NPA Treatment Research Articles

Brain region specificity of 3-nitropropionic acid-induced vulnerability of neurons involves cytochrome c oxidase

Mitochondria play a pivotal role in the regulation of energy metabolism and apoptotic pathways. Properties and functions of mitochondria might render subsets of selectively vulnerable neurons intrinsically susceptible to a different extent to cellular stress and degeneration. We have investigated the effect of 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA), a mitochondrial toxin and mimicking symptoms of Huntington's disease (HD) when applied systemically, on mitochondrial function and viability of primary neurons isolated from mouse brain striatum and cortex. We observed a higher vulnerability of striatal compared with cortical neurons in response to NPA treatment. This effect might be correlated with the transcription pattern of cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1.; COX) subunit IV isoforms. In cortical neurons, NPA induced a down-regulation of the COX IV-2/COX IV-1 ratio, whereas an up-regulation was found in striatal neurons. Previously, we have shown that an increased COX IV-2/COX IV-1 ratio is responsible for a higher enzyme activity which is paralleled by elevated intracellular ATP levels at the expense of increased mitochondrial peroxide production. These effects could also be demonstrated in striatal neurons. On the contrary, a decreased COX IV-2/COX IV-1 ratio was observed in cortical neurons which was accompanied by a decrease in intracellular ATP content and no significant changes in mitochondrial peroxide production. We propose that COX isoform IV-2 mediates increased oxidative stress that is, at least in part, responsible for a higher vulnerability of striatal compared with cortical neurons against NPA. This mechanism, in turn, may serve as an explanation for brain region-specific differences in the neuronal susceptibility to toxic conditions.

Cytochrome c oxidase isoform IV‐2 is involved in 3‐nitropropionic acid‐induced toxicity in striatal astrocytes

Astrocyte mitochondria play an important role for energy supply and neuronal survival in the brain. Toxic and degenerative processes are largely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. We, therefore, investigated the effect of 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA), a mitochondrial toxin and in vitro model of Huntington's disease (HD), on mitochondrial function and viability of primary striatal astrocytes. Although NPA is known as an irreversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, we observed an increase of astrocyte ATP levels after NPA treatment. This effect could be explained by NPA-mediated alterations of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV isoform (COX IV) expression. The up-regulation of COX isoform IV-2 caused an increased enzyme activity at the expense of elevated mitochondrial peroxide production causing increased cell death. The application of a small interfering RNA against COX IV-2 revealed the causal implication of COX isoform IV-2 in NPA-mediated elevation of oxidative stress and necrotic cell death. Thus, we propose a novel, additional mechanism of NPA-induced cell stress and death which is based on structural and functional changes of astrocyte COX and which could indirectly impair neuronal survival.

Dopamine and Ethanol Cause Translocation of ϵPKC Associated with ϵRACK: Cross-Talk between cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase A and Protein Kinase C Signaling Pathways

We found previously that neural responses to ethanol and the dopamine D2 receptor (D2) agonist 2,10,11-trihydroxy-N-propylnorapomorphine hydrobromide (NPA) involve both epsilon protein kinase C (epsilonPKC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). However, little is known about the mechanism underlying ethanol- and D2-mediated activation of epsilonPKC and the relationship to PKA activation. In the present study, we used a new epsilonPKC antibody, 14E6, that selectively recognized active epsilonPKC when not bound to its anchoring protein epsilonRACK (receptor for activated C-kinase), and PKC isozyme-selective inhibitors and activators to measure PKC translocation and catalytic activity. We show here that ethanol and NPA activated epsilonPKC and induced translocation of both epsilonPKC and its anchoring protein, epsilonRACK to a new cytosolic site. The selective epsilonPKC agonist, pseudo-epsilonRACK, activated epsilonPKC but did not cause translocation of the epsilonPKC/epsilonRACK complex to the cytosol. These data suggest a step-wise activation and translocation of epsilonPKC after NPA or ethanol treatment, where epsilonPKC first translocates and binds to its RACK and subsequently the epsilonPKC/epsilonRACK complex translocates to a new subcellular site. Direct activation of PKA by adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Sp-isomer (Sp-cAMPS), prostaglandin E1, or the adenosine A2A receptor is sufficient to cause epsilonPKC translocation to the cytosolic compartment in a process that is dependent on PLC activation and requires PKA activity. These data demonstrate a novel cross-talk mechanism between epsilonPKC and PKA signaling systems. PKA and PKC signaling have been implicated in alcohol rewarding properties in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Cross-talk between PKA and PKC may underlie some of the behaviors associated with alcoholism.

Auxin and ethylene interactions control mitotic activity of the quiescent centre, root cap size, and pattern of cap cell differentiation in maize

Root caps (RCs) are the terminal tissues of higher plant roots. In the present study the factors controlling RC size, shape and structure were examined. It was found that this control involves interactions between the RC and an adjacent population of slowly dividing cells, the quiescent centre, QC. Using the polar auxin transport inhibitor 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), the effects of QC activation on RC gene expression and border cell release was characterized. Ethylene was found to regulate RC size and cell differentiation, since its addition, or the inhibition of its synthesis, affected RC development. The stimulation of cell division in the QC following NPA treatment was reversed by ethylene, and quiescence was re-established. Moreover, inhibition of both ethylene synthesis and auxin polar transport triggered a new pattern of cell division in the root epidermis and led to the appearance of supernumerary epidermal cell files with cap-like characteristics. The data suggest that the QC ensures an ordered internal distribution of auxin, and thereby regulates not only the planes of growth and division in both the root apex proper and the RC meristem, but also regulates cell fate in the RC. Ethylene appears to regulate the auxin redistribution system that resides in the RC. Experiments with Arabidopsis roots also reveal that ethylene plays an important role in regulating the auxin sink, and consequently cell fate in the RC.

