Modulation of synaptic function by cGMP and cGMP-gated cation channels

Sildenafil prevents chronic psychosocial stress-induced working memory impairment: Role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Background

Psychosocial stress, a common feature in modern societies, impairs cognitive functions. It is suggested that stress hormones and elevated excitatory amino acids during stress are responsible for stress-induced cognitive deficits. Reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, increased oxidative stress, and alteration of synaptic plasticity biomarkers are also possible contributors to the negative impact of stress on learning and memory. Sildenafil citrate is a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and the first oral therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It has been shown that sildenafil improves learning and memory and possesses antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that administering sildenafil to stressed rats prevents the cognitive deficit induced by chronic psychosocial stress.

Methods

Psychosocial stress was generated using the intruder model. Sildenafil 3 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally to animals. Behavioral studies were conducted to test spatial learning and memory using the radial arm water maze. Then, the hippocampal BDNF level and several antioxidant markers were assessed.

Results

This study revealed that chronic psychosocial stress impaired short-term but not long-term memory. The administration of sildenafil prevented this short-term memory impairment. Chronic psychosocial stress markedly reduced the level of hippocampal BDNF (P˂0.05), and this reduction in BDNF was normalized by sildenafil treatment. In addition, neither chronic psychosocial stress nor sildenafil significantly altered the activity of measured oxidative parameters (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Chronic psychosocial stress induces short-term memory impairment. The administration of sildenafil citrate prevented this impairment, possibly by normalizing the level of BDNF.

The Interplay between cGMP and Calcium Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger and a key molecule in many important signaling cascades in the body and brain, including phototransduction, olfaction, vasodilation, and functional hyperemia. Additionally, cGMP is involved in long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular correlate of learning and memory, and recent studies have identified the cGMP-increasing drug Sildenafil as a potential risk modifier in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD development is accompanied by a net increase in the expression of nitric oxide (NO) synthases but a decreased activity of soluble guanylate cyclases, so the exact sign and extent of AD-mediated imbalance remain unclear. Moreover, human patients and mouse models of the disease present with entangled deregulation of both cGMP and Ca2+ signaling, e.g., causing changes in cGMP-mediated Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores as well as Ca2+-mediated cGMP production. Still, the mechanisms governing such interplay are poorly understood. Here, we review the recent data on mechanisms underlying the brain cGMP signaling and its interconnection with Ca2+ signaling. We also discuss the recent evidence stressing the importance of such interplay for normal brain function as well as in Alzheimer's disease.

CNG channel structure, function, and gating: a tale of conformational flexibility

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are key to the signal transduction machinery of certain sensory modalities both in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. They translate a chemical change in cyclic nucleotide concentration into an electrical signal that can spread through sensory cells. Despite CNG and voltage-gated potassium channels sharing a remarkable amino acid sequence homology and basic architectural plan, their functional properties are dramatically different. While voltage-gated potassium channels are highly selective and require membrane depolarization to open, CNG channels have low ion selectivity and are not very sensitive to voltage. In the last few years, many high-resolution structures of intact CNG channels have been released. This wealth of new structural information has provided enormous progress toward the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and driving forces underpinning CNG channel activation. In this review, we report on the current understanding and controversies surrounding the gating mechanism in CNG channels, as well as the deep intertwining existing between gating, the ion permeation process, and its modulation by membrane voltage. While the existence of this powerful coupling was recognized many decades ago, its direct structural demonstration, and ties to the CNG channel inherent pore flexibility, is a recent achievement.

Mutational landscape of receptor guanylyl cyclase C: Functional analysis and disease-related mutations

Guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) is the receptor for the heat-stable enterotoxin, which causes diarrhea, and the endogenous ligands, guanylin and uroguanylin. GC-C is predominantly expressed in the intestinal epithelium and regulates fluid and ion secretion in the gut. The receptor has a complex domain organization, and in the absence of structural information, mutational analysis provides clues to mechanisms of regulation of this protein. Here, we review the mutational landscape of this receptor that reveals regulatory features critical for its activity. We also summarize the available information on mutations in GC-C that have been reported in humans and contribute to severe gastrointestinal abnormalities. Since GC-C is also expressed in extra-intestinal tissues, it is likely that mutations thus far reported in humans may also affect other organ systems, warranting a close observation of these patients in future.

Two distinct GUCY2C circuits with PMV (hypothalamic) and SN/VTA (midbrain) origin

Guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) is the afferent central receptor in the gut-brain endocrine axis regulated by the anorexigenic intestinal hormone uroguanylin. GUCY2C mRNA and protein are produced in the hypothalamus, a major center regulating appetite and metabolic homeostasis. Further, GUCY2C mRNA and protein are expressed in the ventral midbrain, a principal structure regulating hedonic reward from behaviors including eating. While GUCY2C is expressed in hypothalamus and midbrain, its precise neuroanatomical organization and relationship with circuits regulating satiety remain unknown. Here, we reveal that hypothalamic GUCY2C mRNA is confined to the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV), while in midbrain it is produced by neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra (SN). GUCY2C in the PMV is produced by 46% of neurons expressing anorexigenic leptin receptors, while in the VTA/SN it is produced in most tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons. In contrast to mRNA, GUCY2C protein is widely distributed throughout the brain in canonical sites of PMV and VTA/SN axonal projections. Selective stereotaxic ablation of PMV or VTA/SN neurons eliminated GUCY2C only in their respective canonical projection sites. Conversely, specific anterograde tracer analyses of PMV or VTA/SN neurons confirmed distinct GUCY2C-immunoreactive axons projecting to those canonical locations. Together, these findings reveal two discrete neuronal circuits expressing GUCY2C originating in the PMV in the hypothalamus and in the VTA/SN in midbrain, which separately project to other sites throughout the brain. They suggest a structural basis for a role for the GUCY2C-uroguanylin gut-brain endocrine axis in regulating homeostatic and behavioral components contributing to satiety.

