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Saha P, Panda S, Holkar A, Vashishth R, Rana SS, Arumugam M, Ashraf GM, Haque S, Ahmad F. Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102056. [PMID: 37673131 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Subhrajita Panda
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Aayusha Holkar
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rahul Vashishth
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Mohanapriya Arumugam
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- University of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon; Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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Yan S, Xu C, Yang M, Zhang H, Cheng Y, Xue Z, He Z, Wang T, Bai S, Wang G, Wu J, Tong Z, Cai X. The expression of agmatinase manipulates the affective state of rats subjected to chronic restraint stress. Neuropharmacology 2023; 229:109476. [PMID: 36849038 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine is an endogenous polyamine produced from l-arginine and degraded by agmatinase (AGMAT). Studies in humans and animals have shown that agmatine has neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and antidepressant-like actions. However, little is known about the role of AGMAT in the action of agmatine or in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of AGMAT in the pathophysiology of MDD. In this study, we observed that AGMAT expression increased in the ventral hippocampus rather than in the medial prefrontal cortex in the chronic restraint stress (CRS) animal model of depression. Furthermore, we found that AGMAT overexpression in the ventral hippocampus elicited depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, whereas knockdown of AGMAT exhibited antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in CRS animals. Field and whole-cell recordings of hippocampal CA1 revealed that AGMAT blockage increased Schaffer collateral-CA1 excitatory synaptic transmission, which was expressed both pre- and post-synaptically and was probably due to the inhibition of AGMAT-expressing local interneurons. Therefore, our results suggest that dysregulation of AGMAT is involved in the pathophysiology of depression and is a potential target for designing more effective antidepressants with fewer adverse effects to offer a better therapy for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yan
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chang Xu
- College of Life Science, Shaanxi Normal University, 620 West Chang'an Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Mengli Yang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Huiqiang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zeping Xue
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zecong He
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shangying Bai
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorder, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders Beijing Anding Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Jianping Wu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Zhiqian Tong
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Xiang Cai
- Oujiang Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China; Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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3
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Bernstein HG, Keilhoff G, Laube G, Dobrowolny H, Steiner J. Polyamines and polyamine-metabolizing enzymes in schizophrenia: Current knowledge and concepts of therapy. World J Psychiatry 2021; 11:1177-1190. [PMID: 35070769 PMCID: PMC8717027 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i12.1177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyamines play preeminent roles in a variety of cellular functions in the central nervous system and other organs. A large body of evidence suggests that the polyamine pathway is prominently involved in the etiology and pathology of schizophrenia. Alterations in the expression and activity of polyamine metabolizing enzymes, as well as changes in the levels of the individual polyamines, their precursors and derivatives, have been measured in schizophrenia and animal models of the disease. Additionally, neuroleptic treatment has been shown to influence polyamine concentrations in brain and blood of individuals with schizophrenia. Thus, the polyamine system may appear to be a promising target for neuropharmacological treatment of schizophrenia. However, for a number of practical reasons there is currently only limited hope for a polyamine-based schizophrenia therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Gert Bernstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg D-39116, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Gerburg Keilhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg D-39116, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Gregor Laube
- Department of Anatomy, Charite, Berlin D-10117, Germany
| | - Henrik Dobrowolny
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg D-39116, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg D-39116, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
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Barua S, Sim AY, Kim JY, Shin I, Lee JE. Maintenance of the Neuroprotective Function of the Amino Group Blocked Fluorescence-Agmatine. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1933-1940. [PMID: 33914233 PMCID: PMC8254702 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03319-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, an endogenous derivative of arginine, has been found to be effective in treating idiopathic pain, convulsion, stress-mediated behavior, and attenuate the withdrawal symptoms of drugs like morphine. In the early stages of ischemic brain injury in animals, exogenous agmatine treatment was found to be neuroprotective. Agmatine is also considered as a putative neurotransmitter and is still an experimental drug. Chemically, agmatine is called agmatine 1-(4-aminobutyl guanidine). Crystallographic study data show that positively-charged guanidine can bind to the protein containing Gly and Asp residues, and the amino group can interact with the complimentary sites of Glu and Ser. In this study, we blocked the amino end of the agmatine by conjugating it with FITC, but the guanidine end was unchanged. We compared the neuroprotective function of the agmatine and agmatine-FITC by treating them in neurons after excitotoxic stimulation. We found that even the amino end blocked neuronal viability in the excitotoxic condition, by NMDA treatment for 1 h, was increased by agmatine-FITC, which was similar to that of agmatine. We also found that the agmatine-FITC treatment reduced the expression of nitric oxide production in NMDA-treated cells. This study suggests that even if the amino end of agmatine is blocked, it can perform its neuroprotective function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Barua
