Krebs-Ringer Medium Research Articles

124-OR: Repetitive Ca2+ Waves Emanate from a Stable Leader Cell in Mouse Islets

Pancreatic beta cells form a highly connected network within the islet, with transcriptomic and functional heterogeneity existing between individual cells. A sub-population of leader cells has been proposed to act as functional hubs, controlling islet responses to glucose and other secretagogues. Using high speed confocal Ca2+ imaging, we aimed here to examine (a) the role of these cells in wave propagation and (b) their stability over time. Methods: Islets were isolated from C57BL6 male mice expressing the recombinant Ca2+ probe GCaMP6f selectively in the beta cell (Ins1Cre:GCaMP6f/f). Islets were then infected with an adenovirus expressing photo-activatable- (PA) mCherry. Ca2+ imaging was performed across a single islet plane in modified KREBS-Ringer medium at 11mM glucose using a Zeiss LSM 810 laser-scanning microscope and data acquisition at 5 Hz. Cells were photopainted by excitation of PA-mCherry at 405nm. Results: Leader cells were identified as those exhibiting the first detectable increase in Ca2+ signal during subsequent Ca2+ waves. The great majority of islets (85%, n=26, three independent experiments) displayed repetitive Ca2+ waves (1.10±0.26 min-1), and 82.9±5.0% of waves propagated directly from an identifiable leader cell. There was an average of 2.5±0.4 leader cells per islet with 62.9±0.70% of waves emanating from a “principal” leader cell. Ca2+ imaging experiments performed 16 h after the original session revealed that 37±0.08% (n=4) of waves emanated from the same, now photopainted, leader cell. Conclusions: These data suggest that (a) a complex, non-binary, heterogeneity exists between leader and follower beta cells, (b) leader behaviour is an intrinsic phenotype of a sub-population of cells with a half-life in this role of ∼12 h. Disclosure P. L. Chabosseau: None. A. Martinez-sanchez: None. I. Leclerc: Consultant; Spouse/Partner; Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. V. Salem: None. G. A. Rutter: Advisory Panel; Self; Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Fresh and cultured mouse islets differ in their response to nutrient stimulation.

Observing different kinetics of nutrient-induced insulin secretion in fresh and cultured islets under the same condition we compared parameters of stimulus secretion coupling in freshly isolated and 22-h-cultured NMRI mouse islets. Stimulation of fresh islets with 30 mM glucose after perifusion without nutrient gave a continuously ascending secretion rate. In 22-h-cultured islets the same protocol produced a brisk first phase followed by a moderately elevated plateau, a pattern regarded to be typical for mouse islets. This was also the response of cultured islets to the nutrient secretagogue alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, whereas the secretion of fresh islets increased similarly fast but remained strongly elevated. The responses of fresh and cultured islets to purely depolarizing stimuli (tolbutamide or KCl), however, were closely similar. Signs of apoptosis and necrosis were rare in both preparations. In cultured islets, the glucose-induced rise of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration started from a lower value and was larger as was the increase of the ATP/ADP ratio. The prestimulatory level of mitochondrial reducing equivalents, expressed as the NAD(P)H/FAD fluorescence ratio, was lower in cultured islets, but increased more strongly than in fresh islets. When culture conditions were modified by replacing RPMI with Krebs–Ringer medium and FCS with BSA, the amount of released insulin varied widely, but the kinetics always showed a predominant first phase. In conclusion, the secretion kinetics of fresh mouse islets is more responsive to variations of nutrient stimulation than cultured islets. The more uniform kinetics of the latter may be caused by a different use of endogenous metabolites.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction during the Early Stages of Excitotoxic Spinal Motor Neuron Degeneration in Vivo.