Caffeine-Induced Suppression of GABAergic Inhibition and Calcium-Independent Metaplasticity

GABAergic inhibition plays a critical role in the regulation of neuron excitability; thus, it is subject to modulations by many factors. Recent evidence suggests the elevation of intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) and calcium-dependent signaling molecules underlie the modulations. Caffeine induces a release of calcium from intracellular stores. We tested whether caffeine modulated GABAergic transmission by increasing [Ca²⁺]_i. A brief local puff-application of caffeine to hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells transiently suppressed GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) by 73.2 ± 6.98%. Time course of suppression and the subsequent recovery of IPSCs resembled DSI (depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition), mediated by endogenous cannabinoids that require a [Ca²⁺]_i rise. However, unlike DSI, caffeine-induced suppression of IPSCs (CSI) persisted in the absence of a [Ca²⁺]_i rise. Intracellular applications of BAPTA and ryanodine (which blocks caffeine-induced calcium release from intracellular stores) failed to prevent the generation of CSI. Surprisingly, ruthenium red, an inhibitor of multiple calcium permeable/release channels including those of stores, induced metaplasticity by amplifying the magnitude of CSI independently of calcium. This metaplasticity was accompanied with the generation of a large inward current. Although ionic basis of this inward current is undetermined, the present result demonstrates that caffeine has a robust Ca²⁺-independent inhibitory action on GABAergic inhibition and causes metaplasticity by opening plasma membrane channels.

7-NI and ODQ Disturbs Memory in the Elevated Plus Maze, Morris Water Maze, and Radial Arm Maze Tests in Mice

Nitric oxide (NO) is an atypical neurotransmitter that causes changes in cognition. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitors have been shown to exert some effects on cognition in previous studies; however, the findings have been controversial. This study was aimed at understanding the effects of an NOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), and a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), on spatial memory in modified elevated plus maze (mEPM), Morris water maze (MWM), and radial arm maze (RAM) tests. Male Balb-c mice were treated via intraperitoneal injections with 7-NI (15 mg/kg), ODQ (3, 10 mg/kg), L-arginine (100 mg/kg) + 7-NI (15 mg/kg), or physiological saline. ODQ (3 mg/kg) and 7-NI (15 mg/kg) significantly increased the second-day latency in the mEPM test. 7-NI (15 mg/kg) and ODQ (10 mg/kg) significantly increased the escape latency in second, third, and fourth sessions, decreased the time spent in the escape platform’s quadrant, and increased the mean distance to the platform in the probe trial of the MWM test. ODQ (3, 10 mg/kg) and 7-NI (15 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of errors, whereas only 7-NI increased the latency in the RAM test. The administration of L-arginine (100 mg/kg) prior to 7-NI inverted the effects of 7-NI, which supports the role of NO on cognition. Our study shows that the NO/cGMP/GS pathway can regulate spatial memory in mice.

The potential of targeting NMDA receptors outside the CNS

INTRODUCTION

NMDA receptor (NMDAR) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor with a high permeability to calcium and a unique feature of controlling numerous calcium-dependent processes. Apart from being widely distributed in the CNS, the presence of NMDAR and its potential significance in a variety of non-neuronal cells and tissues has become an interesting research topic.

AREAS COVERED

The current review summarizes prevailing knowledge on the role of NMDARs in the kidney, bone and parathyroid gland, three main organs responsible for calcium homeostasis, as well as in the heart, an organ whose function is highly dependable on balanced intracellular calcium concentrations. The review also examines studies that have advanced our understanding of the therapeutic potential of NMDAR agonists and antagonists in renal, cardiovascular and bone pathologies.

EXPERT OPINION

NMDARs have a preeminent role in many physiological and pathological processes outside the CNS. In certain organs and/or disease conditions, activating the NMDAR leads to beneficial effects for the target organ, whereas in other diseases cell signaling downstream of NMDAR activation can exacerbate their pathology. Therefore, targeting NMDARs therapeutically is rather intricate work, and surely requires more extensive investigation in order to properly tune up the diverse NMDAR's actions translating them into beneficial cellular responses.

Effects of 7-NI and ODQ on memory in the passive avoidance, novel object recognition, and social transmission of food preference tests in mice

Background

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intercellular messenger that plays a critical role in learning and memory processes. Effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors and guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitors on cognitive function remain controversial.

