Neurons Of Lymnaea Stagnalis Research Articles

Passive Membrane Properties and Spike Characteristics in a Pair of Identified Electrically Coupled Lymnaea stagnalis Neurons under Long-Term Experimental Hyperglycemia

Passive Membrane Properties and Spike Characteristics in a Pair of Identified Electrically Coupled Lymnaea stagnalis Neurons under Long-Term Experimental Hyperglycemia

PNU-120596, a positive allosteric modulator of mammalian α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, is a negative modulator of ligand-gated chloride-selective channels of the gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis.

Excitatory α7 neuronal nicotinic receptors (nAChR) are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous and immune systems and are important for learning, memory, and immune response regulation. Specific α7 nAChR ligands, including positive allosteric modulators are promising to treat cognitive disorders, inflammatory processes, and pain. One of them, PNU-120596, highly increased the neuron response to α7 agonists and retarded desensitization, showing selectivity for α7 as compared to heteromeric nAChRs, but was not examined at the inhibitory ligand-gated channels. We studied PNU-120596 action on anion-conducting channels using voltage-clamp techniques: it slightly potentiated the response of human glycine receptors expressed in PC12 cells, of rat GABAA receptors in cerebellar Purkinje cells and mouse GABAA Rs heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. On the contrary, PNU-120596 exerted an inhibitory effect on the receptors mediating anion currents in Lymnaea stagnalis neurons: two nAChR subtypes, GABA and glutamate receptors. Acceleration of the current decay, contrary to slowing down desensitization in mammalian α7 nAChR, was observed in L. stagnalis neurons predominantly expressing one of the two nAChR subtypes. Thus, PNU-120596 effect on these anion-selective nAChRs was just opposite to the action on the mammalian cation-selective α7 nAChRs. A comparison of PNU-120596 molecule docked to the models of transmembrane domains of the human α7 AChR and two subunits of L. stagnalis nAChR demonstrated some differences in contacts with the amino acid residues important for PNU-120596 action on the α7 nAChR. Thus, our results show that PNU-120596 action depends on a particular subtype of these Cys-loop receptors.

Pancreatic and snake venom presynaptically active phospholipases A2 inhibit nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are enzymes found throughout the animal kingdom. They hydrolyze phospholipids in the sn-2 position producing lysophospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids, agents that can damage membranes. PLA2s from snake venoms have numerous toxic effects, not all of which can be explained by phospholipid hydrolysis, and each enzyme has a specific effect. We have earlier demonstrated the capability of several snake venom PLA2s with different enzymatic, cytotoxic, anticoagulant and antiproliferative properties, to decrease acetylcholine-induced currents in Lymnaea stagnalis neurons, and to compete with α-bungarotoxin for binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and acetylcholine binding protein. Since nAChRs are implicated in postsynaptic and presynaptic activities, in this work we probe those PLA2s known to have strong presynaptic effects, namely β-bungarotoxin from Bungarus multicinctus and crotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus. We also wished to explore whether mammalian PLA2s interact with nAChRs, and have examined non-toxic PLA2 from porcine pancreas. It was found that porcine pancreatic PLA2 and presynaptic β-bungarotoxin blocked currents mediated by nAChRs in Lymnaea neurons with IC50s of 2.5 and 4.8 μM, respectively. Crotoxin competed with radioactive α-bungarotoxin for binding to Torpedo and human α7 nAChRs and to the acetylcholine binding protein. Pancreatic PLA2 interacted similarly with these targets; moreover, it inhibited radioactive α-bungarotoxin binding to the water-soluble extracellular domain of human α9 nAChR, and blocked acetylcholine induced currents in human α9α10 nAChRs heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. These and our earlier results show that all snake PLA2s, including presynaptically active crotoxin and β-bungarotoxin, as well as mammalian pancreatic PLA2, interact with nAChRs. The data obtained suggest that this interaction may be a general property of all PLA2s, which should be proved by further experiments.

