/mg protein, n = 2. The parameters of [3H]RX821002 binding to α2-adrenoceptors were: K d = 1.57 ± 0.27 nM, B max = 7.2 ± 1.6 fmol/mg protein, n = 2. When β-adrenoceptors were activated by isoprenaline, the binding of radiolabelled ligands with α1- and α2-adrenoceptors occurred according to the same model. The affinity to [3H]prazosin and the concentration of active α1-adrenoceptors increased by 27% (K d = 1.36 ± 0.03 nM) and 84% (B max = 57.37 ± 0.28 fmol/mg protein), respectively. The affinity of α2-adrenoceptors to [3H]RX821002 decreased by 56% (K d = 3.55 ± 0.02 nM), and the concentration of active receptors increased by 69% (B max = 12.24 ± 0.06 fmol/mg protein). Propranolol alters the binding character of both ligands. For [3H]prazosin and [3H]RX821002, two pools of receptors were detected with the following parameters: K d1 = 1.13 ± 0.09, K d2 = 6.07 ± 1.06 nM, B m1 = 11.36 ± 1.77, Bm2 = 51.09 ± 0.41 fmol/mg protein, n = 2 and K d1 = 0.61 ± 0.02, K d2 = 3.41 ± 0.13 nM, B m1 = 1.88 ± 0.028, B m2 = 9.27 ± 0.08 fmol/mg protein, n = 2, respectively. The concentration of active receptors (B max) increased twofold for both ligands. It was suggested that α1- and α2-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex subcellular membrane fractions exist as dimers. A modulating influence of isoprenaline and propranolol on the specific binding of the antagonists to α1- and α2- adrenoceptors was revealed, which was manifested in the activating effect on the [3H]prazosin binding parameters, in the inhibitory effect on the [3H]RX821002 binding parameters, and in a change of the general character of binding for both ligands.

Changes in [3H]-ouabain and [3H]-neurotensin binding to rat cerebral cortex membranes after administration of antipsychotic drugs haloperidol and clozapine

Evidences indicate the relationship between neurotensinergic and dopaminergic systems. Neurotensin inhibits synaptosomal membrane Na+, K+-ATPase activity, an effect blocked by SR 48692, antagonist for high affinity neurotensin receptor (NTS1) type. Assays of high affinity [3H]-ouabain binding (to analyze K+ site of Na+, K+-ATPase) show that in vitro addition of neurotensin decreases binding. Herein potential interaction between NTS1 receptor, dopaminergic D2 receptor and Na+, K+-ATPase was studied. To test the involvement of dopaminergic D2 receptors in [3H]-ouabain binding inhibition by neurotensin, Wistar rats were administered i.p.with antipsychotic drugs haloperidol (2mg/kg) and clozapine (3, 10 and 30mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 18h later, cerebral cortices harvested, membrane fractions prepared and high affinity [3H]-ouabain binding assayed in the absence or presence of neurotensin at a 10 micromolar concentration. No differences versus controls for basal binding or for binding inhibition by neurotensin were recorded, except after 10mg/kg clozapine. Rats were administered with neurotensin (3, 10y 30μg, i.c.v.) and 60min later, animals were sacrificed, cerebral cortices harvested and processed to obtain membrane fractions for high affinity [3H]-ouabain binding assays. Results showed a slight but statistically significant decrease in binding with the 30μg neurotensin dose. To analyze the interaction between dopaminergic D2 and NTS1 receptors, [3H]-neurotensin binding to cortical membranes from rats injected with haloperidol (2mg/kg, i.p.) or clozapine (10mg/kg) was assayed. Saturation curves and Scatchard transformation showed that the only statistically significant change occurred in Bmax after haloperidol administration. Hill number was close to the unit in all cases. Results indicated that typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs differentially modulate the interaction between neurotensin and Na+, K+-ATPase. At the same time, support the notion of an interaction among dopaminergic and neurotensinergic systems and Na+, K+-ATPase at central synapses.

