NOVELNEURALMODULATORS

Neuropeptide PEN and Its Receptor GPR83: Distribution, Signaling, and Regulation

Neuropeptides are chemical messengers that act to regulate a number of physiological processes, including feeding, reward, pain, and memory, among others. PEN is one of the most abundant hypothalamic neuropeptides; however, until recently, its target receptor remained unknown. In this Review, we summarize recent developments in research focusing on PEN and its receptor GPR83. We describe the studies leading to the deorphanization of GPR83 as the receptor for PEN. We also describe the signaling mediated by the PEN-GPR83 system, as well as the physiological roles in which PEN-GPR83 has been implicated. As studies have suggested a role for the PEN-GPR83 system in food intake and body weight regulation, as well as in drug addiction and reward disorders, a thorough understanding of this novel neuropeptide-receptor system will help identify novel therapeutic targets to treat pathophysiological conditions involving PEN-GPR83.

Grapheme-to-Phoneme Conversion with Convolutional Neural Networks

Grapheme-to-phoneme (G2P) conversion is the process of generating pronunciation for words based on their written form. It has a highly essential role for natural language processing, text-to-speech synthesis and automatic speech recognition systems. In this paper, we investigate convolutional neural networks (CNN) for G2P conversion. We propose a novel CNN-based sequence-to-sequence (seq2seq) architecture for G2P conversion. Our approach includes an end-to-end CNN G2P conversion with residual connections and, furthermore, a model that utilizes a convolutional neural network (with and without residual connections) as encoder and Bi-LSTM as a decoder. We compare our approach with state-of-the-art methods, including Encoder-Decoder LSTM and Encoder-Decoder Bi-LSTM. Training and inference times, phoneme and word error rates were evaluated on the public CMUDict dataset for US English, and the best performing convolutional neural network-based architecture was also evaluated on the NetTalk dataset. Our method approaches the accuracy of previous state-of-the-art results in terms of phoneme error rate.

Nitrergic neurotransmission in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus modulates autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to acute restraint stress in rats

We investigated the involvement of nitrergic neurotransmission within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in modulation of local neuronal activation, autonomic and neuroendocrine responses and behavioral consequences of acute restraint stress in rats. Bilateral microinjections of the selective neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) inhibitor Nw-Propyl-L-arginine (NPLA) or the NO scavenger carboxy-PTIO into the PVN reduced arterial pressure and heart rate increases, as well as the fall in cutaneous tail temperature induced by restraint stress. PVN injection of either NPLA or carboxy-PTIO also inhibited restraint-induced increases in anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus-maze 24 h later. Local microinjection of NPLA or carboxy-PTIO into the PVN reduced the number of c-fos-immunoreactive neurons in the dorsal parvocellular, ventromedial, medial parvocellular and lateral magnocelllular portions of the PVN in animals subjected to restraint stress. However, neither NPLA nor carboxy-PTIO into the PVN affected restraint-induced increases in plasma corticosterone concentration. The present results indicate that PVN nitrergic neurotransmission acting via nNOS activation has a facilitatory influence on autonomic responses to acute restraint and the delayed emotional consequences of restraint stress. Our results also provide evidence of a prominent role of local nitrergic neurotransmission in PVN neuronal activation during stress.

Initial findings of striatum tripartite model in OCD brain samples based on transcriptome analysis

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Different striatal subregions belonging to the cortico-striato-thalamic circuitry (CSTC) play an important role in the pathophysiology of OCD. The transcriptomes of 3 separate striatal areas (putamen (PT), caudate nucleus (CN) and accumbens nucleus (NAC)) from postmortem brain tissue were compared between 6 OCD and 8 control cases. In addition to network connectivity deregulation, different biological processes are specific to each striatum region according to the tripartite model of the striatum and contribute in various ways to OCD pathophysiology. Specifically, regulation of neurotransmitter levels and presynaptic processes involved in chemical synaptic transmission were shared between NAC and PT. The Gene Ontology terms cellular response to chemical stimulus, response to external stimulus, response to organic substance, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and modulation of synaptic transmission were shared between CN and PT. Most genes harboring common and/or rare variants previously associated with OCD that were differentially expressed or part of a least preserved coexpression module in our study also suggest striatum subregion specificity. At the transcriptional level, our study supports differences in the 3 circuit CSTC model associated with OCD.

