Somatostatin receptors in the central nervous system

A group of glutamatergic interneurons expressing high levels of both neurokinin-1 receptors and somatostatin identifies the region of the pre-Bötzinger complex

The pre-Bötzinger complex (pre-BötC) is a physiologically defined group of ventrolateral medullary neurons that plays a central role in respiratory rhythm generation. These cells are located in a portion of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) that is difficult to identify precisely for lack of a specific marker. We sought to determine whether somatostatin (SST) might be a marker for this region. The rat pre-BötC area was defined as a 500-microm-long segment of ventrolateral medulla coextensive with the ventral respiratory group. This region was identified by juxtacellular labeling of neurons with respiratory-related activity and by its location rostral to the phrenic premotor neurons. It contained most of the SST-ir neuronal somata of the RVLM. These cells were small (107 microm(2)) and expressed high levels of preprosomatostatin mRNA. They were strongly neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R)-ir and were selectively destroyed by saporin conjugated with an NK1R agonist (SSP-SAP). Most SST-ir neurons (>90%) contained vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) mRNA, and terminals immunoreactive for SST and VGLUT2 protein were found in their midst. Few SST-ir neurons contained GAD-67 mRNA (<1%) or preproenkephalin mRNA (6%). Retrograde labeling experiments demonstrated that over 75% of the SST-ir neurons project to the contralateral pre-BötC area, but none projects to the spinal cord. In conclusion, the RVLM contains many neurons that express preprosomatostatin mRNA. A subgroup of these cells contains high levels of SST and NK1R immunoreactivity in their somata. These glutamatergic interneurons identify a narrow region of the RVLM that appears to be coextensive with the pre-BötC of adult rats.

Low CSF somatostatin associated with response to nimodipine in patents with affective illness

BACKGROUND

In patients with depression, treatment with nimodipine has been shown to increase cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) somatostatin (SRIF) and ameliorate baseline global cerebral hypometabolism. This study was conducted to assess whether a low baseline level of CSF SRIF was associated with response to nimodipine treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-one depressed patients underwent lumbar puncture for analysis of CSF somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SRIF-LI) during a medication-free period and after at least 6 weeks of nimodipine monotherapy. Twenty-five healthy control subjects were utilized as a comparison group. Clinical improvement was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Bipolar Illness.

RESULTS

As predicted, baseline CSF SRIF-LI was significantly lower in eventual nimodipine responders (33.1 +/- 2.8 pg/mol) compared to eventual nonresponders [41.9 +/- 2.6 pg/mL; t(19) = 1.98, p =.03, one-tailed].

CONCLUSIONS

Low baseline CSF somatostatin in depression may be associated with response to nimodipine, which in turn may be related to the ability of nimodipine to increase CSF somatostatin.

Postsynaptic action mechanism of somatostatin on the membrane excitability in spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons of juvenile rats

We used tight-seal, whole-cell recording in juvenile rat spinal slices to investigate the action of somatostatin on substantia gelatinosa neurons. Bath application of somatostatin caused a robust and repeatable hyperpolarization or outward current in substantia gelatinosa neurons. Somatostatin inhibited spontaneous action potentials in subpopulation of substantia gelatinosa neurons. The amplitude of dorsal root-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents and the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents were not affected by somatostatin. The current induced by somatostatin developed almost instantaneously and did not show any time-dependent inactivation. The current-voltage relationship exhibited inward rectification. The conductance of somatostatin-sensitive current increased with the concentration of external K(+). The reversal potentials in different external K(+) concentrations were close to the K(+) equilibrium potentials. The effect of somatostatin was dose-dependent, with an EC(50) of 113 nM. The somatostatin-sensitive current was blocked by low concentration of extracellular Ba(2+) but not by glibenclamide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels. Hyperpolarization-activated cation current in a subpopulation of substantia gelatinosa neurons was not affected by somatostatin. In neurons recorded with an internal solution containing GTPgammaS, somatostatin induced outward current and hyperpolarization that did not reverse on washing. When the spontaneous induction of outward current with GTPgammaS was greatest, somatostatin did not induce any outward currents. Furthermore, intracellular dialysis of GDPbetaS, a G-protein antagonist, abolished the effect of somatostatin. In addition, SST-sensitive neurons were fewer in slices incubated with pertussis toxin than in adjacent control slices incubated without pertussis toxin. These results suggest that somatostatin decreases the postsynaptic membrane excitability of substantia gelatinosa neurons by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-mediated activation of an inwardly rectifying K(+) conductance.

AMPA-sst2 somatostatin receptor interaction in rat hypothalamus requires activation of NMDA and/or metabotropic glutamate receptors and depends on intracellular calcium

Modulation of glutamatergic transmission by neuropeptides is an essential aspect of neuronal network activity. Activation of the hypothalamic somatostatin sst2 receptor subtype by octreotide decreases AMPA glutamate responses, indicating a central link between a neurohormonal and neuromodulatory peptide and the main hypothalamic fast excitatory neurotransmitter. In mediobasal hypothalamic slices, sst2 activation inhibits the AMPA component of glutamatergic synaptic responses but is ineffective when AMPA currents are pharmacologically isolated. In mediobasal hypothalamic cultures, the decrease of AMPA currents induced by octreotide requires a concomitant activation of sst2 receptors with either NMDA and/or metabotropic glutamate receptors. This modulation depends on changes in intracellular calcium concentration induced by calcium flux through NMDA receptors or calcium release from intracellular stores following metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. These results highlight an unusual regulatory mechanism in which the simultaneous activation of at least three different types of receptor is necessary to allow somatostatin-induced modulation of fast synaptic glutamatergic transmission in the hypothalamus.

Somatostatin immunoreactivity in axon terminals in rat nucleus tractus solitarii arising from central nucleus of amygdala: coexistence with GABA and postsynaptic expression of sst2A receptor

Axon terminals synapsing on neurones in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) that originate from the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) have been shown to contain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity. Here we investigated whether such terminals also contain somatostatin (SOM), a neuropeptide found in axons distributed throughout the NTS and in somata in the CeA, and known to modulate cardiovascular reflexes when microinjected into the NTS. With fluorescence microscopy, SOM immunoreactivity was seen in the varicosities of some axons throughout the NTS that were anterogradely labelled with biotin dextran amine injected into the CeA. Such varicosities were frequently observed in close proximity to dendrites of NTS neurones that were immunoreactive for the SOM receptor sst(2A) subtype, and in many cases also for catecholamine synthesising enzymes. In the caudal, cardioregulatory zone of NTS, SOM immunoreactivity was localised by electron microscopic pre-embedding gold labelling to boutons containing dense-cored and clear pleomorphic vesicles and forming symmetrical synapses, mostly onto dendrites. Additional post-embedding gold labelling for GABA suggested that a subpopulation (29%) of GABAergic terminals sampled in this area of NTS contained SOM. Almost all boutons anterogradely labelled from the amygdala were GABA-immunoreactive (-IR) and 21% of these were SOM-IR. A similar proportion of these boutons (22%) formed synapses onto dendrites containing immunoreactivity for the SOM receptor sst(2A) subtype. These observations provide evidence that some of the GABAergic projection neurones in the CeA that inhibit baroreceptor reflex responses in the NTS in response to fear or emotional stimuli could release SOM, which might modulate the activity of NTS neurones via an action on sst(2A) receptors.

