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Wang J, Beecher K. TSPO: an emerging role in appetite for a therapeutically promising biomarker. Open Biol 2021; 11:210173. [PMID: 34343461 PMCID: PMC8331234 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that an obesogenic Western diet causes neuroinflammatory damage to the brain, which then promotes further appetitive behaviour. Neuroinflammation has been extensively studied by analysing the translocator protein of 18 kDa (TSPO), a protein that is upregulated in the inflamed brain following a damaging stimulus. As a result, there is a rich supply of TSPO-specific agonists, antagonists and positron emission tomography ligands. One TSPO ligand, etifoxine, is also currently used clinically for the treatment of anxiety with a minimal side-effect profile. Despite the neuroinflammatory pathogenesis of diet-induced obesity, and the translational potential of targeting TSPO, there is sparse literature characterizing the effect of TSPO on appetite. Therefore, in this review, the influence of TSPO on appetite is discussed. Three putative mechanisms for TSPO's appetite-modulatory effect are then characterized: the TSPO–allopregnanolone–GABAAR signalling axis, glucosensing in tanycytes and association with the synaptic protein RIM-BP1. We highlight that, in addition to its plethora of functions, TSPO is a regulator of appetite. This review ultimately suggests that the appetite-modulating function of TSPO should be further explored due to its potential therapeutic promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Wang
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kate Beecher
- Addiction Neuroscience and Obesity Laboratory, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Rao R, Diharce J, Dugué B, Ostuni MA, Cadet F, Etchebest C. Versatile Dimerisation Process of Translocator Protein (TSPO) Revealed by an Extensive Sampling Based on a Coarse-Grained Dynamics Study. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 60:3944-3957. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajas Rao
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de la Réunion, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, Faculté des Sciences & Technologies Saint-Denis, F-97715 St. Denis, France
| | - Julien Diharce
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de la Réunion, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, Faculté des Sciences & Technologies Saint-Denis, F-97715 St. Denis, France
| | - Bérénice Dugué
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de la Réunion, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, Faculté des Sciences & Technologies Saint-Denis, F-97715 St. Denis, France
| | - Mariano A. Ostuni
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Cadet
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de la Réunion, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, Faculté des Sciences & Technologies Saint-Denis, F-97715 St. Denis, France
- PEACCEL, Artificial Intelligence Department, 6 Square Albin Cachot, Box 42, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Etchebest
- Université de Paris, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, INSERM, F-75015, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Excellence GR-Ex, 75015 Paris, France
- Université de la Réunion, Biologie Intégrée du Globule Rouge, UMR_S1134, BIGR, Faculté des Sciences & Technologies Saint-Denis, F-97715 St. Denis, France
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Azrad M, Zeineh N, Weizman A, Veenman L, Gavish M. The TSPO Ligands 2-Cl-MGV-1, MGV-1, and PK11195 Differentially Suppress the Inflammatory Response of BV-2 Microglial Cell to LPS. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030594. [PMID: 30704062 PMCID: PMC6387401 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The 18 kDa Translocator Protein (TSPO) is a marker for microglial activation as its expression is enhanced in activated microglia during neuroinflammation. TSPO ligands can attenuate neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of new TSPO ligands designed by our laboratory, MGV-1 and 2-Cl-MGV-1, in mitigating an in vitro neuroinflammatory process compared to the classic TSPO ligand, PK 11195. We exposed BV-2 microglial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h to induce inflammatory response and added the three TSPO ligands: (1) one hour before LPS treatment (pretreatment), (2) simultaneously with LPS (cotreatment), and (3) one hour after LPS exposure (post-treatment). We evaluated the capability of TSPO ligands to reduce the levels of three glial inflammatory markers: cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitric oxide (NO). We compared the effects of the two novel ligands to PK 11195. Both 2-Cl-MGV-1 and MGV-1 reduced the levels of glial COX-2, iNOS, and NO in LPS-treated BV-2 cells more efficiently than PK 11195. Notably, even when added after exposure to LPS, all ligands were able to suppress the inflammatory response. Due to their pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, 2-Cl-MGV-1 and MGV-1 may serve as potential therapeutics in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Azrad
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Nidal Zeineh
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Research Unit at Geha Mental Health Center and the Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva 4910002, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
| | - Leo Veenman
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
| | - Moshe Gavish
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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4
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Selvaraj V, Tu LN. Current status and future perspectives: TSPO in steroid neuroendocrinology. J Endocrinol 2016; 231:R1-R30. [PMID: 27422254 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), has received significant attention both as a diagnostic biomarker and as a therapeutic target for different neuronal disease pathologies. Recently, its functional basis believed to be mediating mitochondrial cholesterol import for steroid hormone production has been refuted by studies examining both in vivo and in vitro genetic Tspo-deficient models. As a result, there now exists a fundamental gap in the understanding of TSPO function in the nervous system, and its putative pharmacology in neurosteroid production. In this review, we discuss several recent findings in steroidogenic cells that are in direct contradiction to previous studies, and necessitate a re-examination of the purported role for TSPO in de novo neurosteroid biosynthesis. We critically examine the pharmacological effects of different TSPO-binding drugs with particular focus on studies that measure neurosteroid levels. We highlight the basis of key misconceptions regarding TSPO that continue to pervade the literature, and the need for interpretation with caution to avoid negative impacts. We also summarize the emerging perspectives that point to new directions that need to be investigated for understanding the molecular function of TSPO, only after which the true potential of this therapeutic target in medicine may be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal ScienceCornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Lan N Tu
