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Chen QY, Wan J, Ma Y, Zhuo M. The Pathway-Selective Dependence of Nitric Oxide for Long-Term Potentiation in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex of Adult Mice. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1072. [PMID: 38791034 PMCID: PMC11118802 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a key diffusible messenger in the mammalian brain. It has been proposed that NO may diffuse in retrograde into presynaptic terminals, contributing to the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). Here, we present novel evidence that NO is selectively required for the synaptic potentiation of the interhemispheric projection in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Unilateral low-frequency stimulation (LFS) induced a short-term synaptic potentiation on the contralateral ACC through the corpus callosum (CC). The use of the antagonists of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), or the inhibitor of the L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCCs), blocked the induction of this ACC-ACC potentiation. In addition, the inhibitor of NO synthase, or inhibitors for its downstream signaling pathway, also blocked this ACC-ACC potentiation. However, the application of the NOS inhibitor blocked neither the local electric stimulation-induced LTP nor the stimulation-induced recruitment of silent responses. Our results present strong evidence for the pathway-selective roles of NO in the LTP of the ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Yu Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Zhuomin International Institute for Brain Research, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Jinjin Wan
- Zhuomin International Institute for Brain Research, Qingdao 266000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Yujie Ma
- Zhuomin International Institute for Brain Research, Qingdao 266000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Min Zhuo
- Zhuomin International Institute for Brain Research, Qingdao 266000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Science Building, Room #3342, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Fronza MG, Ferreira BF, Pavan-Silva I, Guimarães FS, Lisboa SF. "NO" Time in Fear Response: Possible Implication of Nitric-Oxide-Related Mechanisms in PTSD. Molecules 2023; 29:89. [PMID: 38202672 PMCID: PMC10779493 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent fear responses and altered neurotransmitter functioning due to traumatic experiences. Stress predominantly affects glutamate, a neurotransmitter crucial for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Activation of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate glutamate receptors (NMDAR) can trigger the formation of a complex comprising postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD95), the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and its adaptor protein (NOS1AP). This complex is pivotal in activating nNOS and nitric oxide (NO) production, which, in turn, activates downstream pathways that modulate neuronal signaling, including synaptic plasticity/transmission, inflammation, and cell death. The involvement of nNOS and NOS1AP in the susceptibility of PTSD and its comorbidities has been widely shown. Therefore, understanding the interplay between stress, fear, and NO is essential for comprehending the maintenance and progression of PTSD, since NO is involved in fear acquisition and extinction processes. Moreover, NO induces post-translational modifications (PTMs), including S-nitrosylation and nitration, which alter protein function and structure for intracellular signaling. Although evidence suggests that NO influences synaptic plasticity and memory processing, the specific role of PTMs in the pathophysiology of PTSD remains unclear. This review highlights pathways modulated by NO that could be relevant to stress and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana G. Fronza
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Bruna F. Ferreira
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Isabela Pavan-Silva
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Francisco S. Guimarães
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
| | - Sabrina F. Lisboa
- Pharmacology Departament, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14049-900, Brazil; (M.G.F.); (B.F.F.); (I.P.-S.)
- Biomolecular Sciences Department, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 14040-903, Brazil
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Li A, Huang CJ, Gu KP, Huang Y, Huang YQ, Zhang H, Lin JP, Liu YF, Yang Y, Yao YX. PSD-95 in the anterior cingulate cortex contributes to neuropathic pain by interdependent activation with NR2B. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17114. [PMID: 36224339 PMCID: PMC9556829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21488-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies suggest that the scaffolding protein, postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), is involved in multiple neurological dysfunctions. However, the role of PSD-95 in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in neuropathic pain (NP) has not been investigated. The current study addressed the role of PSD-95 in the ACC in NP and its modulating profile with NMDA receptor subunit 2B (NR2B). The NP model was established by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, and mechanical and thermal tests were used to evaluate behavioral hyperalgesia. Protein expression and distribution were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The results showed that PSD-95 and NR2B were co-localized in neurons in the ACC. After CCI, both PSD-95 and NR2B were upregulated in the ACC. Inhibiting NR2B with Ro 25-6981 attenuated pain hypersensitivity and decreased the over-expression of PSD-95 induced by CCI. Furthermore, intra-ACC administration of PSD-95 antisense oligonucleotide not only attenuated pain hypersensitivity but also downregulated the NR2B level and the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein. These results demonstrated that PSD-95 in the ACC contributes to NP by interdependent activation of NR2B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Li
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Chang-Jun Huang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China ,Department of Anesthesia, First People’s Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai-Peng Gu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Yan Huang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Ya-Qin Huang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Hui Zhang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Jia-Piao Lin
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Yu-Fan Liu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Yan Yang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Neurobiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Xing Yao
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Anesthesia, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003 China
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Postsynaptic signaling at glutamatergic synapses as therapeutic targets. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 75:102585. [PMID: 35738196 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of glutamatergic synapses plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. In addition to mediating excitatory synaptic transmission, postsynaptic glutamate receptors interact with various membrane and intracellular proteins. They form structural and/or signaling synaptic protein complexes and thereby play diverse postsynaptic functions. Recently, several postsynaptic protein complexes have been associated with various neurological diseases and hence, have been characterized as important therapeutic targets. Moreover, novel small molecules and therapeutic peptides targeting and modulating the activities of these protein complexes have been discovered, some of which have advanced through preclinical translational research and/or clinical studies. This article describes the recent investigation of eight key protein complexes associated with the postsynaptic ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors as therapeutic targets for central nervous system diseases.
