Pipecolic acid receptors in rat cerebral cortex

919 Syrup Alleviates Postpartum Depression by Modulating the Structure and Metabolism of Gut Microbes and Affecting the Function of the Hippocampal GABA/Glutamate System

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental disorder that affects pregnant women around the world, with serious consequences for mothers, families, and children. Its pathogenesis remains unclear, and medications for treating PPD that can be used during lactation remain to be identified. 919 syrup (919 TJ) is a Chinese herbal medicine that has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of postpartum depression in both clinical and experimental studies. The mechanism of action of 919 TJ is unclear. 919 syrup is ingested orally, making the potential interaction between the drug and the gut microbiome impossible to ignore. We therefore hypothesized that 919 syrup could improve the symptoms of postpartum depression by affecting the structure and function of the intestinal flora, thereby altering hippocampal metabolism. We compared changes in hippocampal metabolism, fecal metabolism, and intestinal microflora of control BALB/c mice, mice with induced untreated PPD, and mice with induced PPD treated with 919 TJ, and found that 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hippocampus corresponded with PPD behaviors. Based on changes in GABA levels, multiple key gut bacterial species (Mucispirillum schaedleri, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Desulfovibrio piger, Alloprevotella tannerae, Bacteroides sp.2.1.33B and Prevotella sp. CAG:755) were associated with PPD. Metabolic markers that may represent the function of the intestinal microbiota in mice with PPD were identified (Met-Arg, urocanic acid, thioetheramide-PC, L-pipecolic acid, and linoleoyl ethanolamide). The relationship between these factors is not a simple one-to-one correspondence, but more likely a network of staggered functions. We therefore believe that the composition and function of the entire intestinal flora should be emphasized in research studying the gut and PPD, rather than changes in the abundance of individual bacterial species. The introduction of this concept of “GutBalance” may help clarify the relationship between gut bacteria and systemic disease.

Signals in systemic acquired resistance of plants against microbial pathogens

After a local infection by the microbial pathogens, plants will produce strong resistance in distal tissues to cope with the subsequent biotic attacks. This type of the resistance in the whole plant is termed as systemic acquired resistance (SAR). The priming of SAR can confer the robust defense responses and the broad-spectrum disease resistances in plants. In general, SAR is activated by the signal substances generated at the local sites of infection, and these small signaling molecules can be rapidly transported to the systemic tissues through the phloem. In the last two decades, numerous endogenous metabolites were proved to be the potential elicitors of SAR, including methyl salicylate (MeSA), azelaic acid (AzA), glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), free radicals (NO and ROS), pipecolic acid (Pip), N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid (NHP), dehydroabietinal (DA), monoterpenes (α-pinene and β-pinene) and NAD(P). In the meantime, the proteins associated with the transport of these signaling molecules were also identified, such as DIR1 (DEFECTIVE IN INDUCED RESISTANCE 1) and AZI1 (AZELAIC ACID INDUCED 1). This review summarizes the recent findings related to synthesis, transport and interaction of the different signal substances in SAR.

Plasma metabolic profiling after cortical spreading depression in a transgenic mouse model of hemiplegic migraine by capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry

Cortical spreading depression-induced brain metabolic changes have been captured in the plasma of a transgenic migraine mouse model using CE-MS.

Pipecolic acid enhances resistance to bacterial infection and primes salicylic acid and nicotine accumulation in tobacco

Distinct amino acid metabolic pathways constitute integral parts of the plant immune system. We have recently identified pipecolic acid (Pip), a lysine-derived non-protein amino acid, as a critical regulator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and basal immunity to bacterial infection in Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, Pip acts as an endogenous mediator of defense amplification and priming. For instance, Pip conditions plants for effective biosynthesis of the phenolic defense signal salicylic acid (SA), accumulation of the phytoalexin camalexin, and expression of defense-related genes. Here, we show that tobacco plants respond to leaf infection by the compatible bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tabaci (Pstb) with a significant accumulation of several amino acids, including Lys, branched-chain, aromatic, and amide group amino acids. Moreover, Pstb strongly triggers, alongside the biosynthesis of SA and increases in the defensive alkaloid nicotine, the production of the Lys catabolites Pip and α-aminoadipic acid. Exogenous application of Pip to tobacco plants provides significant protection to infection by adapted Pstb or by non-adapted, hypersensitive cell death-inducing P. syringae pv maculicola. Pip thereby primes tobacco for rapid and strong accumulation of SA and nicotine following bacterial infection. Thus, our study indicates that the role of Pip as an amplifier of immune responses is conserved between members of the rosid and asterid groups of eudicot plants and suggests a broad practical applicability for Pip as a natural enhancer of plant disease resistance.