- Department of Animal ScienceCornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Reddy SD, Younus I, Clossen BL, Reddy DS. Antiseizure Activity of Midazolam in Mice Lacking δ-Subunit Extrasynaptic GABA(A) Receptors. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 353:517-28. [PMID: 25784648 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.222075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Midazolam is a benzodiazepine anticonvulsant with rapid onset and short duration of action. Midazolam is the current drug of choice for acute seizures and status epilepticus, including those caused by organophosphate nerve agents. The antiseizure activity of midazolam is thought to result from its allosteric potentiation of synaptic GABA(A) receptors in the brain. However, there are indications that benzodiazepines promote neurosteroid synthesis via the 18-kDa cholesterol transporter protein (TSPO). Therefore, we investigated the role of neurosteroids and their extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptor targets in the antiseizure activity of midazolam. Here, we used δ-subunit knockout (DKO) mice bearing a targeted deletion of the extrasynaptic receptors to investigate the contribution of the extrasynaptic receptors to the antiseizure activity of midazolam using the 6-Hz and hippocampus kindling seizure models. In both models, midazolam produced rapid and dose-dependent protection against seizures (ED50, 0.4 mg/kg). Moreover, the antiseizure potency of midazolam was undiminished in DKO mice compared with control mice. Pretreatment with PK11195 [1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide], a TSPO blocker, or finasteride, a 5α-reductase neurosteroid inhibitor, did not affect the antiseizure effect of midazolam. The antiseizure activity of midazolam was significantly reversed by pretreatment with flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist. Plasma and brain levels of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone were not significantly greater in midazolam-treated animals. These studies therefore provide strong evidence that neurosteroids and extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors are not involved in the antiseizure activity of midazolam, which mainly occurs through synaptic GABA(A) receptors via direct binding to benzodiazepine sites. This study reaffirms midazolam's use for controlling acute seizures and status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh D Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Iyan Younus
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Bryan L Clossen
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
| | - Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas
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Neurosteroids, stress and depression: potential therapeutic opportunities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 37:109-22. [PMID: 23085210 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are potent and effective neuromodulators that are synthesized from cholesterol in the brain. These agents and their synthetic derivatives influence the function of multiple signaling pathways including receptors for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, the major inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of neurosteroid production plays a role in the pathophysiology of stress and stress-related psychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of neurosteroid action in brain with an emphasis on those neurosteroids that potently modulate the function of GABA(A) receptors. We then discuss evidence indicating a role for GABA and neurosteroids in stress and depression, and focus on potential strategies that can be used to manipulate CNS neurosteroid synthesis and function for therapeutic purposes.
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Kuo J, Micevych P. Neurosteroids, trigger of the LH surge. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 131:57-65. [PMID: 22326732 PMCID: PMC3474707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2011] [Revised: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent experiments from our laboratory are consistent with the idea that hypothalamic astrocytes are critical components of the central nervous system (CNS) mediated estrogen positive feedback mechanism. The "astrocrine hypothesis" maintains that ovarian estradiol rapidly increases free cytoplasmic calcium concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) that facilitate progesterone synthesis in astrocytes. This hypothalamic neuroprogesterone along with the elevated estrogen from the ovaries allows for the surge release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that triggers the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. A narrow range of estradiol stimulated progesterone production supports an "off-on-off" mechanism regulating the transition from estrogen negative feedback to estrogen positive feedback, and back again. The rapidity of the [Ca(2+)](i) response and progesterone synthesis support a non-genomic, membrane-initiated signaling mechanism. In hypothalamic astrocytes, membrane-associated estrogen receptors (mERs) signal through transactivation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1a (mGluR1a), implying that astrocytic function is influenced by surrounding glutamatergic nerve terminals. Although other putative mERs, such as mERβ, STX-activated mER-Gα(q), and G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), are present and participate in membrane-mediated signaling, their influence in reproduction is still obscure since female reproduction be it estrogen positive feedback or lordosis behavior requires mERα. The astrocrine hypothesis is also consistent with the well-known sexual dimorphism of estrogen positive feedback. In rodents, only post-pubertal females exhibit this positive feedback. Hypothalamic astrocytes cultured from females, but not males, responded to estradiol by increasing progesterone synthesis. Estrogen autoregulates its own signaling by regulating levels of mERα in the plasma membrane of female astrocytes. In male astrocytes, the estradiol-induced increase in mERα was attenuated, suggesting that membrane-initiated estradiol signaling (MIES) would also be blunted. Indeed, estradiol induced [Ca(2+)](i) release in male astrocytes, but not to levels required to stimulate progesterone synthesis. Investigation of this sexual differentiation was performed using hypothalamic astrocytes from post-pubertal four core genotype (FCG) mice. In this model, genetic sex is uncoupled from gonadal sex. We demonstrated that animals that developed testes (XYM and XXM) lacked estrogen positive feedback, strongly suggesting that the sexual differentiation of progesterone synthesis is driven by the sex steroid environment during early development. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Neurosteroids'.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kuo
- Department of Neurobiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Paul Micevych
- Department of Neurobiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology of the Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Corresponding author at: Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 LeConte Avenue, 73-078 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1763, United States. Tel.: +1 310 206 8265; fax: +1 310 825 2224. (P. Micevych)
