Activation of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors increases the activity of the somatostatin receptor-effector system in the rat frontoparietal cortex

Dopamine D1 receptor activation improves adult hippocampal neurogenesis and exerts anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effect via activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathways in rat model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily characterized by midbrain dopamine depletion. Dopamine acts through dopamine receptors (D1 to D5) to regulate locomotion, motivation, pleasure, attention, cognitive functions and formation of newborn neurons, all of which are likely to be impaired in PD. Reduced hippocampal neurogenesis associated with dopamine depletion has been demonstrated in patients with PD. However, the precise mechanism to regulate multiple steps of adult hippocampal neurogenesis by dopamine receptor(s) is still unknown. In this study, we tested whether pharmacological agonism and antagonism of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor regulate nonmotor symptoms, neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and fate specification and explored the cellular mechanism(s) underlying dopamine receptor (D1 and D2) mediated adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rat model of PD-like phenotypes. We found that single unilateral intra-medial forebrain bundle administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) reduced D1 receptor level in the hippocampus. Pharmacological agonism of D1 receptor exerts anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects as well as enhanced NSC proliferation, long-term survival and neuronal differentiation by positively regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hippocampus in PD rats. shRNA lentivirus mediated knockdown of Axin-2, a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling potentially attenuated D1 receptor antagonist induced anxiety and depression-like phenotypes and impairment in adult hippocampal neurogenesis in PD rats. Our results suggest that improved nonmotor symptoms and hippocampal neurogenesis in PD rats controlled by D1-like receptors that involve the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

An update on somatostatin receptor signaling in native systems and new insights on their pathophysiology

The peptide somatostatin (SRIF) has important physiological effects, mostly inhibitory, which have formed the basis for the clinical use of SRIF compounds. SRIF binding to its 5 guanine nucleotide-binding proteins-coupled receptors leads to the modulation of multiple transduction pathways. However, our current understanding of signaling exerted by receptors endogenously expressed in different cells/tissues reflects a rather complicated picture. On the other hand, the complexity of SRIF receptor signaling in pathologies, including pituitary and nervous system diseases, may be studied not only as alternative intervention points for the modulation of SRIF function but also to exploit new chemical space for drug-like molecules.

Short-term preoperative octreotide treatment of GH-secreting pituitary adenoma: predictors of tumor shrinkage

We reviewed the cases of 32 patients with growth hormone (GH)-secreting macroadenoma who underwent short-term octreotide treatment before transsphenoidal surgery to determine which types of adenoma the preoperative treatment were sensitive and whether predictors of tumor shrinkage could be identified. The effects of preoperative octreotide treatment, endocrinologic effect and effect on tumor volume in 32 patients were evaluated retrospectively in relation to tumor features on magnetic resonance images and responses to endocrinologic challenge tests. At a daily dose of 300 microg for 2-3 weeks, octreotide reduced serum GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels to 31.9 % and 51.6% of pretreatment values, respectively, and led to a mean tumor volume of 68% of pretreatment volume in 52% of the patients. The endocrinologic effect and the effect on tumor volume were larger in Knosp grades 0-2 than in Knosp grades 3-4. Tumor shrinkage occurred significantly more often among patients that had a good response to both octreotide and bromocriptine challenge tests. For surgical removal of the tumor, the effect of reducing tumor to 68% of pretreatment volume will be beneficial for the macroadenomas of Knosp grades 1-2. Preoperative short-term octreotide treatment is effective for GH-secreting macroadeomas of Knosp grades 1-2 and a good response to both octreotide and bromocriptine challenge tests is a predictor of subsequent tumor shrinkage. These results will lead to more effective selection of patients for preoperative octreotide treatment.

