Neuronal nitric oxide synthase knock-out mice show impaired cognitive performance

The role of nitric oxide in pre-synaptic plasticity and homeostasis

Since the observation that nitric oxide (NO) can act as an intercellular messenger in the brain, the past 25 years have witnessed the steady accumulation of evidence that it acts pre-synaptically at both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses to alter release-probability in synaptic plasticity. NO does so by acting on the synaptic machinery involved in transmitter release and, in a coordinated fashion, on vesicular recycling mechanisms. In this review, we examine the body of evidence for NO acting as a retrograde factor at synapses, and the evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies that specifically establish NOS1 (neuronal nitric oxide synthase) as the important isoform of NO synthase in this process. The NOS1 isoform is found at two very different locations and at two different spatial scales both in the cortex and hippocampus. On the one hand it is located diffusely in the cytoplasm of a small population of GABAergic neurons and on the other hand the alpha isoform is located discretely at the post-synaptic density (PSD) in spines of pyramidal cells. The present evidence is that the number of NOS1 molecules that exist at the PSD are so low that a spine can only give rise to modest concentrations of NO and therefore only exert a very local action. The NO receptor guanylate cyclase is located both pre- and post-synaptically and this suggests a role for NO in the coordination of local pre- and post-synaptic function during plasticity at individual synapses. Recent evidence shows that NOS1 is also located post-synaptic to GABAergic synapses and plays a pre-synaptic role in GABAergic plasticity as well as glutamatergic plasticity. Studies on the function of NO in plasticity at the cellular level are corroborated by evidence that NO is also involved in experience-dependent plasticity in the cerebral cortex.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase and NADPH oxidase interact to affect cognitive, affective, and social behaviors in mice

Both nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by nNOS and NADPH oxidase (NOX), respectively, in the brain have been implicated in an array of behaviors ranging from learning and memory to social interactions. Although recent work has elucidated how these separate redox pathways regulate neural function and behavior, the interaction of these two pathways in the regulation of neural function and behavior remains unspecified. Toward this end, the p47phox subunit of NOX, and nNOS were deleted to generate double knockout mice that were used to characterize the behavioral outcomes of concurrent impairment of the NO and ROS pathways in the brain. Mice were tested in a battery of behavioral tasks to evaluate learning and memory, as well as social, affective, and cognitive behaviors. p47phox deletion did not affect depressive-like behavior, whereas nNOS deletion abolished it. Both p47phox and nNOS deletion singly reduced anxiety-like behavior, increased general locomotor activity, impaired spatial learning and memory, and impaired preference for social novelty. Deletion of both genes concurrently had synergistic effects to elevate locomotor activity, impair spatial learning and memory, and disrupt prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Although preference for social novelty was impaired in single knockouts, double knockout mice displayed elevated levels of preference for social novelty above that of wild type littermates. These data demonstrate that, depending upon modality, deletion of p47phox and nNOS genes have dissimilar, similar, or additive effects. The current findings provide evidence that the NOX and nNOS redox signaling cascades interact in the brain to affect both cognitive function and social behavior.

NOS1AP is associated with increased severity of PTSD and depression in untreated combat veterans

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive disorder are over represented in combat veterans. Veterans with both disorders have an increased risk of suicide. The nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) gene, which modulates stress-evoked N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) activity, was investigated in combat veterans.

METHODS

A comprehensive genetic analysis of NOS1AP and its association with PTSD was investigated in Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD (n=121) and a group of healthy control individuals (n=237). PTSD patients were assessed for symptom severity and level of depression using the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI).

RESULTS

The G allele of NOS1AP SNP rs386231 was significantly associated with PTSD (p=0.002). Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in BDI-II and Mississippi scores between genotypes for rs386231 with the GG genotype associated with increased severity of depression (p=0.002 F=6.839) and higher Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD scores (p=0.033). Haplotype analysis revealed that the C/G haplotype (rs451275/rs386231) was significantly associated with PTSD (p=0.001).

LIMITATIONS

The sample sizes in our study were not sufficient to detect SNP associations with very small effects. In addition the study was limited by its cross sectional design.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study reporting that a variant of the NOS1AP gene is associated with PTSD. Our data also suggest that a genetic variant in NOS1AP may increase the susceptibility to severe depression in patients with PTSD and increased risk for suicide.

Common polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes influence quality of aging and longevity in humans

Nitric oxide (NO) triggers multiple signal transduction pathways and contributes to the control of numerous cellular functions. Previous studies have shown in model organisms that the alteration of NO production has important effects on aging and lifespan. We studied in a large sample (763 subjects, age range 19-107 years) the variability of the three human genes (NOS1, -2, -3) coding for the three isoforms of the NADPH-dependent enzymes named NO synthases (NOS) which are responsible of NO synthesis. We have then verified if the variability of these genes is associated with longevity, and with a number of geriatric parameters. We found that gene variation of NOS1 and NOS2 was associated with longevity. In addition NOS1 rs1879417 was also found to be associated with a lower cognitive performance, while NOS2 rs2297518 polymorphism showed to be associated with physical performance. Moreover, SNPs in the NOS1 and NOS3 genes were respectively associated with the presence of depression symptoms and disability, two of the main factors affecting quality of life in older individuals. On the whole, our study shows that genetic variability of NOS genes has an effect on common age related phenotypes and longevity in humans as well as previously reported for model organisms.