Material/Methods

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of an NOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), and a GC inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), on different aspects of memory in passive avoidance (PA), novel object recognition (NOR), and social transmission of food preference (STFP) tests. Male Balb-c mice were treated intraperitoneally with 7-NI (15 mg/kg), ODQ (3,10 mg/kg), L-arginine (100 mg/kg) + 7-NI (15 mg/kg), or physiological saline.

Results

ODQ (10 mg/kg) and 7-NI (15 mg/kg) significantly decreased second-day latency in PA test. 7-NI (15 mg/kg) and ODQ (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased the ratio index in the NOR test. 7-NI and ODQ (10 mg/kg) decreased cued/non-cued food eaten in STFP test. Amount of time spent in center zone significantly increased in ODQ (10 mg/kg) and 7-NI (15 mg/kg) groups in open field test, but there was no effect on total distance moved and speed of animals. ODQ (10 mg/kg) significantly increased number of entries into new compartments in exploratory activity apparatus, while 7-NI had no effect. Administration of L-arginine (100 mg/kg) before 7-NI reversed 7-NI-induced effects, supporting the role of NO in cognition.

Conclusions

Our results confirm that inhibition of NO/cGMP/GS pathway might disturb emotional, visual, and olfactory memory in mice. Also, 7-NI and ODQ had anxiolytic effects in open field test, and ODQ also enhanced exploratory activity.

New perspectives in cyclic nucleotide-mediated functions in the CNS: the emerging role of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels

Cyclic nucleotides play fundamental roles in the central nervous system (CNS) under both physiological and pathological conditions. The impact of cAMP and cGMP signaling on neuronal and glial cell functions has been thoroughly characterized. Most of their effects have been related to cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase activity. However, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, first described as key mediators of sensory transduction in retinal and olfactory receptors, have been receiving increasing attention as possible targets of cyclic nucleotides in the CNS. In the last 15 years, consistent evidence has emerged for their expression in neurons and astrocytes of the rodent brain. Far less is known, however, about the functional role of CNG channels in these cells, although several of their features, such as Ca(2+) permeability and prolonged activation in the presence of cyclic nucleotides, make them ideal candidates for mediators of physiological functions in the CNS. Here, we review literature suggesting the involvement of CNG channels in a number of CNS cellular functions (e.g., regulation of membrane potential, neuronal excitability, and neurotransmitter release) as well as in more complex phenomena, like brain plasticity, adult neurogenesis, and pain sensitivity. The emerging picture is that functional and dysfunctional cyclic nucleotide signaling in the CNS has to be reconsidered including CNG channels among possible targets. However, concerted efforts and multidisciplinary approaches are still needed to get more in-depth knowledge in this field.

G-substrate: the cerebellum and beyond

The discovery of nitric oxide (NO) as an activator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) has stimulated extensive research on the NO-sGC-3':5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) pathway. However, the restricted localization of pathway components and the lack of information on PKG substrates have hindered research seeking to examine the physiological roles of the NO-sGC-cGMP-PKG pathway. An excellent substrate for PKG is the G-substrate, which was originally discovered in the cerebellum. The role of G-substrate in the cerebellum and other brain structures has been revealed in recent years. This review discusses the relationship between the G-substrate and other components of the NO-sGC-cGMP-PKG pathway and describes the characteristics of the G-substrate gene and protein related to diseases. Finally, we discuss the physiological role of G-substrate in the cerebellum, where it regulates cerebellum-dependent long-term memory, and its role in the ventral tegmental area and retina, where it acts as an effective neuroprotectant.

Effects of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in vestibular nuclear neurons

This study was designed to investigate the effects an 8-Br-cGMP on the neuronal activity of rat vestibular nuclear cells. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 14 to 16 days were decapitated under ether anesthesia. After treatment with pronase and thermolysin, the dissociated vestibular nuclear cells were transferred into a chamber on an inverted microscope. Spontaneous action potentials and potassium currents were recorded by standard patch-clamp techniques under current and voltage-clamp modes. Twelve vestibular nuclear cells revealed excitatory responses to 1-5 µM of 8-Br-cGMP, and 3 neurons did not respond to 8-Br-cGMP. Whole potassium currents of vestibular nuclear cells were decreased by 8-Br-cGMP (n=12). After calcium-dependent potassium currents were blocked by tetraethylammonium, the potassium currents were not decreased by 8-Br-cGMP. These experimental results suggest that 8-Br-cGMP changes the neuronal activity of vestibular nuclear cells by blocking the calcium-dependent potassium currents that underlie the afterhyperpolarization.