Glutamate excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in motor neuron degeneration process during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We have previously shown that microdialysis perfusion of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) in the lumbar region of the rat spinal cord produces permanent paralysis of the ipsilateral hindlimb and death of motor neurons by a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism, in a process that starts 2-3 h after AMPA perfusion. Co-perfusion with different energy metabolic substrates, mainly pyruvate, prevented the paralysis and motor neuron degeneration induced by AMPA, suggesting that mitochondrial energetic deficiencies are involved in this excitotoxic motor neuron death. To test this, in the present work, we studied the functional and ultrastructural characteristics of mitochondria isolated from the ventral horns of lumbar spinal cords of rats, at the beginning of the AMPA-induced degeneration process, when motor neurons are still alive. Animals were divided in four groups: perfused with AMPA, AMPA + pyruvate, and pyruvate alone and Krebs-Ringer medium as controls. Mitochondria from the AMPA-treated group showed decreased oxygen consumption rates, respiratory controls, and transmembrane potentials. Additionally, activities of the respiratory chain complexes I and IV were significantly decreased. Electron microscopy showed that mitochondria from AMPA-treated rats presented swelling, disorganized cristae and disrupted membranes. Remarkably, in the animals co-perfused with AMPA and pyruvate all these abnormalities were prevented. We conclude that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in spinal motor neuron degeneration induced by overactivation of AMPA receptors in vivo. These mechanisms could be involved in ALS motor neuron degeneration.

Resistance to d-Tubocurarine of the Rat Diaphragm as Compared to a Limb Muscle

The diaphragm is resistant to competitive neuromuscular blocking agents, as compared to peripheral muscles. The basis of this difference may be a higher concentration of acetylcholine released or higher number of postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in diaphragmatic neuromuscular junctions. Nerve-evoked twitch-tension was measured in rat hemidiaphragm as was Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) nerve-muscle preparation to determine the effective D-tubocurarine concentration that decreased twitch responses by 50%. The mean quantal content of endplate potentials was determined in single junctions in a low-Ca(2+), high-Mg(2+) Krebs-Ringer medium. Strips of hemidiaphragm and EDL muscle, containing the endplate regions, were used to determine the number of nAChR nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding sites with the aid of radiolabeled [(125)I]alpha-bungarotoxin. The effective D-tubocurarine concentration that decreased twitch responses by 50% (median [interquartile range]) was seven-fold higher in the hemidiaphragm than in the EDL (1.82 microm [1.43-2.20] vs. 0.26 microm [0.23-0.29], P < 0.01). The median of the mean quantal content was higher in the hemidiaphragm than in the EDL (0.57 [0.44-0.84] vs. (0.14 [0.11-0.19], P < 0.01). The number of specific [(125)I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites to junctional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors was higher in the diaphragm than in the EDL (1.15 fmol/mg [0.48-1.70] vs. 0.55 fmol/mg [0.23-0.70 ], P < 0.05). The current study indicates that the resistance of the diaphragm to neuromuscular blocking agents can be explained by both a higher mean quantal content of endplate potentials and a higher number of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding sites than in the peripheral EDL muscle.

Ryanodine Receptor Activation by Cav1.2 Is Involved in Dendritic Cell Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Surface Expression

Dendritic cells express the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1), yet little is known concerning its physiological role and activation mechanism. Here we show that dendritic cells also express the Ca(v)1.2 subunit of the L-type Ca(2+) channel and that release of intracellular Ca(2+) via RyR1 depends on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) and is sensitive to ryanodine and nifedipine. Interestingly, RyR1 activation causes a very rapid increase in expression of major histocompatibility complex II molecules on the surface of dendritic cells, an effect that is also observed upon incubation of mouse BM12 dendritic cells with transgenic T cells whose T cell receptor is specific for the I-A(bm12) protein. Based on the present results, we suggest that activation of the RyR1 signaling cascade may be important in the early stages of infection, providing the immune system with a rapid mechanism to initiate an early response, facilitating the presentation of antigens to T cells by dendritic cells before their full maturation.

