Trace amine-associated receptors and their ligands

A tryptamine derivative, SST-VEDI-1, inhibits apoptosis and stimulates mineralization in osteoblasts

SST-VEDI-1(VEDI-1) is a new synthetic compound that is synthesized from tryptamine, and has structural similarity to the SSH-BM family of compounds. However, the biological effects of VEDI-1 have yet to be well characterized. A recent report has demonstrated that SSH-BM-type compounds can stimulate osteoblast activity in cultured scales of goldfish. In this study, we examined the effects of VEDI-1 on osteoblastic differentiation as well as its effects on apoptosis, which is known to be closely related to osteoblastic differentiation. We found that VEDI-1 enhanced the formation of mineralized nodules in rat osteoblast cell lines, including ROS17/2.8 cells, and in mouse pre-osteoblast cell lines, including MC3T3-E1 cells, in a dose dependent manner, which was accompanied by increased expression of late osteoblast markers, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC). Furthermore, VEDI-I inhibited apoptotic cell death and regulated the expression of proteins in the Bcl-2 family. These results suggest that VEDI-1 may facilitate late differentiation of osteoblasts and may have an inhibitory effect on apoptosis.

Social modulation of associative fear learning by pheromone communication

Mice communicate through visual, vocal, and olfactory cues that influence innate, nonassociative behavior. We here report that exposure to a recently fear-conditioned familiar mouse impairs acquisition of conditioned fear and facilitates fear extinction, effects mimicked by both an olfactory chemosignal emitted by a recently fear-conditioned familiar mouse and by the putative stress-related anxiogenic pheromone beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA). Together, these findings suggest social modulation of higher-order cognitive processing through pheromone communication and support the concurrent excitor hypothesis of extinction learning.

The evolution of animal chemosensory receptor gene repertoires: roles of chance and necessity

Chemosensory receptors are essential for the survival of organisms that range from bacteria to mammals. Recent studies have shown that the numbers of functional chemosensory receptor genes and pseudogenes vary enormously among the genomes of different animal species. Although much of the variation can be explained by the adaptation of organisms to different environments, it has become clear that a substantial portion is generated by genomic drift, a random process of gene duplication and deletion. Genomic drift also generates a substantial amount of copy-number variation in chemosensory receptor genes within species. It seems that mutation by gene duplication and inactivation has important roles in both the adaptive and non-adaptive evolution of chemosensation.

Effects of dietary amines on the gut and its vasculature

Trace amines, including tyramine and β-phenylethylamine (β-PEA), are constituents of many foods including chocolate, cheeses and wines and are generated by so-called ‘friendly’ bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus and Enterococcus species, which are found in probiotics. We therefore examined whether these dietary amines could exert pharmacological effects on the gut and its vasculature. In the present study we examined the effects of tyramine and β-PEA on the contractile activity of guinea-pig and rat ileum and upon the isolated mesenteric vasculature and other blood vessels. Traditionally, these amines are regarded as sympathomimetic amines, exerting effects through the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve endings, which should relax the gut. A secondary aim was therefore to confirm this mechanism of action. However, contractile effects were observed in the gut and these were independent of noradrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine and serotonin receptors. They were therefore probably due to the recently described trace amine-associated receptors. These amines relaxed the mesenteric vasculature. In contrast, the aorta and coronary arteries were constricted, a response that was also independent of a sympathomimetic action. From these results, we propose that after ingestion, trace amines could stimulate the gut and improve intestinal blood flow. Restriction of blood flow elsewhere diverts blood to the gut to aid digestion. Thus, trace amines in the diet may promote the digestive process through stimulation of the gut and improved gastrointestinal circulation.

Human olfactory receptor families and their odorants

The human nose detects volatile chemical stimuli by at least three different receptor families: odorant receptors, trace amine-associated receptors, and vomeronasal type-1 receptors. As G protein-coupled receptors, all of the few functionally characterized olfactory receptors share major functional features: when expressed in heterologous cell systems, they 1) respond to odorants of certain chemical groups, e.g., amines, aliphatic carboxylic acids or aldehydes, floral or fruity odorants, including certain key-food odorants, and putative pheromones, and 2) transduce their signals to intracellular cAMP signaling. However, little is known yet about specific differences in the functional designation of the three olfactory receptor families. Recently, two heterologous cell systems expressing olfactory signaling molecules have been developed. Different screening strategies will shed light on the yet sparsely available odorant specificity profiles and structure-function relationships of olfactory receptors, as well as the structure-activity relationships of their odorants.

