Insulin-like growth factor I modulates voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in neuronal cells

The neurobiology of insulin-like growth factor I: From neuroprotection to modulation of brain states

After decades of research in the neurobiology of IGF-I, its role as a prototypical neurotrophic factor is undisputed. However, many of its actions in the adult brain indicate that this growth factor is not only involved in brain development or in the response to injury. Following a three-layer assessment of its role in the central nervous system, we consider that at the cellular level, IGF-I is indeed a bona fide neurotrophic factor, modulating along ontogeny the generation and function of all the major types of brain cells, contributing to sculpt brain architecture and adaptive responses to damage. At the circuit level, IGF-I modulates neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity at multiple sites, whereas at the system level, IGF-I intervenes in energy allocation, proteostasis, circadian cycles, mood, and cognition. Local and peripheral sources of brain IGF-I input contribute to a spatially restricted, compartmentalized, and timed modulation of brain activity. To better define these variety of actions, we consider IGF-I a modulator of brain states. This definition aims to reconcile all aspects of IGF-I neurobiology, and may provide a new conceptual framework in the design of future research on the actions of this multitasking neuromodulator in the brain.

Gonadal Cycle-Dependent Expression of Genes Encoding Peptide-, Growth Factor-, and Orphan G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Gonadotropin- Releasing Hormone Neurons of Mice

Rising serum estradiol triggers the surge release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at late proestrus leading to ovulation. We hypothesized that proestrus evokes alterations in peptidergic signaling onto GnRH neurons inducing a differential expression of neuropeptide-, growth factor-, and orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) genes. Thus, we analyzed the transcriptome of GnRH neurons collected from intact, proestrous and metestrous GnRH-green fluorescent protein (GnRH-GFP) transgenic mice using Affymetrix microarray technique. Proestrus resulted in a differential expression of genes coding for peptide/neuropeptide receptors including Adipor1, Prokr1, Ednrb, Rtn4r, Nmbr, Acvr2b, Sctr, Npr3, Nmur1, Mc3r, Cckbr, and Amhr2. In this gene cluster, Adipor1 mRNA expression was upregulated and the others were downregulated. Expression of growth factor receptors and their related proteins was also altered showing upregulation of Fgfr1, Igf1r, Grb2, Grb10, and Ngfrap1 and downregulation of Egfr and Tgfbr2 genes. Gpr107, an orphan GPCR, was upregulated during proestrus, while others were significantly downregulated (Gpr1, Gpr87, Gpr18, Gpr62, Gpr125, Gpr183, Gpr4, and Gpr88). Further affected receptors included vomeronasal receptors (Vmn1r172, Vmn2r-ps54, and Vmn1r148) and platelet-activating factor receptor (Ptafr), all with marked downregulation. Patch-clamp recordings from mouse GnRH-GFP neurons carried out at metestrus confirmed that the differentially expressed IGF-1, secretin, and GPR107 receptors were operational, as their activation by specific ligands evoked an increase in the frequency of miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs). These findings show the contribution of certain novel peptides, growth factors, and ligands of orphan GPCRs to regulation of GnRH neurons and their preparation for the surge release.

Dopamine neuron-derived IGF-1 controls dopamine neuron firing, skill learning, and exploration

Midbrain dopamine neurons play a role in motivational and cognitive control of behavior. In addition, they regulate motor functions. Dysregulation of dopamine neurons has been linked to depression, schizophrenia, and addiction and their degeneration is causal to Parkinson’s disease. Peripheral hormones have been shown to regulate dopamine neurons functions. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a hormone mainly produced in the liver. With this study we discovered that midbrain dopamine neurons synthesize and release IGF-1 in an activity dependent manner. In addition, dopamine neuron-derived IGF-1 modulates dopamine synthesis and dopamine neuron firing and ultimately it controls dopamine-dependent behaviors. This study highlights the neuromodulatory role of neuron-derived IGF-1 and its role in shaping dopamine transmission in the brain.

Midbrain dopamine neurons, which can be regulated by neuropeptides and hormones, play a fundamental role in controlling cognitive processes, reward mechanisms, and motor functions. The hormonal actions of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) produced by the liver have been well described, but the role of neuronally derived IGF-1 remains largely unexplored. We discovered that dopamine neurons secrete IGF-1 from the cell bodies following depolarization, and that IGF-1 controls release of dopamine in the ventral midbrain. In addition, conditional deletion of dopamine neuron-derived IGF-1 in adult mice leads to decrease of dopamine content in the striatum and deficits in dopamine neuron firing and causes reduced spontaneous locomotion and impairments in explorative and learning behaviors. These data identify that dopamine neuron-derived IGF-1 acts as a regulator of dopamine neurons and regulates dopamine-mediated behaviors.