A direct and selective electrochemical hydrogen sulfide sensor

Continuous, in situ detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in biological milieu is made possible with electrochemical methods, but direct amperometry is constrained by the generation of elemental sulfur as an oxidative byproduct. Deposition of a sulfur layer passivates the working electrode, reducing sensitivity and causing performance variability. Herein, we report on the use of a surface preconditioning procedure to deposit elemental sulfur on a glassy carbon electrode prior to measurement and evaluate performance with common analytical metrics. The lack of traditional anti-poisoning techniques (e.g. redox mediators, cleaning pulses) also allowed for facile surface modification with electropolymerized films. For the first time, a series of electropolymerized films were characterized for their H2S permselective behavior against common biological interferents. Highly selective, film-modified electrodes were then evaluated for their anti-biofouling ability in simulated wound fluid. The final optimized electrode was capable of measuring H2S with a low detection limit (i.e., <100 nM) and ∼80% of its initial sensitivity in proteinaceous media.

A turn-on fluorescent probe with a dansyl fluorophore for hydrogen sulfide sensing

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a biologically relevant molecule that has been newly identified as a gasotransmitter and is also a toxic gaseous pollutant. In this study, we report on a metal complex fluorescent probe to achieve the sensitive detection of H₂S in a fluorescent “turn-on” mode. The probe bears a dansyl fluorophore with multidentate ligands for coordination with copper ions. The fluorescent “turn-on” mode is facilitated by the strong bonding between H₂S and the Cu(ii) ions to form insoluble copper sulfide, which leads to the release of a strongly fluorescent product. The H₂S limit of detection (LOD) for the proposed probe is estimated to be 11 nM in the aqueous solution, and the utilization of the probe is demonstrated for detecting H₂S in actual lake and mineral water samples with good reproducibility. Furthermore, we designed detector vials and presented their successful application for the visual detection of gaseous H₂S.

H₂S turn on the fluorescence of DNS–Cu complex probe.

Beneficial Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats

PURPOSE

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an endogenous gaseous molecule with important physiological roles. It is synthesized from cysteine by cystathionine γ-lyase (CGL) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). The present study examined the benefits of exogenous H₂S on renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, as well as the effects of CGL or CBS inhibition. Furthermore, we elucidated the mechanism underlying the action of H₂S in the kidneys.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: a sham, renal IR control, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) treatment, H₂S donor, and CGL or CBS inhibitor administration group. Levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr), renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated. Histological changes, apoptosis, and expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38) were also evaluated.

RESULTS

NaHS attenuated serum BUN and Cr levels, as well as histological damage caused by renal IR injury. Administration of NaHS also reduced oxidative stress as evident from decreased MDA, preserved SOD, and reduced apoptotic cells. Additionally, NaHS prevented renal IR-induced MAPK phosphorylation. The CGL or CBS group showed increased MAPK family activity; however, there was no significant difference in the IR control group.

CONCLUSION

Exogenous H₂S can mitigate IR injury-led renal damage. The proposed beneficial effect of H₂S is, in part, because of the anti-oxidative stress associated with modulation of the MAPK signaling pathways.

Molecular characterization of putative neuropeptide, amine, diffusible gas and small molecule transmitter biosynthetic enzymes in the eyestalk ganglia of the American lobster, Homarus americanus