Analysis of the goldfish Carassius auratus olfactory epithelium transcriptome reveals the presence of numerous non-olfactory GPCR and putative receptors for progestin pheromones

Background

The goldfish (Carassius auratus) uses steroids and prostaglandins as pheromone cues at different stages of the reproductive cycle to facilitate spawning synchronization. Steroid progestin pheromone binding has been detected in goldfish olfactory membranes but the receptors responsible for this specific binding remain unknown. In order to shed some light on the olfactory epithelium transcriptome and search for possible receptor candidates a large set of EST from this tissue were analysed and compared to and combined with a similar zebrafish (Danio rerio) resource.

Results

We generated 4,797 high quality sequences from a normalized cDNA library of the goldfish olfactory epithelium, which were clustered in 3,879 unique sequences, grouped in 668 contigs and 3,211 singletons. BLASTX searches produced 3,243 significant (E-value < e^-10) hits and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis annotated a further 1,223 of these genes (37.7%). Comparative analysis with zebrafish olfactory epithelium ESTs revealed 1,088 identical unigenes. The transcriptome size of both species was estimated at about 16,400 unigenes, based on the proportion of genes identified involved in Glucose Metabolic Process. Of 124 G-protein coupled receptors identified in the olfactory epithelium of both species, 56 were olfactory receptors. Beta and gamma membrane progestin receptors were also isolated by subcloning of RT-PCR products from both species and an olfactory epithelium specific splice form identified.

Conclusion

The high similarity between the goldfish and zebrafish olfactory systems allowed the creation of a 'cyprinid' olfactory epithelium library estimated to represent circa 70% of the transcriptome. These results are an important resource for the identification of components of signalling pathways involved in olfaction as well as putative targets for pharmacological and histochemical studies. The possible function of the receptors identified in the olfactory system is described. Moreover, the role of olfactory epithelium specific isoforms of classical membrane progestin receptor genes as candidates for preovulatory pheromone sensing is discussed.

Endogenous hallucinogens as ligands of the trace amine receptors: a possible role in sensory perception

While the endogenous hallucinogens, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, have been acknowledged as naturally occurring components of the mammalian body for decades, their biological function remains as elusive now as it was at the time of their discovery. The recent discovery of the trace amine associated receptors and the activity of DMT and other hallucinogenic compounds at these receptor sites leads to the hypothesis that the endogenous hallucinogens act as neurotransmitters of a subclass of these trace amine receptors. Additionally, while activity at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor has been proposed as being responsible for the hallucinogenic affects of administered hallucinogens, in their natural setting the 5-HT2A receptor may not interact with the endogenous hallucinogens at all. Additionally 5-HT2A agonist activity is unable to account for the visual altering effects of many of the administered hallucinogens; these effects may be mediated by one of the endogenous hallucinogen trace amine receptors rather than the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. Therefore, activity at the trace amine receptors, in addition to serotonin receptors, may play a large role in the sensory altering effects of administered hallucinogens and the trace amine receptors along with their endogenous hallucinogen ligands may serve an endogenous role in mediating sensory perception in the mammalian central nervous system. Thus the theory proposed states that these compounds act as true endogenous hallucinogenic transmitters acting in regions of the central nervous system involved in sensory perception.