IGF-1 protects cardiac myocytes from hyperosmotic stress-induced apoptosis via CREB

Hyperosmotic stress stimulates a rapid and pronounced apoptosis in cardiac myocytes which is attenuated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Because in these cells IGF-1 induces intracellular Ca(2+) increase, we assessed whether the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is activated by IGF-1 through Ca(2+)-dependent signalling pathways. In cultured cardiac myocytes, IGF-1 induced phosphorylation (6.5 +/- 1.0-fold at 5 min), nuclear translocation (30 min post-stimulus) and DNA binding activity of CREB. IGF-1-induced CREB phosphorylation was mediated by MEK1/ERK, PI3-K, p38-MAPK, as well as Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase and calcineurin. Exposure of cardiac myocytes to hyperosmotic stress (sorbitol 600 mOsm) decreased IGF-1-induced CREB activation Moreover, overexpression of a dominant negative CREB abolished the anti-apoptotic effects of IGF-1. Our results suggest that IGF-1 activates CREB through a complex signalling pathway, and this transcription factor plays an important role in the anti-apoptotic action of IGF-1 in cultured cardiac myocytes.

An investigation into signal transduction mechanisms involved in insulin-induced long-term depression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus

Recent work has demonstrated that brief application of insulin to hippocampal slices can induce a novel form of long-term depression (insulin-LTD) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus; however, the molecular details of how insulin triggers LTD remain unclear. Using electrophysiological and biochemical approaches in the hippocampal slices, we show here that insulin-LTD (i) is specific to 3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor- but not NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission; (ii) is induced and expressed postsynaptically but does not require the activation of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors; (iii) requires a concomitant Ca(2+) influx through l-type voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels (VACCs) and the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores; (iv) requires the series of protein kinases, including protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase C (PKC); (v) is mechanistically distinct from low-frequency stimulation-induced LTD (LFS-LTD) and independent on protein phosphatase 1/2 A (PP1/2 A) and PP2B activation; (vi) is dependent on a rapamycin-sensitive local translation of dendritic mRNA, and (vii) is associated with a persistent decrease in the surface expression of GluR2 subunit. These results suggest that a PI3K/PKC-dependent insulin signaling, which controls postsynaptic surface AMPA receptor numbers through PP-independent endocytosis, may be a major expression mechanism of insulin-LTD in hippocampal CA1 neurons.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 induces an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent increase in nuclear and cytosolic calcium in cultured rat cardiac myocytes

In the heart, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a pro-hypertrophic and anti-apoptotic peptide. In cultured rat cardiomyocytes, IGF-1 induced a fast and transient increase in Ca(2+)(i) levels apparent both in the nucleus and cytosol, releasing this ion from intracellular stores through an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-dependent signaling pathway. Intracellular IP(3) levels increased after IGF-1 stimulation in both the presence and absence of extracellular Ca(2+). A different spatial distribution of IP(3) receptor isoforms in cardiomyocytes was found. Ryanodine did not prevent the IGF-1-induced increase of Ca(2+)(i) levels but inhibited the basal and spontaneous Ca(2+)(i) oscillations observed when cardiac myocytes were incubated in Ca(2+)-containing resting media. Spatial analysis of fluorescence images of IGF-1-stimulated cardiomyocytes incubated in Ca(2+)-containing resting media showed an early increase in Ca(2+)(i), initially localized in the nucleus. Calcium imaging suggested that part of the Ca(2+) released by stimulation with IGF-1 was initially contained in the perinuclear region. The IGF-1-induced increase on Ca(2+)(i) levels was prevented by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-AM, thapsigargin, xestospongin C, 2-aminoethoxy diphenyl borate, U-73122, pertussis toxin, and betaARKct (a peptide inhibitor of Gbetagamma signaling). Pertussis toxin also prevented the IGF-1-dependent IP(3) mass increase. Genistein treatment largely decreased the IGF-1-induced changes in both Ca(2+)(i) and IP(3). LY29402 (but not PD98059) also prevented the IGF-1-dependent Ca(2+)(i) increase. Both pertussis toxin and U73122 prevented the IGF-1-dependent induction of both ERKs and protein kinase B. We conclude that IGF-1 increases Ca(2+)(i) levels in cultured cardiac myocytes through a Gbetagamma subunit of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein-PI3K-phospholipase C signaling pathway that involves participation of IP(3).