Phosphodiesterase 9A regulates central cGMP and modulates responses to cholinergic and monoaminergic perturbation in vivo

Cyclic nucleotides are critical regulators of synaptic plasticity and participate in requisite signaling cascades implicated across multiple neurotransmitter systems. Phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) is a high-affinity, cGMP-specific enzyme widely expressed in the rodent central nervous system. In the current study, we observed neuronal staining with antibodies raised against PDE9A protein in human cortex, cerebellum, and subiculum. We have also developed several potent, selective, and brain-penetrant PDE9A inhibitors and used them to probe the function of PDE9A in vivo. Administration of these compounds to animals led to dose-dependent accumulation of cGMP in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, producing a range of biological effects that implied functional significance for PDE9A-regulated cGMP in dopaminergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic neurotransmission and were consistent with the widespread distribution of PDE9A. In vivo effects of PDE9A inhibition included reversal of the respective disruptions of working memory by ketamine, episodic and spatial memory by scopolamine, and auditory gating by amphetamine, as well as potentiation of risperidone-induced improvements in sensorimotor gating and reversal of the stereotypic scratching response to the hallucinogenic 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A agonist mescaline. The results suggested a role for PDE9A in the regulation of monoaminergic circuitry associated with sensory processing and memory. Thus, PDE9A activity regulates neuronal cGMP signaling downstream of multiple neurotransmitter systems, and inhibition of PDE9A may provide therapeutic benefits in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases promoted by the dysfunction of these diverse neurotransmitter systems.

Blocking mTORC1 activity by rapamycin leads to impairment of spatial memory retrieval but not acquisition in C57BL/6J mice

Although the involvement of the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) system in memory processes has been reported, information on the effect of rapamycin on spatial learning and memory is limited. It was therefore the aim of the study to show the effect of parenteral rapamycin administration to C57BL/6J mice on performance in the multiple T-maze (MTM) and to determine hippocampal mTOR activity. Rapamycin-treated and -untreated/trained/probed mice are the main part of the experiment considering retrieval and acquisition or consolidation of spatial memory. Six hours following euthanasia hippocampi were extirpated and used for evaluation of mTOR activity as represented by hippocampal levels of S6 protein and its phosphorylated active form (phospho S6 protein, S240,244), a read out of mTOR complex 1 activity. Mice given i.p. rapamycin learned the task of the MTM but failed at the probe trial, showing absence of the phosphorylated active form of S6 protein, indicating inhibition of mTOR activity. Herein, impairing effects of rapamycin on retrieval but not on acquisition or consolidation of spatial memory are shown. Deficient memory retrieval was paralleled by inhibition of mTOR complex 1 activity. The current study extends knowledge on rapamycin in memory mechanisms and challenges work on deeper insights into the role of mTOR in different phases of memory formation and retrieval.

The NOS1 variant rs6490121 is associated with variation in prefrontal function and grey matter density in healthy individuals

A common polymorphism within the nitric oxide sythanse-1 (NOS1) gene (rs6490121), initially identified as risk variant for schizophrenia, has been associated with variation in working memory and IQ. Here we investigated how this variation might be mediated at the level of brain structure and function. In healthy individuals (N=157), voxel based morphometry was used to compare grey matter (GM) volume between homozygous and heterozygous carriers of the 'G' allele (i.e. the allele associated with impaired cognition and schizophrenia risk) and homozygous carriers of the non-risk 'A' allele. Functional brain imaging data were also acquired from 48 participants during performance of a spatial working memory (SWM) task, and analysed to determine any effect of NOS1 risk status. An a priori region-of-interest analysis identified a significant reduction in ventromedial prefrontal GM volume in 'G' allele carriers. Risk carriers also exhibited altered patterns of activation in the prefrontal cortex, caudate, and superior parietal lobe, which were characteristic of abnormal increases in activation in frontoparietal working memory networks and a failure to disengage regions of the default mode network. These functional changes suggest a NOS1-mediated processing inefficiency, which may contribute to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. While the mechanisms by which NOS1 may influence brain structure and/or function have not yet been well delineated, these data provide further evidence for a role of NOS1 in risk for schizophrenia via an impact upon cognitive function.

Working memory deficits in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice: potential impairments in prefrontal cortex mediated cognitive function

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) forms nitric oxide (NO), which functions as a signaling molecule via S-nitrosylation of various proteins and regulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (cGC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in the central nervous system. nNOS signaling regulates diverse cellular processes during brain development and molecular mechanisms required for higher brain function. Human genetics have identified nNOS and several downstream effectors of nNOS as risk genes for schizophrenia. Besides the disease itself, nNOS has also been associated with prefrontal cortical functioning, including cognition, of which disturbances are a core feature of schizophrenia. Although mice with genetic deletion of nNOS display various behavioral deficits, no studies have investigated prefrontal cortex-associated behaviors. Here, we report that nNOS knockout (KO) mice exhibit hyperactivity and impairments in contextual fear conditioning, results consistent with previous reports. nNOS KO mice also display mild impairments in object recognition memory. Most importantly, we report for the first time working memory deficits, potential impairments in prefrontal cortex mediated cognitive function in nNOS KO mice. Furthermore, we demonstrate Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), another genetic risk factor for schizophrenia that plays roles for cortical development and prefrontal cortex functioning, including working memory, is a novel protein binding partner of nNOS in the developing cerebral cortex. Of note, genetic deletion of nNOS appears to increase the binding of DISC1 to NDEL1, regulating neurite outgrowth as previously reported. These results suggest that nNOS KO mice are useful tools in studying the role of nNOS signaling in cortical development and prefrontal cortical functioning.

A NOS1 variant implicated in cognitive performance influences evoked neural responses during a high density EEG study of early visual perception

BACKGROUND

The nitric oxide synthasase-1 gene (NOS1) has been implicated in mental disorders including schizophrenia and variation in cognition. The NOS1 variant rs6490121 identified in a genome wide association study of schizophrenia has recently been associated with variation in general intelligence and working memory in both patients and healthy participants. Whether this variant is also associated with variation in early sensory processing remains unclear.

