Stimulating effect of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin on Ca2+ channels in neurons of rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus

Microbial glutamate metabolism predicts intravenous cocaine self-administration in diversity outbred mice

The gut microbiome is thought to play a critical role in the onset and development of psychiatric disorders, including depression and substance use disorder (SUD). To test the hypothesis that the microbiome affects addiction predisposing behaviors and cocaine intravenous self-administration (IVSA) and to identify specific microbes involved in the relationship, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing on feces from 228 diversity outbred mice. Twelve open field measures, two light-dark assay measures, one hole board and novelty place preference measure significantly differed between mice that acquired cocaine IVSA (ACQ) and those that failed to acquire IVSA (FACQ). We found that ACQ mice are more active and exploratory and display decreased fear than FACQ mice. The microbial abundances that differentiated ACQ from FACQ mice were an increased abundance of Barnesiella, Ruminococcus, and Robinsoniella and decreased Clostridium IV in ACQ mice. There was a sex-specific correlation between ACQ and microbial abundance, a reduced Lactobacillus abundance in ACQ male mice, and a decreased Blautia abundance in female ACQ mice. The abundance of Robinsoniella was correlated, and Clostridium IV inversely correlated with the number of doses of cocaine self-administered during acquisition. Functional analysis of the microbiome composition of a subset of mice suggested that gut-brain modules encoding glutamate metabolism genes are associated with the propensity to self-administer cocaine. These findings establish associations between the microbiome composition and glutamate metabolic potential and the ability to acquire cocaine IVSA thus indicating the potential translational impact of targeting the gut microbiome or microbial metabolites for treatment of SUD. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Microbiome & the Brain: Mechanisms & Maladies".

The Effect of Limosilactobacillus reuteri on Social Behavior Is Independent of the Adaptive Immune System

Gut microbes can modulate almost all aspects of host physiology throughout life. As a result, specific microbial interventions are attracting considerable attention as potential therapeutic strategies for treating a variety of conditions. Nonetheless, little is known about the mechanisms through which many of these microbes work. Recently, we and others have found that the commensal bacterium Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) reverses social deficits in several mouse models (genetic, environmental, and idiopathic) for neurodevelopmental disorders in a vagus nerve-, oxytocin-, and biopterin-dependent manner. Given that gut microbes can signal to the brain through the immune system and L. reuteri promotes wound healing via the adaptive immune response, we sought to determine whether the prosocial effect mediated by L. reuteri also depends on adaptive immunity. Here, we found that the effects of L. reuteri on social behavior and related changes in synaptic function are independent of the mature adaptive immune system. Interestingly, these findings indicate that the same microbe (L. reuteri) can affect different host phenotypes through distinct mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Because preclinical animal studies support the idea that gut microbes could represent novel therapeutics for brain disorders, it is essential to fully understand the mechanisms by which gut microbes affect their host's physiology. Previously, we discovered that treatment with Limosilactobacillus reuteri selectively improves social behavior in different mouse models for autism spectrum disorder through the vagus nerve, oxytocin reward signaling in the brain, and biopterin metabolites (BH4) in the gut. However, given that (i) the immune system remains a key pathway for host-microbe interactions and that (ii) L. reuteri has been shown to facilitate wound healing through the adaptive immune system, we examined here whether the prosocial effects of L. reuteri require immune signaling. Unexpectedly, we found that the mature adaptive immune system (i.e., conventional B and T cells) is not required for L. reuteri to reverse social deficits and related changes in synaptic function. Overall, these findings add new insight into the mechanism through which L. reuteri modulates brain function and behavior. More importantly, they highlight that a given bacterial species can modulate different phenotypes (e.g., wound healing versus social behavior) through separate mechanisms.

Tetrahydrobiopterin treatment in phenylketonuria: A repurposing approach

In phenylketonuria (PKU) patients, early diagnosis by neonatal screening and immediate institution of a phenylalanine-restricted diet can prevent severe intellectual impairment. Nevertheless, outcome remains suboptimal in some patients asking for additional treatment strategies. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4 ) could be one of those treatment options, as it may not only increase residual phenylalanine hydroxylase activity in BH4 -responsive PKU patients, but possibly also directly improves neurocognitive functioning in both BH4 -responsive and BH4 -unresponsive PKU patients. In the present review, we aim to further define the theoretical working mechanisms by which BH4 might directly influence neurocognitive functioning in PKU having passed the blood-brain barrier. Further research should investigate which of these mechanisms are actually involved, and should contribute to the development of an optimal BH4 treatment regimen to directly improve neurocognitive functioning in PKU. Such possible repurposing approach of BH4 treatment in PKU may improve neuropsychological outcome and mental health in both BH4 -responsive and BH4 -unresponsive PKU patients.