Preservation of motor neuron Ca2+ channel sensitivity to insulin-like growth factor-1 in brain motor cortex from senescent rat

Despite the multiple effects on mammals during development, the effectiveness of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to sustain cell function and structure in the brain of senescent mammals is almost completely unknown. To address this issue, we investigated whether the effects of IGF-1 on specific targets are preserved at later stages of life. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) are well-characterized targets of IGF-1. VGCC regulate membrane excitability and gene transcription along with other functions that have been found to be impaired in the brain of senescent rodents. As the voluntary control of movement has been reported to be altered in the elderly, we investigated the expression, function and responsiveness of high (HVA)- and low-voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ channels to IGF-1, using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp and RT-PCR in the specific region of the rat motor cortex that controls hindlimb muscle movement. We detected the expression of alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1E genes encoding the HVA Ca2+ channels P/Q, N and R, respectively, but not alpha 1C, alpha 1D, alpha 1S encoding the L-type Ca2+ channel in this region of the brain cortex. IGF-1 enhanced Ca2+ channel currents through P/Q- and N-type channels but not significantly through the R-type or LVA channels. IGF-1 enhanced the amplitude but did not modify the voltage dependence of Ca2+ channel currents in young (2- to 4-week-old), young adult (7-month-old) and senescent (28- to 29-month-old) rats. These results support the concept that despite the reported decrease in circulating (liver) and local (central nervous system) production of IGF-1 with ageing, key neuronal targets such as the VGCC remain responsive to the growth factor throughout life.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 increases activity and surface levels of the GLAST subtype of glutamate transporter

Glutamate uptake systems are the primary mechanisms involved in excitatory amino acids clearance, their regulation is extremely important for proper neuronal function. Using cultured chick cerebellar Bergmann glia cells, the involvement of receptor tyrosine kinases in glutamate uptake was studied. Treatment of the cells with insulin-like growth factor-1 but not epidermal growth factor or neuronal growth factor, induces a dose and time dependent increase in [(3)H]-D-aspartate uptake that is sensitive to wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Saturation experiments show a significant increase in V(max), suggesting that the amount of transporter molecules at the cell membrane under insulin-like growth factor-1 treatment is augmented. This interpretation was strengthen by equilibrium-binding experiments and by the fact that the increase in [(3)H]-D-aspartate uptake was not dependent on protein synthesis. The present studies suggest that insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling is involved in modulation of glutamate transporter cell surface expression.

The role of zinc in growth and cell proliferation

The inhibition of growth is a cardinal symptom of zinc deficiency. In animals fed a zinc-inadequate diet, both food intake and growth are reduced within 4-5 d. Despite the concomitant reduction in food intake and growth, reduced energy intake is not the limiting factor in growth, because force-feeding a zinc-inadequate diet to animals fails to maintain growth. Hence, food intake and growth appear to be regulated by zinc through independent, although well coordinated, mechanisms. Despite the long-term study of zinc metabolism, the first limiting role of zinc in cell proliferation remains undefined. Zinc participates in the regulation of cell proliferation in several ways; it is essential to enzyme systems that influence cell division and proliferation. Removing zinc from the extracellular milieu results in decreased activity of deoxythymidine kinase and reduced levels of adenosine(5')tetraphosphate(5')-adenosine. Hence, zinc may directly regulate DNA synthesis through these systems. Zinc also influences hormonal regulation of cell division. Specifically, the pituitary growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis is responsive to zinc status. Both increased and decreased circulating concentrations of GH have been observed in zinc deficiency, although circulating IGF-I concentrations are consistently decreased. However, growth failure is not reversed by maintaining either GH or IGF-I levels through exogenous administration, which suggests the defect occurs in hormone signaling. Zinc appears to be essential for IGF-I induction of cell proliferation; the site of regulation is postreceptor binding. Overall, the evidence suggests that reduced zinc availability affects membrane signaling systems and intracellular second messengers that coordinate cell proliferation in response to IGF-I.