METHODS

We investigated differences in the P1 visual evoked potential in a high density EEG study of 54 healthy participants. Given both NOS1's association with cognition and recent evidence that cognitive performance and P1 response are correlated, we investigated whether NOS1's effect on P1 response was independent of its effects on cognition using CANTAB's spatial working memory (SWM) task.

RESULTS

We found that carriers of the previously identified risk "G" allele showed significantly lower P1 responses than non-carriers. We also found that while P1 response and SWM performance were correlated, NOS1 continued to explain a significant proportion of variation in P1 response even when its effects on cognition were accounted for.

CONCLUSION

The schizophrenia implicated NOS1 variants rs6490121 influences visual sensory processing as measured by the P1 response, either as part of the gene's pleiotropic effects on multiple aspects of brain function, or because of a primary influence on sensory processing that mediates the effects already seen in higher cognitive processes.

Increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis and abnormal migration of adult-born granule neurons is associated with hippocampal-specific cognitive deficits in phospholipase C-β1 knockout mice

Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric illness with a complex pathophysiology. We have recently documented schizophrenia-like endophenotypes in phospholipase C-β1 knockout (PLC-β1(-/-)) mice, including deficits in prepulse inhibition, hyperlocomotion, and cognitive impairments. PLC-β1 signals via multiple G-protein coupled receptor pathways implicated in neural cellular plasticity; however, adult neurogenesis has yet to be explored in this knockout model. In this study, we employed PLC-β1(-/-) mice to elucidate possible correlates between aberrant adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) and schizophrenia-like behaviors. Using stereology and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry we demonstrated a significant increase in the density of adult-generated cells in the granule cell layer (GCL) of adult PLC-β1(-/-) mice compared with wild-type littermates. Cellular phenotype analysis using confocal microscopy revealed these cells to be mature granule neurons expressing NeuN and calbindin. Increased neuronal survival occurred concomitant with reduced caspase-3(+) cells in the GCL of PLC-β1(-/-) mice. Stereological analysis of Ki67(+) cells in the subgranular zone suggested that neural precursor proliferation is unchanged in PLC-β1(-/-) mice. We further showed aberrant migration of mature granule neurons within the GCL of adult PLC-β1(-/-) mice with excessive adult-generated mature neurons residing in the middle and outer GCL. PLC-β1(-/-) mice exhibited specific behavioral deficits in location recognition, a measure of hippocampal-dependent memory, but not novel object recognition. Overall, we have shown that PLC-β1(-/-) mice have a threefold increase in net AHN, and have provided further evidence to suggest a specific deficit in hippocampal-dependent cognition. We propose that abnormal cellular plasticity in these mice may contribute to their schizophrenia-like behavioral endophenotypes.

Assessment of spatial memory in mice

Improvements in health care have greatly increased life span in the United States. The focus is now shifting from physical well-being to improvement in mental well-being or maintenance of cognitive function in old age. It is known that elderly people suffer from cognitive impairment, even without neurodegeneration, as a part of 'normal aging'. This 'age-associated memory impairment' (AAMI), can have a devastating impact on the social and economic life of an individual as well as the society. Scientists have been experimenting to find methods to prevent the memory loss associated with aging. The major factor involved in these experiments is the use of animal models to assess hippocampal-based spatial memory. This review describes the different types of memory including hippocampal-based memory that is vulnerable to aging. A detailed overview of various behavioral paradigms used to assess spatial memory including the T-maze, radial maze, Morris water maze, Barnes maze and others is presented. The review also describes the molecular basis of memory in hippocampus called as 'long-term potentiation'. The advantages and limitations of the behavioral models in assessing memory and the link to the long-term potentiation are discussed. This review should assist investigators in choosing suitable methods to assess spatial memory in mice.

Tolerance to the cataleptic effect that follows repeated nitric oxide synthase inhibition may be related to functional enzymatic recovery

Systemic or intra-striatal acute administration of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors causes catalepsy in rodents. This effect disappears after sub-chronic treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate if this tolerance is related to changes in the expression of NOS or dopamine-2 (D2) receptor or to a recovery of NOS activity. Male albino Swiss mice (25-30 g) received single or sub-chronic (once a day for 4 days) i.p. injections of saline or L-nitro-arginine (L-NOARG, 40 mg/kg), a non-selective inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the animals were killed and their brains were removed for immunohistochemistry assay to detect the presence of nNOS or for 'in-situ' hybridisation study using (35)S-labeled oligonucleotide probe complementary to D2 receptor mRNA. The results were analysed by computerised densitometry. Independent groups of animals received the same treatment, but were submitted to the catalepsy test and had their brain removed to measure nitrite and nitrate (NOx) concentrations in the striatum. Acute administration of L-NOARG caused catalepsy that disappeared after sub-chronic treatment. The levels of NOx were significantly reduced after acute L-NOARG treatment. The decrease in NOx after drug injection suffered a partial tolerance after sub-chronic treatment. The catalepsy time after acute or sub-chronic treatment with L-NOARG was negatively (r = -0.717) correlated with NOx levels. Animals that received repeated L-NOARG injections also showed an increase in the number of nNOS-positive neurons in the striatum. No change in D2 receptor mRNA expression was found in the dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens and substantia nigra. Together, these results suggest that tolerance to L-NOARG cataleptic effects do not depend on changes in D2 receptors. They may depend, however, on plastic changes in nNOS neurons resulting in partial recovery of NO formation in the striatum.