The American lobster, Homarus americanus, is a model for investigating the neuromodulatory control of physiology and behavior. Prior studies have shown that multiple classes of chemicals serve as locally released/circulating neuromodulators/neurotransmitters in this species. Interestingly, while many neuroactive compounds are known from Homarus, little work has focused on identifying/characterizing the enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis, despite the fact that these enzymes are key components for regulating neuromodulation/neurotransmission. Here, an eyestalk ganglia-specific transcriptome was mined for transcripts encoding enzymes involved in neuropeptide, amine, diffusible gas and small molecule transmitter biosynthesis. Using known Drosophila melanogaster proteins as templates, transcripts encoding putative Homarus homologs of peptide precursor processing (signal peptide peptidase, prohormone processing protease and carboxypeptidase) and immature peptide modifying (glutaminyl cyclase, tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase, protein disulfide isomerase, peptidylglycine-α-hydroxylating monooxygenase and peptidyl-α-hydroxyglycine-α-amidating lyase) enzymes were identified in the eyestalk assembly. Similarly, transcripts encoding full complements of the enzymes responsible for dopamine [tryptophan-phenylalanine hydroxylase (TPH), tyrosine hydroxylase and DOPA decarboxylase (DDC)], octopamine (TPH, tyrosine decarboxylase and tyramine β-hydroxylase), serotonin (TPH or tryptophan hydroxylase and DDC) and histamine (histidine decarboxylase) biosynthesis were identified from the eyestalk ganglia, as were those responsible for the generation of the gases nitric oxide (nitric oxide synthase) and carbon monoxide (heme oxygenase), and the small molecule transmitters acetylcholine (choline acetyltransferase), glutamate (glutaminase) and GABA (glutamic acid decarboxylase). The presence and identity of the transcriptome-derived transcripts were confirmed using RT-PCR. The data presented here provide a foundation for future gene-based studies of neuromodulatory control at the level of neurotransmitter/modulator biosynthesis in Homarus.

Consumption of H2S from Our Daily Diet: Determination by a Simple Chemosensing Method

A unique method has been developed for comparative analysis of H₂S produced from food samples from our daily diet, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The selective detection of H₂S has been executed by introducing a simple chemodosimeter (PN-N ₃ ) that gives response on the basis of intramolecular charge transfer. UV-vis, fluorimetric, and NMR titrations were performed to demonstrate the sensing mechanism and electronic environment of PN-N ₃ in the presence of H₂S. Density functional theory calculations were performed to validate the mechanism of azide (PN-N ₃ ) reduction to amine (PN-NH ₂ ) by the strong reducing power of H₂S. The potentiality of this chemosensing method is that it could be treated as a simple, less-time-consuming, and cost-effective method for determining H₂S in biological samples in the nanomolar range.

A CuO-functionalized NMOF probe with a tunable excitation wavelength for selective detection and imaging of H2S in living cells

Recently, fluorescent nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) have been proven to be useful probes for the detection and imaging of active biomolecules in living cells. However, the excitation wavelengths of these NMOF fluorescence probes are mostly in the ultraviolet region, which unavoidably results in reduced cell activity, limited tissue penetration depth and inevitable biological background interference. Herein, to solve this problem, a CuO functionalized NMOF probe with a tunable excitation wavelength based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for selective detection and imaging of the third important gaseous signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in living cells as an example is presented. In the energy transfer system, NMOF confines the luminophore organic dye thiazole orange within its intrinsic porous matrix as the energy donor, in which the excitation wavelength of the NMOF can be tuned simply from UV to Vis through the choice of dye molecules, and the H2S-responding site copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO NP) is the acceptor. After the surface functionalization of CuO NPs onto the NMOF, the fluorescence of the NMOF can be efficiently quenched based on the FRET. When H2S appeared, the fluorescence of the nanoprobe is recovered due to the interruption of FRET. This facile yet powerful strategy not only provides an instantaneous fluorescence probe for selective H2S detection in living cells but also offers a valuable approach for using porous NMOFs to sense other biological species.

Selective Detection of H2S by Copper Complex Embedded in Vesicles through Metal Indicator Displacement Approach

A new approach for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) was constructed within vesicles comprising phospholipids and amphiphilic copper complex as receptor. 1,2-Distearoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) vesicles with embedded metal complex receptor (1.Cu) sites have been prepared. The vesicles selectively respond to H₂S in a buffered solution and show colorimetric as well as spectral transformation. Other analytes such as reactive sulfur species, reactive nitrogen species, biological phosphates, and other anions failed to induce changes. The H₂S detection is established through a metal indicator displacement (MIDA) process, where Eosin-Y (EY) was employed as an indicator. Fluorescence, UV-vis spectroscopy, and the naked eye as the signal readout studies confirm the high selectivity, sensitivity, and lower detection limit of the vesicular receptor. The application of vesicular receptors for real sample analysis was also confirmed by fluorescence live cell imaging.