Expression of cerebellar long-term depression requires postsynaptic clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) is a cellular model system of information storage that may underlie certain forms of motor learning. While cerebellar LTD is expressed as a selective modification of postsynaptic AMPA receptors, this might involve changes in receptor number/distribution, unitary conductance, kinetics, or glutamate affinity. The observation that GluR2-containing synaptic AMPA receptors could be internalized by regulated clathrin-mediated endocytosis suggested that this process could underlie LTD expression. To test this hypothesis, we postsynaptically applied dynamin and amphiphysin peptides that interfere with the clathrin endocytotic complex and found that they blocked LTD expression in cultured Purkinje neurons. In addition, induction of LTD and attenuation of AMPA responses by stimulation of clathrin-mediated endocytosis occluded each other. These findings suggest that the expression of cerebellar LTD requires clathrin-mediated internalization of postsynaptic AMPA receptors.

Shaw-like potassium currents in the auditory rhombencephalon throughout embryogenesis

The Shaw subfamily of potassium channel genes, including Kv3.1, are highly expressed within the auditory nuclei of the brainstem, where they have been implicated in the characteristic response properties of particular types of neurons. Potassium currents carried by Kv3.1 are voltage-dependent, have a high activation threshold, are slow to inactivate, and are very sensitive to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). We have investigated the developmental appearance of potassium currents in cell cultures from nucleus magnocellularis and its precursor neuroblasts from the acoustico-vestibular anlage of the chicken. Whole-cell patch recordings revealed that high-threshold, sustained, outward currents were present in 91% of neuroblasts. These currents displayed high sensitivities to TEA and 4-AP. The remaining 9% of neuroblasts exhibited only transient outward currents. Most cells (74%) had both a sustained and an initial transient component of outward current. These current types were observed throughout embryogenesis, beginning with the earliest ages (embryonic day [E]2). During proliferation and migration, and early neuronal differentiation, current levels were low; they incremented gradually during the time when the first synapses occur on dendrites and increased 2- to 3-fold just before hatching, when axosomatic synapses form. These findings suggest that the Shaw subfamily of channels in nucleus magnocellularis may be involved in early neuronal development, as well as in synaptic function later on.

The N terminus of the cardiac L-type Ca(2+) channel alpha(1C) subunit. The initial segment is ubiquitous and crucial for protein kinase C modulation, but is not directly phosphorylated

The first 46 amino acids (aa) of the N terminus of the rabbit heart (RH) L-type cardiac Ca(2+) channel alpha(1C) subunit are crucial for the stimulating action of protein kinase C (PKC) and also hinder channel gating (Shistik, E., Ivanina, T., Blumenstein, Y., and Dascal, N. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 17901-17909). The mechanism of PKC action and the location of the PKC target site are not known. Moreover, uncertainties in the genomic sequence of the N-terminal region of alpha(1C) leave open the question of the presence of RH-type N terminus in L-type channels in mammalian tissues. Here, we demonstrate the presence of alpha(1C) protein containing an RH-type initial N-terminal segment in rat heart and brain by using a newly prepared polyclonal antibody. Using deletion mutants of alpha(1C) expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we further narrowed down the part of the N terminus crucial for both inhibitory gating and for PKC effect to the first 20 amino acid residues, and we identify the first 5 aa as an important determinant of PKC action and of N-terminal effect on gating. The absence of serines and threonines in the first 5 aa and the absence of phosphorylation by PKC of a glutathione S-transferase-fusion protein containing the initial segment suggest that the effect of PKC does not arise through a direct phosphorylation of this segment. We propose that PKC acts by attenuating the inhibitory action of the N terminus via phosphorylation of a remote site, in the channel or in an auxiliary protein, that interacts with the initial segment of the N terminus.