Abnormal social behavior, hyperactivity, impaired remote spatial memory, and increased D1-mediated dopaminergic signaling in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice

Background

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is involved in the regulation of a diverse population of intracellular messenger systems in the brain. In humans, abnormal NOS/nitric oxide metabolism is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of some neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Mice with targeted disruption of the nNOS gene exhibit abnormal behaviors. Here, we subjected nNOS knockout (KO) mice to a battery of behavioral tests to further investigate the role of nNOS in neuropsychiatric functions. We also examined the role of nNOS in dopamine/DARPP-32 signaling in striatal slices from nNOS KO mice and the effects of the administration of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist on behavior in nNOS KO mice.

Results

nNOS KO mice showed hyperlocomotor activity in a novel environment, increased social interaction in their home cage, decreased depression-related behavior, and impaired spatial memory retention. In striatal slices from nNOS KO mice, the effects of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist, SKF81297, on the phosphorylation of DARPP-32 and AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 at protein kinase A sites were enhanced. Consistent with the biochemical results, intraperitoneal injection of a low dose of SKF81297 significantly decreased prepulse inhibition in nNOS KO mice, but not in wild-type mice.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that nNOS KO upregulates dopamine D1 receptor signaling, and induces abnormal social behavior, hyperactivity and impaired remote spatial memory. nNOS KO mice may serve as a unique animal model of psychiatric disorders.

Impairments in fear conditioning in mice lacking the nNOS gene

The fear conditioning paradigm is used to investigate the roles of various genes, neurotransmitters, and substrates in the formation of fear learning related to contextual and auditory cues. In the brain, nitric oxide (NO) produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) functions as a retrograde neuronal messenger that facilitates synaptic plasticity, including the late phase of long-term potentiation (LTP) and formation of long-term memory (LTM). Evidence has implicated NO signaling in synaptic plasticity and LTM formation following fear conditioning, yet little is known about the role of the nNOS gene in fear learning. Using knockout (KO) mice with targeted mutation of the nNOS gene and their wild-type (WT) counterparts, the role of NO signaling in fear conditioning was investigated. Plasma levels of the stress hormone corticosterone were measured to determine the relationship between physiological and behavioral response to fear conditioning. Contextual fear learning was severely impaired in male and female nNOS KO mice compared with WT counterparts; cued fear learning was slightly impaired in nNOS KO mice. Sex-dependent differences in both contextual and cued fear learning were not observed in either genotype. Deficits in contextual fear learning in nNOS KO mice were partially overcome by multiple trainings. A relationship between increase in plasma corticosterone levels following footshock administration and the magnitude of contextual, but not cued freezing was also observed. Results suggest that the nNOS gene contributes more to optimal contextual fear learning than to cued fear learning, and therefore, inhibition of the nNOS enzyme may ameliorate context-dependent fear response.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase: structure, subcellular localization, regulation, and clinical implications

Nitric oxide (NO), a free gaseous signaling molecule, is involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular, nervous and immune system. The neurotransmitter function of nitric oxide is dependent on dynamic regulation of its biosynthetic enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS). There are three types of NOS, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Of the three NOS, we focus on nNOS in the present review. Brain nNOS exists in particulate and soluble forms and the differential subcellular localization of nNOS may contribute to its diverse functions. Proteins bearing PDZ domains can interact directly with the PDZ domain of nNOS, influencing the subcellular distribution and/or activity of the enzyme. During the past several years, an increasing number of reports have demonstrated the importance of nNOS in a variety of synaptic signaling events. nNOS has been implicated in modulating physiological functions such as learning, memory, and neurogenesis, as well as being involved in a number of human diseases. In this review we concentrate on recent findings regarding the structural features, subcellular localization and factors regulating nNOS function. In particular, we conclude with a section discussing the role of nNOS in a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions.

Molecular genetics of addiction and related heritable phenotypes: genome-wide association approaches identify "connectivity constellation" and drug target genes with pleiotropic effects

Genome-wide association (GWA) can elucidate molecular genetic bases for human individual differences in complex phenotypes that include vulnerability to addiction. Here, we review (a) evidence that supports polygenic models with (at least) modest heterogeneity for the genetic architectures of addiction and several related phenotypes; (b) technical and ethical aspects of importance for understanding GWA data, including genotyping in individual samples versus DNA pools, analytic approaches, power estimation, and ethical issues in genotyping individuals with illegal behaviors; (c) the samples and the data that shape our current understanding of the molecular genetics of individual differences in vulnerability to substance dependence and related phenotypes; (d) overlaps between GWA data sets for dependence on different substances; and (e) overlaps between GWA data for addictions versus other heritable, brain-based phenotypes that include bipolar disorder, cognitive ability, frontal lobe brain volume, the ability to successfully quit smoking, neuroticism, and Alzheimer's disease. These convergent results identify potential targets for drugs that might modify addictions and play roles in these other phenotypes. They add to evidence that individual differences in the quality and quantity of brain connections make pleiotropic contributions to individual differences in vulnerability to addictions and to related brain disorders and phenotypes. A "connectivity constellation" of brain phenotypes and disorders appears to receive substantial pathogenic contributions from individual differences in a constellation of genes whose variants provide individual differences in the specification of brain connectivities during development and in adulthood. Heritable brain differences that underlie addiction vulnerability thus lie squarely in the midst of the repertoire of heritable brain differences that underlie vulnerability to other common brain disorders and phenotypes.

Molecular genetics of successful smoking cessation: convergent genome-wide association study results

CONTEXT

Smoking remains a major public health problem. Twin studies indicate that the ability to quit smoking is substantially heritable, with genetics that overlap modestly with the genetics of vulnerability to dependence on addictive substances.