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722 Korea
| | - A Young Sim
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722 Korea
- BK21 Plus Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722 Korea
| | - Jong Youl Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722 Korea
| | - Injae Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722 Korea
| | - Jong Eun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722 Korea
- BK21 Plus Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722 Korea
- Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722 Korea
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Insights into the Mn 2+ Binding Site in the Agmatinase-Like Protein (ALP): A Critical Enzyme for the Regulation of Agmatine Levels in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114132. [PMID: 32531922 PMCID: PMC7313459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Agmatine is a neurotransmitter with anticonvulsant, anti-neurotoxic and antidepressant-like effects, in addition it has hypoglycemic actions. Agmatine is converted to putrescine and urea by agmatinase (AGM) and by an agmatinase-like protein (ALP), a new type of enzyme which is present in human and rodent brain tissues. Recombinant rat brain ALP is the only mammalian protein that exhibits significant agmatinase activity in vitro and generates putrescine under in vivo conditions. ALP, despite differing in amino acid sequence from all members of the ureohydrolase family, is strictly dependent on Mn2+ for catalytic activity. However, the Mn2+ ligands have not yet been identified due to the lack of structural information coupled with the low sequence identity that ALPs display with known ureohydrolases. In this work, we generated a structural model of the Mn2+ binding site of the ALP and we propose new putative Mn2+ ligands. Then, we cloned and expressed a sequence of 210 amino acids, here called the “central-ALP”, which include the putative ligands of Mn2+. The results suggest that the central-ALP is catalytically active, as agmatinase, with an unaltered Km for agmatine and a decreased kcat. Similar to wild-type ALP, central-ALP is activated by Mn2+ with a similar affinity. Besides, a simple mutant D217A, a double mutant E288A/K290A, and a triple mutant N213A/Q215A/D217A of these putative Mn2+ ligands result on the loss of ALP agmatinase activity. Our results indicate that the central-ALP contains the active site for agmatine hydrolysis, as well as that the residues identified are relevant for the ALP catalysis.
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Benítez J, García D, Romero N, González A, Martínez-Oyanedel J, Figueroa M, Salas M, López V, García-Robles M, Dodd PR, Schenk G, Carvajal N, Uribe E. Metabolic strategies for the degradation of the neuromodulator agmatine in mammals. Metabolism 2018; 81:35-44. [PMID: 29162499 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Agmatine (1-amino-4-guanidinobutane), a precursor for polyamine biosynthesis, has been identified as an important neuromodulator with anticonvulsant, antineurotoxic and antidepressant actions in the brain. In this context it has emerged as an important mediator of addiction/satiety pathways associated with alcohol misuse. Consequently, the regulation of the activity of key enzymes in agmatine metabolism is an attractive strategy to combat alcoholism and related addiction disorders. Agmatine results from the decarboxylation of L-arginine in a reaction catalyzed by arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and can be converted to either guanidine butyraldehyde by diamine oxidase (DAO) or putrescine and urea by the enzyme agmatinase (AGM) or the more recently identified AGM-like protein (ALP). In rat brain, agmatine, AGM and ALP are predominantly localised in areas associated with roles in appetitive and craving (drug-reinstatement) behaviors. Thus, inhibitors of AGM or ALP are promising agents for the treatment of addictions. In this review, the properties of DAO, AGM and ALP are discussed with a view to their role in the agmatine metabolism in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Benítez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - David García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nicol Romero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Arlette González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - José Martínez-Oyanedel
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Maximiliano Figueroa
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Mónica Salas
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vasthi López
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - María García-Robles
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Peter R Dodd
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Gerhard Schenk
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nelson Carvajal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Elena Uribe
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
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Agmatine: multifunctional arginine metabolite and magic bullet in clinical neuroscience? Biochem J 2017; 474:2619-2640. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, the decarboxylation product of arginine, was largely neglected as an important player in mammalian metabolism until the mid-1990s, when it was re-discovered as an endogenous ligand of imidazoline and α2-adrenergic receptors. Since then, a wide variety of agmatine-mediated effects have been observed, and consequently agmatine has moved from a wallflower existence into the limelight of clinical neuroscience research. Despite this quantum jump in scientific interest, the understanding of the anabolism and catabolism of this amine is still vague. The purification and biochemical characterization of natural mammalian arginine decarboxylase and agmatinase still are open issues. Nevertheless, the agmatinergic system is currently one of the most promising candidates in order to pharmacologically interfere with some major diseases of the central nervous system, which are summarized in the present review. Particularly with respect to major depression, agmatine, its derivatives, and metabolizing enzymes show great promise for the development of an improved treatment of this common disease.
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Romero N, Benítez J, Garcia D, González A, Bennun L, García-Robles MA, López V, Wilson LA, Schenk G, Carvajal N, Uribe E. Mammalian agmatinases constitute unusual members in the family of Mn 2+ -dependent ureahydrolases. J Inorg Biochem 2017; 166:122-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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García D, Ordenes P, Benítez J, González A, García-Robles MA, López V, Carvajal N, Uribe E. Cloning of two LIMCH1 isoforms: characterization of their distribution in rat brain and their agmatinase activity. Histochem Cell Biol 2015; 145:305-13. [PMID: 26678503 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-015-1389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Agmatine, a precursor for polyamine biosynthesis, is also associated with neurotransmitter, anticonvulsant, antineurotoxic and antidepressant actions in the brain. This molecule results from the decarboxylation of L-arginine by arginine decarboxylase, and it is hydrolyzed to urea and putrescine by agmatinase. Recently, we have described a new protein that also hydrolyzes agmatine, agmatinase-like protein (ALP), which was identified through immunohistochemical analysis in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of rats. However, its sequence differs greatly from all known agmatinases and does not contain the typical Mn(2+) ligands associated with the urea hydrolase family of proteins. ALP has a LIM-like domain close to its carboxyl terminus, and the removal of which results in a truncated variant with a tenfold increased k cat value and a threefold decreased K m value for agmatine. Analysis of the gene database revealed several transcripts, denominated LIMCH1 isoforms, with extreme 3' sequences identical to ALP. Limch1 gene products have been described as members of a multi-domain family of proteins with the biggest isoform containing a calponin homology (CH) domain at its N-terminus. Here, we cloned two LIMCH1 transcripts, one of 3177 bp and the other of 2709 bp (ALP contains 1569 bp) and analyzed LIMCH1 expression and distribution in rat brain using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. LIMCH1 was detected mainly in the hypothalamic and hippocampal regions, which is similar to the distribution of ALP and agmatine in brain. In addition, we cloned and expressed both isoforms in E. coli and confirmed that they were catalytically active on agmatine with kinetic parameters similar to ALP. LIM domain-truncated variants of both isoforms moderately increased the k cat and catalytic efficiency. Thus, we propose that LIMCH1 is useful to regulate the intracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitter/neuromodulator, agmatine.
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Affiliation(s)
- David García
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, Chile
| | - Patricio Ordenes
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - José Benítez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Arlette González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - María A García-Robles
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Vasthi López
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Nelson Carvajal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Elena Uribe
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
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Quiñones M, Cofre J, Benítez J, García D, Romero N, González A, Carvajal N, García M, López V, Schenk G, Uribe E. Insight on the interaction of an agmatinase-like protein with Mn(2+) activator ions. J Inorg Biochem 2015; 145:65-9. [PMID: 25635913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Agmatinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of agmatine, a compound that is associated with numerous functions in the brain of mammalian organisms such as neurotransmitter, anticonvulsant, antinociceptive, anxiolytic and antidepressant-like actions. To date the only characterized agmatinases with significant enzymatic activity were extracted from bacterial organisms. These agmatinases are closely related to another ureahydrolase, arginase; both have binuclear Mn(2+) centers in their active sites. An agmatinase-like protein (ALP) from rat brain was identified that bears no sequence homology to known agmatinases (E. Uribe, M. Salas, S. Enriquez, M.S. Orellana, N. Carvajal, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 461(2007) 146-150). Since all known ureahydrolases contain histidines in their binuclear Mn(2+) site each of the five histidine residues in ALP was individually replaced by alanines to identify those that may be involved in metal ion binding. Reactivation assays and thermal stability measurements indicated that His206 is likely to interact with a Mn(2+) bound to a high affinity site. In contrast, His65 and possibly His435 are important for binding of a second Mn(2+) to a lower affinity site. Metal ion binding to that site is not only leading to an increase in reactivity but also enzyme stability. Thus, similar to bacterial agmatinases and some of the antibiotic-degrading, Zn(2+)-dependent metallo-β-lactamases ALP appears to be active in the mono and binuclear form, with binding of the second metal ion increasing both reactivity and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Quiñones
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jaime Cofre
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - José Benítez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - David García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nicol Romero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Arlette González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nelson Carvajal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - María García