Abeta-degrading endopeptidase, neprilysin, in mouse brain: synaptic and axonal localization inversely correlating with Abeta pathology

Metabolism of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) is closely associated with the pathology and etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since neprilysin is the only rate-limiting catabolic peptidase proven by reverse genetics to participate in Abeta metabolism in vivo, we performed detailed immunohistochemical analysis of neprilysin in mouse brain using neprilysin-deficient mice as a negative control. The aim was to assess, at both the cellular and subcellular levels, where Abeta undergoes neprilysin-dependent degradation in the brain and how neprilysin localization relates to Abeta pathology in amyloid precursor protein (APP)-transgenic mice. In hippocampus, neprilysin was present in the stratum pyramidale and stratum lacunosum-moleculare of the CA1-3 fields and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. Confocal double immunofluorescence analyses revealed the subcellular localization of neprilysin along axons and at synapses. This observation suggests that after synthesis in the soma, neprilysin, a type II membrane-associated protein, is axonally transported to the terminals, where Abeta degradation is likely to take place. Among various cell types, GABAergic and metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor-positive neurons but not catecholaminergic or cholinergic neurons, expressed neprilysin in hippocampus and neocortex, implying the presence of a cell type-specific mechanism that regulates neprilysin gene expression. As expected, Abeta deposition correlated inversely with neprilysin expression in TgCRND8 APP-transgenic mice. These observations not only support the notion that neprilysin functions as a major Abeta-degrading enzyme in the brain but also suggest that down-regulation of neprilysin activity, which may be caused by aging, is likely to elevate local concentrations of Abeta at and around neuronal synapses.

Polygenic expression of somatostatin in the sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus: molecular cloning and distribution of the mRNAs encoding two somatostatin precursors

The sequence of somatostatin-14 (SS1) has been strongly preserved throughout the evolution of vertebrates from agnathans to mammals. In Acipenseridae (sturgeons), two isoforms of somatostatin have been characterized to date: somatostatin-14 has been identified from the gastrointestinal tract of the pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus and [Pro(2)]somatostatin-14 has been identified from the pituitary of the Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedti. In the present study, we report the cloning of two distinct somatostatin cDNAs from the brain of the sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. One of the cDNAs encodes a 116-amino acid protein (PSS1) that contains the SS1 sequence at its C-terminal extremity and, thus, is clearly orthologous to other vertebrate PSS1. The other cDNA encodes a 111-amino acid protein that contains the somatostatin variant [Pro(2)]somatostatin-14 at its C-terminal extremity. This second precursor exhibits more than 67% identity with the recently characterized lungfish PSS2 and goldfish PSS2. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that PSS1 is expressed in the central nervous system, the pancreas and the gut, whereas PSS2 is found in the central nervous system but not in the digestive system. In situ hybridization histochemistry showed that the PSS1 and PSS2 genes are differently expressed in numerous regions of the sturgeon brain. Interestingly, PSS1 and PSS2 mRNAs are present in the hypothalamus suggesting that, in sturgeon, both SS1 and SS2 may play hypophysiotropic functions. The PSS2 mRNA but not the PSS1 mRNA was found in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. The present data demonstrate that two somatostatin genes are expressed in the sturgeon brain: one precursor generates somatostatin-14 and the other one gives rise to a [Pro(2)]somatostatin-14 variant, which is orthologous to goldfish, lungfish, and frog SS2.

Costorage and coexistence of neuropeptides in the mammalian CNS

The term neuropeptides commonly refers to a relatively large number of biologically active molecules that have been localized to discrete cell populations of central and peripheral neurons. I review here the most important histological and functional findings on neuropeptide distribution in the central nervous system (CNS), in relation to their role in the exchange of information between the nerve cells. Under this perspective, peptide costorage (presence of two or more peptides within the same subcellular compartment) and coexistence (concurrent presence of peptides and other messenger molecules within single nerve cells) are discussed in detail. In particular, the subcellular site(s) of storage and sorting mechanisms within neurons are thoroughly examined in the view of the mode of release and action of neuropeptides as neuronal messengers. Moreover, the relationship of neuropeptides and other molecules implicated in neural transmission is discussed in functional terms, also referring to the interactions with novel unconventional transmitters and trophic factors. Finally, a brief account is given on the presence of neuropeptides in glial cells.

Stage-specific control of neuronal migration by somatostatin

Developing neurons transiently express somatostatin and its receptors, but little is known about their function at these early stages. As we thought that endogenous somatostatin might control the migratory behaviour of immature neurons, we have examined the effects of somatostatin in cerebellar granule cells of early postnatal mice, because these cells express all five types of somatostatin receptors before the initiation of their migration. Here we show that somatostatin has opposite and stage-specific effects on the migration of cerebellar granule cells. Activation of somatostatin receptors increases the rate of granule cell migration near their birthplace, but decreases the rate near their final destination. Furthermore, somatostatin enhances the size and frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ fluctuations in the early phase of migration, whereas it eliminates spike-like Ca2+ transients in the late phase. Somatostatin-induced changes at both early and late phases are reversed by a blockade of K+ channel activity. These results indicate that somatostatin may provide an essential cue for accelerating the movement of granule cells in the early phase and for terminating the movement in the late phase through altering intracellular Ca2+ concentrations and K+ channel activity.

The ovine somatostatin receptor subtype 1 (osst1): partial cloning and tissue distribution

The sheep is a valuable model to study GH neuroregulation since its GH secretion pattern is close to that in human. Somatostatin receptor subtype 1 (sst1) appears to be important in central regulation of GH but ovine sst1 (osst1) has not yet been cloned. We report here the cloning of the major part of sst1 in that species. Using human primers from transmembrane domain 2 and 7, we amplified from sheep tissue by RT-PCR a 700 bp fragment. By screening a cDNA sheep library with this fragment, we isolated a 1.4 kb cDNA which contained the major part of the coding cDNA of osst1. The partial predicted protein consists of 347 amino acids exhibiting a putative seven transmembrane domain topology typical of G protein-coupled receptors. Nucleotide sequence comparisons with that of other species showed that osst1 displays 88% homology with human sst1, 84% with rat sst1 and 87% with mouse sst1. Southern blot analysis of ovine cortex DNA demonstrated that osst1 is encoded by a single gene. Northern blot studies evidenced a 3.9 kb transcript highly expressed in the cortex and the hippocampus. This transcript was also present in hypothalamus, striatum, cerebellum, olfactory bulb, spinal cord, brain stem, the lung, kidney, liver, adrenal glands and at a low level in the pituitary gland. No signal was noticeable in the pineal gland. The sequence homology, the tissue distribution, the length of the transcript link this cDNA to the somatostatin receptor family and particularly to sst1.

Receptor nomenclature guidelines

Receptors are typically characterized via two distinct approaches: (1) the identification and pharmacological characterization of a receptor-mediated response using classical pharmacological and/or radioligand approaches in tissues and animal models using selective agonist and antagonist ligands, and; (2) the cloning and expression of proteins with structural homology to known receptors, the function of which is subsequently established by studying the structure activity relationship (SAR) of receptor-mediated responses. An additional means to characterize receptors proceeded, and evolved, with the structural approach, namely classification in terms of signal transduction mechanisms. The International Union of Pharmacology (IUPHAR) created guidelines and selected working groups for each receptor family to establish a common nomenclature system. Reports from those groups that have reached some degree of consensus have been summarized in this appendix.