Peptides from puff adder Bitis arietans venom, novel inhibitors of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Phospholipase A2 (named bitanarin) possessing capability to block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) was isolated earlier (Vulfius et al., 2011) from puff adder Bitis arietans venom. Further studies indicated that low molecular weight fractions of puff adder venom inhibit nAChRs as well. In this paper, we report on isolation from this venom and characterization of three novel peptides called baptides 1, 2 and 3 that reversibly block nAChRs. To isolate the peptides, the venom of B. arietans was fractionated by gel-filtration and reversed phase chromatography. The amino acid sequences of peptides were established by de novo sequencing using MALDI mass spectrometry. Baptide 1 comprised 7, baptides 2 and 3–10 amino acid residues, the latter being acetylated at the N-terminus. This is the first indication for the presence of such post-translational modification in snake venom proteins. None of the peptides contain cysteine residues. For biological activity studies the peptides were prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis. Baptide 3 and 2 blocked acetylcholine-elicited currents in isolated Lymnaea stagnalis neurons with IC50 of about 50 μM and 250 μM, respectively. In addition baptide 2 blocked acetylcholine-induced currents in muscle nAChR heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes with IC50 of about 3 μM. The peptides did not compete with radioactive α-bungarotoxin for binding to Torpedo and α7 nAChRs at concentration up to 200 μM that suggests non-competitive mode of inhibition. Calcium imaging studies on α7 and muscle nAChRs heterologously expressed in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells showed that on α7 receptor baptide 2 inhibited acetylcholine-induced increasing intracellular calcium concentration with IC50 of 20.6 ± 3.93 μM. On both α7 and muscle nAChRs the suppression of maximal response to acetylcholine by about 50% was observed at baptide 2 concentration of 25 μM, the value being close to IC50 on α7 nAChR. These data are in accord with non-competitive inhibition as follows from α-bungarotoxin binding experiments. The described peptides are the shortest peptides without disulfide bridges isolated from animal venom and capable to inhibit nAChR by non-competitive way.

Natural compounds interacting with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: from low-molecular weight ones to peptides and proteins.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) fulfill a variety of functions making identification and analysis of nAChR subtypes a challenging task. Traditional instruments for nAChR research are d-tubocurarine, snake venom protein α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt), and α-conotoxins, neurotoxic peptides from Conus snails. Various new compounds of different structural classes also interacting with nAChRs have been recently identified. Among the low-molecular weight compounds are alkaloids pibocin, varacin and makaluvamines C and G. 6-Bromohypaphorine from the mollusk Hermissenda crassicornis does not bind to Torpedo nAChR but behaves as an agonist on human α7 nAChR. To get more selective α-conotoxins, computer modeling of their complexes with acetylcholine-binding proteins and distinct nAChRs was used. Several novel three-finger neurotoxins targeting nAChRs were described and α-Bgt inhibition of GABA-A receptors was discovered. Information on the mechanisms of nAChR interactions with the three-finger proteins of the Ly6 family was found. Snake venom phospholipases A2 were recently found to inhibit different nAChR subtypes. Blocking of nAChRs in Lymnaea stagnalis neurons was shown for venom C-type lectin-like proteins, appearing to be the largest molecules capable to interact with the receptor. A huge nAChR molecule sensible to conformational rearrangements accommodates diverse binding sites recognizable by structurally very different compounds.

Osphradial chemosensory organ as a probable trigger of the cardiac system adaptive reaction to the effect of heavy metals in aquatic molluscs

The responses of osphradium in the fresh-water mollusk Viviparus sp. and single osphradial neurons in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis to L-glutamine and L-asparagine as well as the changes in these responses under the effect of heavy metals (Cu, Cd) were recorded electrophysiologically. The functional connections of osphradium with the identified neurons of the central pattern generator of respiratory movements and cardiac activity as well as the modification of these connections under the effect of short-term application of HgCl2 solution on the snail's osphradium were investigated. The cardiac rhythm in the mollusk Littorina littorea under the effect of Cu ions was registered non-invasively in long-lasting experiments. The dose-dependent short-term effects of heavy metals changes after osphradium injury were revealed. The implication of osphradium in adaptive reactions of the cardiac system in aquatic mollusks to the environmental heavy metal pollution is suggested. The dependence of cardiac rhythm on the degree of accumulation of copper ions in the mollusk tissues was detected. The results obtained are essential for unraveling neural mechanisms and pathways allowing heavy metals to affect the functional state of hydrobionts, particularly, the cardiac activity frequency characteristics of which are widely used as informative biomarkers to assess physiological condition of aquatic invertebrates.

Inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, a novel facet in the pleiotropic activities of snake venom phospholipases A2.

Phospholipases A2 represent the most abundant family of snake venom proteins. They manifest an array of biological activities, which is constantly expanding. We have recently shown that a protein bitanarin, isolated from the venom of the puff adder Bitis arietans and possessing high phospholipolytic activity, interacts with different types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and with the acetylcholine-binding protein. To check if this property is characteristic to all venom phospholipases A2, we have studied the capability of these enzymes from other snakes to block the responses of Lymnaea stagnalis neurons to acetylcholine or cytisine and to inhibit α-bungarotoxin binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and acetylcholine-binding proteins. Here we present the evidence that phospholipases A2 from venoms of vipers Vipera ursinii and V. nikolskii, cobra Naja kaouthia, and krait Bungarus fasciatus from different snake families suppress the acetylcholine- or cytisine-elicited currents in L. stagnalis neurons and compete with α-bungarotoxin for binding to muscle- and neuronal α7-types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, as well as to acetylcholine-binding proteins. As the phospholipase A2 content in venoms is quite high, under some conditions the activity found may contribute to the deleterious venom effects. The results obtained suggest that the ability to interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors may be a general property of snake venom phospholipases A2, which add a new target to the numerous activities of these enzymes.

Menin: a tumor suppressor that mediates postsynaptic receptor expression and synaptogenesis between central neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis.

Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) support neuronal survival, differentiation, and even synaptic plasticity both during development and throughout the life of an organism. However, their precise roles in central synapse formation remain unknown. Previously, we demonstrated that excitatory synapse formation in Lymnaea stagnalis requires a source of extrinsic NTFs and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation. Here we show that NTFs such as Lymnaea epidermal growth factor (L-EGF) act through RTKs to trigger a specific subset of intracellular signalling events in the postsynaptic neuron, which lead to the activation of the tumor suppressor menin, encoded by Lymnaea MEN1 (L-MEN1) and the expression of excitatory nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We provide direct evidence that the activation of the MAPK/ERK cascade is required for the expression of nAChRs, and subsequent synapse formation between pairs of neurons in vitro. Furthermore, we show that L-menin activation is sufficient for the expression of postsynaptic excitatory nAChRs and subsequent synapse formation in media devoid of NTFs. By extending our findings in situ, we reveal the necessity of EGFRs in mediating synapse formation between a single transplanted neuron and its intact presynaptic partner. Moreover, deficits in excitatory synapse formation following EGFR knock-down can be rescued by injecting synthetic L-MEN1 mRNA in the intact central nervous system. Taken together, this study provides the first direct evidence that NTFs functioning via RTKs activate the MEN1 gene, which appears sufficient to regulate synapse formation between central neurons. Our study also offers a novel developmental role for menin beyond tumour suppression in adult humans.

Changes in neuronal ionic currents after extracellular and intracellular administration of afobazol and bupivacaine

The action of anxiolytic afobazol (2-mercaptobenzimidazolum derivative) in concentration 1 mM and local anesthetic bupivacaine in concentrations 0,5-1 mM on ionic currents of isolated neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis and Planorbarius corneus was studied. The method of intracellular dialysis was used in the experiment. Afobazol and bupivacaine after intracellular administration was shown not to possess their inhibition effect of ionic currents, typical for extracellular administration of drugs. It is suggested that pharmacological targets or bindind sits for these drugs are located on external surface of neuronal membrane.

A Novel Lensless Miniature Contact Imaging System for Monitoring Calcium Changes in Live Neurons

Here, we report on the design, fabrication, and verification of a novel CMOS-imager-based contact imaging system. We acquired fluorescent images from live neurons by monitoring calcium changes with Fura-2 dye. Our current device consists of a removable absorption filter interfaced with a CMOS imaging sensor and an external DG-4 lamp for excitation. Fura-2 loaded Lymnaea stagnalis neurons were stimulated with dual excitation wavelengths of 340 and 380 nm; our image sensor detected 510-nm emission. We show that our system is capable of detecting intracellular calcium changes in Fura-2 loaded neurons. Further, this sensor also enabled viewing of multiple neurons over a large surface area simultaneously, an option that is not readily available in conventional light microscopy.

Phospholipases A2 isolated from snake venoms block acetylcholine-elicited currents in identified Lymnaea stagnalis neurons

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) are the most abundant family of snake venom proteins and play a significant role in prey envenomation. Their content in venoms is rather high. PLA2s not only have enzyme activity but exhibit other types of biological activities including neurotoxicity. We have earlier shown that a protein bitanarin from the venom of the puff adder Bitis arietans is capable to block the responses of Lymnaea stagnalis neurons to acetylcholine and represents an active PLA2 at the same time. Further investigation of PLA2s isolated from the venoms of snakes of two families revealed their capability to interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs): PLA2 from Vipera ursinii (Viperidae family), Naja kaouthia, and Bungarus fasciatus (Elapidae family) suppressed acetylcholine-induced current in identified neurons of L. staganlis. The effect was evident at PLA2 concentration in the range of tens micromoles. The data obtained suggest the presence in a PLA2 molecule of a site interacting with nAChR and a possible involvement of nAChR block in toxic action of PLA2s.

Contraction of Traumatized Nerve Cell Processes

Studies were performed on living isolated mollusk (Lymnaea stagnalis) neurons. The aim was to investigate the contractile activity of traumatized neuron processes. Retraction of process in Ringer’s solution was seen in 90% of cases. The characteristic club-shaped formation, i.e., the retraction bulb, was a marker of contraction. The rate of process contraction ranged in different neurons from 0.03 to 9 μm/min. Increases in process diameter by an average of 35% occurred during normal linear contraction, while increases in cell body volume were by an average of 30%. Three forms of contractile activity were identified: linear contraction, isometric contraction (with decreases in process width with unaltered length), and mixed contraction. It is suggested that the mechanism of retraction is involved in the formation of diastases on nerve transection and in lesions to the conducting pathways of the brain. Nerve diastases formed not only as a result of the elastic properties of its connective tissue sheaths and glia, but also because of retraction of nerve fibers.

Elucidation of the Mechanisms of Membranotropic Effects of RU-1203 on Ionic Channels of Lymnaea Stagnalis Neurons

RU-1203-induced norBNI-irreversible inhibition of sodium (INa), calcium (ICa), and slow and fast potassium currents (IKs and IKf) was demonstrated in isolated neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis.

A Sodium Leak Current Regulates Pacemaker Activity of Adult Central Pattern Generator Neurons in Lymnaea Stagnalis

The resting membrane potential of the pacemaker neurons is one of the essential mechanisms underlying rhythm generation. In this study, we described the biophysical properties of an uncharacterized channel (U-type channel) and investigated the role of the channel in the rhythmic activity of a respiratory pacemaker neuron and the respiratory behaviour in adult freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Our results show that the channel conducts an inward leak current carried by Na+ (ILeak-Na). The ILeak-Na contributed to the resting membrane potential and was required for maintaining rhythmic action potential bursting activity of the identified pacemaker RPeD1 neurons. Partial knockdown of the U-type channel suppressed the aerial respiratory behaviour of the adult snail in vivo. These findings identified the Na+ leak conductance via the U-type channel, likely a NALCN-like channel, as one of the fundamental mechanisms regulating rhythm activity of pacemaker neurons and respiratory behaviour in adult animals.