Involvement of a NO-cyclic GMP-PKG signaling pathway in nitrous oxide-induced antinociception in mice

The antinociceptive effect of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) is dependent on nitric oxide (NO); however, the next step in the pathway activated by NO is undetermined. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that a N(2)O action involves sequential activation of NO synthase, soluble guanylyl cyclase and protein kinase G to induce an antinociceptive effect in mice. The antinociceptive responsiveness of male NIH Swiss mice to N(2)O was assessed using the acetic acid abdominal constriction test. Different groups of mice were pretreated with either saline, the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1H-imidazolyl-1-oxy-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO), the guanylyl cyclase-inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), the protein kinase G-inhibitor Rp-isomer of 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS) or the selective phosphodiesterase V-inhibitor 1,2-dihydro-2-[(2-methyl-4-pyridinyl)methyl]-1-oxo-8-(2-pyrimidinylmethoxy)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,7-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester hydrochloride (T 0156). Vehicle (saline)-pretreated mice responded to N(2)O in a concentration-dependent manner. This antinociceptive effect was antagonized by systemic pretreatment with carboxy-PTIO and ODQ and central pretreatment with Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. In each case, the dose-response curve for N(2)O was progressively shifted to the right by increasing the dose of each pretreatment drug. On the other hand, N(2)O-induced antinociception was enhanced by systemic pretreatment with T 0156; the dose-response curve for N(2)O was shifted to the left. The ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker glibenclamide was without influence on the antinociceptive effect of N(2)O. These results support the hypothesis that N(2)O-induced antinociception in mice is mediated by a NO-cyclic GMP-PKG pathway.

The acute antinociceptive effect of HBO₂ is mediated by a NO-cyclic GMP-PKG-KATP channel pathway in mice

Previous research has found that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO(2)) produces an acute antinociceptive effect that is dependent on nitric oxide (NO). The present study was undertaken to determine whether HBO(2)-induced acute antinociception might involve a NO-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G-ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel pathway. Male NIH Swiss mice were subjected to a 5-min HBO(2) treatment (100% oxygen at 3.5 absolute atmospheres) and antinociception was assessed over the next 6 min still under HBO(2) using the acetic acid abdominal constriction test. Pretreatment with 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1H-imidazolyl-1-oxy-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO, an NO scavenger), 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one) (a soluble guanylyl cyclase-inhibitor, Rp-8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (a protein kinase G-inhibitor) or glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive potassium channel-inhibitor) all led to antagonism of the HBO(2)-induced acute antinociception in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that HBO(2)-induced acute antinociception might be due to activation of a NO-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G-K(ATP) channel pathway.

Cyclic GMP pathways in hepatic encephalopathy. Neurological and therapeutic implications

Cyclic GMP (cGMP) modulates important cerebral processes including some forms of learning and memory. cGMP pathways are strongly altered in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Patients with liver cirrhosis show reduced intracellular cGMP in lymphocytes, increased cGMP in plasma and increased activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide (NO) in lymphocytes, which correlates with minimal HE assessed by psychometric tests. Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by NO is also increased in cerebral cortex, but reduced in cerebellum, from patients who died with HE. This opposite alteration is reproduced in vivo in rats with chronic hyperammonemia or HE. A main pathway modulating cGMP levels in brain is the glutamate-NO-cGMP pathway. The function of this pathway is impaired both in cerebellum and cortex of rats with hyperammonemia or HE. Impairment of this pathway is responsible for reduced ability to learn some types of tasks. Restoring the pathway and cGMP levels in brain restores learning ability. This may be achieved by administering phosphodiesterase inhibitors (zaprinast, sildenafil), cGMP, anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) or antagonists of GABAA receptors (bicuculline). These data support that increasing cGMP by safe pharmacological means may be a new therapeutic approach to improve cognitive function in patients with minimal or clinical HE.

A novel cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel enriched in synaptic terminals of isotocin neurons in zebrafish brain and pituitary

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are nonselective cation channels opened by binding of intracellular cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP. CNG channels mediate sensory transduction in the rods and cones of the retina and in olfactory sensory neurons, but in addition, CNG channels are also expressed elsewhere in the CNS, where their physiological roles have not yet been well defined. Besides the CNG channel subtypes that mediate vision and olfaction, zebrafish has an additional subtype, CNGA5, which is expressed almost exclusively in the brain. We have generated CNGA5-specific monoclonal antibodies, which we use here to show that immunoreactivity for CNGA5 channels is highly enriched in synaptic terminals of a discrete set of neurons that project to a subregion of the pituitary, as well as diffusely in the brain and spinal cord. Double labeling with a variety of antibodies against pituitary hormones revealed that CNGA5 is located in the terminals of neuroendocrine cells that secrete the nonapeptide hormone/transmitter isotocin in the neurohypophysis, brain, and spinal cord. Furthermore, we show that CNGA5 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes are highly permeable to Ca(2+), which suggests that the channels are capable of modulating isotocin release in the zebrafish brain and pituitary. Isotocin is the teleost homolog of the mammalian hormone oxytocin, and like oxytocin, it regulates reproductive and social behavior. Therefore, the high calcium permeability of CNGA5 channels and their strategic location in isotocin-secreting synaptic terminals suggest that activation of CNGA5 channels in response to cyclic nucleotide signaling may have wide-ranging neuroendocrine and behavioral effects.