OBJECTIVES

To identify replicated genes that facilitate smokers' abilities to achieve and sustain abstinence from smoking (herein after referred to as quit-success genes) found in more than 2 genome-wide association (GWA) studies of successful vs unsuccessful abstainers, and, secondarily, to nominate genes for selective involvement in smoking cessation success with bupropion hydrochloride vs nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

DESIGN

The GWA results in subjects from 3 centers, with secondary analyses of NRT vs bupropion responders.

SETTING

Outpatient smoking cessation trial participants from 3 centers.

PARTICIPANTS

European American smokers who successfully vs unsuccessfully abstain from smoking with biochemical confirmation in a smoking cessation trial using NRT, bupropion, or placebo (N = 550).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quit-success genes, reproducibly identified by clustered nominally positive single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in more than 2 independent samples with significant P values based on Monte Carlo simulation trials. The NRT-selective genes were nominated by clustered SNPs that display much larger t values for NRT vs placebo comparisons. The bupropion-selective genes were nominated by bupropion-selective results.

RESULTS

Variants in quit-success genes are likely to alter cell adhesion, enzymatic, transcriptional, structural, and DNA, RNA, and/or protein-handling functions. Quit-success genes are identified by clustered nominally positive SNPs from more than 2 samples and are unlikely to represent chance observations (Monte Carlo P< .0003). These genes display modest overlap with genes identified in GWA studies of dependence on addictive substances and memory.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support polygenic genetics for success in abstaining from smoking, overlap with genetics of substance dependence and memory, and nominate gene variants for selective influences on therapeutic responses to bupropion vs NRT. Molecular genetics should help match the types and/or intensity of antismoking treatments with the smokers most likely to benefit from them.

Mice transgenic for reduced folate carrier: an animal model of Down syndrome?

In a previous publication we observed aberrant levels of the human reduced folate carrier (hRFC) in cortex from fetal Down syndrome (DS) subjects. Immunoreactivity for hRFC was increased as the only chromosome 21 gene product studied. We, therefore, analyzed mice transgenic for hRFC (TghRFC1) and wild-type (WT) mice for cognitive functions, behavior and in an observational neurological battery (FOB). Cognitive functions were evaluated by the Morris water maze (MWM), the open field (OF) was used for exploratory behavior, locomotor activity and anxiety-related behavior. The elevated plus maze (EPM) was used to confirm findings in the OF testing anxiety-related behavior and the rota rod (RR) to evaluate motor function. In the MWM TghRFC1 mice performed significantly worse (P < 0.0003) on the probe trial than WT mice. In the FOB visual placing was significantly reduced inTghRFC1 mice. In the OF TghRFC1 mice crossed twice as often (P < 0.029) and in the EPM individuals from this group showed a reduced number of exits from the closed arm (P < 0.044) compared to WT mice. TghRFC1 mice showed impaired performance on the RR, spending one-fourth of the time of WT on the revolving rod (P < 0.0003). Cognitive impairment is an obligatory symptom of DS and this deficiency corresponds to findings in the MWM of mice transgenic for hRFC. Findings of visual placing and failure on the RR may reflect impaired motor performance including muscular hypotonia in DS subjects. Increased crossings in the OF may indicate modulated anxiety-related behavior observed in patients with DS.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene inactivation reduces the expression of vasopressin in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in the adrenal gland of the mouse

The impact of a lifelong absence of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the neuroendocrine stress response was investigated in nNOS knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice under basal conditions and in response to forced swimming. In the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing-hormone mRNA levels did not differ between these genotypes under resting conditions, whereas vasopressin mRNA levels were significantly lower in nNOS KO than in WT animals. Also, in the adrenal glands basal levels of tyrosine hydroxylase protein, the rate-limiting enzyme for catecholamine biosynthesis, and of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, which converts norepinephrine to epinephrine, were significantly reduced in nNOS KO mice. Plasma adrenocorticotropin, corticosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were similar in the KO and WT genotypes under resting conditions. In response to forced swimming, a similar increase in plasma adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone was observed in KO and WT animals. Stressor exposure triggered also an increased epinephrine release in WT animals, but did not significantly alter plasma epinephrine levels in KO mice. These data suggest that the chronic absence of nNOS reduces the capacity of epinephrine synthesising enzymes in the adrenal gland to respond to acute stressor exposure with an adequate epinephrine release.

Nitric oxide activates leak K+ currents in the presumed cholinergic neuron of basal forebrain

Learning and memory are critically dependent on basal forebrain cholinergic (BFC) neuron excitability, which is modulated profoundly by leak K(+) channels. Many neuromodulators closing leak K(+) channels have been reported, whereas their endogenous opener remained unknown. We here demonstrate that nitric oxide (NO) can be the endogenous opener of leak K(+) channels in the presumed BFC neurons. Bath application of 1 mM S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an NO donor, induced a long-lasting hyperpolarization, which was often interrupted by a transient depolarization. Soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitors prevented SNAP from inducing hyperpolarization but allowed SNAP to cause depolarization, whereas bath application of 0.2 mM 8-bromoguanosine-3',5'-cyclomonophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) induced a similar long-lasting hyperpolarization alone. These observations indicate that the SNAP-induced hyperpolarization and depolarization are mediated by the cGMP-dependent and -independent processes, respectively. When examined with the ramp command pulse applied at -70 mV under the voltage-clamp condition, 8-Br-cGMP application induced the outward current that reversed at K(+) equilibrium potential (E(K)) and displayed Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz rectification, indicating the involvement of voltage-independent K(+) current. By contrast, SNAP application in the presumed BFC neurons either dialyzed with the GTP-free internal solution or in the presence of 10 muM Rp-8-bromo-beta-phenyl-1,N(2)-ethenoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate sodium salt, a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, induced the inward current that reversed at potentials much more negative than E(K) and close to the reversal potential of Na(+)-K(+) pump current. These observations strongly suggest that NO activates leak K(+) channels through cGMP-PKG-dependent pathway to markedly decrease the excitability in BFC neurons, while NO simultaneously causes depolarization by the inhibition of Na(+)-K(+) pump through ATP depletion.