Insulin modulation of cloned mouse NMDA receptor currents in Xenopus oocytes

Modulation of recombinant N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) currents by insulin was studied using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Insulin (0.8 microM, 10 min) regulated NMDAR currents in a subunit-specific manner. Currents from epsilon1/zeta1, epsilon2/zeta1, and epsilon4/zeta1 receptors were variably potentiated, whereas currents from epsilon3/zeta1 receptors were not. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein kinase C were found to be involved in insulin-mediated modulation in an NMDAR subtype-specific way. Pretreatment with a specific PTK inhibitor, lavendustin A, attenuated and blocked the insulin effect on epsilon2/zeta1 and epsilon4/zeta1, respectively. Preincubation with selective protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine or calphostin C, depressed the response of epsilon1/zeta1 and epsilon2/zeta1 receptors to insulin. Basal regulation of NMDAR currents by endogenous PTKs and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) was also investigated. Of the four receptor subtypes, only epsilon1/zeta1 receptor currents were affected by basal PTK inhibition via lavendustin A, whereas PTP inhibition by phenylarsine oxide or orthovanadate enhanced currents from epsilon1/zeta1 and epsilon2/zeta1 receptors. Surprisingly, a stimulatory PTP modulation was observed for epsilon4/zeta1. As NMDAR subunits are differentially expressed in the brain, the observed subtype-specific modulations of NMDAR currents by insulin, PTKs, and PTPs may provide important insights into certain NMDAR-dependent physiological and pathological processes.

Insulin causes a transient tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits in rat hippocampus

NMDA receptors play a critical role in various aspects of CNS function. Hence, it is important to identify mechanisms that regulate NMDA receptor activity. We have shown previously that insulin rapidly potentiates NMDA receptor activity in both native and recombinant expression systems. Here we report that insulin causes a transient phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits on tyrosine residues. Rat hippocampal slices were exposed to 1 microM insulin for 20 and 60 min and then solubilized. NR2A and NR2B subunits were immunoprecipitated and probed for tyrosine phosphorylation. Insulin incubation of hippocampal slices for 20 min elicited an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation to 176 +/- 16% (NR2A) and 203 +/- 15% (NR2B) of control levels. In contrast, 60 min of insulin incubation did not alter NR2 tyrosine phosphorylation levels (NR2A: 85 +/- 13% of control; NR2B: 93 +/- 10% of control). Although the consequence of insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation is unknown, it is possible that this site(s) is responsible for insulin potentiation of NMDA receptor activity. This possibility is consistent with our earlier finding that insulin potentiates hippocampal NMDA receptor activity after 20 min, but not after 60 min, of insulin exposure.

Modulation of cardiac Ca2+ channels by IGF1

Although there are several reports on the regulation of neuronal and skeletal muscle voltage-sensitive calcium channels by IGF1, the effects of short-term IGF1 exposure on cardiac Ca2+ channels have not been described. We measured the activity of nitrendipine-sensitive Ca2+ channels of intact cardiac myocytes in the presence of IGF1 by monitoring unidirectional Mn2+ influx measured as the quench of cytosolic fura-2 in electrically stimulated or K+-depolarized cells. Maximal channel activation was observed after 10 min of preincubation with IGF1, which gave an increase of 216 +/- 25%. Treatment with the protein kinase C inhibitors bisindolylmaleimide I and chelerythrine mimicked the augmentation effect of IGF1, whereas PMA blocked enhancement of Mn2+ influx by IGF1. These results demonstrate that acute IGF1 augments dihydropyridine-sensitive sarcolemmal Ca2+ channel activity and that protein kinase C may contribute to the regulation of cardiac Ca2+ channels by IGF1.

IGF-I enhances survival of embryonic chick ciliary ganglion neurons in a calcium-dependent way

We have shown that neurons from embryonic chick ciliary ganglia in primary culture possess receptors for insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). When added to serum- and insulin-free culture medium, the factor potently enhanced neuronal survival as observed after 24 and 48 h of culture. The effect saturated at 5 ng/ml. Laminin was not necessary for the trophic effects of IGF-I; in the absence of the factor, it had no effect on neuronal survival. Insulin exerted a trophic effect similar to that observed with IGF-I, but at higher doses. The trophic effect of IGF-I was sharply and specifically reduced when either a membrane-permeable calcium chelating agent or blockers of voltage-dependent calcium channels were added to the medium.