Compensatory reaction during degeneration of arcuate nucleus dopaminergic neurons in rats

The study has been carried out to verify the authors' hypothesis that degeneration of dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neurons of the hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular system and concomitant development of hyperprolactinemia are accompanied by involvement of compensatory synthesis of dopamine (DA) by non-dopaminergic neurons expressing single complementary enzymes of synthesis of this neurotransmitter. Degeneration of DA-ergic neurons was produced by a stereotaxic injection into the brain lateral ventricles of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) - a specific neurotoxin of DA-ergic neurons. 14 and 45 days after the toxin administration there were determined concentration of prolactine in peripheral blood by methods of immunoenzyme and radioimmunological analyses as well as the DA amount in the arcuate nucleus by the method of highly efficient liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. In a part of the animals, slices were prepared from the mediobasal hypothalamus (arcuate nucleus and medial eminence) and perfused with Krebs-Ringer medium; then the DA concentration was determined in the slices and in the incubation medium. 14 days after the neurotoxin administration there were revealed an increase of blood prolactine concentration and a decrease of DA concentration in the arcuate nucleus in vivo as well a decrease of the total DA amount in the slices and incubation medium in experiments in vitro. 45 days after the neurotoxin administration, all the above parameters returned to the normal level. This, the obtained data indicate that the hyperlactinemia and DA deficit appearing during degeneration of the arcuate nucleus DA-ergic neurons seem to be compensated due to an enhancement of DA synthesis by non-dopaminergic monoenzyme neurons of arctuate nucleus.

Analysis of Lipolytic Protein Trafficking and Interactions in Adipocytes

This work examined the colocalization, trafficking, and interactions of key proteins involved in lipolysis during brief cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activation. Double label immunofluorescence analysis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes indicated that PKA activation increases the translocation of hormonesensitive lipase (HSL) to perilipin A (Plin)-containing droplets and increases the colocalization of adipose tissue triglyceride lipase (Atgl) with its coactivator, Abhd5. Imaging of live 3T3-L1 preadipocytes transfected with Aquorea victoria-based fluorescent reporters demonstrated that HSL rapidly and specifically translocates to lipid droplets (LDs) containing Plin, and that this translocation is partially dependent on Plin phosphorylation. HSL closely, if not directly, interacts with Plin, as indicated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments. In contrast, tagged Atgl did not support FRET or BiFC with Plin, although it did modestly translocate to LDs upon stimulation. Abhd5 strongly interacted with Plin in the basal state, as indicated by FRET and BiFC. PKA activation rapidly (within minutes) decreased FRET between Abhd5 and Plin, and this decrease depended upon Plin phosphorylation. Together, these results indicate that Plin mediates hormone-stimulated lipolysis via direct and indirect mechanisms. Plin indirectly controls Atgl activity by regulating accessibility to its coactivator, Abhd5. In contrast, Plin directly regulates the access of HSL to substrate via close, if not direct, interactions. The differential interactions of HSL and Atgl with Plin and Abhd5 also explain the findings that following stimulation, HSL and Atgl are differentially enriched at specific LDs.

A comparative study of bioradiography in human brain slices and preoperative PET imaging

Novel autoradiography (bioradiography) images in human neocortical brain slices which were obtained at operation from seven patients with intractable epilepsy who had received a 2-[ 18F]fluoro-2-deoxy- d-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) examination preoperatively, were acquired in Krebs–Ringer medium (control condition) and that with high K + (high K + condition) containing FDG and compared with FDG-PET uptake. The FDG uptake images in rat brain slices were also acquired as a reference and compared with that in humans. In the slices incubated under high K +, FDG uptake in both human and rat gray matter was significantly enhanced, whereas that in the white matter was not. But the variance of uptake was larger in humans than the rats. This might indicate the different degree of progress of epilepsy in the sampled brain tissues. The uptake rates of FDG in human gray matter under the control condition showed an inverse correlation with those seen in PET, which were evaluated as sampled and contralateral gyri (SG/CG) and sampled gyri and cerebellar cortex (SG/CB) ratio. On the contrary, it showed a weak positive correlation with PET under the high K + condition. The uptake rates of FDG in human gray matter expressed as a high K +/control ratio, closely matched that observed by FDG-PET, which were evaluated as the SG/CG ratio and the SG/CB ratio. Our experimental system provides useful information for the interpretation of PET data in epileptics and the theoretical basis to interpret the results of metabolic studies using living human brain tissues for further use in pharmacological manipulation.