Synthetic Peptide TPLVTLFK, a Selective Agonist of Nonopioid β-Endorphin Receptor, Reduces the Corticotropin and Corticosterone Response

The synthetic peptide octarphin (TPLVTLFK) corresponding to the sequence 12–19 of β-endorphin, a selective agonist of nonopioid β-endorphin receptor, was labeled with tritium to specific activity of 29 Ci/mmol. The analysis of the specific binding of [3H]octarphin to anterior pituitary membranes obtained from rats before and after the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injection showed that 2 h after LPS administration the value of maximal binding capacity of the membranes (Bmax) was increased by 1.6 times (Bmax 12.3 ± 0.8 and 20.0 ± 1.9 pmol/mg of protein, respectively), while the binding affinity was not changed (K d 5.8 ± 0.3 and 5.5 ± 0.4 nM, respectively). At the same time, LPS did not have a significant effect on the characteristics of the labeled peptide binding to adrenal cortex membranes. Intranasal injection of octarphin at doses of 10–30 μg/rat was found to reduce the LPS-induced corticotropin and corticosterone response. The effect of the peptide was dose-dependent with a maximum at a dose 20 μg/rat. Aminoguanidine (AG 100 mg/kg i.p.), a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, completely abolished the inhibitory effect of the peptide on the LPS-induced corticotropin and corticosterone response. At the same time, octarphin in vitro stimulated in a time- and concentration-dependent manner the anterior pituitary iNOS expression of rats injected with LPS (1 mg/kg i.p.). The maximum level of the iNOS expression was observed at a peptide concentration of 10 nM after 2 h cultivation. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of octarphin on LPS-induced secretion of corticotropin and corticosterone due to the ability of the peptide to stimulate the expression of iNOS in the anterior pituitary.

The Administration of Levocabastine, a NTS2 Receptor Antagonist, Modifies Na+, K+-ATPase Properties

Neurotensin behaves as a neuromodulator or as a neurotransmitter interacting with NTS1 and NTS2 receptors. Neurotensin in vitro inhibits synaptosomal membrane Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity. This effect is prevented by administration of SR 48692 (antagonist for NTS1 receptor). The administration of levocabastine (antagonist for NTS2 receptor) does not prevent Na(+), K(+)-ATPase inhibition by neurotensin when the enzyme is assayed with ATP as substrate. Herein levocabastine effect on Na(+), K(+)-ATPase K(+) site was explored. For this purpose, levocabastine was administered to rats and K(+)-p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K(+)-p-NPPase) activity in synaptosomal membranes and [(3)H]-ouabain binding to cerebral cortex membranes were assayed in the absence (basal) and in the presence of neurotensin. Male Wistar rats were administered with levocabastine (50μg/kg, i.p., 30min) or the vehicle (saline solution). Synaptosomal membranes were obtained from cerebral cortex by differential and gradient centrifugation. The activity of K(+)-p-NPPase was determined in media laking or containing ATP plus NaCl. In such phosphorylating condition enzyme behaviour resembles that observed when ATP hydrolyses is recorded. In the absence of ATP plus NaCl, K(+)-p-NPPase activity was similar for levocabastine or vehicle injected (roughly 11μmole hydrolyzed substrate per mg protein per hour). Such value remained unaltered by the presence of 3.5×10(-6)M neurotensin. In the phosphorylating medium, neurotensin decreased (32%) the enzyme activity in membranes obtained from rats injected with the vehicle but failed to alter those obtained from rats injected with levocabastine. Levocabastine administration enhanced (50%) basal [(3)H]-ouabain binding to cerebral cortex membranes but failed to modify neurotensin inhibitory effect on this ligand binding. It is concluded that NTS2 receptor blockade modifies the properties of neuronal Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and that neurotensin effect on Na(+), K(+)-ATPase involves NTS1 receptor and -at least partially- NTS2 receptor.

ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ ДЛЯ ОЦІНКИ ОСОБЛИВОСТЕЙ РЕАКТИВНОСТІ ОРГАНІЗМУ МОЛОДИХ ЩУРІВ ПРИ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНІЙ ГІПОКСІЇ

&lt;p&gt;Research of adaptation mechanisms in young body to factors such as hypoxic effect is an actual scientific problem. The aim of the experiment was to determine the functional consequences of changes in ion permeability of cell membranes in the associative cortex in young rats ufter incubation at hypoxic environment under conditions of low atmospheric pressure.&lt;br /&gt;Incubation of rats in the hypoxic environment under conditions of moderately low atmospheric pressure leads to increased permeability of cell membranes for Na + and Cl- ions at the associative cortex. This is a functional feature of hypoxic damage to membrane structures of nerve tissue that causes compensatory limit the activity of the central contour regulation of heart rate and decrease activity of the sympathetic regulation. Peculiarities in reactivity of young rats exist due to the immaturity of fronto-thalamic brain system.&lt;/p&gt;