Specificity in nitric oxide signalling

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and their cognate redox signalling networks pervade almost all facets of plant growth, development, immunity, and environmental interactions. The emerging evidence implies that specificity in redox signalling is achieved by a multilayered molecular framework. This encompasses the production of redox cues in the locale of the given protein target and protein tertiary structures that convey the appropriate local chemical environment to support redox-based, post-translational modifications (PTMs). Nascent nitrosylases have also recently emerged that mediate the formation of redox-based PTMs. Reversal of these redox-based PTMs, rather than their formation, is also a major contributor of signalling specificity. In this context, the activities of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) reductase and thioredoxin h5 (Trxh5) are a key feature. Redox signalling specificity is also conveyed by the unique chemistries of individual RNS which is overlaid on the structural constraints imposed by tertiary protein structure in gating access to given redox switches. Finally, the interactions between RNS and ROS (reactive oxygen species) can also indirectly establish signalling specificity through shaping the formation of appropriate redox cues. It is anticipated that some of these insights might function as primers to initiate their future translation into agricultural, horticultural, and industrial biological applications.

Emerging Roles of Carbonyl Sulfide in Chemical Biology: Sulfide Transporter or Gasotransmitter?

SIGNIFICANCE

Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is the most prevalent sulfur-containing gas in the Earth's atmosphere, and it plays important roles in the global sulfur cycle. COS has been implicated in origin of life peptide ligation, is the primary energy source for certain bacteria, and has been detected in mammalian systems. Despite this long and intertwined history with terrestrial biology, limited attention has focused on potential roles of COS as a biological mediator. Recent Advances: Although bacterial COS production is well documented, definitive sources of mammalian COS production have not been confirmed. Enzymatic COS consumption in mammals, however, is well documented and occurs primarily by carbonic anhydrase (CA)-mediated conversion to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). COS has been detected in ex vivo mammalian tissue culture, as well as in exhaled breath as a potential biomarker for different disease pathologies, including cystic fibrosis and organ rejection. Recently, chemical tools for COS delivery have emerged and are poised to advance future investigations into the role of COS in different biological contexts.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Possible roles of COS as an important biomolecule, gasotransmitter, or sulfide transport intermediate remain to be determined. Key advances in both biological and chemical tools for COS research are needed to further investigate these questions.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Further evaluation of the biological roles of COS and disentangling the chemical biology of COS from that of H2S are needed to further elucidate these interactions. Chemical tools for COS delivery and modulation may provide a first avenue of investigative tools to answer many of these questions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 1516-1532.

Mechanistic Insights into the Activation of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase by Carbon Monoxide: A Multistep Mechanism Proposed for the BAY 41-2272 Induced Formation of 5-Coordinate CO-Heme

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a heme-containing enzyme that catalyzes cGMP production upon sensing NO. While the CO adduct, sGC-CO, is much less active, the allosteric regulator BAY 41-2272 stimulates the cGMP productivity to the same extent as that of sGC-NO. The stimulatory effect has been thought to be likely associated with Fe-His bond cleavage leading to 5-coordinate CO-heme, but the detailed mechanism remains unresolved. In this study, we examined the mechanism under the condition including BAY 41-2272, 2'-deoxy-3'-GMP and foscarnet. The addition of these effectors caused the original 6-coordinate CO-heme to convert to an end product that was an equimolar mixture of a 5- and a new 6-coordinate CO-heme, as assessed by IR spectral measurements. The two types of CO-hemes in the end product were further confirmed by CO dissociation kinetics. Stopped-flow measurements under the condition indicated that the ferrous sGC bound CO as two reversible steps, where the primary step was assigned to the full conversion of the ferrous enzyme to the 6-coordinate CO-heme, and subsequently followed by the slower second step leading a partial conversion of the 6-coordinate CO-heme to the 5-coordinate CO-heme. The observed rates for both steps linearly depended on CO concentrations. The unexpected CO dependence of the rates in the second step supports a multistep mechanism, in which the 5-coordinate CO-heme is led by CO release from a putative bis-carbonyl intermediate that is likely provided by the binding of a second CO to the 6-coordinate CO-heme. This mechanism provides a new aspect on the activation of sGC by CO.