Neuronal survival and calcium influx induced by basic fibroblast growth factor in chick ciliary ganglion neurons

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF2) exhibits widespread biological activities in the nervous system. However, little is known about the cascade of intracellular events that links the activation of its tyrosine kinase receptors to these effects. Here we report that, in ciliary ganglion neurons from chick embryo, this trophic factor significantly enhanced neuronal survival. The percentage of surviving neurons was reduced when intracellular calcium was chelated by adding a membrane-permeable BAPTA ester to the culture medium, while antagonists of L- and N-type voltage-dependent calcium channels were ineffective. The ionic signals in response to bFGF stimulation have been studied using cytofluorimetric and patch-clamp techniques. In single-cell Fura-2 measurements, bFGF elicited a long lasting rise of the cytosolic calcium concentration that was dependent on [Ca2+]o. In whole-cell experiments, we observed a reversible depolarization of the membrane resting potential and an inward cationic current. Single channel experiments, performed in the cell-attached configuration, provide evidence for the activation of two families of Ca2+-permeable cationic channels. Moreover, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate opens channels with similar properties, suggesting that this cytosolic messenger can be responsible for the calcium influx induced by bFGF.

Insulin-like growth factor-I modulation of cerebellar cell populations is developmentally stage-dependent and mediated by specific intracellular pathways

Although development of transgenic animals overexpressing insulin-like growth factor-I has allowed the establishment of a role of this trophic factor in brain growth, detailed knowledge of the action of insulin-like growth factor-I on different brain areas is still lacking. We now provide evidence for a pleiotrophic role of this growth factor on cerebellar development. Insulin-like growth factor-I produced by cerebellar cultures is a survival factor for Purkinje cells and a mitogen/differentiation factor for cerebellar glioblasts. Trophic effects of insulin-like growth factor-I were observed only during specific developmental stages. In addition, insulin-like growth factor-I increased intracellular Ca2+ levels in Purkinje cells and c-Fos in dividing glioblasts. Survival-promoting effects of insulin-like growth factor-I on Purkinje cells required activation of protein kinase C, while glioblast division induced by insulin-like growth factor-I depended on phosphatidylinosytol 3-kinase activation. We conclude that insulin-like growth factor-I is a paracrine/autocrine pleiotrophic factor for both glia and neurons in the cerebellum. Its effects are mediated by distinct intracellular signals and appear to be specific to the developmental stage of the target cell. Since development of the different cell populations that compose a specific brain territory is not synchronized, the pleiotrophic action of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I may be essential to ontogenetic processes underlying normal brain growth.

Regulation of mouse skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel by activation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor

We investigated the modulation of the skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel/dihydropyridine receptor in response to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation in single extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers from adult C57BL/6 mice. The L-type Ca2+ channel activity in its dual role as a voltage sensor and a selective Ca2+-conducting pore was recorded in voltage-clamp conditions. Peak Ca2+ current amplitude consistently increased after exposure to 20 ng/ml IGF-1 (EC50 = 5.6 +/- 1.8 nM). Peak IGF-1 effect on current amplitude at -20 mV was 210 +/- 18% of the control. Ca2+ current potentiation resulted from a shift in 13 mV of the Ca2+ current-voltage relationship toward more negative potentials. The IGF-1-induced facilitation of the Ca2+ current was not associated with an effect on charge movement amplitude and/or voltage distribution. These phenomena suggest that the L-type Ca2+ channel structures involved in voltage sensing are not involved in the response to the growth factor. The modulatory effect of IGF-1 on L-type Ca2+ channel was blocked by tyrosine kinase and PKC inhibitors, but not by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. IGF-1-dependent phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit was demonstrated by incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP to monolayers of adult fast-twitch skeletal muscles. IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of a protein at the 165 kDa band, corresponding to the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit. These results show that the activation of the IGF-1R facilitates skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel activity via a PKC-dependent phosphorylation mechanism.

L-type Ca2+ channel-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signaling impairment in aging rat skeletal muscle

The present study investigates the modulation of skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel receptor in response to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation. Single extensor digitorum longus and multifiber preparations were isolated from 7- (young), 14- (middle-age) and 28-(old) month- Fisher 344 X Brown Norway rats. Calcium current was potentiated in fibers from young and middle-age rats due to a -13 mV shift in half-activation potential. Fibers from old animals failed to show current potentiation in response to IGF-1R activation. IGF-1 induced a ten-fold increase in the phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit in young and middle-age fibers but failed to induce phosphorylation in old fibers. Addition of 0.5 mM Ca2+ increased the IGF-1 induced phosphorylation in young and middle-age fibers three fold but not in old fibers. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, and the PKC inhibitor peptide, 19-36, decreased IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of alpha1 subunit to 15% in young and middle-age fibers but failed to inhibit phosphorylation in old fibers. These results demonstrate that the IGF-1-L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit signaling is impaired in skeletal muscle fibers from old animals due to alterations in the trk-PKC pathway.