Pipecolic acid, an endogenous mediator of defense amplification and priming, is a critical regulator of inducible plant immunity

Metabolic signals orchestrate plant defenses against microbial pathogen invasion. Here, we report the identification of the non-protein amino acid pipecolic acid (Pip), a common Lys catabolite in plants and animals, as a critical regulator of inducible plant immunity. Following pathogen recognition, Pip accumulates in inoculated Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, in leaves distal from the site of inoculation, and, most specifically, in petiole exudates from inoculated leaves. Defects of mutants in AGD2-LIKE DEFENSE RESPONSE PROTEIN1 (ALD1) in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and in basal, specific, and β-aminobutyric acid-induced resistance to bacterial infection are associated with a lack of Pip production. Exogenous Pip complements these resistance defects and increases pathogen resistance of wild-type plants. We conclude that Pip accumulation is critical for SAR and local resistance to bacterial pathogens. Our data indicate that biologically induced SAR conditions plants to more effectively synthesize the phytoalexin camalexin, Pip, and salicylic acid and primes plants for early defense gene expression. Biological priming is absent in the pipecolate-deficient ald1 mutants. Exogenous pipecolate induces SAR-related defense priming and partly restores priming responses in ald1. We conclude that Pip orchestrates defense amplification, positive regulation of salicylic acid biosynthesis, and priming to guarantee effective local resistance induction and the establishment of SAR.

Pyridoxine dependent epilepsy and antiquitin deficiency: clinical and molecular characteristics and recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

Antiquitin (ATQ) deficiency is the main cause of pyridoxine dependent epilepsy characterized by early onset epileptic encephalopathy responsive to large dosages of pyridoxine. Despite seizure control most patients have intellectual disability. Folinic acid responsive seizures (FARS) are genetically identical to ATQ deficiency. ATQ functions as an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH7A1) in the lysine degradation pathway. Its deficiency results in accumulation of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde (AASA), piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C) and pipecolic acid, which serve as diagnostic markers in urine, plasma, and CSF. To interrupt seizures a dose of 100 mg of pyridoxine-HCl is given intravenously, or orally/enterally with 30 mg/kg/day. First administration may result in respiratory arrest in responders, and thus treatment should be performed with support of respiratory management. To make sure that late and masked response is not missed, treatment with oral/enteral pyridoxine should be continued until ATQ deficiency is excluded by negative biochemical or genetic testing. Long-term treatment dosages vary between 15 and 30 mg/kg/day in infants or up to 200 mg/day in neonates, and 500 mg/day in adults. Oral or enteral pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), up to 30 mg/kg/day can be given alternatively. Prenatal treatment with maternal pyridoxine supplementation possibly improves outcome. PDE is an organic aciduria caused by a deficiency in the catabolic breakdown of lysine. A lysine restricted diet might address the potential toxicity of accumulating αAASA, P6C and pipecolic acid. A multicenter study on long term outcomes is needed to document potential benefits of this additional treatment. The differential diagnosis of pyridoxine or PLP responsive seizure disorders includes PLP-responsive epileptic encephalopathy due to PNPO deficiency, neonatal/infantile hypophosphatasia (TNSALP deficiency), familial hyperphosphatasia (PIGV deficiency), as well as yet unidentified conditions and nutritional vitamin B6 deficiency. Commencing treatment with PLP will not delay treatment in patients with pyridox(am)ine phosphate oxidase (PNPO) deficiency who are responsive to PLP only.