Pharmacology of stimulants prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

This review examines the pharmacology of stimulants prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Stimulants that increase alertness/reduce fatigue or activate the cardiovascular system can include drugs like ephedrine available in many over-the-counter medicines. Others such as amphetamines, cocaine and hallucinogenic drugs, available on prescription or illegally, can modify mood. A total of 62 stimulants (61 chemical entities) are listed in the WADA List, prohibited in competition. Athletes may have stimulants in their body for one of three main reasons: inadvertent consumption in a propriety medicine; deliberate consumption for misuse as a recreational drug and deliberate consumption to enhance performance. The majority of stimulants on the list act on the monoaminergic systems: adrenergic (sympathetic, transmitter noradrenaline), dopaminergic (transmitter dopamine) and serotonergic (transmitter serotonin, 5-HT). Sympathomimetic describes agents, which mimic sympathetic responses, and dopaminomimetic and serotoninomimetic can be used to describe actions on the dopamine and serotonin systems. However, many agents act to mimic more than one of these monoamines, so that a collective term of monoaminomimetic may be useful. Monoaminomimietic actions of stimulants can include blockade of re-uptake of neurotransmitter, indirect release of neurotransmitter, direct activation of monoaminergic receptors. Many of the stimulants are amphetamines or amphetamine derivatives, including agents with abuse potential as recreational drugs. A number of agents are metabolized to amphetamine or metamphetamine. In addition to the monoaminomimetic agents, a small number of agents with different modes of action are on the list. A number of commonly used stimulants are not considered as Prohibited Substances.

Dietary trace amine-dependent vasoconstriction in porcine coronary artery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The dietary trace amines tyramine and beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA) can increase blood pressure. However, the mechanisms involved in the vascular effect of trace amines have not been fully established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether trace amine-dependent vasoconstriction was brought about by tyramine and beta-PEA acting as indirect sympathomimetic agents, as previously assumed, or whether trace amine-dependent vasoconstriction could be mediated by recently discovered trace amine-associated (TAA) receptors.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The responses to p-tyramine and beta-PEA were investigated in vitro in rings of the left anterior descending coronary arteries of pigs.

KEY RESULTS

p-Tyramine induced a concentration-dependent (0.1-3 mM) vasoconstriction. The maximum response and pD(2) value for p-tyramine was unaffected by endothelium removal or pre-treatment with antagonists for adrenoceptors, histamine, dopamine or 5-HT receptors. beta-PEA also produced a concentration-dependent (0.3-10 mM) vasoconstriction which was unaffected by endothelium removal, beta-adrenoceptor or 5-HT receptor antagonists. A substantial, but reduced, response to beta-PEA was obtained in the presence of prazosin (alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), haloperidol (D(2)/D(3) dopamine receptor antagonist) or mepyramine (H(1) histamine receptor antagonist). The pD(2) value for beta-PEA was unaffected by any of the antagonists tested.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Vasoconstriction induced by p-tyramine does not involve an indirect sympathomimetic effect, although vasoconstriction caused by beta-PEA may occur, in part, by this mechanism. We therefore propose that trace amine-dependent vasoconstriction is mediated by phenylethylamine-specific receptors, which are closely related to or identical to TAA receptors. These receptors could provide a target for new antihypertensive therapies.

Toward deciphering the code to aminergic G protein-coupled receptor drug design

The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR(1)) is a biogenic amine G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is potently activated by 3-iodothyronamine (1, T(1)AM) in vitro. Compound 1 is an endogenous derivative of the thyroid hormone thyroxine which rapidly induces hypothermia, anergia, and bradycardia when administered to mice. To explore the role of TAAR(1) in mediating the effects of 1, we rationally designed and synthesized rat TAAR(1) superagonists and lead antagonists using the rotamer toggle switch model of aminergic GPCR activation. The functional activity of a ligand is proposed to be correlated to its probable interactions with the rotamer switch residues; agonists allow the rotamer switch residues to toggle to their active conformation, whereas antagonists interfere with this conformational transition. These agonist and antagonist design principles provide a conceptual model for understanding the relationship between the molecular structure of a drug and its pharmacological properties.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1-Family archetype or iconoclast?