The role of the insulin-like growth factors in the central nervous system

Increasing evidence strongly supports a role for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in central nervous system (CNS) development. IGF-I, IGF-II, the type IIGF receptor (the cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor that mediates IGF signals), and some IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs; secreted proteins that modulate IGF actions) are expressed in many regions of the CNS beginning in utero. The expression pattern of IGF system proteins during brain growth suggests highly regulated and developmentally timed IGF actions on specific neural cell populations. IGF-I expression is predominantly in neurons and, in many brain regions, peaks in a fashion temporally coincident with periods in development when neuron progenitor proliferation and/or neuritic outgrowth occurs. In contrast, IGF-II expression is confined mainly to cells of mesenchymal and neural crest origin. While expression of type I IGF receptors appears ubiquitous, that of IGFBPs is characterized by regional and developmental specificity, and often occurs coordinately with peaks of IGF expression. In vitro IGF-I has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of neuron progenitors and/or the survival of neurons and oligodendrocytes, and in some cultured neurons, to stimulate function. Transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress IGF-I in the brain exhibit postnatal brain overgrowth without anatomic abnormality (20-85% increases in weight, depending on the magnitude of expression). In contrast, Tg mice that exhibit ectopic brain expression of IGFBP-1, an inhibitor of IGF action when present in molar excess, manifest postnatal brain growth retardation, and mice with ablated IGF-I gene expression, accomplished by homologous recombination, have brains that are 60% of normal size as adults. Taken together, these in vivo studies indicate that IGF-I can influence the development of most, if not all, brain regions, and suggest that the cerebral cortex and cerebellum are especially sensitive to IGF-I actions. IGF-I's growth-promoting in vivo actions result from its capacity to increase neuron number, at least in certain populations, and from its potent stimulation of myelination. These IGF-I actions, taken together with its neuroprotective effects following CNS and peripheral nerve injury, suggest that it may be of therapeutic benefit in a wide variety of disorders affecting the nervous system.

Insulin microinjection into the nucleus tractus solitarii of the rat attenuates the baroreceptor reflex

The presence of insulin and insulin binding sites in the central nervous system and the demonstration that central insulin has an effect on cardiovascular function has led to the hypothesis that insulin may play a role in mediating the baroreceptor reflex. To investigate this possibility, insulin was microinjected into depressor sites in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the first central synapse of the baroreceptor reflex, of urethane anesthetized rats. Microinjection of insulin into the NTS (110 nL of 1, 10 and 100 IU/mL) did not change mean arterial pressure (MAP) or heart rate (HR). However, insulin microinjection attenuated phenylephrine-elicited reflex bradycardia and depressor responses elicited by glutamate (GLU). The attenuation of GLU-elicited depressor responses was time-dependent for MAP changes and time and concentration-dependent for HR changes (p < 0.05). Insulin-like growth factor-1 microinjection into the NTS also attenuated GLU-elicited decreases in MAP (p < 0.05) but not HR. The effect of insulin on GLU-elicited responses was inhibited after peripheral adrenergic blockade by nadolol (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) but not after cholinergic blockade by methyl-atropine (2.0 mg/kg i.v.). These results demonstrate that insulin inhibits baroreceptor reflex responses in the NTS likely through an influence on the effects of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters on the activity of NTS neurons involved in sympathetic control of the cardiovascular system.

Insulin-like growth factor I expression alters acute sensitivity and tolerance to ethanol in transgenic mice

We compared some biobehavioral effects of ethanol in transgenic mice that overexpress insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in brain and in those that exhibit ectopic: brain expression of IGF binding protein I with those in non-transgenic littermate controls. Ethanol-induced sleep in IGF-I transgenic mice was significantly shorter, and in IGF binding protein 1 transgenic mice significantly longer, than in controls. A similar tendency, though not significant, was observed for ethanol-induced hypothermia. The groups did not differ in the degree of ethanol-induced ataxia. IGF-I transgenic mice did not acquire tolerance to either the hypothermic or hypnotic effects of ethanol following 7-day ethanol treatment. In contrast, tolerance in IGF binding protein 1 transgenic mice was significantly more pronounced than in controls. There were no significant differences among the three groups in the peak blood alcohol concentrations or the overall blood alcohol curves following acute ethanol challenge. In general, these data support the prediction made that chronically elevated exposure to IGF-I in IGF-I transgenic mice renders them less susceptible to the effects of ethanol than their non-transgenic siblings, and that overexpression of IGF binding protein 1 has the opposite effect.