Mammalian forebrain ketimine reductase identified as μ-crystallin; potential regulation by thyroid hormones

Ketimine reductase (E.C. 1.5.1.25) was purified to apparent homogeneity from lamb forebrain by means of a rapid multi-step chromatography protocol. The purified enzyme was identified by MS/MS (mass spectrometry) as μ-crystallin. The identity was confirmed by heterologously expressing human μ-crystallin in Escherichia coli and subsequent chromatographic purification of the protein. The purified human μ-crystallin was confirmed to have ketimine reductase activity with a maximum specific activity similar to that of native ovine ketimine reductase, and was found to catalyse a sequential reaction. The enzyme substrates are putative neuromodulator/transmitters. The thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-l-triiodothyronine (T3) was found to be a strong reversible competitive inhibitor, and may have a novel role in regulating their concentrations. μ-Crystallin is also involved in intracellular T3 storage and transport. This research is the first to demonstrate an enzyme function for μ-crystallin. This newly demonstrated enzymatic activity identifies a new role for thyroid hormones in regulating mammalian amino acid metabolism, and a possible reciprocal role of enzyme activity regulating bioavailability of intracellular T3.

Hyperpipecolic acidaemia: a diagnostic tool for peroxisomal disorders

Peroxisomal disorders include a complex spectrum of diseases, characterized by a high heterogeneity from both the clinical and the biochemical points of view. Specific assays are required for the study of peroxisome metabolism. Among these, pipecolic acid evaluation is considered as a supplementary test. We have established the diagnostic role of pipecolic acid in 30 patients affected by a peroxisomal defect (5 Zellweger syndromes, 10 Infantile Refsum diseases, 1 neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, 6 patients affected by a peroxisomal biogenesis disorder with unclassified phenotype, 1 case of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), 2 acyl-CoA oxidase deficiencies, 2 bifunctional enzyme deficiencies, 2 Refsum diseases, and 1 beta-oxidation deficiency). Pipecolic acid was increased in all generalized peroxisomal disorders, while normal pipecolic acid with abnormal very long chain fatty acid concentrations was strong evidence for a single peroxisomal enzyme deficiency. Unexpectedly, hyperpipecolic acidaemia was found also in a child affected by RCDP and in two patients with Refsum disease. In six patients the suggestion of a peroxisomal disorder was raised by the fortuitous finding of a pipecolic acid peak in amino acid chromatography, routinely performed as a general metabolic screening. For all patients, pipecolic acid proved to be a useful parameter in the biochemical classification of peroxisomal disorders.

Pipecolic acid induces apoptosis in neuronal cells

Pipecolic acid, a lysine metabolite, is thought to be a factor responsible for hepatic encephalopathy; however, the underlying mechanism is far from understood. Twenty minutes treatment with D-, L-, and DL-pipecolic acid at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 microM, except for 1 microM L-pipecolic acid, had no inhibitory effect on excitatory postsynaptic responses in the dentate gyrus of rat hippocampal slices. In a whole-cell voltage-clamp configuration, DL-pipecolic acid (10 and 100 microM) did not affect voltage-sensitive Na(+) channel currents and K(+) channel currents, but it potentiated voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channel currents, but to a lesser extent, in cultured rat cortical neurons and Neuro-2A cells, a mouse neuroblastoma cell line. Notably, 72-h treatment with D-, L-, and DL-pipecolic acid reduced Neuro-2A cell viability in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 microM in a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, in parallel with reactions to propidium iodide, a marker of cell death, and Hoechst 33,342, a marker of apoptosis in a fluorescent microscopic study, with DL-pipecolic acid being the most potent. The results of the present study suggest that pipecolic acid could cause hepatic encephalopathy by inducing neuronal cell death, perhaps apoptosis, rather than by depressing neurotransmissions.

Plasma levels of pipecolic acid, both L- and D-enantiomers, in patients with chronic liver diseases, especially hepatic encephalopathy

Pipecolic acid is regarded as a gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist. Stereochemical studies of pipecolic acid were performed in patients with chronic liver diseases. Plasma D- and L-pipecolic acid were significantly elevated in 15 liver cirrhotic patients with no history of hepatic encephalopathy (1.05+/-0.24 micromol/l, 1.58+/-0.13 micromol/l, p < 0.01) and in 27 patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy (1.58+/-0.50 micromol/l, 2.38+/-0.58 micromol/l, p<0.001) compared to 15 normal subjects. In seven patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy orally treated with kanamycin, plasma pipecolic acid significantly decreased (D-acid: before 1.62+/-0.23 micromol/l, after 0.61+/-0.15 micromol/l; p<0.01, L-acid: before 2.43-0.52 micromol/l, after 2.23+/-0.11 micromol/l; p< 0.05). These results suggest that plasma pipecolic acid, particularly D-acid, is produced from D-lysine by intestinal bacteria in liver cirrhotic patients and that pipecolic acid could be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.