Regulation of Striatal Neuron Activity by Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling and Phosphodiesterase Inhibition: Implications for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis and inactivation of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP/cGMP) in the brain. Several classes of PDE enzymes with distinct tissue distributions, cyclic nucleotide selectivity, and regulatory factors are highly expressed in brain regions subserving cognitive and motor processes known to be disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, small-molecule inhibitors of several different PDE family members alter cyclic nucleotide levels and favorably enhance motor performance and cognition in animal disease models. This chapter will explore the roles and therapeutic potential of non-selective and selective PDE inhibitors on neural processing in fronto-striatal circuits in normal animals and models of DOPA-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) associated with PD. The impact of selective PDE inhibitors and augmentation of cAMP and cGMP signaling on the membrane excitability of striatal medium-sized spiny projection neurons (MSNs) will be discussed. The effects of cyclic nucleotide signaling and PDE inhibitors on synaptic plasticity of striatonigral and striatopallidal MSNs will be also be reviewed. New data on the efficacy of PDE10A inhibitors for reversing behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in a rat model of PD will also be presented. Together, these data will highlight the potential of novel PDE inhibitors for treatment of movement disorders such as PD which are associated with abnormal corticostriatal transmission.

Identification of ᴅ-amino acid-containing peptides in human serum

Biologically uncommon d-aspartate (d-Asp) residues have been shown to accumulate in proteins associated with age-related human disorders, such as cataract and Alzheimer disease. Such d-Asp-containing proteins are unlikely to be broken down completely because metabolic enzymes recognize only proteins or peptides composed exclusively of l-amino acids. Therefore, undigested d-Asp-containing peptides may exist in blood and, if detectable, may be a useful biomarker for associated diseases. In this study, we investigated d-amino acid-containing peptides in adult human serum by a qualitative d-amino acid analysis based on a diastereomer method and LC-MS/MS method. As a result, two d-Asp-containing peptides were detected in serum, both derived from the fibrinogen β-chain, a glycoprotein that helps in the formation of blood clots. One of the peptides was fibrinopeptide B, which prevents fibrinogen from forming polymers of fibrin, and the other was same peptide with C-terminal Arginine missing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of d-amino acid-containing peptides in serum and the approach described will provide a new direction on the serum proteome and fragmentome.

Nitric oxide/cGMP signaling via guanylyl cyclase isoform 1 modulates glutamate and GABA release in somatosensory cortex of mice

In hippocampus, two guanylyl cyclases (NO-GC1 and NO-GC2) are involved in the transduction of the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on synaptic transmission. However, the respective roles of the NO-GC isoforms on synaptic transmission are less clear in other regions of the brain. In the present study, we used knock-out mice deficient for the NO-GC1 isoform (NO-GC1 KO) to analyze its role in the glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission at pyramidal neurons in layers II/III of somatosensory cortex. NO-GC1 KO slices revealed reduced frequencies of miniature excitatory- and inhibitory-postsynaptic currents, increased paired-pulse ratios and decreased input-output curves of evoked signals, which indicated the reduction of glutamate and GABA release in NO-GC1 KO mice. The functional changes in NO-GC1 KO mice were caused by the lack of cGMP as they were rescued to WT-like levels by the cGMP analog, 8-Br-PET-cGMP and conversely, mimicked by the NO-GC inhibitor, ODQ, in WT slices. In search of a cGMP target, two blockers of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels (ZD7288 and DK-AH269) reduced glutamate release in WT to the level of NO-GC1 KO mice suggesting HCN channels as possible effectors for presynaptic cGMP enhancing the glutamate release probability. By blocking postsynaptic NMDA receptors, the NMDA receptor-dependent NO signal was shown to be linked to the effect of NO-GC1 on presynaptic GABA release. Of note, the balance between glutamatergic and GABAergic inputs at individual synapses remained unaltered in the NO-GC1 KO mice. In sum, our results indicate a role for cGMP generated by presynaptic localized NO-GC1 to adjust inhibitory and excitatory inputs at individual synapses in the somatosensory cortex.

Highly sensitive and selective determination of hydrogen sulfide by resonance light scattering technique based on silver nanoparticles

We have developed a green approach to prepare DNA-templated silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from the direct reaction between Ag⁺ and ascorbic acid in the presence of DNA and sodium hydroxide. The Ag-NPs showed strong resonance light scattering (RLS) intensity property. Then, the interaction between hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and Ag-NPs was studied by measuring their RLS spectra. The results showed that there is a strong interaction between Ag-NPs and H₂S, which resulted in a decrease in the size of Ag-NPs and a decrease in the RLS intensity of the Ag-NPs solution at the wavelength of 467 nm. The results demonstrated that the RLS technique offers a sensitive and simple tool for investigating the interaction between Ag-NPs and H₂S, which can be applied to detect H₂S with high sensitivity and selectivity without complex readout equipment. The linear range for H₂S determination was found to be the range from 5.0 × 10^-9 to 1.0 × 10^-7 mol L^-1, and the detection limit (3σ/k) was 2.8 × 10^-9 mol L^-1. Moreover, the proposed method was applied for the determination of H₂S in natural water samples with satisfactory results. Graphical abstract The application of Ag-NPs in H₂S detection.

Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Neural Stem Cells Induces Neuronal Fate Commitment via the Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 2

Active adult neurogenesis produces new functional neurons, which replace the lost ones and contribute to brain repair. Promoting neurogenesis may offer a therapeutic strategy for human diseases associated with neurodegeneration. Here, we report that endogenous neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) for neural stem cells (NSCs) or progenitors positively regulates neurogenesis. nNOS repression exhibits significantly decreased neuronal differentiation and nNOS upregulation promotes neurons production from NSCs. Using a quantitative approach, we show that instructive effect, that is instruction of NSCs to adopt a neuronal fate, contributes to the favorable effect of endogenous nNOS on neurogenesis. Furthermore, nNOS-mediated instruction of neuronal fate commitment is predominantly due to the reduction of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression and enzymatic activity. Further investigation will be needed to test whether HDAC2 can serve as a new target for therapeutic intervention of neurodegenerative disorders.

Visual Working Memory Requires Permissive and Instructive NO/cGMP Signaling at Presynapses in the Drosophila Central Brain

The gaseous second messenger nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to regulate memory formation by activating retrograde signaling cascades from post- to presynapse that involve cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production to induce synaptic plasticity and transcriptional changes. In this study, we analyzed the role of NO in the formation of a visual working memory that lasts only a few seconds. This memory is encoded in a subset of ring neurons that form the ellipsoid body in the Drosophila brain. Using genetic and pharmacological manipulations, we show that NO signaling is required for cGMP-mediated CREB activation, leading to the expression of competence factors like the synaptic homer protein. Interestingly, this cell-autonomous function can also be fulfilled by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) through a converging pathway, revealing for the first time that endogenously produced H₂S has a role in memory processes. Notably, the NO synthase is strictly localized to the axonal output branches of the ring neurons, and this localization seems to be necessary for a second, phasic role of NO signaling. We provide evidence for a model where NO modulates the opening of cGMP-regulated cation channels to encode a short-term memory trace. Local production of NO/cGMP in restricted branches of ring neurons seems to represent the engram for objects, and comparing signal levels between individual ring neurons is used to orient the fly during search behavior. Due to its short half-life, NO seems to be a uniquely suited second messenger to encode working memories that have to be restricted in their duration.

Sigma-1 receptor deficiency reduces GABAergic inhibition in the basolateral amygdala leading to LTD impairment and depressive-like behaviors

Sigma-1 receptor knockout (σ₁R^-/-) in male mice causes depressive-like phenotype. We observed the expression of σ₁R in principal neurons of basolateral amygdala (BLA), a main region for affective regulation. The present study investigated the influence of σ₁R deficiency in BLA neurons on synaptic properties and plasticity at cortico-BLA pathway. In comparison with wild-type (WT) mice, the slopes of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) were reduced in σ₁R^-/- mice with the increases in paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and paired-pulse inhibition (PPI) values. Induction of NMDA receptor (NMDAr)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) and NMDAr-independent long-term depression (LTD) were impaired in σ₁R^-/- mice. The NMDAr NR2B phosphorylation in BLA of σ₁R^-/- mice was lower than in WT mice. The coupling of nNOS to PSD-95 and nitric oxide (NO) level were reduced in BLA of σ₁R^-/- mice, which were recovered by the BLA-injection of NMDAr agonist NMDA. The bath-application of NMDA in BLA slices from σ₁R^-/- mice corrected the reduced fEPSP slopes and increased PPF and PPI and recovered the LTP and LTD induction, which were sensitive to nNOS inhibitor 7-NI. NO donor DETA/NO or GABA_AR agonist muscimol could correct the PPI and recover LTD in σ₁R^-/- mice. In addition, the BLA-injection of NMDA, DETA/NO or muscimol could relieve the depressive-like behaviors in σ₁R^-/- mice. These results indicate that the σ₁R deficiency in BLA principal neurons via NMDAr dysfunction suppresses nNOS activity and NO production to reduce GABA_AR-mediated inhibition, which impairs LTD induction and causes depressive-like phenotype.