Regulation of somatostatins and their receptors in fish

The multifunctional nature of the somatostatin (SS) family of peptides results from a multifaceted signaling system consisting of many forms of SS peptides that bind to a variety of receptor (SSTR) subtypes. Research in fish has contributed important information about the components, function, evolution, and regulation of this system. Somatostatins or mRNAs encoding SSs have been isolated from over 20 species of fish. Peptides and deduced peptides differ in their amino acid chain length and/or composition, and most species of fish possess more than one form of SS. The structural heterogeneity of SSs results from differential processing of the hormone precursor, preprosomatostatin (PPSS), and from the existence of multiple genes that give rise to multiple PPSSs. The PPSS genes appear to have arisen through a series of gene duplication events over the course of vertebrate evolution. The numerous PPSSs of fish are differentially expressed, both in terms of the distribution among tissues and in terms of the relative abundance within a tissue. Accumulated evidence suggests that nutritional state, season/stage of sexual maturation, and many hormones [insulin (INS), glucagon, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and 17beta-estradiol (E2)] regulate the synthesis and release of particular SSs. Fish and mammals possess multiple SSTRs; four different SSTRs have been described in fish and several of these occur as isoforms. SSTRs are also wide spread and are differentially expressed, both in terms of distribution of tissues as well as in terms of relative abundance within tissues. The pattern of distribution of SSTRs may underlie tissue-specific responses of SSs. The synthesis of SSTR mRNA and SS-binding capacity are regulated by nutritional state and numerous hormones (INS, GH, IGF-I, and E2). Accumulated evidence suggests the possibility of both tissue- and subtype-specific mechanisms of regulation. In many instances, there appears to be coordinate regulation of PPSS and of SSTR; such regulation may prove important for many processes, including nutrient homeostasis and growth control.

Suppression of rat and human growth hormone and prolactin secretion by a novel somatostatin/dopaminergic chimeric ligand

As cotreatment of somatostatin (SRIF) and dopamine (DA) agonists reduces GH in acromegaly more effectively than either agonist alone, SRIF and DA receptors (SSTR and DAR) may interact with enhanced functional activity. The selective SSTR2 agonist, BIM-23023 (50% effective dose, 0.42), and the DAR2 agonist, BIM-53097 (50% effective dose, 22.1), dose- dependently inhibited GH secretion in cultured primary rat and human fetal as well as in human pituitary tumor cells derived from GH-secreting adenomas. The combination of individual SSTR2 and DAR2 agonists was additive for suppressing GH secretion in both rat and human pituitary cells. BIM-23A387 is a chimeric compound that contains structural elements of both SRIF and DA in a single molecule and retains potent, selective binding to DAR2 and SSTR2. BIM-23A387 (50% effective dose, 0.16 for SSTR2 and 24.5 for DAR2), displayed similar efficacy in suppressing GH secretion from rat pituitary cells as the combination of the two individual agonists. In contrast, the chimeric molecule was more potent than individual selective analogs in suppressing GH secretion by human fetal pituitary and GH-secreting adenoma cells (P < 0.05). Although the DAR2 antagonist, sulpiride, reversed BIM-23A387-induced GH suppression, blockade of SSTR2 by the selective SSTR antagonist, BIM-23454, did not block BIM-23A387-suppressed GH secretion. These results indicate that mechanisms by which the chimeric molecule suppresses pituitary GH secretion may not be mediated by individual SSTR2 or DAR2 signaling, respectively. Functional interaction of the two receptors may explain the clinical observation that more effective GH suppression is achieved when DAR2 and SSTR2 agonists are administered in combination. The SRIF/DA chimeric molecule, BIM-23A387, represents a novel tool for effective drug treatment of acromegaly and for prolactinomas otherwise resistant to dopaminergic therapy.

Modulation of somatostatin receptors, somatostatin content and Gi proteins by substance P in the rat frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus

Substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SRIF) are widely spread throughout the CNS where they play a role as neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators. A colocalization of both neuropeptides has been demonstrated in several rat brain areas and SP receptors have been detected in rat cortical and hippocampal somatostatinergic cells. The present study was thus undertaken to determine whether SP could modulate SRIF signaling pathways in the rat frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus. A single intraperitoneal injection of SP (50, 250 or 500 micro g/kg) induced an increase in the density of SRIF receptors in membranes from the rat frontoparietal cortex at 24 h of its administration, with no change in the hippocampus. The functionality of the SRIF receptors was next investigated. Western blot analysis of Gi proteins demonstrated a significant decrease in Gialpha1 levels in frontoparietal cortical membranes from rats treated acutely (24 h) with 250 micro g/kg of SP, which correlated with a decrease in functional Gi activity, as assessed by use of the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate. SRIF-mediated inhibition of basal or forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was also significantly lower in the frontoparietal cortex of the SP-treated group, with no alterations in the catalytic subunit of the enzyme. SRIF-like immunoreactivity content was increased in the frontoparietal cortex after acute (24 h) SP administration (250 or 500 micro g/kg) as well as in the hippocampus in response to 7 days of SP (250 micro g/kg) administration. All these SP-mediated effects were prevented by pretreatment with the NK1 receptor antagonist RP-67580. Although the physiologic significance of these results are unknown, the increase in SRIF receptor density together with the desensitization of the SRIF inhibitory signaling pathway might be a mechanism to potentiate the stimulatory pathway of SRIF, inducing a preferential coupling of the receptors to PLC.