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Dhir A, Rogawski MA. Role of neurosteroids in the anticonvulsant activity of midazolam. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 165:2684-91. [PMID: 22014182 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01733.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine that is widely used as an i.v. sedative and anticonvulsant. Besides interacting with the benzodiazepine site associated with GABA(A) receptors, some benzodiazepines act as agonists of translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) to enhance the synthesis of steroids, including neurosteroids with positive modulatory actions on GABA(A) receptors. We sought to determine if neurosteroidogenesis induced by midazolam contributes to its anticonvulsant action. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice were pretreated with neurosteroid synthesis inhibitors and potentiators followed by midazolam or clonazepam, a weak TSPO ligand. Anticonvulsant activity was assessed with the i.v. pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) threshold test. KEY RESULTS Midazolam (500-5000 µg·kg(-1) , i.p.) caused a dose-dependent increase in seizure threshold. Pretreatment with the neurosteroid synthesis inhibitors finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, and a functional TSPO antagonist PK 11195, reduced the anticonvulsant action of midazolam. The anticonvulsant action of midazolam was enhanced by the neurosteroidogenic drug metyrapone, an 11β-hydroxylase inhibitor. In contrast, the anticonvulsant action of clonazepam (100 µg·kg(-1) ) was reduced by finasteride but not by PK 11195, indicating a possible contribution of neurosteroids unrelated to TSPO. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Enhanced endogenous neurosteroid synthesis, possibly mediated by an interaction with TSPO, contributed to the anticonvulsant action of midazolam. Enhanced neurosteroidogenesis may also be a factor in the actions of other benzodiazepines, even those that only weakly interact with TSPO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Dhir
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Kita A, Furukawa K. Involvement of neurosteroids in the anxiolytic-like effects of AC-5216 in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2008; 89:171-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2007.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2007] [Revised: 11/26/2007] [Accepted: 12/05/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Veiga S, Carrero P, Pernia O, Azcoitia I, Garcia-Segura LM. Translocator protein 18 kDa is involved in the regulation of reactive gliosis. Glia 2007; 55:1426-36. [PMID: 17674368 DOI: 10.1002/glia.20558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO), previously known as peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, is a critical component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Brain inflammation results in the induction of the expression of TSPO in glial cells and some TSPO ligands decrease reactive gliosis after brain injury. However, since some TSPO ligands are neuroprotective, their effects on reactive gliosis may be the consequence of a reduced neurodegeneration. To assess whether TSPO ligands can modulate reactive gliosis in absence of neuronal death, we have tested their effects on the inflammatory response induced in the hippocampus of male rats by the intracerebroventricular infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS treatment did not induce neuronal death, assessed by Fluoro jade-B staining, but increased the number of cells immunoreactive for vimentin and MHC-II, used as markers of reactive astrocytes and reactive microglia, respectively. Furthermore, LPS produced an increase in the number of proliferating microglia. The TSPO ligand PK11195 reduced the number of MHC-II immunoreactive cells and the proliferation of microglia in LPS treated rats. In contrast, another TSPO ligand, Ro5-4864, did not significantly affect the response of microglia to LPS. Neither PK11195 nor Ro5-4864 affected the LPS-mediated increase in the number of vimentin-immunoreactive astrocytes at the time point studied, although PK11195 reduced vimentin immunoreactivity. These findings identify TSPO as a potential target for controlling neural inflammation, showing that the TSPO ligand PK11195 may reduce microglia activation by a mechanism that is independent of the regulation of neuronal survival.
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Ahboucha S, Pomier-Layrargues G, Mamer O, Butterworth RF. Increased levels of pregnenolone and its neuroactive metabolite allopregnanolone in autopsied brain tissue from cirrhotic patients who died in hepatic coma. Neurochem Int 2006; 49:372-8. [PMID: 16563564 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2006.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2005] [Revised: 02/06/2006] [Accepted: 02/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that neurosteroids with agonist properties at the central GABA-A receptor are implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in chronic liver disease. In order to address this issue, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to measure the neurosteroids pregnenolone, allopregnanolone, and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) in postmortem brain tissue from controls, cirrhotic patients who died without HE, a patient who died in uremic coma, and cirrhotic patients who died in hepatic coma. Exposure of rat cerebral cortical membranes to brain extracts from hepatic coma patients resulted in a 53% (p < 0.001) increase in binding of [3H]muscimol, a GABA-A receptor ligand. Subsequent GC/MS analysis showed that concentrations of the GABA-A receptor agonist neurosteroid allopregnanolone were significantly increased in brain tissue from hepatic coma patients compared to patients without HE or controls (p < 0.001). Brain allopregnanolone concentrations were significantly correlated with the magnitude of induction of [3H]muscimol binding (r2 = 0.82, p < 0.0001). Concentrations of allopregnanolone comparable to those observed in hepatic coma brains are pathophysiologically relevant. Concentrations of the neurosteroid precursor pregnenolone were also increased in brain tissue from hepatic coma patients, while those of a second neurosteroid THDOC were below the levels of detection in all groups. Brain concentrations of benzodiazepine receptor ligands estimated by radioreceptor assay were not significantly increased in cirrhotic patients with or without hepatic coma. These findings suggest that increased levels of allopregnanolone rather than "endogenous benzodiazepines" offer a cogent explanation for the phenomenon of "increased GABAergic tone" previously proposed in HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Ahboucha
- Neuroscience Research Unit, CHUM (Hôpital Saint-Luc) Quebec, Canada H2X 3J4
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12
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Karchewski LA, Bloechlinger S, Woolf CJ. Axonal injury-dependent induction of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor in small-diameter adult rat primary sensory neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 20:671-83. [PMID: 15255978 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03530.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), a benzodiazepine but not gamma-aminobutyric acid-binding mitochondrial membrane protein, has roles in steroid production, energy metabolism, cell survival and growth. PBR expression in the nervous system has been reported in non-neuronal glial and immune cells. We now show expression of both PBR mRNA and protein, and the appearance of binding of a synthetic ligand, [(3)H]PK11195, in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons following injury to the sciatic nerve. In naïve animals, PBR mRNA, protein expression and ligand binding are undetectable in the DRG. Three days after sciatic nerve transection, however, PBR mRNA begins to be expressed in injured neurons, and 4 weeks after the injury, expression and ligand binding are present in 35% of L4 DRG neurons. PBR ligand binding also appears after injury in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The PBR expression in the DRG is restricted to small and medium-sized neurons and returns to naïve levels if the injured peripheral axons are allowed to regrow and reinnervate targets. No non-neuronal PBR expression is detected, unlike its putative endogenous ligand the diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), which is expressed only in non-neuronal cells, including the satellite cells that surround DRG neurons. DBI expression does not change with sciatic nerve transection. PBR acting on small-calibre neurons could play a role in the adaptive survival and growth responses of these cells to injury of their axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie A Karchewski