Time-Gated Detection of Cystathionine γ-Lyase Activity and Inhibition with a Selective, Luminogenic Hydrogen Sulfide Sensor

Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a lanthanide^III complex-based probe for the time-gated luminescence detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂ S) in aqueous media. The probe's unique sensing mechanism relies on the selective reduction of azide to amine by sulfide, followed by intramolecular cyclization to form a quinolinone. The quinolinone is a sensitizer that absorbs near-UV light and transfers excitation energy to coordinated Tb^III or Eu^III ions to trigger a strong "turn-on" luminescence response with ms-scale lifetimes characteristic of lanthanide complexes. Using this probe, we developed a robust, high throughput screening (HTS) assay for detecting H₂ S generated by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), one of the main producers of H₂ S in mammalian cells. In a 240-compound screen to identify potential CSE inhibitors, the Eu^III analogue of the sensor showed a low false-positive rate and high Z'-factor (>0.7).

Novel Fluorescein-Based Fluorescent Probe for Detecting H2S and Its Real Applications in Blood Plasma and Biological Imaging

A broad-spectrum fluorescent probe, which can be applied to monitoring H₂S in various biological systems, has been rationally designed and synthesized. This specific probe was applied to localize the endogenous H₂S in living Raw264.7 macrophage cells, HepG2 cells, and H9C2 cells. At the same time, the probe has successfully visualized CBS- and CSE-induced endogenous H₂S production and monitored CBS and CSE activity in H9C2 cells. This probe could serve as a powerful molecular imaging tool to further explore the physiological function and the molecular mechanisms of endogenous H₂S in living animal systems.

Hydrogen sulfide mediates nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) under high temperature conditions

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) acts as a signal to induce many physiological processes in plants, but its role in controlling the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is not well established. In this study, we found that high temperature (HT) treatment induced nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and promoted the rapid accumulation of H2S. Furthermore, HT triggered the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA), a plant hormone that promotes nicotine biosynthesis. Suppression of the H2S signal using chemical inhibitors or via RNAi suppression of l-cysteine desulphydrase (L-CD) in transgenic plants, compromised JA production and nicotine biosynthesis under HT treatments, and these inhibitory effects could be reversed by applying exogenous H2S. Based on these data, we propose that H2S is an important trigger of nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco under HT conditions, and that H2S acts upstream of JA signaling by modulating the transcription of genes associated with JA biosynthesis.

D-Serine in neurobiology: CNS neurotransmission and neuromodulation

Homochirality is fundamental for life. L-Amino acids are exclusively used as substrates for the polymerization and formation of peptides and proteins in living systems. However, D- amino acids were recently detected in various living organisms, including mammals. Of these D-amino acids, D-serine has been most extensively studied. D-Serine was found to play an important role as a neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system (CNS) by binding to the N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr). D-Serine binds with high affinity to a co-agonist site at the NMDAr and, along with glutamate, mediates several vital physiological and pathological processes, including NMDAr transmission, synaptic plasticity and neurotoxicity. Therefore, a key role for D-serine as a determinant of NMDAr mediated neurotransmission in mammalian CNS has been suggested. In this context, we review the known functions of D-serine in human physiology, such as CNS development, and pathology, such as neuro-psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases related to NMDAr dysfunction.

AG. Persistent Catechol-O-methyltransferase-dependent Pain Is Initiated by Peripheral β-Adrenergic Receptors

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic pain disorders exhibit increased levels of catecholamines alongside diminished activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines. The authors found that acute pharmacologic inhibition of COMT in rodents produces hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli via β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) activation. The contribution of distinct βAR populations to the development of persistent pain linked to abnormalities in catecholamine signaling requires further investigation.

METHODS

Here, the authors sought to determine the contribution of peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal βARs to persistent COMT-dependent pain. They implanted osmotic pumps to deliver the COMT inhibitor OR486 (Tocris, USA) for 2 weeks. Behavioral responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli were evaluated before and every other day after pump implantation. The site of action was evaluated in adrenalectomized rats receiving sustained OR486 or in intact rats receiving sustained βAR antagonists peripherally, spinally, or supraspinally alongside OR486.