Somatostatin receptor subtype 1 (sst(1)) regulates intracellular 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation in rat embryonic cortical neurons: evidence with L-797,591, an sst(1)-subtype-selective nonpeptidyl agonist

Somatostatin (SRIF) initiates its biological activities by interacting with five homologous G-protein-coupled receptor subtypes (sst(1--5)). In the mammalian nervous system, sst(1--5) receptor mRNA expression patterns have been localized by in situ hybridization studies, or at the protein level with receptor-specific antibodies. Cortical responses to SRIF have been demonstrated, although a functional relationship between an SRIF effect and an individual receptor subtype is lacking. The recent development of novel, subtype-selective SRIF receptor ligands now provides a means to correlate receptor subtype expression patterns with the corresponding biological function. In cultured monolayers of E17-18 rat embryonic cortical neurons, 10(-7) M SRIF-28 inhibited 10(-6) M forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation by 37%, a level of inhibition that was mimicked by L-797,591, a potent sst(1)-selective agonist. SRIF-14 or L-797,591 inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in a concentration-dependent fashion, with EC(50)s (effective concentration for 50% maximal response) of 8.0 x 10(-10) M and 7.0 x 10(-10) M, respectively. No similar concentration-dependent effect on forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels was observed with sst(2)-, sst(3)- or sst(4)-selective agonists. Furthermore, both SRIF-14 and L-797,591 inhibited 10(-7) M CRH-induced cAMP in the embryonic neurons. These results are the first evidence demonstrating that sst(1) regulates intracellular cAMP levels in embryonic neurons and may inhibit CRH-mediated effects in the embryonic cortex.

Ligand internalization and recycling by human recombinant somatostatin type 4 (h sst(4)) receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells

There is controversy as to whether somatostatin sst(4) receptors internalize. In this study, CHO-K1 cells expressing human sst(4) receptor (CHOsst(4) cells) cells internalized [(125)I]-[(11)Tyr]-SRIF in a time-dependent manner, reaching a steady state at 60 min (1.4+/-0.1x10(4) molecules internalized per cell). Internalization was blocked by hypertonic sucrose (0.5 M), ATP depletion or by decreasing the temperature to 4 degrees C. Internalization of [(125)I]-[(11)Tyr]-SRIF was also inhibited (pIC(50) values) by increasing concentrations of SRIF (7.74), L-362855 (6.27) and NNC-296100 (6.50) with pIC(50) values approximately 10 fold lower than those obtained for inhibition of [(125)I]-[(11)Tyr]-SRIF binding to membrane homogenates. Internalized ligand recycled rapidly to the extracellular media (t(1/2) 3.9+/-0.7 min) with only 6.8+/-0.6% of internalized radioactivity remaining in the cell after 45 min. Confocal microscopy of permeabilized, HA-epitope tagged CHOsst(4) cells labelled with a Cy-3 conjugated antibody revealed little internal immunostaining after SRIF (1 microM) treatment, consistent with the small proportion of receptors (3.5%) estimated to be internalized by radioimmunoassay. In summary, CHOsst(4) cells internalized [(125)I]-[(11)Tyr]-SRIF in a clathrin- and ATP-dependent manner with subsequent rapid recycling to the extracellular medium. Rapid receptor recycling and the consequent low proportion of receptors internalized at any one time may explain the inability to visualize internalized receptors by confocal microscopy. It seems unlikely therefore that the marked receptor desensitization observed in CHOsst(4) cells following SRIF treatment can be accounted for by a decrease in cell surface receptor expression.

Localization of somatostatin receptors at the light and electron microscopial level by using antibodies raised against fusion proteins

Somatostatin mediates its multiple biological effects via specific plasma membrane receptors belonging to the family of G-protein coupled receptors with seven putative membrane-spanning domains. Five somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst1-sst5) have been cloned in human, mouse, and rat. We have raised specific antibodies against the five human somatostatin receptors by using the fusion protein technique. DNA sequences encoding C-terminal parts of the somatostatin receptors were inserted into a pGEX-2T plasmid vector. E. coli bacteria were transformed with the recombinant plasmid and fusion proteins were expressed and purified using the glutathione S-transferase Gene Fusion System. The fusion proteins were emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant and polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits. The antisera were tested for specificity in Western blot analysis of membrane preparations from cell lines expressing the receptors and in membrane preparations of brain tissues. The receptors were visualized at the light microscopical level in paraformaldehyde fixed tissue sections by use of biotin labelled secondary antibodies as well as by amplification with biotinylated tyramide. The final step in the immunohistochemical visualization of the receptors was done by both peroxidase labelled streptavidin/biotin and different fluorophores. At the electron microscopical level, some of the receptors could be visualized in tissues fixed with a combination of paraformaldehyde and low concentrations of glutaraldehyde. In the hamster brain, sst2 receptors labelling was observed in both neuronal processes and perikarya. The staining was present in neo-, and allocortical areas of the forebrain, the hypothalamus, brain stem, and spinal cord. In the rat and human, sst1 receptor was shown to be an auto receptor on somatostatinergic neurons located in the hypothalamus. In the retina both sst1 and sst2 receptors were present. sst1 receptors were confined to amacrine cells, few ganglionic cells, and Müller cell-end feet. sst2 receptors were more widespread than the sst1 receptors. sst2-immunoreactivity was present in dopaminergic amacrine cells, the Müller cell-end feet, and in the inner segments of the cone photoreceptors. Thus, the availability of subtype specific antibodies against the five somatostatin receptors makes it possible to identify the receptors involved in the multiple somatostatinergic system in the body.

Cellular biology of somatostatin receptors

Somatostatin, and the recently discovered neuropeptide cortistatin, exert their physiological actions via a family of six G protein-coupled receptors (sst1, sst2A, sst2B, sst3, sst4, sst5). Following the cloning of somatostatin receptors significant advances have been made in our understanding of their molecular, pharmacological and signaling properties although much progress remains to be done to define their physiological role in vivo. In this review, the present knowledge regarding neuroanatomical localization, signal transduction pathways, desensitization and internalization properties of somatostatin receptors is summarized. Evidence that somatostatin receptors can form homo- and heterodimers and can physically interact with members of the SSTRIP/Shank/ProSAP1/CortBP1 family is also discussed.

First localisation of somatostatin sst(4) receptor protein in selected human brain areas: an immunohistochemical study

Somatostatin is known to have diverse neurophysiological effects in the mammalian CNS. To date, genes for five different receptors, termed sst(1-5), have been isolated. Recently several reports have been published on the localisation of the individual receptor protein in the rat CNS, but their localisation in the human CNS remains largely unknown. Until now little information about the function of the sst(4) receptor is available, and there is a lack of receptor specific agonists and antagonists. Here, we report for the first time the immunohistochemical localisation of the sst(4) receptor in selected human brain areas using an anti-peptide antibody raised against a carboxy-terminal portion of the receptor protein. Strong receptor immunoreactivity was found in several brain regions, including the hippocampal formation, the cerebellar cortex and the medulla. Further immunohistochemical labelling was observed in the cerebral cortex, the red nucleus and the globus pallidus. Somatodendritic as well as axonal staining was observed. Specific signals were entirely absent following antibody pre-adsorption with the synthetic peptide. The results are in good agreement with the previously published immunohistochemical localisation of the sst(4) receptor in the rat brain. This is the first immunohistochemical study of the localisation of the sst(4) receptor in the human brain, and implicates this receptor in the function of higher centres of the human nervous system.

Cortistatin: a member of the somatostatin neuropeptide family with distinct physiological functions

Cortistatin is a recently discovered neuropeptide relative of somatostatin named after its predominantly cortical expression and ability to depress cortical activity. Cortistatin-14 shares 11 of the 14 amino acids of somatostatin-14 yet their nucleotide sequences and chromosomal localization clearly indicate they are products of separate genes. Now cloned from human, mouse and rat sources, cortistatin is known to bind all five cloned somatostatin receptors and share many pharmacological and functional properties with somatostatin including the depression of neuronal activity. However, cortistatin also has many properties distinct from somatostatin including induction of slow-wave sleep, apparently by antagonism of the excitatory effects of acetylcholine on the cortex, reduction of locomotor activity, and activation of cation selective currents not responsive to somatostatin. Expression of mRNA encoding cortistatin follows a circadian rhythm and is upregulated on deprivation of sleep, suggesting cortistatin is a sleep modulatory factor. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of cortistatin, examines the similarities and differences between cortistatin and somatostatin, and asks the question: does cortistatin bind to a cortistatin-specific receptor?