An unusual phospholipase A2 from puff adder Bitis arietans venom – a novel blocker of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The venoms of snakes from Viperidae family mainly influence the function of various blood components. However, the published data indicate that these venoms contain also neuroactive components, the most studied being neurotoxic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Earlier we have shown (Gorbacheva et al., 2008) that several Viperidae venoms blocked nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in isolated identified neurons of the fresh-water snail Lymnaea stagnalis. In this paper, we report on isolation from puff adder Bitis arietans venom and characterization of a novel protein bitanarin that reversibly blocks nAChRs. To isolate the protein, the venom of B. arietans was fractionated by gel-filtration, ion-exchange and reversed phase chromatography and fractions obtained were screened for capability to block nAChRs. The isolated protein competed with [125I]iodinated α-bungarotoxin for binding to human α7 and Torpedo californica nAChRs, as well as to acetylcholine-binding protein from L. stagnalis, the IC50 being 20 ± 1.5, 4.3 ± 0.2, and 10.6 ± 0.6 μM, respectively. It also blocked reversibly acetylcholine-elicited current in isolated L. stagnalis neurons with IC50 of 11.4 μM. Mass-spectrometry analysis determined the molecular mass of 27.4 kDa and the presence of 28 cysteine residues forming 14 disulphide bonds. Edman degradation of the protein and tryptic fragments showed its similarity to PLA2s from snake venoms. Indeed, the protein possessed high PLA2 activity, which was 1.95 mmol/min/μmol. Bitanarin is the first described PLA2 that contains 14 disulphide bonds and the first nAChR blocker possessing PLA2 activity.

Nonlinear analysis of firing patterns of the central giant cell of Lymnaea stagnalis

Phospholipase A2 (named bitanarin) possessing capability to block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) was isolated earlier (Vulfius et al., 2011) from puff adder Bitis arietans venom. Further studies indicated that low molecular weight fractions of puff adder venom inhibit nAChRs as well. In this paper, we report on isolation from this venom and characterization of three novel peptides called baptides 1, 2 and 3 that reversibly block nAChRs. To isolate the peptides, the venom of B. arietans was fractionated by gel-filtration and reversed phase chromatography. The amino acid sequences of peptides were established by de novo sequencing using MALDI mass spectrometry. Baptide 1 comprised 7, baptides 2 and 3–10 amino acid residues, the latter being acetylated at the N-terminus. This is the first indication for the presence of such post-translational modification in snake venom proteins. None of the peptides contain cysteine residues. For biological activity studies the peptides were prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis. Baptide 3 and 2 blocked acetylcholine-elicited currents in isolated Lymnaea stagnalis neurons with IC50 of about 50 μM and 250 μM, respectively. In addition baptide 2 blocked acetylcholine-induced currents in muscle nAChR heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes with IC50 of about 3 μM. The peptides did not compete with radioactive α-bungarotoxin for binding to Torpedo and α7 nAChRs at concentration up to 200 μM that suggests non-competitive mode of inhibition. Calcium imaging studies on α7 and muscle nAChRs heterologously expressed in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells showed that on α7 receptor baptide 2 inhibited acetylcholine-induced increasing intracellular calcium concentration with IC50 of 20.6 ± 3.93 μM. On both α7 and muscle nAChRs the suppression of maximal response to acetylcholine by about 50% was observed at baptide 2 concentration of 25 μM, the value being close to IC50 on α7 nAChR. These data are in accord with non-competitive inhibition as follows from α-bungarotoxin binding experiments. The described peptides are the shortest peptides without disulfide bridges isolated from animal venom and capable to inhibit nAChR by non-competitive way.

Interpretation of some mechanisms of evolutional neuromorphogenesis with aid of experiments in neuronal culture

Based on study of isolated neurons of molluscs Lymnaea stagnalis, elementary mechanisms of motility of living neurons have been analyzed. With aid of these studies, an attempt is made at explaining mechanisms of the cellular morphogenetic processes of evolution of simple nervous systems: exit of neuroepithelial cells from the layer of external epithelium, transformation of sensory bipolar cells into the associative ones, migration of neurons, formation of diffuse plexus and its conversion into the plexus-ganglion system, regularities of formation of ganglia and synganglia. Use of the culture of dissociated neurons is characterized as a novel direction of evolutionary neuromorphology.

Identification of novel genes underlying regeneration in the CNS neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis

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Innervation of the motility of the digestive tract by cholinergic peripheral neurons in Lymnaea stagnalis

Innervation of the motility of the digestive tract by cholinergic peripheral neurons in Lymnaea stagnalis

Viperidae snake venoms block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in identified neurons of fresh-water snail Lymnaea stagnalis

Viperidae snake venoms block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in identified neurons of fresh-water snail Lymnaea stagnalis