Uptake and metabolism of delta 1-piperidine-2-carboxylic acid by synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex

delta 1-Piperidine-2-carboxylic acid (P2C), an intermediate of the L-lysine metabolic pathway in the brain, was studied for its uptake and metabolism in the synaptosome of the rat cerebral cortex. The results of this study showed that the uptake of P2C into the synaptosome was NA+- and temperature-dependent with a two-tier transport kinetic (Km = 2.6 and 0.7 microM; Vmax = 1.6 and 0.73 pmol/min/mg). P2C uptake was only moderately inhibited (approximately 20%) by L-lysine and its metabolites, L-pipecolic acid and L-alpha-aminoadipic acid at up to 100 microM, and the putative amino acid neurotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid, L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid (25-31%) at 5-500 microM. The synaptosomal preparation only has a very low activity for metabolizing P2C to its product L-pipecolic acid. The metabolic activity for P2C was mainly contained in the 27,000 x g supernatant S2 fraction. Since P2C is the precursor of the putative neuromodulator L-pipecolic acid, the understanding of its uptake and metabolic characteristics in the brain should be of significance.

Detection of 2H-1,4-thiazine-5,6-dihydro-3-carboxylic acid (aminoethylcysteine ketimine) in the bovine brain

2H-1,4-Thiazine-5,6-dihydro-3-carboxylic acid (trivial name: aminoethylcysteine ketimine) is a cyclic sulfur-containing imino acid detected in bovine brain extracts by means of three different procedures. Gas liquid chromatography of protein-free extracts of five bovine brains revealed the presence of this compound at concentrations ranging from 2 to 3 nmol/g wet weight of tissue. The enzymatic method based on the inhibition of D-amino acid oxidase activity by aminoethylcysteine ketimine together with an high-performance liquid chromatography procedure confirm the identification and quantitations obtained with gas liquid chromatography. The discovery of this compound structurally similar to pipecolic acid opens the question of its physiological role in the central nervous system.

High-affinity binding of proline to mouse brain synaptic membranes

There is evidence suggestive of the possible neuromodulatory role for L-proline in the mammalian brain. The binding of proline to whole mouse brain synaptic membranes has been partially characterized. Several binding sites for this imino acid have been identified; one in the nanomolar range and at least two in the submicromolar range. The binding of proline is inhibited by NaCl. Pipecolic acid (40 microM), ornithine, aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), glycine, GABA, and glutamate were capable of significantly inhibiting proline binding. Although detailed pharmacological and functional studies are needed, these results are consistent with a brain-specific function for this imino acid, as well as, with the presence of specific binding site(s) for proline.

Modulation of benzodiazepine by lysine and pipecolic acid on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures

L-lysine, an essential amino acid for man and animals, and its metabolite pipecolic acid (PA) have been studied for their effects on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice. L-Lysine or L-PA i.p. significantly increased clonic and tonic latencies in a dose-dependent manner against 90 mg/kg PTZ-induced seizures. L-Lysine but not L-PA enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam (DZ) (0.2 mg/kg). L-PA (0.1 mmol/kg) i.c.v. showed a slight decrease in clonic latency; it did not enhance the antiseizure activity of DZ; it caused seizures at 0.6 mmol/kg. D-PA (0.1 mmol/kg) i.c.v. displayed an opposite effect compared to its L-isomer. The anticonvulsant effect of L-lysine in terms of increase in seizure latency and survival was even more amplified when tested with a submaximal PTZ concentration (65 mg/kg). L-Lysine showed an enhancement of specific 3H-flunitrazepam (FZ) binding to mouse brain membranes both in vitro and in vivo. The possibility of L-lysine acting as a modulator for the GABA/benzodiazepine receptors was demonstrated. Since L-PA showed enhancement of 3H-FZ binding only in vitro but not in vivo, the anticonvulsant effect of L-PA may not be linked to the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor.