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Tasca CI, Zuccarini M, Di Iorio P, Ciruela F. Lessons from the physiological role of guanosine in neurodegeneration and cancer: Toward a multimodal mechanism of action? Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-10033-y. [PMID: 39004650 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10033-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours represent important health challenges due to their severe nature and debilitating consequences that require substantial medical care. Interestingly, these conditions share common physiological characteristics, namely increased glutamate, and adenosine transmission, which are often associated with cellular dysregulation and damage. Guanosine, an endogenous nucleoside, is safe and exerts neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of excitotoxicity, along with cytotoxic effects on tumour cells. However, the lack of well-defined mechanisms of action for guanosine hinders a comprehensive understanding of its physiological effects. In fact, the absence of specific receptors for guanosine impedes the development of structure-activity research programs to develop guanosine derivatives for therapeutic purposes. Alternatively, given its apparent interaction with the adenosinergic system, it is plausible that guanosine exerts its neuroprotective and anti-tumorigenic effects by modulating adenosine transmission through undisclosed mechanisms involving adenosine receptors, transporters, and purinergic metabolism. Here, several potential molecular mechanisms behind the protective actions of guanosine will be discussed. First, we explore its potential interaction with adenosine receptors (A1R and A2AR), including the A1R-A2AR heteromer. In addition, we consider the impact of guanosine on extracellular adenosine levels and the role of guanine-based purine-converting enzymes. Collectively, the diverse cellular functions of guanosine as neuroprotective and antiproliferative agent suggest a multimodal and complementary mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Inês Tasca
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry-4, Neuroscience Program/Biochemistry Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, 08907L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Bellvitge, Spain
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Zuccarini M, Pruccoli L, Balducci M, Giuliani P, Caciagli F, Ciccarelli R, Di Iorio P. Influence of Guanine-Based Purines on the Oxidoreductive Reactions Involved in Normal or Altered Brain Functions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031172. [PMID: 36769818 PMCID: PMC9917437 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain is homeostatically controlled and contributes to normal neural functions. Inefficiency of control mechanisms in brain aging or pathological conditions leads to ROS overproduction with oxidative neural cell damage and degeneration. Among the compounds showing therapeutic potential against neuro-dysfunctions induced by oxidative stress are the guanine-based purines (GBPs), of which the most characterized are the nucleoside guanosine (GUO) and the nucleobase guanine (GUA), which act differently. Indeed, the administration of GUO to in vitro or in vivo models of acute brain injury (ischemia/hypoxia or trauma) or chronic neurological/neurodegenerative disorders, exerts neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing the production of reactive radicals and improving mitochondrial function via multiple molecular signals. However, GUO administration to rodents also causes an amnesic effect. In contrast, the metabolite, GUA, could be effective in memory-related disorders by transiently increasing ROS production and stimulating the nitric oxide/soluble guanylate cyclase/cGMP/protein kinase G cascade, which has long been recognized as beneficial for cognitive function. Thus, it is worth pursuing further studies to ascertain the therapeutic role of GUO and GUA and to evaluate the pathological brain conditions in which these compounds could be more usefully used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Letizia Pruccoli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Martina Balducci
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Patricia Giuliani
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Francesco Caciagli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Renata Ciccarelli
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 29, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Tsentsevitsky AN, Gafurova CR, Petrov AM. KATP channels as ROS-dependent modulator of neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junctions. Life Sci 2022; 310:121120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Camargo A, Bettio LEB, Rosa PB, Rosa JM, Altê GA, Rodrigues ALS. The antidepressant-like effect of guanosine involves the modulation of adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptors. Purinergic Signal 2022:10.1007/s11302-022-09898-8. [PMID: 36166131 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-022-09898-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanosine has been considered a promising candidate for antidepressant responses, but if this nucleoside could modulate adenosine A1 (A1R) and A2A (A2AR) receptors to exert antidepressant-like actions remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the role of A1R and A2AR in the antidepressant-like response of guanosine in the mouse tail suspension test and molecular interactions between guanosine and A1R and A2AR by docking analysis. The acute (60 min) administration of guanosine (0.05 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly decreased the immobility time in the tail suspension test, without affecting the locomotor performance in the open-field test, suggesting an antidepressant-like effect. This behavioral response was paralleled with increased A1R and reduced A2AR immunocontent in the hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex, of mice. Guanosine-mediated antidepressant-like effect was not altered by the pretreatment with caffeine (3 mg/kg, i.p., a non-selective adenosine A1R/A2AR antagonist), 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX - 2 mg/kg, i.p., a selective adenosine A1R antagonist), or 4-(2-[7-amino-2-{2-furyl}{1,2,4}triazolo-{2,3-a}{1,3,5}triazin-5-yl-amino]ethyl)-phenol (ZM241385 - 1 mg/kg, i.p., a selective adenosine A2AR antagonist). However, the antidepressant-like response of guanosine was completely abolished by adenosine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., a non-selective adenosine A1R/A2AR agonist), N-6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA - 0.05 mg/kg, i.p., a selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist), and N-6-[2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]adenosine (DPMA - 0.1 mg/kg, i.p., a selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist). Finally, docking analysis also indicated that guanosine might interact with A1R and A2AR at the adenosine binding site. Overall, this study reinforces the antidepressant-like of guanosine and unveils a previously unexplored modulation of the modulation of A1R and A2AR in its antidepressant-like effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Camargo
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianopolisSanta Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Luis E B Bettio
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianopolisSanta Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Priscila B Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianopolisSanta Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Julia M Rosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianopolisSanta Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Glorister A Altê
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianopolisSanta Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia S Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, FlorianopolisSanta Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil.
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Guanosine as a promising target for fast-acting antidepressant responses. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 218:173422. [PMID: 35732211 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant responses elicited by ketamine have gained considerable attention in recent years, it has some knock-on effects that limit its widespread clinical use. Therefore, ketamine is considered the prototype for the new generation of glutamate-based rapid-acting antidepressants. Within this context, it has been demonstrated that guanosine, an endogenous guanine-based purine, has overlapping mechanisms of action with ketamine and is effective in eliciting fast antidepressant-like responses and even potentiating ketamine's actions in preclinical studies. Here, we review the recent findings regarding the ability of guanosine to produce rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying its antidepressant-like actions. Moreover, the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning the ability of guanosine in boosting the antidepressant-like and pro-synaptogenic effects elicited by ketamine are also reported. Taken together, this review opens perspectives for the use of guanosine alone or in combination with ketamine for the management of treatment-resistant depression.
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Kosmowska B, Ossowska K, Wardas J. Blockade of adenosine A 2A receptors inhibits Tremulous Jaw Movements as well as expression of zif-268 and GAD65 mRNAs in brain motor structures. Behav Brain Res 2022; 417:113585. [PMID: 34536428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tremor is one of the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), present also in neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. Tremulous Jaw Movements (TJMs) are suggested to be a well-validated rodent model of PD resting tremor. TJMs can be induced by typical antipsychotics and are known to be reduced by different drugs, including adenosine A2A receptor antagonists. The aim of the present study was to search for brain structures involved in the tremorolytic action of SCH58261, a selective A2A receptor antagonist, in TJMs induced by subchronic pimozide. Besides TJMs, we evaluated in the same animals the expression of zif-268 mRNA (neuronal responsiveness marker), and mRNA levels for glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kDa isoform (GAD65) and vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and 2 (vGluT1/2) in selected brain structures, as markers of GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, respectively. We found that SCH58261 reduced the pimozide-induced TJMs. Pimozide increased the zif-268 mRNA level in the striatum, nucleus accumbens (NAc) core, and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Additionally, it increased GAD65 mRNA in the striatum and SNr, and vGluT2 mRNA levels in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). A positive correlation between zif-268, GAD65 and vGluT2 mRNAs and TJMs was found. SCH58261 reversed the pimozide-increased zif-268 mRNA in the striatum and NAc core and GAD65 mRNA in the striatum and SNr. In contrast, SCH58261 did not influence vGluT2 mRNA in STN. The present study suggests an importance of the striato-subthalamo-nigro-thalamic circuit in neuroleptic-induced TJMs. The tremorolytic effect of A2A receptor blockade seems to involve this circuit bypassing, however, STN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kosmowska
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Krystyna Ossowska
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Jadwiga Wardas