Intracerebroventricular administration of nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase inhibitors induces catalepsy in mice

RATIONALE

Catalepsy is a preclinical test that predicts extrapyramidal symptoms in humans. It models symptoms of acute extrapyramidal side effects induced at the beginning of antipsychotic treatment. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in a series of neurobiological functions underlying behavior. For example, inhibition of NO synthesis disrupts rodent exploratory behavior and induces catalepsy. Although several effects mediated by NO involve the activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), the transduction mechanism of the catalepsy-inducing effect of NO has not yet been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

The study was designed to test if intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinjection of NO-sensitive inhibitors of sGC (NO-sGC) induces catalepsy in mice similar to that induced by NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors. Exploratory behavior was tested in the open field. In addition, the effects of a NOS inhibitor on oxidative metabolites of NO were measured in the striatum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Drug effects were examined in the hanging-bar test after the following i.c.v. treatments: oxadiazolo-quinoxalin (ODQ, 30-300 nmol) or methylene blue (MB, 3-100 nmol), selective and nonselective sGC inhibitors, respectively, or 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, 3-90 nmol) and G-nitro-L: -arginine methyl ester (L: -NAME, 3-90 nmol), selective and nonselective neuronal NOS inhibitors. To test if the effects were related to interference with the NO system, additional groups received 7-NI (30 nmol), ODQ (100 nmol), or L-NAME (90 nmol) preceded by L: -arginine (L: -arg, 30-100 nmol, i.c.v. 30 min before). A possible interference of ODQ and 7-NI on exploratory behavior was tested in an open field. The concentration of nitrites and nitrates (NO( x )) in striatum homogenates was measured by the Griess reaction.

RESULTS

Both NO-sGC and NOS inhibitors induced catalepsy in mice that lasted for at least 2 h. The range of effective doses of these drugs, however, was limited, and the dose-effect curves had an inverted U shape. The cataleptic effect induced by L: -NAME was inversely correlated with NO( x ) products in the striatum. The cataleptic effect of 7-NI and ODQ was prevented by pretreatment with L: -arginine. No drug changed exploratory behavior in the open field.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that pharmacological disruption of the endogenous NO-sGC signaling in the central nervous system induces long-lasting catalepsy in mice. Moreover, the cataleptic effect of NOS inhibition correlates with the decrease in NO( x ) products formation in the striatum. The results give further support to the hypothesis that NO plays a role in motor behavior control mediated, at least in part, by cyclic guanosine monophosphate production in the striatum.

Strain-dependent effects of cognitive enhancers in the mouse

A series of cognitive enhancers (CEs) have been reported to increase spatial memory in rodents, information on behavioral effects, however, is limited. The aim of the study was therefore to examine the behavioral effects of three CEs in two well-documented inbred mouse strains. C57BL/6J and DBA/2 mice were administered intraperitonial. D-cycloserine (DCS; NMDA receptor agonist), 1-(4-Amino-5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-3-[1-butyl-4-piperidinyl]-1-propanone hydrochloride (RS67333; 5HT4-receptor agonist), and (R)-4-{[2-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]thio}phenol hydrochloride (SIB-1553A; beta-4-nicotinic receptor agonist) and tested in the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), neurological observational battery and rota-rod. Cognitive performance was tested in the Morris water maze. All compounds modified behavioral performance in the OF, DCS showed an anxiolytic effect in the EPM, and differences in the observational battery were observed i.e. vestibular drop was decreased by SIB-1553A and RS67333 treatment in C57BL/6J and increased with DCS treatment in DBA/2 mice. In the rota rod SIB-1553A improved motor performance. DCS effects on learning and memory was comparable to controls whereas the other compounds impaired performance in the Morris water maze. In conclusion, behavioral testing of CEs in the mouse revealed significant changes that may have to be taken into account for evaluation of CEs, interpretation of cognitive studies and warrant further neurotoxicological studies. Moreover, strain-dependent differences were observed that in turn may confound results obtained from behavioral and cognitive testing.

Hippocampal signaling protein levels are different in early and late metestrus in the rat

Early and late metestrus in the rat differ by progesterone levels. As it is known that progesterone shows a potential negative effect on cognitive performances and can counteract the estradiol-induced neural effects, we intended to study signaling proteins in the hippocampus, a structure representing a main brain area of cognitive function. Female OFA Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the studies and estrous phases were determined using vaginal smears. Hippocampal tissue was taken, proteins extracted, run on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and proteins were identified by mass spectrometry methods (MALDI-TOF-TOF and nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS). Individual signaling protein levels quantified by specific software were shown to vary between the two phases, including NG,NG-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 for nitric oxide signaling, guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, septin 6, septin 11, G-septin alpha, and 14-3-3 protein gamma. Results from this study indicate that early and late metestrus show differences in signaling pathways, that may help to design further investigations at the protein level and may assist to interpret literature on protein expression and brain protein levels in female rats. Moreover, signaling differences in hippocampus are challenging cognitive studies during these two metestrus phases probably revealing cognitive differences between early and late metestrus.