- Neural Plasticity Research Group, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MGH-East, 149 13th Street, Rm 4309, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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Koufali MM, Moutsatsou P, Sekeris CE, Breen KC. The dynamic localization of the glucocorticoid receptor in rat C6 glioma cell mitochondria. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2003; 209:51-60. [PMID: 14604816 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2003.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids modify gene expression via the translocation of receptors from the cytosol to the nucleus following agonist-associated receptor activation. In this study, we have characterized mitochondrial glucocorticoid (GR) localization and associated translocation kinetics in the C6 mouse glioma cell line. Treatment of the cells, which were cultured in steroid-depleted culture medium, with the GR agonist dexamethasone (dex) resulted in a dramatic decrease in mitochondrial GR levels in parallel with those of the cytosolic receptor. The effect was not observed in isolated intact mitochondria suggesting that the effect is unlikely to be direct but is rather a component of the combined cellular response to GR activation. A marked stimulation of the expression of the mitochondrially-encoded cytochrome oxidase-1 (COX-1) gene was found following GR activation and its export from mitochondria. The effects were inhibited by RU486. Therefore, GR is likely to have a functional role at the level of the mitochondria within intact cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-M Koufali
- Department of Psychiatry, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
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Lacapère JJ, Papadopoulos V. Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor: structure and function of a cholesterol-binding protein in steroid and bile acid biosynthesis. Steroids 2003; 68:569-85. [PMID: 12957662 DOI: 10.1016/s0039-128x(03)00101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol transport from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane is the rate-determining step in steroid and bile acid biosyntheses. Biochemical, pharmacological and molecular studies have demonstrated that the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is a five transmembrane domain mitochondrial protein involved in the regulation of cholesterol transport. PBR gene disruption in Leydig cells completely blocked cholesterol transport into mitochondria and steroid formation, while PBR expression in bacteria, devoid of endogenous PBR and cholesterol, induced cholesterol uptake and transport. Molecular modeling of PBR suggested that cholesterol might cross the membrane through the five helices of the receptor and that synthetic and endogenous ligands might bind to common sites in the cytoplasmic loops. A cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus (CRAC) sequence in the cytoplasmic carboxy-terminus of the PBR was identified by mutagenesis studies. In vitro reconstitution of PBR into proteoliposomes demonstrated that PBR binds both drug ligands and cholesterol with high affinity. In vivo polymeric forms of PBR were observed and polymer formation was reproduced in vitro, using recombinant PBR protein reconstituted into proteoliposomes, associated with an increase in drug ligand binding and reduction of cholesterol-binding capacity. This suggests that the various polymeric states of PBR might be part of a cycle mediating cholesterol uptake and release into the mitochondria, with PBR functioning as a cholesterol exchanger against steroid product(s) arising from cytochrome P450 action. Taking into account the widespread presence of PBR in many tissues, a more general role of PBR in intracellular cholesterol transport and compartmentalization might be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Jacques Lacapère
- Unité INSERM U410, Faculté de Médecine Xavier Bichat, 16 rue Henri Huchard, 75870 Paris Cedex 18, France.
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Parker MA, Bazan HEP, Marcheselli V, Rodriguez de Turco EB, Bazan NG. Platelet-activating factor induces permeability transition and cytochrome c release in isolated brain mitochondria. J Neurosci Res 2002; 69:39-50. [PMID: 12111814 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.10235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent bioactive phospholipid implicated in neuronal excitotoxic death, was assessed as a mediator of brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Carbamyl PAF, a non-hydrolyzable PAF analog, added to neurons in culture resulted in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(M)) as measured by the DeltaPsi(M)-sensitive fluorophore 5,5', 6,6'-tetrachloro-1, 1', 3,3'-tetraethylethylbenzimidazolo-carbocyanide iodide (JC-1). To investigate whether PAF has a direct effect on the mitochondria, the mediator was added to rat brain mitochondria preparations and an increase in the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane, termed permeability transition (PT), and cytochrome c release were measured. We report that PAF causes both dose-dependent PT and cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria. Furthermore, the selective PAF antagonist tetrahydro-4,7,8,10 methyl-1 (chloro-2 phenyl)-6 (methoxy-4 phenyl-carbamoyl)-9 pyrido [4',3'-4,5] thieno [3,2-f] triazolo-1,2,4 [4,3-a] diazepine-1,4 (BN50730), which has affinity for intracellular binding sites, and the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands 7-chloro-5- [4'-chlorophenyl]-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (Ro5-4864) and 1-(-2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (PK11195), inhibit PAF induction of PT and cytochrome c release. These results suggest that PAF excitotoxicity involves, at least in part, alterations of the mitochondrial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Parker
- Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
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Morato GS, Ferreira VMM, Ferrara P, Farges RC. Effects of central and systemic injections of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands on the anxiolytic actions of ethanol in rats. Addict Biol 2001; 6:129-136. [PMID: 11341852 DOI: 10.1080/13556210020040208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The influence of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands Ro5-4864 (0.05 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or PK11195 (0.05 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) on the anxiolytic effect of ethanol (1.2 g/kg; 14% p/v; i.p.) was investigated in rats tested on the elevated plus-maze. Other animals were injected through intrahippocampal administrations of the ligands (0.5 or 1.0 nmol/0.5 &mgr;l) before ethanol (1.2g/kg; 14% p/v; i.p.) and submitted to the elevated plus-maze test. The results showed that the systemic administration of either ligands 24 hours before the ethanol treatment resulted in a reduced anxiolytic effect of this drug. Only PK11195 reversed the effect of ethanol after intrahippocampal injection. These data suggest that peripheral benzodiazepine receptors play a role in ethanol anxiolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. S. Morato
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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17