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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Chojnowski K, Opielka M, Nazar W, Kowianski P, Smolenski RT. Neuroprotective Effects of Guanosine in Ischemic Stroke-Small Steps towards Effective Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6898. [PMID: 34199004 PMCID: PMC8268871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanosine (Guo) is a nucleotide metabolite that acts as a potent neuromodulator with neurotrophic and regenerative properties in neurological disorders. Under brain ischemia or trauma, Guo is released to the extracellular milieu and its concentration substantially raises. In vitro studies on brain tissue slices or cell lines subjected to ischemic conditions demonstrated that Guo counteracts destructive events that occur during ischemic conditions, e.g., glutaminergic excitotoxicity, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production. Moreover, Guo mitigates neuroinflammation and regulates post-translational processing. Guo asserts its neuroprotective effects via interplay with adenosine receptors, potassium channels, and excitatory amino acid transporters. Subsequently, guanosine activates several prosurvival molecular pathways including PI3K/Akt (PI3K) and MEK/ERK. Due to systemic degradation, the half-life of exogenous Guo is relatively low, thus creating difficulty regarding adequate exogenous Guo distribution. Nevertheless, in vivo studies performed on ischemic stroke rodent models provide promising results presenting a sustained decrease in infarct volume, improved neurological outcome, decrease in proinflammatory events, and stimulation of neuroregeneration through the release of neurotrophic factors. In this comprehensive review, we discuss molecular signaling related to Guo protection against brain ischemia. We present recent advances, limitations, and prospects in exogenous guanosine therapy in the context of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Chojnowski
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 3a, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (K.C.); (W.N.)
| | - Mikolaj Opielka
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 1 Debinki St., 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
- International Research Agenda 3P—Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdańsk, 3A Sklodowskiej-Curie Street, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Nazar
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 3a, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (K.C.); (W.N.)
| | - Przemyslaw Kowianski
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 1 Debinki Street, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University of Słupsk, Bohaterów Westerplatte 64, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland
| | - Ryszard T. Smolenski
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 1 Debinki St., 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
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Massari CM, Constantino LC, Tasca CI. Adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptors are involved on guanosine protective effects against oxidative burst and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by 6-OHDA in striatal slices. Purinergic Signal 2021; 17:247-254. [PMID: 33548045 PMCID: PMC8155135 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-021-09765-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is the most used toxin in experimental Parkinson's disease (PD) models. 6-OHDA shows high affinity for the dopamine transporter and once inside the neuron, it accumulates and undergoes non-enzymatic auto-oxidation, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and selective damage of catecholaminergic neurons. In this way, our group has established a 6-OHDA in vitro protocol with rat striatal slices as a rapid and effective model for screening of new drugs with protective effects against PD. We have shown that co-incubation with guanosine (GUO, 100 μM) prevented the 6-OHDA-induced damage in striatal slices. As the exact GUO mechanism of action remains unknown, the aim of this study was to investigate if adenosine A1 (A1R) and/or A2A receptors (A2AR) are involved on GUO protective effects on striatal slices. Pre-incubation with DPCPX, an A1R antagonist prevented guanosine effects on 6-OHDA-induced ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, while CCPA, an A1R agonist, did not alter GUO effects. Regarding A2AR, the antagonist SCH58261 had similar protective effect as GUO in ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, SCH58261 did not affect GUO protective effects. The A2AR agonist CGS21680, although, completely blocked GUO effects. Finally, the A1R antagonist DPCPX, and the A2AR agonist CGS21680 also abolished the preventive guanosine effect on 6-OHDA-induced ATP levels decrease. These results reinforce previous evidence for a putative interaction of GUO with A1R-A2AR heteromer as its molecular target and clearly indicate a dependence on adenosine receptors modulation to GUO protective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Massari
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - L C Constantino
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - C I Tasca
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica-4, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
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Massari CM, Zuccarini M, Di Iorio P, Tasca CI. Guanosine Mechanisms of Action: Toward Molecular Targets. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:653146. [PMID: 33867993 PMCID: PMC8044438 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.653146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caio M Massari
- Laboratório De Neuroquímica-4, Departamento De Bioquímica, Centro De Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University G. D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University G. D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carla I Tasca
- Laboratório De Neuroquímica-4, Departamento De Bioquímica, Centro De Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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