Somatostatin inhibits GABAergic transmission in the sensory thalamus via presynaptic receptors

The action of somatostatin on GABA-mediated transmission was investigated in cat and rat thalamocortical neurons of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and ventrobasal thalamus in vitro. In the cat thalamus, somatostatin (10 microM) had no effect on the passive membrane properties of thalamocortical neurons and on the postsynaptic response elicited in these cells by bath or iontophoretic application of (+/-)baclofen (5-10 microM) or GABA, respectively. However, somatostatin (1-10 microM) decreased by a similar amount (45-55%) the amplitude of electrically evoked GABA(A) and GABA(B) inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in 71 and 50% of neurons in the lateral geniculate and ventrobasal nucleus, respectively. In addition, the neuropeptide abolished spontaneous bursts of GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in 85% of kitten lateral geniculate neurons, and decreased (40%) the amplitude of single spontaneous GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in 87% of neurons in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus. Similar results were obtained in the rat thalamus. Somatostatin (10 microM) had no effect on the passive membrane properties of thalamocortical neurons in this species, or on the outward current elicited by puff-application of (+/-)baclofen (5-10 microM). However, in 57 and 22% of neurons in the rat lateral geniculate and ventrobasal nuclei, respectively, somatostatin (1 microM) reduced the frequency, but not the amplitude, of miniature GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic currents by 31 and 37%, respectively. In addition, the neuropeptide (1 microM) decreased the amplitude of evoked GABA(A) inhibitory postsynaptic currents in 20 and 55% of rat ventrobasal neurons recorded in normal conditions and during enhanced excitability, respectively: this effect was stronger on bursts of inhibitory postsynaptic currents(100% decrease) than on single inhibitory postsynaptic currents (41% decrease). These results demonstrate that in the sensory thalamus somatostatin inhibits GABA(A)- and GABA(B)-mediated transmission via a presynaptic mechanism, and its action is more prominent on bursts of GABAergic synaptic currents/potentials.

Immunohistochemical localization of the somatostatin sst(4) receptor in rat brain

The biological actions of the neuromodulator somatostatin are mediated through a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, of which five members, sst(1-5), have been identified. Although the messenger RNA distribution of the sst(4) receptor has been reported, no information about the distribution of the receptor protein in the central nervous system is available. We have therefore raised a polyclonal peptide antibody against a rat carboxy-terminal sst(4) peptide. The selectivity of the affinity-purified antibody was demonstrated by western blotting of membrane proteins isolated from Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells expressing the recombinant sst(4) receptor and from the rat hippocampus. This resulted in both cases in the identification of a single band of approximately 42,000 mol. wt. Furthermore, the sst(4) receptor antibody selectively labelled Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells expressing the recombinant sst(4) receptor in immunocytochemistry. No cross-reactivity was observed with other recombinant somatostatin receptors. Immunohistochemistry on adult rat brain sections showed the sst(4) receptor to have a widespread distribution. This included labelling of cell bodies as well as processes in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and several nuclei in the brainstem. All signals were absent following antibody preabsorption with the synthetic sst(4) peptide. This study provides the first detailed analysis of the distribution of sst(4) receptor protein in the rat brain.

Octreotide-induced drinking, vasopressin, and pressure responses: role of central angiotensin and ACh

The involvement of central angiotensinergic and cholinergic mechanisms in the effects of the intracerebroventricularly injected somatostatin analog octreotide (Oct) on drinking, blood pressure, and vasopressin secretion in the rat was investigated. Intracerebroventricular Oct elicited prompt drinking lasting for 10 min. Water consumption depended on the dose of Oct (0.01, 0.1, and 0. 4 microgram). The drinking response to Oct was inhibited by pretreatments with the intracerebroventricularly injected angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, the AT(1)/AT(2) angiotensin receptor antagonist saralasin, the selective AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan, or the muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist atropine. The dipsogenic effect of Oct was not altered by prior subcutaneous injection of naloxone. Oct stimulated vasopressin secretion and enhanced blood pressure. These responses were also blocked by pretreatments with captopril or atropine. Previous reports indicate that the central angiotensinergic and cholinergic mechanisms stimulate drinking and vasopressin secretion independently. We suggest that somatostatin acting on sst2 or sst5 receptors modulates central angiotensinergic and cholinergic mechanisms involved in the regulation of fluid balance.

Advances in understanding neuronal somatostatin receptors

It has long been considered that somatostatin acts as a neuromodulator in the mammalian central nervous system but its precise physiological roles remain elusive. Early studies to identify somatostatin-binding sites revealed a widespread heterogeneous pattern, especially in the CNS. More recently, a family of somatostatin receptors have been identified, of which five genes (sst(1-5)) have been cloned. In this review, we discuss current data describing the localisation of the five receptor types. Recent progress in understanding their function has been made using high-affinity, selective receptor ligands and transgenic animal technology. Finally, the therapeutic potential for somatostatin receptor-selective compounds as analgesics is considered.

Selective somatostatin sst(2) receptor blockade with the novel cyclic octapeptide, CYN-154806

The cyclic octapeptide, CYN-154806, inhibited specific [(125)I]-[Tyr(11)]-SRIF binding to CHO-K1 cell membranes expressing human recombinant somatostatin (SRIF) sst(2) receptors (pIC(50) 8. 58) or rat sst(2(a)) and rat sst(2(b)) receptors (pIC(50) 8.35 and 8. 10, respectively). The affinity of CYN-154806 at other human somatostatin receptor types was at least 100 times lower (pIC(50) 5. 41-6.48). In functional studies, CYN-154806 inhibited SRIF-induced increases in extracellular acidification (EAR) in CHO-K1 cells expressing h sst(2) receptors (pK(B) 7.92) but had no effect on UTP-induced increases in EAR. CYN-154806 also blocked SRIF-induced increases [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding in CHO-K1 cell membranes expressing h sst(2) receptors as well as rat sst(2(a)) and rat sst(2(b)) receptors (pK(B) 7.81, 7.68 and 7.96, respectively). In marked contrast, no blockade was observed at h sst(5) receptors in concentrations as high 10 microM. The antagonistic activity of CYN-154806 was also studied in isolated tissue preparations that are known to express endogenous SRIF receptors. Thus CYN-154806 blocked SRIF, but not DAMGO-induced inhibition of neurogenic contractions in rat isolated vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum (pK(B) 7.79 and 7.49, respectively). CYN-154806 had no effect on SRIF-28 induced inhibition of neurogenic contractions in guinea-pig vas deferens. The results demonstrate that CYN-154806 is a highly potent specific and selective SRIF sst(2) receptor blocking drug. Furthermore, sst(2) receptors mediate SRIF-induced inhibition of neurogenic contractions in rat vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum but not guinea-pig vas deferens which is thought to be mediated by sst(5) receptors.