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Nagayoshi T, Ishikawa R, Kida S. Anterior cingulate cortex projections to the dorsal hippocampus positively control the expression of contextual fear generalization. Learn Mem 2022; 29:77-82. [PMID: 35169046 PMCID: PMC8852225 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053440.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fear generalization is one of the main symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. In rodents, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the hippocampus (HPC) control the expression of contextual fear memory generalization. Consistently, ACC projections to the ventral HPC contribute to contextual fear generalization. However, the roles of ACC projections to the dorsal HPC (dHPC) in fear generalization are unclear, although the dHPC is required for the retrieval of recent contextual fear memory. To investigate these roles, we examined the effects of optogenetic silencing and stimulation of these projections in contextual fear generalization at the recent and remote time points. Mice underwent contextual fear conditioning and, at 1 or 28 d later, were tested in the conditioned chamber, a novel context, or a similar context. Optogenetic activation of these projections induced higher freezing in mice in the novel context compared with the control group at a recent (1-d), but not remote (28-d), time point following conditioning, suggesting that activation of this pathway enhances contextual fear generalization. In contrast, optogenetic inactivation of these projections induced lower freezing in the similar context compared with the control group at a recent, but not remote, time point, suggesting that inactivation of this pathway impaired contextual fear generalization. These observations suggest that the ACC to the dHPC projections positively regulate the expression of contextual fear generalization when contextual fear memory is recent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taikai Nagayoshi
- Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Rie Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kida
- Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Targeting PSD95/nNOS by ZL006 alleviates social isolation-induced heightened attack behavior in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:267-276. [PMID: 34661719 PMCID: PMC8521491 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-06000-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Deregulated attack behaviors have devastating social consequences; however, satisfactory clinical management for the behavior is still an unmet need so far. Social isolation (SI) has been common during the COVID-19 pandemic and may have detrimental effects on mental health, including eliciting heightened attack behavior. OBJECTIVES This study aims to explore whether injection of ZL006 can alleviate SI-induced escalation of attack behavior in mice. METHODS Pharmacological tools, biochemical methods, and behavioral tests were used to explore the potential therapeutic effects of ZL006 targeting postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95)/neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) pathway on escalation of attack behavior induced by SI in mice. RESULTS ZL006 mitigated SI-induced escalated attack behaviors and elevated nitric oxide (NO) level in the cortex of the SI mice. The beneficial effects of ZL006 lasted for at least 72 h after a single injection of ZL006. Potentiation of NO levels by L-arginine blocked the effects of ZL006. Moreover, a sub-effective dose of 7-NI in combination with a sub-effective dose of ZL006 decreased both SI-induced escalated attack behaviors and NO levels in mice subjected to SI. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the importance of the PSD95/nNOS pathway in mediating SI-induced escalation of attack behavior. ZL006 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating aggressive behaviors.
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Gu Y, Zhu D. nNOS-mediated protein-protein interactions: promising targets for treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. J Biomed Res 2020; 35:1-10. [PMID: 33402546 PMCID: PMC7874267 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.34.20200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and affect the health of billions of people. Nitric oxide (NO), a free gas with multitudinous bioactivities, is mainly produced from the oxidation of L-arginine by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brain. Inhibiting nNOS benefits a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including stroke, depression and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, chronic pain, and drug addiction. Due to critical roles of nNOS in learning and memory and synaptic plasticity, direct inhibition of nNOS may cause severe side effects. Importantly, interactions of several proteins, including post-synaptic density 95 (PSD-95), carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS (CAPON) and serotonin transporter (SERT), with the PSD/Disc-large/ZO-1 homologous (PDZ) domain of nNOS have been demonstrated to influence the subcellular distribution and activity of the enzyme in the brain. Therefore, it will be a preferable means to interfere with nNOS-mediated protein-protein interactions (PPIs), which do not lead to undesirable effects. Herein, we summarize the current literatures on nNOS-mediated PPIs involved in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, and the discovery of drugs targeting the PPIs, which is expected to provide potential targets for developing novel drugs and new strategy for the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Gu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Dongya Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China.,Institution of Stem Cell and Neuroregeneration, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
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