RESULTS

The authors found that male (N = 6) and female (N = 6) rats receiving sustained OR486 exhibited decreased paw withdrawal thresholds (control 5.74 ± 0.24 vs. OR486 1.54 ± 0.08, mean ± SEM) and increased paw withdrawal frequency to mechanical stimuli (control 4.80 ± 0.22 vs. OR486 8.10 ± 0.13) and decreased paw withdrawal latency to thermal heat (control 9.69 ± 0.23 vs. OR486 5.91 ± 0.11). In contrast, adrenalectomized rats (N = 12) failed to develop OR486-induced hypersensitivity. Furthermore, peripheral (N = 9), but not spinal (N = 4) or supraspinal (N = 4), administration of the nonselective βAR antagonist propranolol, the β2AR antagonist ICI-118,511, or the β3AR antagonist SR59230A blocked the development of OR486-induced hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral adrenergic input is necessary for the development of persistent COMT-dependent pain, and peripherally-acting βAR antagonists may benefit chronic pain patients.

The NMDA Receptor and Schizophrenia: From Pathophysiology to Treatment

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that affects almost 1% of the population worldwide. Even though the etiology of schizophrenia is uncertain, it is believed to be a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from a combination of environmental insults and genetic vulnerabilities. Over the past 20 years, there has been a confluence of evidence from many research disciplines pointing to alterations in excitatory signaling, particularly involving hypofunction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), as a key contributor to the schizophrenia disease process. This review describes the structure-function relationship of the NMDAR channel and how the glycine modulatory site acts as an important regulator of its activity. In addition, this review highlights the genetic, pharmacologic, and biochemical evidence supporting the hypothesis that NMDAR hypofunction contributes to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Finally, this chapter highlights some of the most recent and promising pharmacological strategies that are designed to either, directly or indirectly, augment NMDAR function in an effort to treat the cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia that are not helped by currently available medications.

A near-infrared BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrogen sulfide in fetal bovine serum and living cells

A near-infrared (NIR) “off–on” fluorescent probe was developed for the detection of H₂S. The new probe possesses a highly selective and sensitive response to H₂S. The probe has low toxicity and was successfully used to detect H₂S in biological serum samples and living cells.

A prototype reversible polymersome-stabilized H2S photoejector operating under pseudophysiological conditions

Polymersome capsules are shown to solubilise photolabile hydrosulfide-containing (2), as well as hydroxylated (1), malachite green derivatives in their leuco-forms in aqueous buffer solution.

Electrochemical hydrogen sulfide biosensors

Biological application of electrochemical hydrogen sulfide sensors.

Nitric oxide signaling is recruited as a compensatory mechanism for sustaining synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer's disease mice

Synaptic plasticity deficits are increasingly recognized as causing the memory impairments which define Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD mouse models, evidence of abnormal synaptic function is present before the onset of cognitive deficits, and presents as increased synaptic depression revealed only when synaptic homeostasis is challenged, such as with suppression of ryanodine receptor (RyR)-evoked calcium signaling. Otherwise, at early disease stages, the synaptic physiology phenotype appears normal. This suggests compensatory mechanisms are recruited to maintain a functionally normal net output of the hippocampal circuit. A candidate calcium-regulated synaptic modulator is nitric oxide (NO), which acts presynaptically to boost vesicle release and glutamatergic transmission. Here we tested whether there is a feedforward cycle between the increased RyR calcium release seen in presymptomatic AD mice and aberrant NO signaling which augments synaptic plasticity. Using a combination of electrophysiological approaches, two-photon calcium imaging, and protein biochemistry in hippocampal tissue from presymptomatic 3xTg-AD and NonTg mice, we show that blocking NO synthesis results in markedly augmented synaptic depression mediated through presynaptic mechanisms in 3xTg-AD mice. Additionally, blocking NO reduces the augmented synaptically evoked dendritic calcium release mediated by enhanced RyR calcium release. This is accompanied by increased nNOS levels in the AD mice and is reversed upon normalization of RyR-evoked calcium release with chronic dantrolene treatment. Thus, recruitment of NO is serving a compensatory role to boost synaptic transmission and plasticity during early AD stages. However, NO's dual role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration may convert to maladaptive functions as the disease progresses.