Characterisation of somatostatin sst2 receptor splice variants

Somatostatin is a peptide with a multitude of functions in the central nervous system and the periphery. It mediates its actions by binding to high-affinity G-protein coupled receptors, genes for five of which (sst1-sst5) have recently been cloned. The somatostatin sst2 receptor exists as two splice variants, sst2(a) and sst2(b) receptors, which differ in length and composition of their intracellular carboxy-termini. In this review, we describe the localisation of the two receptor isoforms in the central nervous system, the periphery and also in tumour tissue. Furthermore, we summarise and discuss the data on the functional properties of the recombinant splice variants that have been generated so far, which include activation of extracellular acidification rates, inhibition of adenylate cyclase and activation of MAP-kinases as well as the transcription factor Elk-1.

Ventral subiculum administration of the somatostatin receptor agonist MK-678 increases dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens

Somatostatin (or somatotropin-release inhibitory factor, SRIF) binding and in situ hybridisation studies have indicated a high expression of receptor subtypes throughout the rat brain and, in particular, in subregions of the hippocampus and subiculum. In vitro, somatostatin and related peptides, including seglitide (MK-678), hyperpolarize subicular neurones of the burst firing type-a response, which may have functional consequences for their output. One major projection from the subiculum is to the nucleus accumbens. The functional consequence of somatostatin receptor stimulation in the ventral subiculum has been assessed by measuring extracellular levels of dopamine in the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens. In anaesthetised rats, administration of seglitide (MK-678), a somatostatin analogue with selectivity for the SRIF-1 receptor (comprising somatostatin sst2, sst3 and sst5 subtypes) significantly increased extracellular levels of dopamine in the ipsilateral nucleus accumbens shell. The result suggests that hyperpolarization of subicular neurones by MK-678 may lead to activation of the subiculo-accumbens projection system, and an associated increase in dopaminergic function.

Somatostatin-induced control of cytosolic free calcium in pituitary tumour cells

1. In rat pituitary tumour cells (GC cells), spontaneous oscillations of the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) induce growth hormone (GH) secretion that is inhibited by octreotide, a somatostatin (SRIF) agonist which binds to SRIF subtype (sst) receptor 2. The effects of its functional activation on the control of [Ca2+]i were investigated using fluorimetric measurements of [Ca2+]i. 2. SRIF decreases the basal [Ca2+]i and the [Ca2+]i rise in response to forskolin (FSK) through the inhibition of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. 3. Pretreatment with octreotide or with L-Tyr8++ Cyanamid 154806, a sst2 receptor antagonist, abolishes the SRIF-induced inhibition of [Ca2+]i. Octreotide is known to operate through agonist-induced desensitization, while the antagonist operates through receptor blockade. 4. sst1 and sst2 receptor-immunoreactivities (-IRs) are localized to cell membranes. sst2, but not sst1 receptor-IR, internalizes after cell exposure to octreotide. 5. SRIF-induced inhibition of basal [Ca2+]i or FSK-induced Ca2+ entry is blocked by pertussis toxin (PTX). 6. FSK-induced cyclic AMP accumulation is only partially decreased by SRIF or octreotide, indicating that sst2 receptors are coupled to intracellular pathways other than adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibition. 7. In the presence of H-89, an inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), SRIF-induced inhibition of basal [Ca2+]i is still present, although reduced in amplitude. 8. SRIF inhibits [Ca2+]i by activating sst2 receptors. Inhibition of AC activity is only partly responsible for this effect, and other transduction pathways may be involved.

Stimulatory role of prolactin on the development of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurones in prepubertal female rats: studies with cysteamine and somatostatin

Cysteamine, a potent depletor of prolactin and somatostatin, was used to determine the role of prolactin and somatostatin in the control of central dopamine neurones in prepubertal rats. Cysteamine (100 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) was injected for 7, 14 or 21 days in 28-day-old Sprague-Dawley female rats in one study and for 3 days in 35-day-old rats in another. In control rats, the 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in the median eminence increased threefold from day 35 to day 49, and serum prolactin concentration increased about 50%. Cysteamine lowered serum prolactin concentrations to 20%, and median eminence DOPAC and dopamine levels to 32-50% of control levels in both studies. The DOPAC levels in the nucleus accumbens and striatum were also lowered, while both DOPAC and dopamine in the paraventricular nucleus and periventricular nucleus (A14) were increased by cysteamine. A single injection of rat prolactin (0.01, 0.1 or 1 mg/kg) significantly increased DOPAC or DOPA levels in the median eminence, nucleus accumbens and striatum, but not in the paraventricular nucleus or A14 at 14 h later in 28-day old female rats or in 40-day-old rats pretreated with cysteamine. In contrast, central injection of somatostatin dose (0.001-1 microg/rat) and time (30-90 min) dependently decreased the DOPAC levels in the median eminence, paraventricular nucleus and A14 and increased those in the nucleus accumbens and striatum of adult female rats. These results indicate that serum prolactin is important for the maturation and maintenance of dopamine systems in the median eminence, nucleus accumbens and striatum, while somatostatin exhibits inhibitory and stimulatory effects on hypothalamic and midbrain dopamine systems, respectively.

Central administration of the somatostatin analog octreotide induces captopril-insensitive sleep responses

The effects of intracerebroventricular injections of the long-lasting somatostatin analog octreotide (Oct) were studied on sleep and behavior in rats. Pyrogen-free physiological saline and Oct (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 microgram) or vehicle were administered at light onset, and the electroencephalogram (EEG), motor activity, and cortical brain temperature were recorded during the 12-h light period. Plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations were measured in samples taken at 30-min intervals after Oct. Oct (0.01 and 0.1 microgram) suppressed non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) for 1-2 h. NREMS intensity (delta EEG activity during NREMS) dose dependently increased in hour 3 postinjection and thereafter (0.1 microgram). Plasma GH concentrations were suppressed after Oct (0.01 and 0.1 microgram), but pulses of GH secretions occurred 90-120 min postinjection in each rat. Oct (0.1 microgram) enhanced behavioral activity, including prompt drinking followed by grooming, scratching, and feeding. Intracerebroventricular injection of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (30 microgram, 10 min before Oct), blocked these behavioral responses but not the Oct-induced sleep alterations. The changes in sleep after intracerebroventricular Oct suggest an intracerebral action site and might result from Oct-induced variations in the sleep-promoting activity of GH-releasing hormone.

Evidence that somatostatin sst2 receptors mediate striatal dopamine release

1 Somatostatin (SRIF) is a cyclic tetradecapeptide present in medium-sized aspiny interneurones in the rat striatum. We have previously shown that exogenous SRIF potently stimulates striatal dopamine (DA) release via a glutamate-dependent mechanism. We now report the ability of the selective sst2 receptor agonist, BIM-23027, to mimic this effect of SRIF. 2 In vivo microdialysis studies were performed in anaesthetized male Wistar rats. In most experiments, compounds were administered by retrodialysis into the striatum for 15 min periods, 90 min and 225 min after sampling commenced, with levels of neurotransmitters being measured by HPLC with electrochemical and fluorescence detection. 3 BIM-23027 (50 and 100 nM) stimulated DA release with extracellular levels increasing by up to 18 fold. 4 Prior retrodialysis of BIM-23027 (50 nM) abolished the effects of subsequent administration of SRIF (100 nM). 5 The agonist effects of both BIM-23027 and SRIF were abolished by the selective sst2 receptor antagonist, L-Tyr8-CYN-154806 (100 nM). 6 The AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, DNQX (100 microM), abolished the agonist effects of BIM-23027 as previously shown for SRIF. 7 This study provides evidence that the sst2 receptor mediates the potent dopamine-releasing actions observed with SRIF in the rat striatum. Dopamine release evoked by both peptides appears to be mediated indirectly via a glutamatergic pathway. Other subtype-specific somatostatin receptor ligands were unable to elicit any effects and therefore we conclude that no other somatostatin receptor types are involved in mediating the dopamine-releasing actions of SRIF in the striatum.