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Vasthi López
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Gerhard Schenk
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Elena Uribe
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
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Cofre J, Montes P, Vallejos A, Benítez J, García D, Martínez-Oyanedel J, Carvajal N, Uribe E. Further insight into the inhibitory action of a LIM/double zinc-finger motif of an agmatinase-like protein. J Inorg Biochem 2014; 132:92-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Evidence for an inhibitory LIM domain in a rat brain agmatinase-like protein. Arch Biochem Biophys 2011; 512:107-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2011.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Bernstein HG, Stich C, Jäger K, Dobrowolny H, Wick M, Steiner J, Veh R, Bogerts B, Laube G. Agmatinase, an inactivator of the putative endogenous antidepressant agmatine, is strongly upregulated in hippocampal interneurons of subjects with mood disorders. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:237-46. [PMID: 21803059 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The diamine agmatine may serve as a precursor in polyamine synthesis. In addition, agmatine may also act as a neurotransmitter, binding to imidazoline receptors. Behaviorally, agmatine exerts antidepressant-like effects. The enzyme agmatinase degrades agmatine. The gene coding for human agmatinase is located on chromosome 1p36, a gene locus which has been linked to bipolar disorder and major depression, but the enzyme has not yet been studied in the context of neuropsychiatric diseases. We analyzed agmatinase protein expression in postmortem hippocampi of individuals with affective disorders. Data from eleven patients with mood disorders (unipolar and bipolar depression) and twelve matched control cases were compared by immunocytochemical and morphometrical analysis. Agmatinase protein was detected in a subset of hippocampal interneurons. The protein was localized to perikarya, neurites and putative nerve endings contacting hippocampal pyramidal neurons and dentate gyrus granule cells. The number and the numerical density of agmatinase-immunopositive cell bodies were strongly elevated in depressive patients. In addition, a significantly increased density of agmatinase-immunoreactive punctate profiles was observed in the CA(4) region in unipolar and bipolar depression. The reported increased expression of agmatinase suggests a functional relevance of the enzyme in the pathophysiology of human affective disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Gert Bernstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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Barclay JJ, Morosi LG, Vanrell MC, Trejo EC, Romano PS, Carrillo C. Trypanosoma cruzi Coexpressing Ornithine Decarboxylase and Green Fluorescence Proteins as a Tool to Study the Role of Polyamines in Chagas Disease Pathology. Enzyme Res 2011; 2011:657460. [PMID: 21687606 PMCID: PMC3112526 DOI: 10.4061/2011/657460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 02/24/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamines are essential for Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. As T. cruzi behaves as a natural auxotrophic organism, it relies on host polyamines biosynthesis. In this paper we obtained a double-transfected T. cruzi parasite that expresses the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a heterologous ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), used itself as a novel selectable marker. These autotrophic and fluorescent parasites were characterized; the ODC presented an apparent Km for ornithine of 0.51 ± 0.16 mM and an estimated Vmax value of 476.2 nmoles/h/mg of protein. These expressing ODC parasites showed higher metacyclogenesis capacity than the auxotrophic counterpart, supporting the idea that polyamines are engaged in this process. This double-transfected T. cruzi parasite results in a powerful tool—easy to follow by its fluorescence—to study the role of polyamines in Chagas disease pathology and in related processes such as parasite survival, invasion, proliferation, metacyclogenesis, and tissue spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremías José Barclay
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-(FIL-IIBBA-) CONICET and Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Hübner S, Efthymiadis A. Histochemistry and cell biology: the annual review 2010. Histochem Cell Biol 2011; 135:111-40. [PMID: 21279376 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-011-0781-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent advances in histochemistry and cell biology which complement and extend our knowledge regarding various aspects of protein functions, cell and tissue biology, employing appropriate in vivo model systems in conjunction with established and novel approaches. In this context several non-expected results and discoveries were obtained which paved the way of research into new directions. Once the reader embarks on reading this review, it quickly becomes quite obvious that the studies contribute not only to a better understanding of fundamental biological processes but also provide use-oriented aspects that can be derived therefrom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hübner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Würzburg, Koellikerstrasse 6, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
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