Sodium and Epithelial Sodium Channels Participate in the Regulation of the Capacitation-associated Hyperpolarization in Mouse Sperm

In a process called capacitation, mammalian sperm gain the ability to fertilize after residing in the female tract. During capacitation the mouse sperm plasma membrane potential (E(m)) hyperpolarizes. However, the mechanisms that regulate sperm E(m) are not well understood. Here we show that sperm hyperpolarize when external Na(+) is replaced by N-methyl-glucamine. Readdition of external Na(+) restores a more depolarized E(m) by a process that is inhibited by amiloride or by its more potent derivative 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride hydrochloride. These findings indicate that under resting conditions an electrogenic Na(+) transporter, possibly involving an amiloride sensitive Na(+) channel, may contribute to the sperm resting E(m). Consistent with this proposal, patch clamp recordings from spermatogenic cells reveal an amiloride-sensitive inward Na(+) current whose characteristics match those of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) family of epithelial Na(+) channels. Indeed, ENaC-alpha and -delta mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription-PCR in extracts of isolated elongated spermatids, and ENaC-alpha and -delta proteins were found on immunoblots of sperm membrane preparations. Immunostaining indicated localization of ENaC-alpha to the flagellar midpiece and of ENaC-delta to the acrosome. Incubations known to produce capacitation in vitro or induction of capacitation by cell-permeant cAMP analogs decreased the depolarizing response to the addition of external Na(+). These results suggest that increases in cAMP content occurring during capacitation may inhibit ENaCs to produce a required hyperpolarization of the sperm membrane.

Glucose triggers protein kinase A-dependent insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic islets through activation of the K+ATP channel-dependent pathway

To assess the significance of protein kinase A (PKA) in glucose triggering of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(+)(ATP)) channel-dependent insulin secretion and in glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion. Insulin release from cultured perifused mouse pancreatic islets was determined by radioimmunoassay. In islets cultured at 5.5 mmol/l glucose, and then perifused in physiological Krebs-Ringer medium, the PKA inhibitors, H89 (10 micromol/l) and PKI 6-22 amide (30 micromol/l) did not inhibit glucose (16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion, but inhibited stimulation by the adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin (10 micromol/l). In the presence of 60 mmol/l K(+) and 250 micromol/l diazoxide, which stimulates maximum Ca(2+) influx independently of K(+)(ATP) channels, H89 (10 micromol/l) inhibited Ca(2+)-evoked insulin secretion, but failed to prevent glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion. In the presence of 1 mmol/l ouabain and 250 micromol/l diazoxide, which cause modest Ca(2+) influx, glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion was observed without concomitant Ca(2+) stimulation of PKA activity. In islets cultured at 16.7 mmol/l glucose, glucose (16.7 mmol/l)-induced insulin secretion in physiological Krebs-Ringer medium was augmented and now inhibited by H89 (10 micromol/l), implicating that culture at 16.7 mmol/l glucose may increase Ca(2+)-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity and hence PKA activity. In accordance, Ca(2+)-evoked insulin secretion at 60 mmol/l K(+) and 250 micromol/l diazoxide was improved, whereas glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion was unaffected. Glucose may activate PKA through triggering of the K(+)(ATP) channel-dependent pathway. Glucose amplification of K(+)(ATP) channel-independent insulin secretion, on the other hand, occurs by PKA-independent mechanisms.

Assessment of choline uptake for the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in brain slices by a dynamic autoradiographic technique using [ 11C]choline

The uptake of choline for the synthesis and release of acetylcholine was investigated in brain slices by dynamic positron autoradiography using [ 11C]choline. Brain slices (330 μm) were incubated with [ 11C]choline in oxygenated Krebs–Ringer medium at 34 °C and serial two-dimensional time-resolved images of the uptake and release of radioactivity were recorded on Storage Phosphor screens. [ 11C]Choline uptake increased with the period of incubation and was 1.9 times higher in the striatum than cerebral cortex. The uptake in the striatum was significantly diminished by hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), an inhibitor of high-affinity choline uptake. Pretreatment of brain slices with 50 mM K + for 20 min enhanced the uptake in striatum. The uptake of [ 11C]choline in brain slices was saturable using nonlabeled choline. Two uptake systems, a high-affinity and a low-affinity system, were confirmed to exist by kinetic analysis using Lineweaver–Burk plots. The 11C radioactivity that had accumulated in the striatum disappeared on treatment with veratridine, a depolarization agent, in the presence of HC-3. This pattern of disappearance was consistent with that of the appearance of unlabeled and labeled acetylcholine in the medium. These results indicate that this method is useful for obtaining information regarding the uptake of choline for the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in live brain tissues.

Imaging and Therapeutics: The Role of Neuronal Transport in the Regional Specificity of L-DOPA Accumulation in Brain

Purpose: To investigate the in vitro regional accumulation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in brain tissue. Procedure: Neuronal membrane transport of L-DOPA was investigated in rat and squirrel monkey brain tissue. The kinetics of L-DOPA regional transport was characterized, and the effect of amino acids on transport was evaluated using isolated nerve terminals from striatum and cerebral cortex. Results: When L-DOPA uptake was measured in modified Krebs-Ringer medium, transport occurred in both synaptosome preparations. In the presence of dilute protein-free plasma, uptake of L-DOPA was significantly present in striatal nerve terminals ( P < 0.005), but was completely inhibited in terminals isolated from the cortex. L-DOPA transport in striatal synaptosomes was primarily inhibited by large neutral aromatic L-amino acids, in contrast to that in cortical synaptosomes that was mainly affected by large neutral aliphatic L-amino acids. A saturable component of influx was detected in both synaptosome preparations, where kinetic analysis revealed that the relative affinity of L-DOPA was greater for the carrier in the striatum than in the cortex. Based on the distribution of neuronal cell types within the two regions and the effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) lesioning in squirrel monkeys, the striatal specific accumulation of L-DOPA likely occurs within dopaminergic terminals. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the in vivo regional specificity of L-DOPA localization in brain tissue is primarily controlled by neuronal transport. (Mol Imag Biol 2002;4:208–218)

Development of a transportable incubator for autoradiographic experiments with positron emitter-labeled tracers in living brain tissues

For autoradiography using positron emitter-labeled tracers in living human brain tissues, samples have to be transported to a positron emission tomography (PET) facility. We have developed a transportable apparatus in which slices are incubated in Krebs-Ringer medium with 95% O 2/5% CO 2 at 34°C. The incubator comprises a polystyrene foam container, inner chamber, heater, thermostat and battery. The container is sealed and oxygen gas is supplied through a filter (pore size 0.2 μm). The gas is evacuated from the container through the filter, to avoid bacterial contamination. Slices (330 μm) of rat brain were arranged on the nylon net of the inner chamber, and lightly fixed in place by covering them with a fine nylon net stretched over a stainless steel ring. The incubation was carried out at a temperature of 34°C maintained by a heater and thermostat, and the medium was bubbled with 95% O 2/5% CO 2 from a portable gas cylinder. The temperature of the medium in the container was well controlled (34.0±0.5°C) for up to 200 min with no positional differences. In the dynamic autoradiographic experiment, the rate of uptake of [ 18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy- d-glucose (FDG) in sections preincubated for 45 min in the transportable apparatus was no different from that in the sections kept in the usual incubating apparatus. This apparatus may enable autoradiography using positron emitter-labeled tracers in living human brain tissues.

Lithium regulation of protein phosphorylation in rat cerebral cortex slices in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the direct effect of Li+ and Na+-Li+ exchange on protein phosphorylation in rat cerebral cortex slices incubated in Krebs Ringer medium. When Na+ concentration was varied in the incubation medium, either by replacement with Li+ or sucrose, a variable effect on [32P] phosphate incorporation into proteins was observed. Protein phosphorylation in cerebral cortex slices was very low in the absence of Na+, and some dependence of phosphorylating system of neural tissue on extra cellular concentration of Na+ was evident. Lithium was not able to replace sodium as far as protein phosphorylation in cortical slices is concerned. Ouabain was more effective in a Li+ containing medium in inhibiting protein phosphorylation, presumably due to improper functioning of the sodium pump.