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Kurumaji A, Nomoto H, Yamada K, Yoshikawa T, Toru M. No association of two missense variations of the benzodiazepine receptor (peripheral) gene and mood disorders in a Japanese sample. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS 2001; 105:172-5. [PMID: 11304832 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The benzodiazepine receptor (peripheral) (BZRP) plays an important role in the steroid syntheses of the adrenal glands and brain, which is possibly involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. We evaluated an association study between two missense variations of the BZRP gene and mood disorders in a Japanese sample. However, no statistically significant associations with either bipolar disorders or depressive disorders were observed in the allele frequencies, genotype counts, or haplotype distributions for the two variations, although the present sample size had a moderate power (0.46-0.86). These results do not suggest that the BZRP gene plays a role in the genetic predisposition of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kurumaji
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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18
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Culty M, Silver P, Nakazato A, Gazouli M, Li H, Muramatsu M, Okuyama S, Papadopoulos V. Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor binding properties and effects on steroid synthesis of two new phenoxyphenyl-acetamide derivatives, DAA1097 and DAA1106. Drug Dev Res 2001. [DOI: 10.1002/ddr.1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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19
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Do-Rego JL, Mensah-Nyagan AG, Beaujean D, Leprince J, Tonon MC, Luu-The V, Pelletier G, Vaudry H. The octadecaneuropeptide ODN stimulates neurosteroid biosynthesis through activation of central-type benzodiazepine receptors. J Neurochem 2001; 76:128-38. [PMID: 11145985 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2001.00053.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurosteroids may play a major role in the regulation of various neurophysiological and behavioural processes. However, while the biochemical pathways involved in the synthesis of neuroactive steroids in the central nervous system are now elucidated, the mechanisms controlling the activity of neurosteroid-producing cells remain almost completely unknown. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of the octadecaneuropeptide (ODN), an endogenous ligand of benzodiazepine receptors, in the control of steroid biosynthesis in the frog hypothalamus. Glial cells containing ODN-like immunoreactivity were found to send their thick processes in the close vicinity of neurones expressing the steroidogenic enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Exposure of frog hypothalamic explants to graded concentrations of ODN (10(-10)-10(-5) M) produced a dose-dependent increase in the conversion of tritiated pregnenolone into various radioactive steroids, including 17-hydroxypregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The ODN-induced stimulation of neurosteroid biosynthesis was mimicked by the central-type benzodiazepine receptor (CBR) inverse agonists methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM) and methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM). The stimulatory effects of ODN, beta-CCM and DMCM on steroid formation was markedly reduced by the CBR antagonist flumazenil. The ODN-evoked stimulation of neurosteroid production was also significantly attenuated by GABA. Collectively, these data indicate that the endozepine ODN, released by glial cell processes in the vicinity of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-containing neurones, stimulates the biosynthesis of neurosteroids through activation of central-type benzodiazepines receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Do-Rego
- European Institute for Peptide Research, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroendocrinology, INSERM, UA CNRS, University of Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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20
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Kala G, Kumarathasan R, Peng L, Leenen FH, Hertz L. Stimulation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity, increase in potassium uptake, and enhanced production of ouabain-like compounds in ammonia-treated mouse astrocytes. Neurochem Int 2000; 36:203-11. [PMID: 10676854 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-0186(99)00117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Active potassium (K+) uptake and Na+,K+-ATPase activity were measured in primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. Both parameters were virtually unaffected by acute ammonia treatment but increased after chronic exposure to pathophysiologically relevant concentrations of ammonia (0.3 or 3 mM) for 1-4 days. The increased Na+,K+-ATPase activity after chronic treatment with ammonia was further enhanced in the acute presence of 12 mM K+. Based on these observations and literature data it was hypothesized that the direct effect of ammonia is formation of easily diffusible compound(s) with ouabain-like effect, that upregulation occurs of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and K+ uptake in response to the resulting ATPase inhibition, and that the washing procedure preceding the uptake experiments and the determination of Na+,K+-ATPase activity unmasks the upregulation. To test this hypothesis, the content of compounds with ouabain-like action was measured in media in which astrocytes had been incubated in the presence of 3 mM ammonia for 4 days and in controls to which an additional 3 mM NaCl had been added instead of ammonia. An endogenous, compound with ouabain-like activity was demonstrated both under control conditions and in the ammonia-treated cultures, and the content of this compound was increased by 50% in the ammonia-treated cultures. Preliminary experiments showed that at least part of the released ouabain-like compounds cross-react with authentic ouabain.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kala
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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21
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Miachon S, Jouvenet M, Vallon JJ. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the serum of muricidal male Wistar rats: indices of mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors? Brain Res Bull 2000; 51:57-61. [PMID: 10654581 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(99)00210-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were studied in the serum of aggressive muricidal and non-muricidal male Wistar rats. The muricidal behavior was either spontaneous or induced by a long-term isolation or by adrenalectomy. Cholesterol levels were slightly higher in the whole population of muricidal rats; this was mainly observed in spontaneously and in adrenalectomized muricidal rats, as compared to non-muricidal rats of the same series. As regards triglyceride levels, they were significantly higher in the whole population of muricidal rats, mainly in isolation- and adrenalectomy-induced muricidal rats; the ratio of triglycerides to body weight was higher in the serum of muricidal rats of all series. The possible significance of these results is discussed in light of the data of the literature and related to the functional role of either mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors or serotonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Miachon
- INSERM U 480 Faculté de Medecine Grange-Blanche et Laboratoire de Biochimie, Hopital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.