Cerebral haemodynamic response or excitability is not affected by sildenafil

Sildenafil (Viagra), a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-degrading phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, induces headache and migraine. Such headache induction may be caused by an increased neuronal excitability, as no concurrent effect on cerebral arteries is found. In 13 healthy females (23+/-3 years, 70.3+/-6.6 kg), the effect of sildenafil on a visual (reversing checkerboard) and a hypercapnic (6% CO2 inhalation) response was evaluated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI, 3 T MR scanner). On separate occasions, visual-evoked potential (VEP) measurements (latency (P100) and maximal amplitude) were performed. The measurements were applied at baseline and at both 1 and 2 h after ingestion of 100 mg of sildenafil. Blood pressure, heart rate and side effects, including headache, were obtained. Headache was induced in all but one subject on both study days. Sildenafil did not affect VEP amplitude or latency (P100). The fMRI response to visual stimulation or hypercapnia was unchanged by sildenafil. In conclusion, sildenafil induces mild headache without potentiating a neuronal or local cerebrovascular visual response or a global cerebrovascular hypercapnic response. The implication is that sildenafil-induced headache does not include a general lowering of threshold for a neuronal or cerebrovascular response, and that sildenafil does not modulate the hypercapnic response in healthy subjects.

Regulate axon branching by the cyclic GMP pathway via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons

Cyclic GMP has been proposed to regulate axonal development, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation of axon branches are not well understood. Here, we report the use of rodent embryonic sensory neurons from the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) to demonstrate the role of cGMP signaling in axon branching and to identify the downstream molecular pathway mediating this novel regulation. Pharmacologically, a specific cGMP analog promotes DRG axon branching in culture, and this activity can be achieved by activating the endogenous soluble guanylyl cyclase that produces cGMP. At the molecular level, the cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PrkG1) mediates this activity, as DRG neurons isolated from the kinase-deficient mouse fail to respond to cGMP activation to make branches, whereas overexpression of a PrkG1 mutant with a higher-than-normal basal kinase activity is sufficient to induce branching. In addition, cGMP activation in DRG neurons leads to phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), a protein that normally suppresses branching. This interaction is direct, because PrkG1 binds GSK3 in heterologous cells and the purified kinase can phosphorylate GSK3 in vitro. More importantly, overexpression of a dominant active form of GSK3 suppresses cGMP-dependent branching in DRG neurons. Thus, our study establishes an intrinsic signaling cascade that links cGMP activation to GSK3 inhibition in controlling axon branching during sensory axon development.

cGMP signalling in the mammalian brain: role in synaptic plasticity and behaviour

The second messenger cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) plays a crucial role in the control of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal homeostastis, but its effects on neuronal functions are less established. This review summarizes recent biochemical and functional data on the role of the cGMP signalling pathway in the mammalian brain, with a focus on the regulation of synaptic plasticity, learning, and other complex behaviours. Expression profiling, along with pharmacological and genetic manipulations, indicates important functions of nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive soluble guanylyl cyclases (sGCs), cGMP-dependent protein kinases (cGKs), and cGMP-regulated phosphodiesterases (PDEs) as generators, effectors, and modulators of cGMP signals in the brain, respectively. In addition, neuronal cGMP signalling can be transmitted through cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) or hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channels. The canonical NO/sGC/cGMP/cGK pathway modulates long-term changes of synaptic activity in the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum, and other brain regions, and contributes to distinct forms of learning and memory, such as fear conditioning, motor adaptation, and object recognition. Behavioural studies indicate that cGMP signalling is also involved in anxiety, addiction, and the pathogenesis of depression and schizophrenia. At the molecular level, different cGK isoforms appear to mediate effects of cGMP on presynaptic transmitter release and postsynaptic functions. The cGKs have been suggested to modulate cytoskeletal organization, vesicle and AMPA receptor trafficking, and gene expression via phosphorylation of various substrates including VASP, RhoA, RGS2, hSERT, GluR1, G-substrate, and DARPP-32. These and other components of the cGMP signalling cascade may be attractive new targets for the treatment of cognitive impairment, drug abuse, and psychiatric disorders.

Role of phosphodiesterase 5 in synaptic plasticity and memory

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that break down the phosphodiesteric bond of the cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, second messengers that regulate many biological processes. PDEs participate in the regulation of signal transduction by means of a fine regulation of cyclic nucleotides so that the response to cell stimuli is both specific and activates the correct third messengers. Several PDE inhibitors have been developed and used as therapeutic agents because they increase cyclic nucleotide levels by blocking the PDE function. In particular, sildenafil, an inhibitor of PDE5, has been mainly used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction but is now also utilized against pulmonary hypertension. This review examines the physiological role of PDE5 in synaptic plasticity and memory and the use of PDE5 inhibitors as possible therapeutic agents against disorders of the central nervous system (CNS).

Distribution of the A3 subunit of the cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels in the main olfactory bulb of the rat

Previous data suggest that cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling can play key roles in the circuitry of the olfactory bulb (OB). Therefore, the expression of cGMP-selective subunits of the cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGs) can be expected in this brain region. In the present study, we demonstrate a widespread expression of the cGMP-selective A3 subunit of the cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGA3) in the rat OB. CNGA3 appears in principal cells, including mitral cells and internal, medium and external tufted cells. Moreover, it appears in two populations of interneurons, including a subset of periglomerular cells and a group of deep short-axon cells. In addition to neurons, CNGA3-immunoreactivity is found in the ensheathing glia of the olfactory nerve. Finally, an abundant population of CNGA3-containing cells with fusiform morphology and radial processes is found in the inframitral layers. These cells express doublecortin and have a morphology similar to that of the undifferentiated cells that leave the rostral migratory stream and migrate radially through the layers of the OB. Altogether, our results suggest that CNGA3 can play important and different roles in the OB. Channels composed of this subunit can be involved in the processing of the olfactory information taking place in the bulbar circuitry. Moreover, they can be involved in the function of the ensheathing glia and in the radial migration of immature cells through the bulbar layers.