Interest has recently been rekindled in receptors that are activated by low molecular weight, noncatecholic, biogenic amines that are typically found as trace constituents of various vertebrate and invertebrate tissues and fluids. The timing of this resurgent focus on receptors activated by the "trace amines" (TA) beta-phenylethylamine (PEA), tyramine (TYR), octopamine (OCT), synephrine (SYN), and tryptamine (TRYP) is the direct result of 2 publications that appeared in 2001 describing the cloning of a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) referred to by their discoverers Borowsky et al. as TA1 and Bunzow et al. as TA receptor 1 (TAR1). When heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and various eukaryotic cell lines, recombinant rodent and human TAR dose-dependently couple to the stimulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production. Structure-activity profiling based on this functional response has revealed that in addition to the TA, other biologically active compounds containing a 2-carbon aliphatic side chain linking an amino group to at least 1 benzene ring are potent and efficacious TA receptor agonists with amphetamine (AMPH), methamphetamine, 3-iodothyronamine, thyronamine, and dopamine (DA) among the most notable. Almost 100 years after the search for TAR began, numerous TA1/TAR1-related sequences, now called TA-associated receptors (TAAR), have been identified in the genome of every species of vertebrate examined to date. Consequently, even though heterologously expressed TAAR1 fits the pharmacological criteria established for a bona fide TAR, a major challenge for those working in the field is to discern the in vivo pharmacology and physiology of each purported member of this extended family of GPCR. Only then will it be possible to establish whether TAAR1 is the family archetype or an iconoclast.

Expression of neuronal trace amine-associated receptor (Taar) mRNAs in leukocytes

Trace amines such as tyramine, octopamine and beta-phenylethylamine bind with high affinity to the mammalian trace amine-associated receptor 1 (Taar1), potentially activating G-proteins in the synaptic membranes of target neurons. Recently there has been significant interest in Taar1, since this receptor can bind certain psychoactive drugs of abuse such as Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Surprisingly, Ecstasy has been shown to alter responses of immune cells, and we questioned whether Taar receptors might be responsible for this effect. Using sensitive and quantitative RT-PCR assays, we found no detectable expression of Taar mRNA in bone marrow, or in primary cultures of mouse macrophages and dendritic cells whether quiescent or activated by exposure to lipopolysaccharide or the mouse gamma herpesvirus-68 (gammaHV-68). Mouse B cells and NK cells isolated from spleen, however, showed expression of several Taar mRNA species. Taar mRNA expression was also upregulated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes following in vitro stimulation with PHA. These studies represent the first to define expression of the mRNAs encoding these trace amine receptors in leukocytes.

Evolution of Trace Amine–Associated Receptor (TAAR) Gene Family in Vertebrates: Lineage-Specific Expansions and Degradations of a Second Class of Vertebrate Chemosensory Receptors Expressed in the Olfactory Epithelium

The trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) form a specific family of G protein-coupled receptors in vertebrates. TAARs were initially considered neurotransmitter receptors, but recent study showed that mouse TAARs function as chemosensory receptors in the olfactory epithelium. To clarify the evolutionary dynamics of the TAAR gene family in vertebrates, near-complete repertoires of TAAR genes and pseudogenes were identified from the genomic assemblies of 4 teleost fishes (zebrafish, fugu, stickleback, and medaka), western clawed frogs, chickens, 3 mammals (humans, mice, and opossum), and sea lampreys. Database searches revealed that fishes had many putatively functional TAAR genes (13-109 genes), whereas relatively small numbers of TAAR genes (3-22 genes) were identified in tetrapods. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes indicated that the TAAR gene family was subdivided into 5 subfamilies that diverged before the divergence of ray-finned fishes and tetrapods. In tetrapods, virtually all TAAR genes were located in 1 specific region of their genomes as a gene cluster; however, in fishes, TAAR genes were scattered throughout more than 2 genomic locations. This possibly reflects a whole-genome duplication that occurred in the common ancestor of ray-finned fishes. Expression analysis of zebrafish and stickleback TAAR genes revealed that many TAARs in these fishes were expressed in the olfactory organ, suggesting the relatively high importance of TAARs as chemosensory receptors in fishes. A possible evolutionary history of the vertebrate TAAR gene family was inferred from the phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses.

A triple play for thyroid hormone

A class of thyroid hormone metabolites has dramatic physiological effects on metabolism and heart rate by still-unknown mechanisms of action. A recent study has discovered that thyronamines can inhibit neuronal reuptake of neurotransmitters and prevent the intracellular transport of monoamines for release. This discovery presents a third signaling pathway for thyroid hormone, expands the role that thyroid plays in the central nervous system, and suggests mechanisms of action for the effects of thyronamine-derived neuromodulators.