Brain somatostatin: a candidate inhibitory role in seizures and epileptogenesis

Recent evidence shows that neuropeptide expression in the CNS is markedly affected by seizure activity, particularly in the limbic system. Changes in neuropeptides in specific neuronal populations depend on the type and intensity of seizures and on their chronic sequelae (i.e. neurodegeneration and spontaneous convulsions). This paper reviews the effects of seizures on somatostatin-containing neurons, somatostatin mRNA and immunoreactivity, the release of this peptide and its receptor subtypes in the CNS. Differences between kindling and status epilepticus in rats are emphasized and discussed in the light of an inhibitory role of somatostatin on hippocampal excitability. Pharmacological studies show that somatostatin affects electrophysiological properties of neurons, modulates classical neurotransmission and has anticonvulsant properties in experimental models of seizures. This peptidergic system may be an interesting target for pharmacological attempts to control pathological hyperactivity in neurons, thus providing new directions for the development of novel anticonvulsant treatments.

Nonpeptidyl somatostatin agonists demonstrate that sst2 and sst5 inhibit stimulated growth hormone secretion from rat anterior pituitary cells

Somatostatin (SST) regulates growth hormone (GH) secretion from pituitary somatotrophs by interacting with members of the SST family of G-protein-coupled receptors (sst1-5). We have used potent, nonpeptidyl SST agonists with sst2 and sst5 selectivity to determine whether these receptor subtypes are involved in regulating growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulated secretion. GHRH stimulated GH release from pituitary cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this secretion was inhibited by Tyr(11)-SST-14, a nonselective SST analog. A sst2 selective agonist, L-779,976, potently inhibited GHRH-stimulated GH release. In addition, L-817, 818, a potent sst5 receptor selective agonist, also inhibited GH secretion, but was approximately 10-fold less potent (P < 0.01, ANOVA) in inhibiting GH release than either Tyr(11)-SST-14 or L-779, 976. These results show that both sst2 and sst5 receptor subtypes regulate GHRH-stimulated GH release from rat pituitary cells.

The pivotal role of phosphoinositide-3 kinase in the human somatostatin sst(4) receptor-mediated stimulation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular acidification

We have previously demonstrated in CHO-K1 cells expressing recombinant human sst(4) receptors that somatostatin-induced increases in extracellular acidification are susceptible to a marked desensitisation after pretreatment with somatostatin, but not the somatostatin analogue, L-362855. In the present study, we have examined the human sst(4) receptor-mediated stimulation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase to determine whether this response is susceptible to a similar agonist-specific desensitisation. Western analysis using phosphospecific antibodies revealed that both somatostatin and L-362855 induced a transient stimulation of MAP kinase which could be desensitised by pretreatment with somatostatin, but not L-362855. The selective phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor, LY 249002, blocked both the somatostatin-induced increase in MAP kinase phosphorylation and extracellular acidification. However, the MEK1 inhibitor, PD 98059, blocked only the sst(4) receptor-mediated stimulation of MAP kinase and not the extracellular acidification response. In summary, the human sst(4) receptor is selectively desensitised by somatostatin and not by L-362855 and signals through two different PI 3-kinase linked pathways.

Molecular cloning and pharmacological characterization of a somatostatin receptor subtype in the gymnotiform fish Apteronotus albifrons

The actions of the various forms of somatostatin (SRIF), including those of the tetradecapeptide SRIF(14), are mediated by specific receptors. In mammals, five subtypes of SRIF receptors, termed sst(1-5), have been cloned. Using a combination of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and genomic library screening in the gymnotiform fish Apteronotus albifrons, a gene encoding the first-known nonmammalian SRIF receptor has been isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence displays 59% identity with the human sst(3) receptor protein; hence, the gene is termed "Apteronotus sst(3)." The predicted protein consists of 494 amino acid residues exhibiting a putative seven-transmembrane domain topology typical of G protein-coupled receptors. A signal corresponding to the Apteronotus sst(3) receptor was detected in brain after amplification of poly(A)(+)-RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, but not by Northern blot analysis or in situ hybridization, suggesting a low level of expression. Membranes prepared from CCL39 cells stably expressing the Apteronotus sst(3) receptor gene bound [(125)I][Leu(8),d-Trp(22), (125) I-Tyr(25)]SRIF(28) with high affinity and in a saturable manner (B(max) = 4470 fmol/mg protein; pK(D) = 10.5). SRIF(14) and various synthetic SRIF receptor agonists produced a dose-dependent inhibition of radioligand binding, with the following rank order of potency: SRIF(14) approximately SRIF(28) > BIM 23052 > octreotide > BIM 23056. Under low stringency conditions, an Apteronotus sst(3) probe hybridized to multiple DNA fragments in HindIII or EcoRI digests of A. albifrons DNA, indicating that the Apteronotus sst(3) receptor is a member of a larger family of Apteronotus SRIF receptors.

Visualisation of somatostatin receptor sst(3) in the rat central nervous system

Somatostatin actions are mediated through G-protein coupled receptors named sst(1) to sst(5). We used an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody AS-69, directed against a specific N-terminal peptide sequence of sst(3) to determine the immunohistochemical distribution of the sst(3) receptor in the rat and human brain. The specificity of the antibody was shown by Western blotting experiments using an N-terminal sst(3) fusion protein. Enzymatic deglycosylation experiments were combined to blotting experiments on a sst(3)-transfected cell line and rat brain membrane proteins and with immunocytochemistry on the sst(3)-transfected cell line. These studies showed that the antibody detected the deglycosylated sst(3) receptor protein. Immunohistochemical staining showed that sst(3) immunoreactivity recognised by this N-terminal antiserum was widely distributed throughout the brain with cells and processes labelled in the cerebral cortex, regions of the limbic system (including the hippocampal formation, some amygdaloid regions, some basal ganglia nuclei and regions from the nucleus basalis complex), the habenula, the hypothalamus, the thalamus, different mesencephalic structures (substantia nigra, zona incerta, superior colliculus), the reticular formation, the cerebellum. The distribution of immunoreactivity was in good general agreement with that predicted from the localisation of sst(3) mRNA and radio-ligand binding studies; however, due to the preference of AS-69 towards the deglycosylated receptor, it appears that the sst(3) immunoreactivity detected may correspond largely to the deglycosylated receptor. This study on the immunohistochemical distribution of the sst(3) receptor in the brain may provide a better understanding of the central actions of somatotropin release-inhibiting factor (SRIF).

Two related G protein-coupled receptors: the distribution of GPR7 in rat brain and the absence of GPR8 in rodents

GPR7 and GPR8, orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) genes, expressed in the brain and periphery share highest sequence identity to each other and significant similarity with opioid and somatostatin receptors. To further our knowledge of GPR7's physiological function, we performed in situ hybridization analyses of rat brain to reveal specific patterns of expression in the brain. GPR7 mRNA was found to be discretely localized in areas of the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus and cortex. We previously reported that GPR7 was highly conserved in both human and rodent orthologs while GPR8 was not found in the rodent [9]. We speculated that GPR8 originated after the divergence of the human and rodent. Using primers designed from human GPR8, we isolated lemur GPR8 and subsequently aligned human, monkey, and lemur GPR8 orthologs to design primers recognizing highly conserved regions of GPR8. Using these primers, orthologs of GPR7 and GPR8 were isolated by the PCR from rabbit, tree shrew, and flying lemur, as well as GPR7 in the rat. Subsequent analysis of the clones obtained demonstrated that both GPR7 and GPR8 sequences were highly conserved amongst the species studied, but a rodent GPR8 was not isolated. The absence of a GPR8 gene in the rodent suggests that GPR8 originated from gene duplication of GPR7 after the rodent line diverged from the rabbit, tree shrew, flying lemur, lemur, monkey and human lines. In addition, the taxonomic distribution of GPR8 is consistent with molecular studies grouping rabbits with primates, tree shrews and flying lemurs rather than with rodents.