Molecular genetics of nicotine dependence and abstinence: whole genome association using 520,000 SNPs

BACKGROUND

Classical genetic studies indicate that nicotine dependence is a substantially heritable complex disorder. Genetic vulnerabilities to nicotine dependence largely overlap with genetic vulnerabilities to dependence on other addictive substances. Successful abstinence from nicotine displays substantial heritable components as well. Some of the heritability for the ability to quit smoking appears to overlap with the genetics of nicotine dependence and some does not. We now report genome wide association studies of nicotine dependent individuals who were successful in abstaining from cigarette smoking, nicotine dependent individuals who were not successful in abstaining and ethnically-matched control subjects free from substantial lifetime use of any addictive substance.

RESULTS

These data, and their comparison with data that we have previously obtained from comparisons of four other substance dependent vs control samples support two main ideas: 1) Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose allele frequencies distinguish nicotine-dependent from control individuals identify a set of genes that overlaps significantly with the set of genes that contain markers whose allelic frequencies distinguish the four other substance dependent vs control groups (p < 0.018). 2) SNPs whose allelic frequencies distinguish successful vs unsuccessful abstainers cluster in small genomic regions in ways that are highly unlikely to be due to chance (Monte Carlo p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

These clustered SNPs nominate candidate genes for successful abstinence from smoking that are implicated in interesting functions: cell adhesion, enzymes, transcriptional regulators, neurotransmitters and receptors and regulation of DNA, RNA and proteins. As these observations are replicated, they will provide an increasingly-strong basis for understanding mechanisms of successful abstinence, for identifying individuals more or less likely to succeed in smoking cessation efforts and for tailoring therapies so that genotypes can help match smokers with the treatments that are most likely to benefit them.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I) knockout increases the survival rate of neural cells in the hippocampus independently of BDNF

Investigations regarding the regulation of adult neurogenesis, i.e., the generation of new neurons from progenitor cells, have revealed a high degree of complexity. Although the pleiotropic messenger molecule nitric oxide (NO) has been suggested to modulate adult neurogenesis, the evidence is inconclusive due to the presence of different NO synthase isoforms in the brain. We therefore investigated whether stem cell proliferation or survival is altered in mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I) or both endothelial and neuronal NOS (NOS-I/-III double knockout). While proliferation of neural stem cells was only numerically, but not significantly increased in NOS-I knockdown animals, the survival of newly formed neurons was substantially higher in NOS-I-deficient mice. In contrast, NOS-I/-III double knockout had significantly decreased survival rates. QRT-PCR in NOS-I-deficient mice revealed neither NOS-III upregulation compensating for the loss of NOS-I, nor alterations in VEGF levels as found in NOS-III-deficient animals. As changes in BDNF expression or protein levels were observed in the cortex, cerebellum and striatum, but not the hippocampus, the increase in stem cell survival appears not to be due to a BDNF mediated mechanism. Finally, NOS-I containing neurons in the dentate gyrus are rare and not localized close to progenitor cells, rendering direct NO effects on these cells unlikely. In conclusion, we suggest that NO predominantly inhibits the survival of new-born cells, by an indirect mechanism not involving BDNF or VEGF. Together, these results emphasize the important role of the different NOS isoforms with respect to adult neurogenesis.

Behavioural and expressional phenotyping of nitric oxide synthase-I knockdown animals

The gaseous messenger nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in a wide range of behaviors, including aggression, anxiety, depression, and cognitive functioning. To further elucidate the physiological role of NO and its down-stream mechanisms, we conducted behavioral and expressional phenotyping of mice lacking the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I), the major source of NO in the central nervous system. No differences were observed in activity-related parameters; in contrast to the a priori hypothesis, derived from pharmacological treatments, depression-related tests (Forced Swim Test, Learned Helplessness) also yielded no significantly different results. A subtle anxiolytic phenotype however was present, with knockdown mice displaying a higher open arm time as compared to their respective wildtypes, yet all other investigated anxiety-related parameters were unchanged. The most prominent feature however was gender-independent cognitive impairment in spatial learning and memory, as assessed by the Water Maze test and an automatized holeboard paradigm. No significant dysregulation of monoamine transporters was evidenced by qRT PCR. To further examine the underlying molecular mechanisms, the transcriptome of knockdown animals was thus examined in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum by microarray analysis. A set of >120 differentially expressed genes was identified, whereat the hippocampus and the striatum showed similar expressional profiles as compared to the cerebellum in hierarchical clustering. Among the most significantly up-regulated genes were Peroxiredoxon 3, Atonal homologue 1, Kcnj1, Kcnj8, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), alpha, 3 genes involved in GABA(B) signalling and, intriguingly, the glucocorticoid receptor GR. While GABAergic genes might underlie reduced anxiety, dysregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor can well contribute to a blunted stress response as found in NOS1 knockdown mice. Furthermore, by CREB inhibition, glucocorticoid receptor upregulation could at least partially explain cognitive deficits in these animals. Taken together, NOS1 knockdown mice display a characteristic behavioural profile consisting of reduced anxiety and impaired learning and memory, paralleled by differential expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and GABAergic genes. Further research has to assess the value of these mice as animal models e.g. for Alzheimer's disease or attention deficit disorder, in order to clarify a possible pathophysiological role of NO therein.

Nitric oxide is involved in the memory facilitation induced by spermidine in rats

RATIONALE

Spermidine (SPD) is an endogenous polyamine that modulates N-methyl-D: -aspartate receptor functions, which has been reported to facilitate memory formation.

OBJECTIVES

In the current study, we investigated the involvement of nitric oxide in the facilitatory effect of SPD on the memory of adult male Wistar rats in the inhibitory avoidance task.