Crosslinking of aminophospholipids in cellular membranes of lens by oxidative stress in vitro

We have previously demonstrated by TLC an additional phospholipid spot between phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in human cataract. This was furtheridentified as a fluorescent Schiff-base conjugate resulting from crosslinking of reactive carbonyl groups of malondialdehyde (MDA) with the primary amino groups of membrane phospholipids. Evidence presented here shows that such an adduct could be formed in rabbit lens subjected to oxidative stress in vitro. TLC analysis of a lipid extract of a crude membrane fraction obtained from the lens homogenate incubated with 1 mM H 2O 2, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) or MDA for 1–6 h at 25°C, showed that the oxidants and MDA produced time-dependent crosslinking of aminophospholipids. Under identical conditions of incubation with TBHP or MDA, development of the Schiff-base lipid fluorochrome in lens with peak emission at 470 nm when excited at 360 nm also showed a time-dependent increase. The PE · MDA · PS produced in cellular membranes of the lenses cultured for 3 h in Krebs-Ringer medium was 151 nmol/μmol PE, and addition of 1 mM H 2O 2, TBHP or MDA, increased it to 881, 610 and 375 nmol/μmol PE, respectively. Adduct was also formed when authentic samples of PE and PS were reacted with pure MDA. From the results it is clear that oxidants viz., H 2O 2 and TBHP, or MDA were effective in promoting crosslinking of lens membrane aminophospholipids by Schiff-base conjugation of primary amino groups with the carbonyl groups of the aldehyde, a breakdown product of lipid peroxides.

Possible involvement of calmodulin-dependent kinases in Ca 2+-dependent enhancement of [ 3H]5-hydroxytryptamine uptake in rat cortex

Effects of Ca 2+ on [ 3H]5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake into rat cortical synaptosomes were studied. The uptake was enhanced in the presence of Ca 2+ in Krebs-Ringer medium and the uptake at 0.3–5 mM Ca 2+ was 2.4–2.7 times greater than that observed in the absence of Ca 2+. The maximal increase at the concentration of 1 mM Ca 2+ was achieved after 2 min preincubation. Ca 2+-dependent enhancement of the [ 3H]5-HT uptake reflected an increase in V max of the uptake process. However, K d and B max values for [ 3H]paroxetine were not significantly changed in the presence of 1 mM Ca 2+ compared with Ca 2+-free condition. On the other hand, uptake was still enhanced after synaptosomes were washed with Ca 2+-free medium after preincubation with 1 mM Ca 2+. Staurosporine (a protein kinase C inhibitor) and wortmannin (a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor) did not affect Ca 2+-dependent enhancement of the uptake, whereas 1-[ N,O-bis(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)- N-methyl- l-tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperazine (KN-62, inhibitor of Ca 2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W-7, a calmodulin antagonist) significantly reduced it. Moreover, L-type, but not P- or N-type, voltage-dependent Ca 2+-channel blockers suppressed enhancement of the uptake. These results indicate that Ca 2+-dependent enhancement of [ 3H]5-HT uptake is mediated by activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, suggesting a possibility of calmodulin-dependent regulation of in vivo 5-HT uptake.

Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of [3H]dopamine uptake in rat striatum: possible involvement of calmodulin-dependent kinases.

We studied effects of Ca2+ in the incubation medium on [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) uptake by rat striatal synaptosomes. Both the duration of the preincubation period with Ca2+ (0-30 min) and Ca2+ concentration (0-10 mM) in Krebs-Ringer medium affected [3H]DA uptake by the synaptosomes. The increase was maximal at a concentration of 1 mM Ca2+ after a 10-min preincubation (2.4 times larger than the uptake measured without preincubation), which reflected an increase in Vmax of the [3H]DA uptake process. On the other hand, [3H]DA uptake decreased rapidly after addition of ionomycin in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+. The Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of the uptake was still maintained after washing synaptosomes with Ca(2+)-free medium following preincubation with 1 mM Ca2+. Protein kinase C inhibitors did not affect apparently Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of the uptake, whereas 1(-)[N,O-bis(1,5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-N-methyl-L- tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperazine (KN-62; a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II inhibitor) and wortmannin (a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor) significantly reduced it. Inhibitory effects of KN-62 and wortmannin appeared to be additive. N-(6-Aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W-7; a calmodulin antagonist) also remarkably inhibited the enhancement. These results suggest that Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of [3H]DA uptake is mediated by activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinases.