GTP cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin regulate pain sensitivity and persistence

We report that GTP cyclohydrolase (GCH1), the rate-limiting enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis, is a key modulator of peripheral neuropathic and inflammatory pain. BH4 is an essential cofactor for catecholamine, serotonin and nitric oxide production. After axonal injury, concentrations of BH4 rose in primary sensory neurons, owing to upregulation of GCH1. After peripheral inflammation, BH4 also increased in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), owing to enhanced GCH1 enzyme activity. Inhibiting this de novo BH4 synthesis in rats attenuated neuropathic and inflammatory pain and prevented nerve injury-evoked excess nitric oxide production in the DRG, whereas administering BH4 intrathecally exacerbated pain. In humans, a haplotype of the GCH1 gene (population frequency 15.4%) was significantly associated with less pain following diskectomy for persistent radicular low back pain. Healthy individuals homozygous for this haplotype exhibited reduced experimental pain sensitivity, and forskolin-stimulated immortalized leukocytes from haplotype carriers upregulated GCH1 less than did controls. BH4 is therefore an intrinsic regulator of pain sensitivity and chronicity, and the GTP cyclohydrolase haplotype is a marker for these traits.

Tetrahydrobiopterin stimulates L-DOPA release from striatal tissue

In the present study we have analyzed the effect of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase and nitric oxide synthase, on the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) release from in vitro incubated striatal tissue. dl-6-methyl-5,6,7,8 tetrahydropterine (6-MPH4)-stimulated L-DOPA release in a concentration-dependent manner in the range from 25 to 100 microM. At these concentrations 6-MPH4 did not have any effect on dopamine release. Presence of Nomega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 200 microM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, but not of alpha-methyl-rho-tyrosine (alpha-MPT, 100 microM), a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, blocked L-DOPA release induced by 6-MPH4 (200 microM). Also, the addition to the incubation medium of melatonin (MEL, 300 microM), which is a scavenger of NO and other free radicals, blocked the L-DOPA release induced by 6-MPH4 (200 microM) but this effect did not occur with the addition of the peroxynitrite scavenger uric acid (UA, 300 microM). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 100 muM), a NO generator and l-DOPA releaser as previously reported, potentiated the L-DOPA releasing effect of 6-MPH4 (200 microM) which was also blocked by melatonin. In summary 6-MPH4 stimulates L-DOPA release from striatal fragments incubated in vitro by a mechanism which involves NO or other free radicals derived from NO but not peroxynitrite.

Esrom, an ortholog of PAM (protein associated with c-myc), regulates pteridine synthesis in the zebrafish

Zebrafish esrom mutants have an unusual combination of phenotypes: in addition to a defect in the projection of retinal axons, they have reduced yellow pigmentation. Here, we investigate the pigment phenotype and, from this, provide evidence for an unexpected defect in retinal neurons. Esrom is not required for the differentiation of neural crest precursors into pigment cells, nor is it essential for cell migration, pigment granule biogenesis, or translocation. Instead, loss of yellow color is caused by a deficiency of sepiapterin, a yellow pteridine. The level of several other pteridines is also affected in mutants. Importantly, the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is drastically reduced in esrom mutants. Mutant retinal neurons also appear deficient in this pteridine. BH4-synthesizing enzymes are active in mutants, indicating a defect in the regulation rather than production of enzymes. Esrom has recently been identified as an ortholog of PAM (protein associated with c-myc), a very large protein involved in synaptogenesis in Drosophila and C. elegans. These data thus introduce a new regulator of pteridine synthesis in a vertebrate and establish a function for the Esrom protein family outside synaptogenesis. They also raise the possibility that neuronal defects are due in part to an abnormality in pteridine synthesis.

Tetrahydrobiopterin enhances apoptotic PC12 cell death following withdrawal of trophic support

(6R)-Tetrahydro-l-biopterin (BH(4)) is the rate-limiting cofactor in the production of catecholamine and indoleamine neurotransmitters and is also essential for the synthesis of nitric oxide by nitric-oxide synthase. We have previously reported that BH(4) administration induces PC12 cell proliferation and that nerve growth factor- or epidermal growth factor-induced PC12 cell proliferation requires the elevation of intracellular BH(4) levels. We show here that BH(4) accelerates apoptosis in undifferentiated PC12 cells deprived of serum and in differentiated neuron-like PC12 cells after nerve growth factor withdrawal. Increased production of catecholamines or nitric oxide cannot account for the enhancement of apoptosis by BH(4). Furthermore, increased calcium influx by exogenous BH(4) administration is not involved in the BH(4) proapoptotic effect. Our data also argue against the possibility that increased oxidative stress, due to BH(4) autoxidation, is responsible for the observed BH(4) effects. Instead, they are consistent with the hypothesis that BH(4) induces apoptosis by increasing cell cycle progression. Elevation of intracellular BH(4) during serum withdrawal increased c-Myc (and especially Myc S) expression earlier than serum withdrawal alone. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor olomoucine ameliorated the BH(4) proapoptotic effect. These data suggest that BH(4) affects c-Myc expression and cell cycle-dependent events, possibly accounting for its effects on promoting cell cycle progression or apoptosis.

The role of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin in the nervous system

In addition to its cofactor activities for aromatic L-amino acid hydroxylases and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin (6R-BH(4)) shows diverse actions on neurons. Dopamine release from the rat striatum or PC12 cells was stimulated by 6R-BH(4). The action of 6R-BH(4) was independent of its cofactor activities and stereospecific. Ca(2+) channels in rat brain and PC12 cells were activated by 6R-BH(4) via cAMP-protein kinase A pathway. Membrane potential of PC12 cells was deplorized by 6R-BH(4). Thus, it is assumed that 6R-BH(4) acts on its specific action site (possibly outside of the cell membrane) to stimulate dopamine release by activating Ca(2+) channels. Apoptosis induced by depletion of serum and nerve growth factor in PC12 cells was prevented by 6R-BH(4). The cell surviving effect of 6R-BH(4) was also mediated by activation of Ca(2+) channels and cAMP-protein kinase A pathway. However, since 6R-BH(4) did not activate mitogen activated protein kinase, it did not support neuronal differentiation. Nitric oxide (NO)-induced cell death was prevented by 6R-BH(4) in PC12 cells. NOS activity was not changed by exogenous 6R-BH(4), but NO metabolites in culture medium were decreased by 6R-BH(4). When endogenous 6R-BH(4) was reduced by inhibition of biosynthesis, cell death was induced in PC12 cells. Superoxide is observed to be generated during autoxidation of 6R-BH(4). Superoxide producing system mimicked the cell protective action of 6R-BH(4) against NO toxicity. Thus, it is considered that 6R-BH(4) protects PC12 cells against NO toxicity by generating superoxide during its autoxidation. These results raised the possibility that 6R-BH(4) is a self-protective factor against NO toxicity in NO producing neurons. Our findings indicate that 6R-BH(4) regulates neuronal activities in the brain and that 6R-BH(4) can be a promising drug for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Effects of erythropoietin on neuronal activity

Recently, erythropoietin (EPO) receptors and synthesis of EPO have been identified in the brain. To clarify the effects of EPO on neuronal cells, we investigated the effects of EPO on Ca2+ uptake, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, membrane potential, cell survival, release and biosynthesis of dopamine, and nitric oxide (NO) production in differentiated PC12 cells, which possess EPO receptors. EPO (10(-12)-10(-10) M) increased 45Ca2+ uptake and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in PC12 cells in a dose-related manner; these increases were inhibited by nicardipine (1 microM) or anti-EPO antibody (1:100 dilution). EPO induced membrane depolarization in PC12 cells. After a 5-day culture without serum and nerve growth factor (NGF), viable cell number decreased to 50% of that of the control cells cultured with serum and NGF. EPO (10(-13)-10(-10) M) increased the number of viable cells cultured without serum and NGF; this increase was blunted by nicardipine or anti-EPO antibody. Incubation with EPO (10(-13)-10(-10) M) stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in PC12 cells. EPO (10(-13)-10(-10) M) increased dopamine release from PC12 cells and tyrosine hydroxylase activity; these increases were sensitive to nicardipine or anti-EPO antibody. Following a 4-h incubation with EPO (10(-14)-10(-10) M), NO production was increased, which was blunted by nicardipine and anti-EPO antibody. In contrast, maximal NO synthase activity was not changed by EPO. These results suggest that EPO stimulates neuronal function and viability via activation of Ca2+ channels.

Enhancement of neuronal survival by 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin

Recently, we have reported that 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin activates Ca2+ channels in neuronal cells independently of its cofactor activities. Several reports indicate that depolarization-induced activation of Ca2+ channels enhances neuronal survival. Here, we investigated the effects of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin on survival of differentiated PC12 cells. Depletion of serum and nerve growth factor caused cell death, which was prevented by high potassium. 6R-Tetrahydrobiopterin also prevented death of PC12 cells cultured without serum and nerve growth factor in a dose-related manner at physiological concentrations (1-100 microM). However, surviving cells cultured with 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin showed undifferentiated form. 6S-Tetrahydrobiopterin, a diastereoisomer of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin, also had a cell-surviving effect, but it was less potent as compared with that of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin. The cell-surviving effect of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin was eliminated by a Ca2+ channel blocker, but persisted in the presence of an inhibitor for tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine, L-DOPA, an inhibitor for nitric oxide synthase and a nitric oxide generator. The effect of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin was mimicked by a cyclic-AMP analogue and inhibited by an inhibitor for protein kinase A. Ca2+ channel activity was preserved but dopamine-releasing activity was disturbed in surviving cells cultured with 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin. 6R-Tetrahydrobiopterin had no effect on mitogen-activated protein kinase. These findings suggest that, independently of its cofactor activities and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin enhances survival of PC12 cells by activating Ca2+ channels via the cyclic-AMP-protein kinase A pathway, but that 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin does not preserve neuronal character induced by nerve growth factor.

The regulation of dopamine release from striatum slices by tetrahydrobiopterin and L-arginine-derived nitric oxide

The regulation of dopamine release by 6(R)-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and l-arginine-derived nitric oxide was examined by using a method of superfusion of rat striatum slices in vitro. l-Arginine, which can produce nitric oxide (NO) through the action of NO synthase, induces a concentration-dependent increase of [3H] dopamine release in the superfusate of striatum slices. Pretreatment with inhibitors of NO synthase or with inhibitors of BH4 synthesis diminishes the increase of [3H] dopamine release mediated by arginine. This increase is almost completely restored following repletion of intracellular BH4 levels by incubation of the slices with 7, 8-dihydrobiopterin. Adding exogenous BH4 directly to the superfusion fluid leads to a massive increase in [3H] dopamine release which can be inhibited 75% by superoxide dismutase and catalase, but is not inhibited by NG-nitro-arginine, a NO synthase inhibitor, or alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor. The increase of intracellular BH4 concentration by dihydrobiopterin administration causes a small increase of dopamine release which can be partially diminished by NG-nitro-arginine or alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. It is suggested that the increase of dopamine release stimulated by an enhancement of intracellular BH4 is dependent on its cofactor activity with NO synthase and tyrosine hydroxylase. This study has also demonstrated that BH4 is a regulator of NO-mediated dopamine release in the striatum. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Tetrahydrobiopterin modulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human mesangial cells

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) biosynthetic pathways are stimulated under inflammatory conditions. The newly synthesized BH4 serves as a cofactor for optimal activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2). In human mesangial cells (HMC), BH4 is also a limiting factor for NOS2 expression. In this study we show that BH4 availability can also play a modulatory role in the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in HMC. Supplementing HMC with the BH4 donor sepiapterin potentiated IL-1beta/TNF-alpha-induced COX-2 expression by approximately 2-fold. This effect was abolished by methotrexate. In contrast, the NOS inhibitor L-NAME and the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ did not block sepiapterin amplification of COX-2 expression. Moreover, sepiapterin was found to modulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular substrates, an early event which occurred well before the induction of NOS2 could be evidenced. These findings suggest a role for BH4 in the modulation of mesangial cell responses to pro-inflammatory stimuli.

Activation of Na+ channels in GH3 cells and human pituitary adenoma cells by PACAP

The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on ion channels were examined in GH3 cells human pituitary adenoma cells. In GH3 cells, PACAP-38 (10-9 M) reversibly activated tetrodotoxin-sensitive NA+ channels but had little effect on nicardipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. PACAP-induced increase in Na+ currents was inhibited by PACAP (6-38), a specific PACAP receptor antagonist, and Rp-cAMPs, an inhibitor for protein kinase A, and mimicked by 8-bromo-cAMP. In human pituitary adenoma cells, PACAP also activated tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channels and growth hormone secretion. These results suggest the possibility that PACAP can activate voltage-gated Na+ channels via adenylate cyclase-protein kinase A pathway in the pituitary.