RESULTS

The coadministration of the nonspecific NOS inhibitor N (G) nitro-L: -arginine methyl ester (L: -NAME) (0.1 nmol, intrahippocampus) with spermidine (0.2 nmol), immediately after training, prevented the memory improvement caused by spermidine in the avoidance inhibitory task. Spermidine increased nitrite and nitrate levels (NO(X)) in the hippocampus 30 min after its administration, and L: -NAME coinjection prevented the stimulatory effect of spermidine on NO(X) levels. The systemic injection of 7-nitroindazole (30 mg/kg, i.p.), 30 min before training, impaired memory and did not prevent spermidine-induced increase of NO(X) levels in the hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that memory enhancement by spermidine is prevented by the nonspecific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L: -NAME.

The challenge of real-time measurements of nitric oxide release in the brain

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a signalling molecule in the brain. NO has been implicated in a variety of central functions such as learning, plasticity and neurodegeneration. It is also involved in regulation of autonomic homeostasis at different levels of neuraxis including the nucleus tractus solitarii. In spite of the ample evidence for NO-mediated signalling many aspects of its mechanism of action the brain remain unknown largely due to the difficulties of NO detection in real time coupled with its unique ability to freely cross cellular membranes. Here we give a brief overview of the currently available options for NO detection in the brain (such as electrochemistry, fluorescent indicators, electron-paramagnetic resonance) and consider some of their limitations. We conclude that it would be extremely useful to develop a highly sensitive probe for NO detection with some kind of build-in amplification which would magnify the changes triggered by NO to allow its detection within microdomains of the brain tissue in real time.

Pleiotropic contributions of nitric oxide to aggressive behavior

Male mice with targeted deletion of the genes encoding the neuronal (NOS-1-/- or nNOS-/-) isoform of nitric oxide synthase display altered aggressive behaviors. Male nNOS-1-/- mice are more aggressive than wild-type (WT) mice in all testing paradigms. Testosterone is necessary, but not sufficient, for evoking the persistent aggression, and that serotonin (5-HT) metabolism is altered in male nNOS-1-/- mice. The specific deletion of the nNOS-1 gene not only results in a lack of nNOS-1 protein, but in common with many genes, affects several 'down-stream' processes. In this review, we address whether the elevated aggression in male nNOS-1-/- mice reflects pleiotropic effects of the nNOS-1 gene on pain sensitivity, 'anxiety-like', or 'depressive-like' behaviors. For example, male nNOS-1-/- mice display increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, which may prolong aggressive interactions. Despite elevated corticosterone concentrations, nNOS-1 knockout mice appear to be less 'anxious' or fearful than WT mice. Male nNOS-1-/- mice display longer latencies to right themselves on an inverted platform and spend more time in the center of an open field than WT mice. Because of reduced serotonin turnover, the excessive aggressiveness displayed by nNOS-1-/- mice may be symptomatic of a depressive-like syndrome. However, nNOS-1-/- mice rarely display behavioral 'despair' when assessed with the Porsolt forced swim test; rather, nNOS-1-/- mice show vigorous swimming throughout the assessment suggesting that the aggressive behavior does not represent depressive-like behavior. Importantly, aggressive behavior is not a unitary process, but is the result of complex interactions among several physiological, motivational, and behavioral systems, with contributions from the social as well as the physical environment. Lastly, the multiple, and often unanticipated, effects of targeted gene disruption on aggressive behavior are considered.

Importance of NO/cGMP signalling via cGMP-dependent protein kinase II for controlling emotionality and neurobehavioural effects of alcohol

Cyclic GMP is a second messenger for nitric oxide (NO) that acts as a mediator for many different physiological functions. The cGMP-dependent protein kinases (cGKs) mediate cellular signalling induced by NO and cGMP. Here, we explored the localization of cGMP-dependent protein kinase type II (cGKII) in the mouse brain. In situ hybridization revealed high levels of cGKII mRNA in cerebral cortex, thalamic nuclei, hypothalamic nuclei, and in several basal forebrain regions including medial septum, striatum and amygdala. The close link to NO and the distribution pattern of cGKII suggested that this enzyme might be involved in emotional reactions and responses to drugs of abuse. Therefore, cGKII knockout animals (cGKII-/-) were compared with littermate controls in behavioural tests (i) for emotion-linked and (ii) for acute and chronic ethanol responses. Deletion of cGKII did not influence aggressive behaviour but led to enhanced anxiety-like behaviour. In terms of acute responses to ethanol, cGKII-/- mice were hyposensitive to hypnotic doses of ethanol as measured by the loss of righting reflex, without an alteration in their blood alcohol elimination. In a two-bottle free choice test, cGKII-/- mice showed elevated alcohol consumption. No taste differences to sweet solutions were observed compared to control animals. In summary, our data show that cGKII activity modulates anxiety-like behaviour and neurobehavioural effects of alcohol.

Impaired cognitive performance in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice is associated with hippocampal protein derangements

Nitric oxide is implicated in modulation of memory and pharmacological as well as genetic inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) leads to impaired cognitive function. We therefore decided to study learning and memory functions and cognitive flexibility in the Morris water maze (MWM) in 1-month-old male mice lacking nNOS (nNOS KO). Hippocampal protein profiling was carried out to possibly link protein derangement to impaired cognitive function. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with in-gel digestion of spots and subsequent MALDI-TOF identification of proteins and quantification of proteins using specific software was applied. In the memory as well as in the relearning task of the MWM, most of the nNOS KO failed to find the submerged platform within a given time. Proteomic evaluation of hippocampus, the main anatomical structure computing cognitive functions, revealed aberrant expression of a synaptosomal associated protein of the exocytotic machinery (NSF), glycolytic enzymes, chaperones 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein, T-complex protein 1; the signaling structure guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(T) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H of the splicing machinery. We conclude that nNOS knockout mice show impaired spatial performance in the MWM, a finding that may be either linked to direct effects of nNOS/NO and/or to specific hippocampal protein derangements.