Inhibitory effect of Cd2+ on glycine-induced chloride current in rat hippocampal neurons

Contaminating levels of zinc found in commonly-used labware and buffers affect glycine receptor currents

Zinc is an allosteric modulator of glycine receptor function, enhancing the effects of glycine at nM to low μM concentrations, and inhibiting its effects at higher concentrations. Because of zinc's high potency at the glycine receptor, there exists a possibility that effects attributed solely to exogenously-applied glycine in fact contain an undetected contribution of zinc acting as an allosteric modulator. We found that glycine solutions made up in standard buffers and using deionized distilled water produced effects that could be decreased by the zinc chelator tricine. This phenomenon was observed in three different vials tested and persisted even if vials were extensively washed, suggesting the zinc was probably present in the buffer constituents. In addition, polystyrene, but not glass, pipets bore a contaminant that enhanced glycine receptor function and that could also be antagonized by tricine. Our findings suggest that without checking for this effect using a chelator such as tricine, one cannot assume that responses elicited by glycine applied alone are not necessarily also partially due to some level of allosteric modulation by zinc.

Transcriptional responses indicate attenuated oxidative stress in the springtail Folsomia candida exposed to mixtures of cadmium and phenanthrene

Since the 'omics revolution', the assessment of toxic chemical mixtures has incorporated approaches where phenotypic endpoints are connected to a mechanistic understanding of toxicity. In this study we determined the effect of binary mixtures of cadmium and phenanthrene on the reproduction of Folsomia candida and investigated the cellular mechanisms underlying this response. Mixture toxicity modeling showed an antagonistic deviation from concentration addition for reproduction effects of the mixtures. Subsequent transcriptional response analysis was done using five mixtures at the modeled 50 % effect level for reproduction. The transcription profiles of 86 high throughput RT-qPCR assays were studied by means of partial least squares regression analysis. The first and second principal components (PCs) were correlated with global responses to cadmium and phenanthrene, while correlations with the mixture treatments were found in the higher PCs. Specifically associated with the mixture treatments were a biotransformation phase II gene, four mitochondrial related genes and a gene involved in the biosynthesis of antioxidant selenoproteins. Membrane integrity related gene inductions were correlated with the single phenanthrene treatment but not with the mixtures. Immune and inflammatory response assays did not correlate with any of the mixtures. These results suggest moderated oxidative stress, a higher mitochondrial maintenance and less compromised membrane function in the mixture exposed samples compared to the separate cadmium or phenanthrene exposures. The antagonism found for inhibition of reproduction may partially originate from these differences. Mechanistic studies on mixture toxicity can ultimately aid risk assessment by defining relevant toxicity pathways in organisms exposed to real-world mixture exposures present in the field.

Presynaptic malfunction: the neurotoxic effects of cadmium and lead on the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles and glutamate transport

Exposure to Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) has neurotoxic consequences for human health and may cause neurodegeneration. The study focused on the analysis of the presynaptic mechanisms underlying the neurotoxic effects of non-essential heavy metals Cd(2+) and Pb(2+). It was shown that the preincubation of rat brain nerve terminals with Cd(2+) (200 μM) or Pb(2+) (200 μM) resulted in the attenuation of synaptic vesicles acidification, which was assessed by the steady state level of the fluorescence of pH-sensitive dye acridine orange. A decrease in L-[(14)C]glutamate accumulation in digitonin-permeabilized synaptosomes after the addition of the metals, which reflected lowered L-[(14)C]glutamate accumulation by synaptic vesicles inside of synaptosomes, may be considered in the support of the above data. Using isolated rat brain synaptic vesicles, it was found that 50 μM Cd(2+) or Pb(2+) caused dissipation of their proton gradient, whereas the application of essential heavy metal Mn(2+) did not do it within the range of the concentration of 50-500 μM. Thus, synaptic malfunction associated with the influence of Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) may result from partial dissipation of the synaptic vesicle proton gradient that leads to: (1) a decrease in stimulated exocytosis, which is associated not only with the blockage of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, but also with incomplete filling of synaptic vesicles; (2) an attenuation of Na(+)-dependent glutamate uptake.

Glycinergic inhibition in the hippocampus

Glycine and GABA are the two main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). While GABA receptors in the hippocampus have been studied in great detail, the role of glycine receptors (GlyRs) in the hippocampus is less understood. Here we examine recent evidence suggesting that GlyRs are present and active throughout the hippocampus. Extracellular glycine levels are controlled through a combination of release and transport mechanisms, both of which, along with the GlyRs themselves, can be modulated by a number of factors. We discuss the role of GlyRs in suppressing excitation by decreasing postsynaptic membrane resistance in the hippocampus, as well as the contribution of GlyRs to both short- and long-term plasticity.