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22
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Serra M, Madau P, Chessa MF, Caddeo M, Sanna E, Trapani G, Franco M, Liso G, Purdy RH, Barbaccia ML, Biggio G. 2-Phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as ligands for peripheral benzodiazepine receptors: stimulation of neurosteroid synthesis and anticonflict action in rats. Br J Pharmacol 1999; 127:177-87. [PMID: 10369471 PMCID: PMC1566003 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective activation of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) in adrenal cells and brain oligodendrocytes promotes steroidogenesis. Three 2-phenyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives (CB 34, CB 50 and CB 54) have now been investigated with regard to their selectivity for PBRs and their ability to stimulate central and peripheral steroidogenesis in rats. The three CB compounds (10(-10)-10(-4) M) potently inhibited the binding of the PBR ligand [3H]-PK 11195 to brain and ovary membranes in vitro, without substantially affecting [3H]-flunitrazepam binding to central benzodiazepine receptors. These compounds (10(-7)-10(-4) M) also had little or no marked effects on GABA-evoked Cl- currents in voltage-clamped Xenopus oocytes expressing human alpha1beta2gamma2S GABA(A) receptors. In addition, they failed to affect ligands binding to GABA(B), D1/D2 dopamine, muscarinic acetylcholine, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid and opiate receptors. Intraperitoneal administration of CB compounds (3-50 mg kg(-1)) induced a dose-dependent increase in the concentrations of neuroactive steroids in plasma and brain. The brain concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone, allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) showed maximal increases in 96+/-3, 126+/-14, 110+/-12 and 70+/-13% above control, respectively, 30 to 60 min after injection of CB 34 (25 mg kg(-1)). CB 34 also increased the brain concentrations of neuroactive steroids in adrenalectomized-orchiectomized rats, although to a lesser extent than in sham-operated animals, suggesting that CB compounds stimulate brain steroidogenesis independently of their effects on peripheral tissues. The increase in brain and plasma neurosteroid content induced by CB 34 was associated with a marked anticonflict effect in the Vogel test. Our results indicate that the three CB compounds tested are specific and potent agonists at peripheral benzodiazepine receptors, and that they stimulate steroidogenesis in both the brain and periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Serra
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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23
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Culty M, Li H, Boujrad N, Amri H, Vidic B, Bernassau JM, Reversat JL, Papadopoulos V. In vitro studies on the role of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in steroidogenesis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1999; 69:123-30. [PMID: 10418986 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-0760(99)00056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In vitro studies using isolated cells, mitochondria and submitochondrial fractions demonstrated that in steroid synthesizing cells, the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is an outer mitochondrial membrane protein, preferentially located in the outer/inner membrane contact sites, involved in the regulation of cholesterol transport from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, the rate-determining step in steroid biosynthesis. Mitochondrial PBR ligand binding characteristics and topography are sensitive to hormone treatment suggesting a role of PBR in the regulation of hormone-mediated steroidogenesis. Targeted disruption of the PBR gene in Leydig cells in vitro resulted in the arrest of cholesterol transport into mitochondria and steroid formation; transfection of the mutant cells with a PBR cDNA rescued steroidogenesis demonstrating an obligatory role for PBR in cholesterol transport. Molecular modeling of PBR suggested that it might function as a channel for cholesterol. This hypothesis was tested in a bacterial system devoid of PBR and cholesterol. Cholesterol uptake and transport by these cells was induced upon PBR expression. Amino acid deletion followed by site-directed mutagenesis studies and expression of mutant PBRs demonstrated the presence in the cytoplasmic carboxy-terminus of the receptor of a cholesterol recognition/interaction amino acid consensus sequence. This amino acid sequence may help for recruiting the cholesterol coming from intracellular sites to the mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Culty
- Department of Cell Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA
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24
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Lokensgard JR, Chao CC, Gekker G, Hu S, Peterson PK. Benzodiazepines, glia, and HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. Mol Neurobiol 1998; 18:23-33. [PMID: 9824847 DOI: 10.1007/bf02741458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although the precise mechanisms whereby HIV-1 infection induces neurodegeneration have yet to be determined, a great deal of evidence has incriminated glial cells and the production of proinflammatory mediators in this pathologic process. For this reason, ideal therapeutic agents for the treatment of AIDS dementia would attenuate HIV-1 neuropathogenesis through both direct inhibition of viral expression and suppression of brain cell-produced immune mediators. Benzodiazepines (BDZs), such as Valium, are extensively prescribed drugs for anxiety disorders, which readily cross the blood-brain barrier and have demonstrated immunomodulatory properties. BDZs bind to primary human microglial cells, the principal site of HIV-1 replication in the brain, and inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) production by these cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of HIV-1-infected primary human microglial, as well as mixed glial/neuronal, cell cultures with BDZs inhibits the expression of HIV-1 p24 antigen. BDZ-induced inhibition of HIV-1 expression in chronically infected promonocytic (U1) cells has been found to be associated with decreased activation of the nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). Because HIV-1 expression is critically dependent on the cellular transcription machinery, inhibition of the activation of transcription factors, which participate in both HIV-1 expression and the production of neurotoxic immune mediators, by BDZ analogs may provide new therapeutic options for AIDS dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Lokensgard
- Institute for Brain and Immune Disorders, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, MN, USA
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25
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Abstract