Peroxidation of Synaptosomes Alters the Dopamine Uptake Complex but Spares the Exocytotic Release of Dopamine

Synaptosomes, prepared from the striata of mice, and incubated for 1 h in a Krebs-Ringer medium with the peroxidative combination of ascorbic acid (0.1 mM)/Fe2+(1 μM), lose their ability to take up [3H] dopamine. This effect is associated with a decrease in binding of the dopamine uptake inhibitor [3H] GBR 12783. The free radical scavenger trolox C (0.1 mM) and theGinkgo bilobaextract EGb 761 (10 μg/ml) prevent both effects. Although submitted to these peroxidative conditions after loading with [3H] DA, superfused synaptosomes retain their ability to release [3H] DA when depolarized by high potassium concentrations (40 mM). This release is higher than that observed when synaptosomes are incubated without ascorbic acid/Fe2+1, and does not seem to depend upon peroxidation, since it is also observed when incubation is performed in the presence of the free radical scavengers EGb 761 (10 μg/ml) and trolox C (0.1 mM).

Transport mechanism of L-[14C]glutamate in cortical slices and synaptosomes of rabbits exposed to brain ischemia and reperfusion.

Changes in the functioning of the glutamatergic system in rabbit brain were studied after partial brain ischemia and reperfusion. In vitro studies were conducted relating to the release of L-[14C]glutamate from cortical brain slices, L-[14C]glutamate uptake in synaptosomes, and 45Ca uptake in synaptosomes. It was found that basal release of L-[14C]glutamate from rabbit brain cortical slices after 30 min of partial ischemia and 1 d of reperfusion was essentially without change compared to the control values. After 3 d of reperfusion, there was an increase in basal release of L-[14C]glutamate from rabbit brain cortical slices. K+ stimulated release of L-[14C]glutamate in normal Krebs-Ringer medium was essentially the same in the control group and in the experimental group after 30 min of ischemia. The K+ stimulated release of L-[14C]glutamate independent of calcium was increased to 145% after 30 min of ischemia and 1 d of reperfusion. The decreased Km value at the glutamate transporter may have contributed to this difference. Kinetic parameters of the L-[14C]glutamate uptake (Km and Vmax) in synaptosomes from rabbit brain were significantly lower after 30 min of ischemia. The authors discovered that during the reperfusion period, Vmax was almost the same as in the control group. The activity of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in synaptosomes of rat brain was about 70% of the control values after 30 min of ischemia and 72 h of reperfusion. According to our results, increased L-[14C]glutamate release after 30 min of ischemia appears to be the result of higher intracellular calcium concentration and possibly also of a higher uptake of glutamate.

Age-related changes in rat brain monoamines release: peculiarity of dopamine release.

Our aim has been to investigate the ability of the rat brain to retain its level of neurotransmitter release over life. We have investigated the neurotransmitter release from the rat brain synaptosomes prelabeled with 3H-DA, 3H-NA, or 3H-5HT, and perfused with Krebs-Ringer medium alone (basal release) or containing a high K+, calcium ionophore, tyramine or amphetamine (evoked release). Brain areas have been dissected of animals 45 days and 4, 6, and 11 months old. The results have shown a gradual reduction of the 3H-NA release evoked by a high K+ from 45 days to 6 months, which is stabilized until 11 months of age. The reduction rate has been relatively different from the brain areas investigated (36% for the frontal cortex and 26% for the hippocampus and cerebellar cortex). A similar reduction has been seen with 3H-5HT released from synaptosomes of the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Surprisingly, the 3H-DA release that was evoked by high K+ was greater in rats 11 months old than in younger rats; this effect has been seen in synaptosomes from the caudate and the frontal cortex. The calcium ionophore A23187 has shown a releasing picture similar to a high K+. When we analyzed a nonexocitotic, but probably carrier mediated, release (evoked by tyramine or amphetamine), there was reduced release of all of the above neurotransmitters from 45 days to 11 months of age. We presume that there have been adaptive changes in neurotransmitter evoked release due to changes in Ca++ utilization, as inferred from the results from calcium ionophore experiments and carrier performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)