Structural and compositional determinants of cortistatin activity

Cortistatin-14 (CST-14) is a putative novel neuropeptide that shares 11 of its 14 residues with somatostatin-14 (SRIF-14), yet its effects on sleep physiology, locomotor behavior and hippocampal function are different from those of somatostatin. We studied the structural basis for cortistatin's distinct biological activities. As with SRIF-14, CST-14 does not show any preferred conformation in solution, as determined by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance. Synthetic cortistatin analogs were designed and synthesized based on the cyclic structure of octreotide. Biological assays were carried out to determine their binding affinities to five somatostatin receptors (sstl-5) and their ability to produce changes in locomotor activity and to modulate hippocampal physiology and sleep. The results show that the compound with N-terminal proline and C-terminal lysine amide exhibits cortistatin-like biological activities, including reduction of population spike amplitudes in the hippocampal CA1 region, decrease in locomotor activity and enhancement of slow-wave sleep 2. These findings suggest that both proline and lysine are necessary for cortistatin binding to its specific receptor.

Transient expression of somatostatin sst2 receptors in rat cerebellar nuclei during development

Adult rat cerebellar nuclei contain a single population of [125I][Leu8,D-Trp22,Tyr25]somatostatin-28 binding sites characterized as sst1 receptors. In the present study, we have investigated the evolution of somatostatin receptors in rat cerebellar nuclei during development by means of quantitative autoradiography on tissue sections. The binding of [125I][Leu8,D-Trp22,Tyr25]somatostatin-28, observed in the primordium of the medial cerebellar nuclei at embryonic day 17, reached a maximum at postnatal day 7 or 10 in the different nuclei. Thereafter, the density of binding sites gradually decreased to the adult level. Competition studies were performed using the somatostatin analogues CH-288 and MK-678 as specific sst1 and sst2 ligands, respectively. Partial inhibition of the radioligand binding by CH-288 and MK-678 revealed the presence of a predominant population of sst1 from embryonic day 19-28 day postnatal and a minor population of sst2 receptors. The use of [125I]MK-678 as a radioligand confirmed the presence of a transient population of sst2 receptors, suggesting that somatostatin could act on rat cerebellar nuclei via sst1 and/or sst2 receptors during development.

Neuroendocrine control of growth hormone secretion

The secretion of growth hormone (GH) is regulated through a complex neuroendocrine control system, especially by the functional interplay of two hypothalamic hypophysiotropic hormones, GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SS), exerting stimulatory and inhibitory influences, respectively, on the somatotrope. The two hypothalamic neurohormones are subject to modulation by a host of neurotransmitters, especially the noradrenergic and cholinergic ones and other hypothalamic neuropeptides, and are the final mediators of metabolic, endocrine, neural, and immune influences for the secretion of GH. Since the identification of the GHRH peptide, recombinant DNA procedures have been used to characterize the corresponding cDNA and to clone GHRH receptor isoforms in rodent and human pituitaries. Parallel to research into the effects of SS and its analogs on endocrine and exocrine secretions, investigations into their mechanism of action have led to the discovery of five separate SS receptor genes encoding a family of G protein-coupled SS receptors, which are widely expressed in the pituitary, brain, and the periphery, and to the synthesis of analogs with subtype specificity. Better understanding of the function of GHRH, SS, and their receptors and, hence, of neural regulation of GH secretion in health and disease has been achieved with the discovery of a new class of fairly specific, orally active, small peptides and their congeners, the GH-releasing peptides, acting on specific, ubiquitous seven-transmembrane domain receptors, whose natural ligands are not yet known.

Immunohistochemical localization of the somatostatin sst2(b) receptor splice variant in the rat central nervous system

Somatostatin is a neuromodulator in the mammalian CNS. To date, genes for at least five different somatotrophin release inhibiting factor receptors, termed sst1-sst5, have been cloned. The rat sst2 receptor exists in two splice variants, sst(alpha)a) and sst2(b), which differ in their carboxy-termini. When heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells, these splice variants show little difference in their operational characteristics. Recently, the distribution of the sst2(a) receptor was documented, yet at present no data are available about the distribution of the sst2(b) receptor in the CNS. Here, we present the characterization of a novel polyclonal anti-peptide antibody that is selective for the sst2(b) receptor splice variant. The antibody was raised against the unique intracellular carboxy-terminal portion of the receptor protein. Using this affinity-purified antibody in western blotting experiments, the sst2(b) receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells was shown to be a glycoprotein with a molecular weight centred at about 85,000. The antibody showed no cross-reactivity to any of the recombinant human sst1-5 receptors, the rat sst2(a) receptor or wild-type Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells. Employing immunohistochemistry, we investigated the distribution of the sst2(b) receptor in the brain and spinal cord of adult rats. A distinct distribution was found throughout the rostrocaudal axis of the CNS. Somatodendritic as well as axonal staining was observed. Somatodendritic labelling was particularly obvious in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and cerebellum, as well as in cranial and spinal motor areas. The results show that the distribution of the sst2(b) receptor partially overlaps with that of the sst2(b) receptor, although there were differences in a number of brain areas. The location of the sst2(b) receptor implies that it may mediate a modulatory role of somatostatin inhibitory releasing factor on sensory as well as motor functions.

Activation of adenylate cyclase by human recombinant sst5 receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells and involvement of Galphas proteins

1. The coupling of the human somatostatin sst5 receptor recombinantly expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells to adenylate cyclase was investigated using receptor selective ligands. 2. Forskolin (10 microM)-stimulated adenosine 3': 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation was inhibited by somatostatin-14 and a number of receptor-selective agonists with a rank order of agonist potency typical of the sst5 receptor. L-362,855 and BIM-23056 behaved as full agonists. At higher somatostatin-14 concentrations there was sub-maximal inhibition resulting in a bell-shaped concentration-effect relationship. Pertussis toxin (PTx; 100 ng ml(-1), 18 h) pre-treatment abolished agonist-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation and markedly enhanced stimulation of cyclic AMP at higher agonist concentrations. 3. The concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the incubation media was raised 14 fold by 1 microM somatostatin-14 but was insufficient to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity via endogenous prostanoid receptors. 4. Pre-treatment with cholera toxin (ChTx; 20 microg ml(-1), 18 h) markedly inhibited sst5 receptor-mediated increases in cyclic AMP formation in intact cells. Somatostatin-14-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was also observed in sst5 receptor containing CHO-K1 membranes and was inhibited by the synthetic peptide Galphasacetyl-354-372-amide (100 microM) by 65.9+/-3.5%, implicating a Galphas protein involvement in this response. 5. Activation of Galphas proteins by somatostatin-14 could be demonstrated with [35S]-guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate ([35S]-GTPgammaS) binding and subsequent immunoprecipitation of 35S labelled Galphas proteins with anti-Galphas serum. 6. These data show that the sst5 receptor is very efficiently coupled in a negative manner to adenylate cyclase. However, at higher agonist concentrations the receptor can also mediate activation of adenylate cyclase by a mechanism apparently involving Galphas protein activation.