Considering the mechanisms responsible for age- and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related neuronal degeneration, little attention was paid to the opposing relationships between the energy-rich phosphates, mainly the availability of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and the activity of the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme synthesizing the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Here, it is postulated that in all neuronal phenotypes the declining ATP-mediated negative control of GABA synthesis gradually declines and results in age- and AD-related increases of GABA synthesis. The Ca2+-independent carrier-mediated GABA release interferes with Ca2+-dependent exocytotic release of all transmitter-modulators, because the interstitial (ambient) GABA acts on axonal preterminal and terminal varicosities endowed with depolarizing GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptors; this makes GABA the "executor" of virtually all age- and AD-related neurodegenerative processes. Such a role of GABA is diametrically opposite to that in the perinatal phase, when the carrier-mediated GABA release, acting on GABA(A)/chloride ionophore receptors, positively controls chemotactic migration of neuronal precursor cells, has trophic actions and initiates synaptogenesis, thereby enabling retrograde axonal transport of target produced factors that trigger differentiation of neuronal phenotypes. However, with advancing age, and prematurely in AD, the declining mitochondrial ATP synthesis unleashes GABA synthesis, and its carrier-mediated release blocks Ca2+-dependent exocytotic release of all transmitter-modulators, leading to dystrophy of chronically depolarized axon terminals and block of retrograde transport of target-produced trophins, causing "starvation" and death of neuronal somata. The above scenario is consistent with the following observations: 1) a 10-month daily administration to aging rats of the GABA-chloride ionophore antagonist, pentylenetetrazol, or of the BDZ antagonist, flumazenil (FL), each forestalls the age-related decline in cognitive functions and losses of hippocampal neurons; 2) the brains of aging rats, relative to young animals, and the postmortem brains of AD patients, relative to age-matched controls, show up to two-fold increases in GABA synthesis; 3) the aging humans and those showing symptoms of AD, as well as the aging nonhuman primates and rodents--all show in the forebrain dystrophic axonal varicosities, losses of transmitter vesicles, and swollen mitochondria. These markers, currently regarded as the earliest signs of aging and AD, can be reproduced in vitro cell cultures by 1 microM GABA; the development of these markers can be prevented by substituting Cl- with SO4(2-); 4) the extrasynaptic GABA suppresses the membrane Na+, K+-ATPase and ion pumping, while the resulting depolarization of soma-dendrites relieves the "protective" voltage-dependent Mg2+ control of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channels, thereby enabling Ca2+-dependent persistent toxic actions of the excitatory amino acids (EAA); and 5) in whole-cell patch-clamp recording from neurons of aging rats, relative to young rats, the application of 3 microM GABA, causes twofold increases in the whole-cell membrane Cl- conductances and a loss of the physiologically important neuronal ability to desensitize to repeated GABA applications. These age-related alterations in neuronal membrane functions are amplified by 150% in the presence of agonists of BDZ recognition sites located on GABA receptor. The GABA deafferentation hypothesis also accounts for the age- and AD-related degeneration in the forebrain ascending cholinergic, glutamatergic, and the ascending mesencephalic monoaminergic system, despite that the latter, to foster the distribution-utilization of locally produced trophins, evolved syncytium-like connectivities among neuronal somata, axon collaterals, and dendrites, to bidirectionally transport trophins. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Marczynski
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago 60612, USA.
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Kurumaji A, Wakai T, Toru M. Decreases in peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in postmortem brains of chronic schizophrenics. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 1998; 104:1361-70. [PMID: 9503282 DOI: 10.1007/bf01294737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We measured the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs), a marker of gliosis, in 26 brain areas (cerebral cortex, thalamus and extrapyramidal system) of the postmortem brains of 13 chronic schizophrenics and 10 controls, using [3H] PK 11195 as a ligand for the receptor assay. The specific [3H] PK 11195 binding was significantly decreased in three brain areas (superior parietal cortex, primary visual area and putamen) of schizophrenics, although there were no changes in the binding in the other brain areas. Scatchard analysis revealed that there were decreases in both the Bmax and Kd of [3H] PK 11195 binding in the brain areas. These results were almost in accordance with a number of neuropathological studies reporting that there was no change or reduction in glial cells in the brain regions of schizophrenics and suggested that the decreased density of PBRs in the brain may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, associated with reduced production of neurosteroids coupled to PBRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kurumaji
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Japan
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27
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Abstract
Adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) has been used as an anticonvulsant for many years. In this paper, the use of ACTH in 23 children with intractable epilepsies is described. It was found that ACTH worked most effectively when the EEG showed benzodiazepine sensitivity. A mechanism of action of ACTH is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E O'Regan
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
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28
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Kozikowski AP, Kotoula M, Ma D, Boujrad N, Tückmantel W, Papadopoulos V. Synthesis and biology of a 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl derivative of 2-phenylindole-3-acetamide: a fluorescent probe for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor. J Med Chem 1997; 40:2435-9. [PMID: 9258348 DOI: 10.1021/jm970220w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A P Kozikowski
- Drug Discovery Laboratory, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA
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29
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Kurumaji A, Toru M. Postnatal development of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in rat brain and peripheral tissues. BRAIN RESEARCH. DEVELOPMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH 1996; 97:148-51. [PMID: 8946064 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-3806(96)00150-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We examined the postnatal development of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs), labelled with [3H]PK 11195, in rat brain and peripheral tissues. Specific [3H]PK 11195 binding exhibited a heterogeneous patterns of postnatal development in the rat: three patterns of increase, decrease and no change. Hence, the density of the PBRs can be independently regulated in each tissue during postnatal development, and the postnatal alterations in the density might be parallel with the functional activities coupled to the receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kurumaji
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Japan
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30