Insulin potentiates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity in Xenopus oocytes and rat hippocampus

Growth factor signal transduction pathways have recently been shown to affect voltage-gated ion channel activity. In this study we report that insulin can modulate the activity of a ligand-gated ion channel, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In Xenopus oocytes, brief insulin exposure rapidly potentiated NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2B receptor responses 2-3 fold and weakly potentiated NR1a/NR2C and NR1a/NR2D mediated-responses. Insulin potentiation of NR1a/NR2A receptor responses was significantly blocked by staurosporine, suggesting kinase involvement in insulin action. Insulin modulation of native NMDA receptors is suggested by the observation that insulin potentiated the NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic component in hippocampal slices. Regulation of NMDA receptor activity by growth factors may account for previous observations of growth factor modulation of central nervous system excitotoxicity.

Spontaneous calcium transients regulate neuronal plasticity in developing neurons

Calcium ions play critical roles in neuronal differentiation. We have recorded transient, repeated elevations of calcium in embryonic Xenopus spinal neurons over periods of 1 h in vitro and in vivo, confocally imaging fluo 3-loaded cells at 5 s intervals. Calcium spikes and calcium waves are found both in neurons in culture and in the intact spinal cord. Spikes rise rapidly to approximately 400% of baseline fluorescence and have a double exponential decay, whereas waves rise slowly to approximately 200% of baseline fluorescence and decay slowly as well. Imaging of fura 2-loaded neurons indicates that intracellular calcium increases from 50 to 500 nM during spikes. Both spikes and waves are abolished by removal of extracellular calcium. Developmentally, the incidence and frequency of spikes decrease, whereas the incidence and frequency of waves are constant. Spikes are generated by spontaneous calcium-dependent action potentials and also utilize intracellular calcium stores. Waves are produced by a mechanism that does not involve classic voltage-dependent calcium channels. Spikes are required for expression of the transmitter GABA and for potassium channel modulation. Waves in growth cones are likely to regulate neurite extension. The results demonstrate the roles of a novel signaling system in regulating neuronal plasticity, that operates on a time scale 10(4) times slower than that of action potentials.

Critical period control in sensory cortex

The search continues for factors whose regulation during development accounts for the end of the critical period for experience-dependent cortical plasticity. Recent studies suggest that NMDA receptors and neurotrophins may be involved either individually or in concert. NMDA receptor subunits are developmentally regulated in a way that affects the kinetic properties of the NMDA receptor. The expression of mRNAs for neurotrophins and their receptors is regulated by developmental factors and by neuronal activity, and exogenous neurotrophins block critical period plasticity in the visual cortex.

The 'cerebral diabetes' paradigm for unipolar depression

Unipolar depression, alcoholism and suicide have become more common over the past decades. Genetic studies have attempted to link (bipolar) affective disorder to the short arm of chromosome 11 (where the loci for insulin, insulin growth factor (IGF), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and h-ras-oncogene are located) but these have failed. Since TH and the insulin receptor require phosphorylation by protein kinases, then a defect of the h-ras-oncogene or its products (p21) could disorder both these systems and compromise catecholaminergic transmission in neurones and energy flow in glial cells. This could lead not only to a predisposition to depression ('trait markers') but to neurotoxic damage, predisposed by inadequate cytosol Mg2+ levels of hypometabolism. Tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine hydroxylases all require tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) which allosterically regulates its own activity as well as that of these enzymes. Anything which impairs this cofactor could lead to overt depression in predisposed individuals, and the heterocyclic amines are being increasingly implicated. These substances are derived from fried and broiled meats, azo food dyes, soft drinks and hard candies, but particularly from cigarette and petroleum fumes. The heterocyclic amines can inhibit aromatic-l-amino-acid-decarboxylase (AADC) as well as the hydroxylases reversibly, but BH4 is inhibited noncompetitively. Thus, susceptible individuals (those with inherited defective protein kinase phosphorylation) might be 'tipped over' by chronic exposure to these neurotoxins. The rising incidence of unipolar depression-associated morbidity could be significantly linked to increasing levels of heterocyclic amines in the developed nations.