Multiple genes for neuropeptides and their receptors: co-evolution and physiology

It is now well established that neuropeptide receptors, which are present throughout the CNS and in peripheral tissues, frequently exist in a variety of different forms (called subtypes), each of which is encoded by a distinct gene. With the recent identification of new neuropeptide genes, it has become clear that families of neuropeptides also occur, which raises the possibility that specific peptide ligands activate particular receptor subtypes preferentially. This article reviews some of the recent advances in the neuropeptide field and provides evidence in support of three ideas: (1) that different receptor subtypes for a given ligand can be distinguished physiologically; (2) that neuropeptide genes probably arose before the corresponding receptor genes; and (3) that, despite the current wealth of information on neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors, several new members are likely to be discovered before the beginning of the next millennium.

Distribution of somatostatin receptor subtypes in rat lumbar spinal cord examined with gold-labelled somatostatin and anti-receptor antibodies

Using gold-labelled somatostatin, somatostatin binding sites were predominantly found in laminae I-III, X and on motorneurones of the rat lumbar spinal cord. A comparison with immunohistochemical staining using antisera against somatostatin receptor sequences revealed that the marked binding in laminae I-III coincided with the presence of somatostatin receptor-like immunoreactivity for the receptor subtypes 1, 2 and 3. Binding sites on motorneurones were only paralleled by an immunoreaction for subtype 3. In lamina X, however, the lack of a positive immunoreaction indicates that in this part other subtypes may be present.

Evidence for a synergistic effect of the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) leading to enhanced expression of somatostatin neurons in aggregate cultures derived from the human fetal cortex

Changes in the expression of somatostatin (SRIF) have been observed in the brains of HIV encephalitis. Since gp120 is thought to play a major role in AIDS-associated abnormalities in the brain, we addressed the question: Does gp120 alter the functional expression of human fetal SRIF neurons in culture and if so, is this effect fetal-age dependent? Aggregate cultures, obtained from cortices of nine fetuses (14.9-20.7 weeks), were exposed for 7 days to BDNF or BDNF+gp120; BDNF induced production of SRIF during the subsequent 24-48 h was assessed. Similar effects of BDNF and gp120 were observed in the 9 brain-cultures. A 7-day exposure to BDNF alone led to a significant increase in SRIF production (p=0.014), whereas exposure to gp120 alone did not. Co-exposure to BDNF and gp120 led to an increase in BDNF-induced SRIF production which was significantly greater than that after BDNF alone (p=0.006). These effects were BDNF- and gp120-dose dependent and they were not accompanied by changes in DNA content of the aggregates nor in lactate dehydrogenase activity in the medium; indicating that gp120 did not lead to a major loss of cell integrity. These results are consistent with a synergistic effect of BDNF and gp120 leading to enhanced functional expression of the signalling pathway(s) mediating BDNF induction of SRIF production; an effect expressed by fetal brains throughout the 2nd trimester of gestation. Thus, this culture system can serve as a model to study the mechanism(s) underlying the early interactions between gp120 BDNF in the developing human brain.

Effects of alcohol on the synthesis and expression of hypothalamic peptides

Studies aimed at analyzing the deleterious effects of excess alcohol in the brain have revealed structural alterations that are often associated with functional and behavioral disturbances. Among the neuronal damage related to prolonged alcohol exposure, alterations in the synthesizing capabilities and levels of expression of neuroactive peptides have been increasingly reported. Actually, such changes frequently represent the sole repercussion of acute and short-term exposure to ethanol. This review gathers the existing data on the effects of ethanol exposure on the synthesis and expression of hypothalamic peptides. Amid those that can act both as neurotransmitters and neurohormones, we allude to vasopressin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and pro-opiomelanocortin and related peptides produced by paraventricular, supraoptic and arcuate neurons. With respect to peptides that act exclusively as neurotransmitters, we address the effects of alcohol on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, somatostatin and vasopressin synthesized by suprachiasmatic neurons. Hypothalamic neurons that produce peptides that act as neurotransmitters are supposed to be modulated primarily by influences exerted by neuronal afferents, whereas those producing peptides that additionally act as neurohormones are also regulated by peripheral stimuli (e.g., plasma levels of circulating hormones, osmotic challenges). These peculiar features endue the hypothalamus with characteristics that are particularly propitious to enlighten the still cryptic mechanisms underlying the ethanol effects on protein synthesis.

Rat somatostatin sst2(a) and sst2(b) receptor isoforms mediate opposite effects on cell proliferation

We have investigated the actions of somatostatin (SRIF) and angiopeptin on cell proliferation of CHO-K1 cells expressing the recently cloned rat sst2(b) receptor (CHOsst2(b)) and compared these to their effects in cells expressing the sst2(a) receptor (CHOsst2(a)). In contrast to the sst2(a) receptor, the sst2(b) receptor did not mediate inhibition of bFGF (10 ng ml(-1))-stimulated re-growth and cell proliferation. Rather, SRIF (0.1-1000 nM) and angiopeptin (0.1-1000 nM) stimulated basal re-growth and proliferation of CHOsst2(b) cells in a concentration-dependent manner (estimated pEC50 values of 7.8 and 7.9, respectively). The opposite effects of SRIF on cell proliferation mediated through the two sst2 receptor isoforms were both abolished by 18 h pre-treatment with pertussis toxin. The proliferative effect via the sst2(b) receptor was also abolished by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein. In conclusion, the present study shows that the rat sst2(a) and sst2(b) receptor splice variants mediate opposite effects on cell proliferation.

Differential agonist activity of somatostatin and L-362855 at human recombinant sst4 receptors

1. The operational characteristics of somatostatin (SRIF) sst4 receptors are poorly understood. In this study, we have characterized human recombinant sst4 receptors expressed in CHO cells (CHOsst4) by radioligand binding and microphysiometry. 2. Increasing concentrations SRIF or other SRIF receptor ligands inhibited specific [125I]-Tyr11-SRIF binding in CHOsst4 cell membranes with respective pIC50 values of SRIF (8.82), L-362855 (7.40), BIM-23027 (<5.5) and MK-678 (<5.5). 3. These ligands displayed agonist activity, producing concentration-dependent increases in rates of extracellular acidification (EAR) with pEC50 values of SRIF (9.6) and L-362855 (8.0), respectively. BIM-23027 and MK-678 were at least 1000 times weaker than SRIF. The SRIF maximum was about 40% of that observed with L-362855. 4. In the presence of SRIF (0.1-1 nM), concentration-effect curves to L-362855 were displaced to the right with a progressive reduction in the L-362855 maximum. 5. When cells were only exposed to a single maximally effective concentration of SRIF or L-362855, there was no difference in the magnitude of the agonist-induced increase in EAR. However, a second agonist challenge, 30 min later showed that responses to SRIF but not L-362855 were markedly desensitized. 6. When concentration-effect curves to SRIF and L-362855 were obtained by combining data from cells exposed to only a single agonist concentration, SRIF (pEC50 9.2) was approximately 20 times more potent than L-362855 (pEC50 8.0) but the maxima were the same. Responses to both SRIF and L-362855 were abolished by pertussis toxin. 7. SRIF and L-362855-induced increases in EAR were inhibited by N-ethyl isopropyl amiloride (10 microM) but were not modified by inhibitors of PKC (Go-6976), MAP kinase (PD-98059), tyrosine kinase (genistein) or tyrosine phosphatase (sodium orthovanadate). 8. The results suggest that SRIF-induced increases in EAR in CHOsst4 cells involved activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter and were mediated via Gi/Go G proteins. Responses to SRIF, but not L-362855, were subject to marked desensitization which may be a consequence of differential activation of receptor-effector coupling pathways.