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Campiani G, Nacci V, Fiorini I, De Filippis MP, Garofalo A, Ciani SM, Greco G, Novellino E, Williams DC, Zisterer DM, Woods MJ, Mihai C, Manzoni C, Mennini T. Synthesis, biological activity, and SARs of pyrrolobenzoxazepine derivatives, a new class of specific "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor ligands. J Med Chem 1996; 39:3435-50. [PMID: 8784441 DOI: 10.1021/jm960251b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) has been reported to play a role in many biological processes. We have synthesized and tested a novel series of PBR ligands based on a pyrrolobenzoxazepine skeleton, in order to provide new receptor ligands. Several of these new compounds proved to be high affinity and selective ligands for PBR, and benzoxazepines 17f and 17j were found to be the most potent ligands for this receptor to have been identified to date. The SAR and the molecular modeling studies detailed herein delineated a number of structural features required for improving affinity. Some of the ligands were employed as "molecular yardsticks" to probe the spatial dimensions of the lipophilic pockets L1 and L3 in the PBR cleft and to determine the effect of occupation of L1 and L3 with respect to affinity, while other C-7 modified analogues provided information specifically on the hydrogen bonding with a putative receptor site H1. The new pyrrolobenzoxazepines were tested in rat cortex, a tissue expressing high density of mitochondrial PBR, and exhibited IC50 and Ki values in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range, as measured by the displacement of [3H]PK 11195 binding. A subset of the highest affinity ligands was also found to have high affinities for [3H]PK 11195 and [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding in rat adrenal mitochondria. All the ligands in this subset are stimulators of steroidogenesis having similar potency and extent of stimulation as PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864 of steroidogenesis in the mouse Y-1 adrenocortical cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Campiani
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico, Università di Siena, Italy
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Campiani G, Fiorini I, De Filippis MP, Ciani SM, Garofalo A, Nacci V, Giorgi G, Sega A, Botta M, Chiarini A, Budriesi R, Bruni G, Romeo MR, Manzoni C, Mennini T. Cardiovascular characterization of pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine derivatives binding selectively to the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR): from dual PBR affinity and calcium antagonist activity to novel and selective calcium entry blockers. J Med Chem 1996; 39:2922-38. [PMID: 8709127 DOI: 10.1021/jm960162z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and cardiovascular characterization of a series of novel pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]-benzothiazepine derivatives (54-68) are described. Selective peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) ligands, such as PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864, have recently been found to possess low but significant inhibitory activity of L-type calcium channels, and this property is implicated in the cardiovascular effects observed with these compounds. In functional studies both PK 11195 (1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxa mide) and Ro 5-4864 (4'-chlorodiazepam) did not display selectivity between cardiac and vascular tissue. Therefore, several 7-(acyloxy)-6-arylpyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepines, potent and selective peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands recently developed by us (3, 7-20), were subjected to calcium channel receptor binding assay. Some of these compounds showed an unexpected potency in displacing the binding of [3H]nitrendipine from L-type calcium channels, much higher than that reported for PK 11195 and Ro 5-4864 and equal to or higher than that of reference calcium antagonists such as verapamil and (+)-cis-diltiazem. Specifically, in rat cortex homogenate, our prototypic PBR ligand 7-acetoxy-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolo[2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepine (3) showed an IC50 equal to 0.13 nM for inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding. Furthermore, in functional studies this compound displayed a clear-cut selectivity for cardiac over vascular tissue. Comparison of calcium antagonist activity on guinea pig aorta strips with the negative inotropic activity, determined by using isolated guinea pig left atria, revealed that 3 displayed higher selectivity than the reference (+)-cis-diltiazem. Thus, the pyrrolobenzothiazepine 3 might represent a new tool for characterizing the relationship between the PBR and cardiac function. Furthermore, we have also investigated the structural dependence of binding to PBR and L-type calcium channels, and this study allowed us to identify a new class of potent calcium channel blockers selective for cardiac over vascular tissue, with no affinity for PBR. A number of structure-activity relationship trends have been identified, and a possible explanation is advanced in order to account for the observed differences in selectivity. Three structural features, namely, (i) the saturation of the C(6)-C(7) double bond, with a consequent higher molecular flexibility, (ii) the presence of a substituent in the benzofused ring, and (iii) a basic side chain at C-10 of the pyrrolobenzothiazepine ring system, were found to be responsible for potent L-type calcium channel antagonism and clear-cut selectivity for cardiac over vascular tissue. Among the synthesized compounds the pyrrolobenzothiazepine 62 was found to be the most promising selective calcium channel blocker. Additionally, the molecular structure determination of the key intermediate 48 by X-ray diffraction, molecular modeling, and NMR analysis is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Campiani
- Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Technologico, Università di Siena, Italy
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Park CH, Carboni E, Wood PL, Gee KW. Characterization of peripheral benzodiazepine type sites in a cultured murine BV-2 microglial cell line. Glia 1996; 16:65-70. [PMID: 8787774 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-1136(199601)16:1<65::aid-glia7>3.0.co;2-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
It is known that the density of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) increases after brain damage. Astrocytes are among the cell types where PBR ligand binding has been detected and may be involved in the response to neuronal injury and regeneration. Consistent with the hypothesis, the apparent density of PBR sites in astrocytes is increased by both cytokines and neurotoxins. However, microglia, the resident macrophages which represent 5-15% of glial cell populations have not been evaluated for the presence of the PBR. In the present study, we report the presence of [3H]Ro5-4864 binding in microglial cells. In particular, we used BV-2 cells, an immortalized cell line of murine microglial cells. High affinity binding of [3H]Ro5-4864 to a single site was detected in membranes prepared from BV-2 cells (KD = 4.4 nM, Bmax = 3,800 fmoles/mg protein). Various ligands for the PBR displaced [3H]Ro5-4864 binding with the following rank order of potencies: PK11195 = Ro5-4864 > FGIN-1-27 > triazolam = diazepam > beta-pro-pyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate = clonazepam > lorazepam = flurazepam >> chlordiazepoxide = clorazepate. Subcellular fractionationstudies indicate that the majority of the Ro5-4864 binding sites is in the mitochondrial fraction. The remainder is found in nonmitochondrial cell fractions. The [3H]Ro5-4864 binding observed on intact cells had characteristics similar to those found on membranes. The presence of a high density of PBRs in these cells establish the basis for additional investigations into their possible functional role, if any, in the microglial response to neuronal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Park
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine 92717, USA
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