ROS in root gravitropism: the auxin messengers?

The role of auxins in gravitropism was discovered during early molecular research into phytohormones. Further research led to the conclusion that auxin re-distribution is responsible for the gravitropic response in roots. This auxin effect, first proven in monocots was found later in dicots, including Arabidopsis. In a recent article, Jung-Hee Joo and colleagues 1xRole of auxin-induced reactive oxygen species in root gravitropism. Joo, J.-H. et al. Plant Physiol. 2001; 126: 1055–1060Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (282)See all References1 investigated the role that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have in this process in the monocot Zea mays. Their results strongly suggest that ROS are key mediators of the auxin effect in gravitropism.First, Joo et al. show that ROS are produced following the gravitropic stimulus. When maize roots are placed horizontally to stimulate the gravitropic response, the generation of ROS is detected in the apex. Production of ROS is asymmetric and occurs in the lower cortex. The production of ROS is responsible for the gravitropic response because the gravitropic response is inhibited by treatment with ROS scavengers, such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Second, the application of auxin to roots stimulates ROS production in root cells in planta and in root protoplast cultures. Further indication of a directional cause–effect relationship between auxin–ROS and gravitropism comes from roots treated with N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA, an inhibitor of auxin transport). NPA treatment results in inhibition of gravitropism. Adding H2O2 can reverse the effect of NPA.Joo et al. indicate that ROS might work by activating kinase, but they also take into account that other mediators of the gravitropic response might exist, such as calcium and inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate.The generation of ROS has already been identified in several plant processes, in particular, their involvement in defence responses. Recently, calcium-dependent protein kinases have been reported to be important in plant defence responses. In recent years, we have witnessed the convergence of transduction chains from diverse plant hormones towards common points. A question provoked by Joo et al.'s work is: do other plant hormones apart from auxin have ROS as mediators of their action?

Auxin-growth relationships in maize coleoptiles and pea internodes and control by auxin of the tissue sensitivity to auxin

Growth of a zone of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles and pea (Pisum sativum L.) internodes was greatly suppressed when the organ was decapitated or ringed at an upper position with the auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) mixed with lanolin. The transport of apically applied 3H-labeled indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was similarly inhibited by NPA. The growth suppressed by NPA or decapitation was restored by the IAA mixed with lanolin and applied directly to the zone, and the maximal capacity to respond to IAA did not change after NPA treatment, although it declined slightly after decapitation. The growth rate at IAA saturation was greater than the rate in intact, nontreated plants. It was concluded that growth is limited and controlled by auxin supplied from the apical region. In maize coleoptiles the sensitivity to IAA increased more than 3 times when the auxin level was reduced over a few hours with NPA treatment. This result, together with our previous result that the maximal capacity to respond to IAA declines in pea internodes when the IAA level is enhanced for a few hours, indicates that the IAA concentration-response relationship is subject to relatively slow adaptive regulation by IAA itself. The spontaneous growth recovery observed in decapitated maize coleoptiles was prevented by an NPA ring placed at an upper position of the stump, supporting the view that recovery is due to regenerated auxin-producing activity. The sensitivity increase also appeared to participate in an early recovery phase, causing a growth rate greater than in intact plants.

The PsENOD12 Gene Is Expressed at Two Different Sites in Afghanistan Pea Pseudonodules Induced by Auxin Transport Inhibitors

A number of early nodulin genes are expressed in specific cell types as pea (Pisum sativum) root nodules develop. The Pisum sativum early nodulin PsENOD2 is detected only in the uninfected cells of the nodule parenchyma, whereas PsENOD12 is expressed at two spatially removed sites: in root hairs and adjacent cortical cells, both of which can be invaded by Rhizobium entering through infection threads, and in derivatives of newly divided root inner cortical cells that establish the nodule primordium. We tested whether Rhizobium infection is required for triggering PsENOD12 gene expression by inducing nodule-like structures on Afghanistan pea roots with the auxin transport inhibitor N-(1-naphthyl)phthalamic acid (NPA). These nodule-like structures lack infection threads but resemble Rhizobium-induced nodules in other aspects. For one, both PsENOD2 and PsENOD12 transcripts were detected in these structures. PsENOD2 mRNA was localized by in situ hybridization to a zone equivalent to the nodule parenchyma of Rhizobium-induced nodules, whereas PsENOD12 transcripts were detected in a group of cells comparable to the nodule primordium of developing nodules. In addition, PsENOD12 mRNA was detected in uninfected root hairs 48 h after NPA treatment. These results indicate that infection is not a trigger for PsENOD12 gene expression in Afghanistan pea and rather suggest that the expression of the PsENOD2 and PsENOD12 genes is correlated with the differentiation of specific cell types in the developing nodule.

Compression wood induced by 1-N-Naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), an IAA transport inhibitor

NPA, applied in a 2–3 cm band around the middle protion of 2- or 3-year-old internodes of three vertically-oriented six-year-old Sugi trees (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), brought about abnormal thickening all over the upper segment from the NPA treatment. Xylem tissues above and below the treatment, as well as at the treated area itself, was examined by ordinary light microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained seemed to indicate that the tissue formed after treatment in the upper segment of the stem was true compression wood. In the lower segment of the stem, no abnormal tissue but a small amount of latewood-like tissue was produced after treatment.