Functional role of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons

Although cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are expressed in numerous brain areas, little information is available on their functions in CNS neurons. The aim of the present study was to define the distribution of CNG channels in the rat medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and their possible involvement in regulating MVN neuron (MVNn) excitability. The majority of MVNn expressed both CNG1 and CNG2 A subunits. In whole-cell current-clamp experiments carried out on brainstem slices containing the MVNn, the membrane-permeant analogues of cyclic nucleotides, 8-Br-cGMP and 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM), induced membrane depolarizations (8.9 +/- 0.8 and 9.2 +/- 1.0 mV, respectively) that were protein kinase independent. The cGMP-induced depolarization was associated with a significant decrease in the membrane input resistance. The effects of cGMP on membrane potential were almost completely abolished by the CNG channel blockers, Cd(2+) and L-cis-diltiazem, but they were unaffected by blockade of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. In voltage-clamp experiments, 8-Br-cGMP induced non-inactivating inward currents (-22.2 +/- 3.9 pA) with an estimated reversal potential near 0 mV, which were markedly inhibited by reduction of extracellular Na(+) and Ca(2+) concentrations. Membrane depolarization induced by CNG channel activation increased the firing rate of MVNn without changing the action potential shape. Collectively, these findings provide novel evidence that CNG channels affect membrane potential and excitability of MVNn. Such action should have a significant impact on the function of these neurons in sensory-motor integration processes. More generally, it might represent a broad mechanism for regulating the excitability of different CNS neurons.

Proposal of a guanine-based purinergic system in the mammalian central nervous system

Guanine-based purines have been traditionally studied as modulators of intracellular processes, mainly G-protein activity. However, they also exert several extracellular effects not related to G proteins, including modulation of glutamatergic activity, trophic effects on neural cells, and behavioral effects. In this article, the putative roles of guanine-based purines on the nervous system are reviewed, and we propose a specific guanine-based purinergic system in addition to the well-characterized adenine-based purinergic system. Current evidence suggest that guanine-based purines modulate glutamatergic parameters, such as glutamate uptake by astrocytes and synaptic vesicles, seizures induced by glutamatergic agents, response to ischemia and excitotoxicity, and are able to affect learning, memory and anxiety. Additionally, guanine-based purines have important trophic functions affecting the development, structure, or maintenance of neural cells. Although studies addressing the mechanism of action (receptors and second messenger systems) of guanine-based purines are still insufficient, these findings point to the guanine-based purines (nucleotides and guanosine) as potential new targets for neuroprotection and neuromodulation.

Cellular and subcellular rat brain spermidine synthase expression patterns suggest region-specific roles for polyamines, including cerebellar pre-synaptic function

In the brain, the polyamines spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) serve highly specific functions by interacting with various ion channel receptors intimately involved with synaptic signaling. Both, glial cells and neurons contain Spd/Spm, but release and uptake mechanisms could re-distribute polyamines between cell types. The cellular and subcellular localization of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes may therefore offer a more appropriate tool to identify local sources of enhanced Spd/Spm synthesis, which may be related with specific roles in neuronal circuits and synaptic function. A recently characterized antibody against Spd synthase was therefore used to screen the rat brain for compartment-specific peaks in enzyme expression. The resulting labeling pattern indicated a clearly heterogeneous expression predominantly localized to neurons and neuropil. The highest levels of Spd synthase expression were detected in the accumbens nucleus, taenia tecta, cerebellar cortex, cerebral cortical layer I, hippocampus, hypothalamus, mesencephalic raphe nuclei, central and lateral amygdala, and the circumventricular organs. Besides a diffuse labeling of the neuropil in several brain areas, the distinct labeling of mossy fiber terminals in the cerebellar cortex directly indicated a synaptic role for Spd synthesis. Electron microscopy revealed a preferential distribution of the immunosignal in synaptic vesicle containing areas. A pre-synaptic localization was also observed in parallel and climbing fiber terminals. Electrophysiological recordings in acute cerebellar slices revealed a Spd-induced block of evoked extracellular field potentials resulting from mossy fiber stimulation in a dose-dependent manner.

Enhanced cAMP/PKA pathway by seabuckthorn fatty acids in aged rats

Seabuckthorn fatty acids were extracted by crushing and centrifuging from china seabuckthorn fruit. We detected cyclic nucleotides concentration in serum of different stages in aged rats (from 16 to 21 months), cyclic nucleotides concentration, PKA activity and PDE activity in hepatic tissue in aged rats by seabuckthorn fatty acids. Our data showed that the serum cAMP concentration decreased, accompany with the cGMP concentration increased and the imbalance of the cAMP/cGMP ratio in aged process. This kind of change equally in the hepatic tissue, the cAMP concentration decreased, PKA activity also decreased, but no change of the cAMP particularity PDE activity. And the SBFAs raised serum cAMP level in different stages, and raised the cAMP concentration and PKA activity of hepatic tissue, but did not effect the cAMP particularity PDE activity. Our study demonstrated that it is imbalance of the cAMP/cGMP ratio in aged process. SBFAs enhanced the cAMP/PKA pathway, regulated cAMP/cGMP ratio in aged rats.

Modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission by nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) and serotonin (5-HT) are two neurotransmitters with important roles in neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity. There is substantial evidence for a morphological and functional overlap between these two neurotransmitter systems, in particular the modulation of 5-HT function by NO. Here we demonstrate for the first time the modulation of an identified serotonergic synapse by NO using the synapse between the cerebral giant cell (CGC) and the B4 neuron within the feeding network of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis as a model system. Simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from the pre- and postsynaptic neurons show that blocking endogenous NO production in the intact nervous system significantly reduces the B4 response to CGC activity. The blocking effect is frequency dependent and is strongest at low CGC frequencies. Conversely, bath application of the NO donor DEA/NONOate significantly enhances the CGC-B4 synapse. The modulation of the CGC-B4 synapse is mediated by the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cGMP pathway as demonstrated by the effects of the sGC antagonist 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). NO modulation of the CGC-B4 synapse can be mimicked in cell culture, where application of 5-HT puffs to isolated B4 neurons simulates synaptic 5-HT release. Bath application of diethylamine NONOate (DEA/NONOate) enhances the 5-HT induced response in the isolated B4 neuron. However, the cell culture experiment provided no evidence for endogenous NO production in either the CGC or B4 neuron suggesting that NO is produced by an alternative source. Thus we conclude that NO modulates the serotonergic CGC-B4 synapse by enhancing the postsynaptic 5-HT response.

Cerebellar localization of the NO-receptive soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits-alpha(2)/beta (1) in non-human primates

Nitric-oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-sGC) plays a pivotal role in many second messenger cascades. Neurotransmission- and neuropathology-related changes in NO-sGC have been suggested. However, the cellular localization of NO-sGC in primate brains, including humans, remains unknown. Biochemical evidence has linked the alpha(2)-subunit of NO-sGC directly to neurotransmission in rodents. Here, we have used a recently characterized subunit-specific antibody for the localization of the alpha(2)-subunit on sections from the cerebelli of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus; New World monkey) and macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta, M. fascicularis; Old World monkeys). In contrast to the more ubiquitous cytoplasmic presence of subunit-beta(1), the alpha(2)-subunit is mainly confined to the somato-dendritic membrane including the spines of the Purkinje cells. Only limited colocalization with presynaptically localized synaptophysin has been seen under our staining conditions, indicating a higher abundance of subunit-alpha(2) at the postsynaptic site. This localization indicates that subunit-alpha(2) links NO-sGC to neurotransmission, whereas subunit-beta(1) may act as a cytoplasmic regulator/activator by contributing to active heterodimer formation via translocation from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. The last-mentioned action may be a prerequisite for generating nitric-oxide-dependent, subcellular, and postsynaptically localized cGMP signals along neuronal processes.

Pharmacological characterization of cGMP regulation by the biarylpropylsulfonamide class of positive, allosteric modulators of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors

The biarylpropylsulfonamide class of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) potentiators represented by N-2-(4-(4-cyanophenol)phenol)propyl-2-propanesulfonamide (LY404187) and (R)-4'-[1-fluoro-1-methyl-2-(propane-2-sulfonylamino)-ethyl]-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid methylamide (LY503430) are positive, allosteric AMPA receptor activators, which enhance AMPA receptor-mediated neurotransmission by reducing desensitization of the ion channel. Although these compounds have efficacy in in vivo rodent models of cognition, depression, and Parkinson's disease, little is known about biochemical pathways activated by these agents. Given the well established regulation of the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway by excitatory neurotransmission, the current study characterized AMPA receptor potentiator-mediated cGMP response in mouse cerebellum. Acute treatment by both LY404187 and LY503430 [2.0, 5.0, or 10 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.)] elevated basal cerebellar cGMP levels in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with the noncompetitive, allosteric AMPA receptor-selective antagonist 7H-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-h][2,3]benzodiazepine-7-carboxamide, 5-(4-aminophenyl)-8,9-dihydro-N,8-dimethyl-monohydrochloride-(9CI) (GYKI 53655) [3.0 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)], completely blocked the effect of LY404187, demonstrating that activation of AMPA receptors induces cGMP levels. Interestingly, pretreatment with the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) open channel blocker dizocilpine (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg i.p.) also abolished the AMPA receptor potentiator-mediated cGMP accumulation, indicating that activation of AMPA receptors leads to NMDA receptor-mediated transmission involved in cGMP regulation. Pharmacological augmentation of the endogenous glutamate tone via the alkaloid harmaline (20-60 mg/kg i.p.) synergized with AMPA potentiator activity and provided further direct evidence of in vivo allosteric activation of AMPA receptors by LY404187. The synergism between harmaline and LY404187 was specific, since cGMP accumulation induced by foot-shock stress was not augmented by the AMPA receptor potentiator. Taken together, these data indicate that the cGMP system may play an important role in pharmacological efficacy of the biarylpropylsulfonamide class of AMPA receptor potentiators.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways: a revolving neurochemical axis for therapeutic intervention?

Excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS) is mediated by the release of glutamate from presynaptic terminals onto postsynaptic channels gated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA (AMPA and KA) receptors. Extracellular signals control diverse neuronal functions and are responsible for mediating activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength and neuronal survival. Influx of extracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](e)) through the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) is required for neuronal activity to change the strength of many synapses. At the molecular level, the NMDAR interacts with signaling modules, which, like the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily, transduce excitatory signals across neurons. Recent burgeoning evidence points to the fact that MAPKs play a crucial role in regulating the neurochemistry of NMDARs, their physiologic and biochemical/biophysical properties, and their potential role in pathophysiology. It is the purpose of this review to discuss: (i) the MAPKs and their role in a plethora of cellular functions; (ii) the role of MAPKs in regulating the biochemistry and physiology of NMDA receptors; (iii) the kinetics of MAPK-NMDA interactions and their biologic and neurochemical properties; (iv) how cellular signaling pathways, related cofactors and intracellular conditions affect NMDA-MAPK interactions and (v) the role of NMDA-MAPK pathways in pathophysiology and the evolution of disease conditions. Given the versatility of the NMDA-MAPK interactions, the NMDA-MAPK axis will likely form a neurochemical target for therapeutic interventions.

Local activation of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in growth cones regulates filopodial length via protein kinase G, cyclic ADP ribose and intracellular Ca2+ release

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous messenger that has been shown to affect growth cone motility and neurite outgrowth in several model systems, but how NO brings about its effects is not understood. We have previously demonstrated that global and long-term application of NO to Helisoma trivolvis B5 neurons results in a transient increase in filopodial length, decrease in filopodial number and decrease in neurite outgrowth, all of which are mediated via soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and involve an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration [S. Van Wagenen & V. Rehder (1999)Journal of Neurobiology, 39, 168-185; K.R. Trimm & V. Rehder (2004) European Journal of Neuroscience, 19, 809-818]. The goal of the current study was twofold: to investigate the effects of short-term NO exposure on individual growth cones and to further elucidate the downstream pathway through which NO exerts its effects. Local application of the NO donor NOC-7 for 10-20 ms via puffer micropipette resulted in a transient increase in filopodial length and a small decrease in filopodial number. We show evidence that these effects of NO are mediated via sGC, protein kinase G and cyclic ADP ribose, resulting in the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, probably of the ryanodine-sensitive type. These results suggest that growth cones expressing sGC are highly sensitive to local and short-term exposure to NO, which they may experience during pathfinding, and that the stereotyped response of transient filopodial elongation seen in B5 neurons in response to NO requires intracellular Ca2+ release.

Aging: functional metabolic balance among cAMP, cGMP and reactive oxygen intermediate generation by human granulocytes

BACKGROUND

The nature of the aging process has been the subject of considerable speculation. It has been reported that in the aging process several components of the signal transduction pathways, including phosphoinositide, protein kinase C, protein kinase A and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) generation, are altered.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional metabolic balance among cAMP, cGMP and ROI generation by human neutrophils in relation to age.

METHODS

The age-induced ROI generation was studied in healthy subjects ranging in age from 20 to 80 years old, divided into 6 age groups: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-80 years old. The oxidizing cellular generation was quantified in a luminol-dependent (ROI production) chemiluminescence assay and the results expressed as relative light units per minute.

RESULTS

Our results show a differential functional metabolic balance of cAMP and cGMP in relation to age from 50 years on. This phenomenon is reflected by the increase in ROI generation by neutrophil stimulation with cGMP at all ages and a simultaneous lack of effect of cAMP on cGMP from 50 years old. The same results were observed when neutrophil reacted with endogenous contents of cGMP (levamisole, an inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase) or cAMP (aminophylline, an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase). Our results show that the lack of modulation of the endogenous or exogenous contents of cAMP or cGMP on ROI generation altered the age-related functional metabolic balance.

CONCLUSIONS

This altered functional metabolic balance in cAMP, cGMP and ROI generation of neutrophils may certainly have consequences on host defenses, mainly on inflammatory processes, in healthy subjects from 50 years old. However, the exact consequences of this phenomenon on the aging process remain unknown.

Expression of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in the rat medial vestibular nucleus

The role of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in sensory signal transduction in retinal and olfactory cells is widely recognized, but there is increasing evidence that they also play more general functions in the central nervous system as downstream effectors of cyclic nucleotides. Here, we demonstrate the expression of the alpha-subunit of rod- and olfactory-type CNG channels (CNG1 and CNG2, respectively) in the rat medial vestibular nucleus (MVN). Nested polymerase chain reaction revealed CNG channel mRNA in the MVN, and CNG1 and CNG2 proteins were also detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Finally, electrophysiological evidence is provided suggesting that CNG channels play a functional role in the MVN.

Nitric oxide and metastatic cell behaviour

Nitric oxide (NO) is a pleiotropic signalling molecule that subserves a wide variety of basic cellular functions and also manifests itself pathophysiologically. As regards cancer and its progression, however, the reported role of NO appears surprisingly inconsistent. In this review, we focus on metastasis, the process of cancer cell spread and secondary tumour formation. In a 'reductionist' approach, we consider the metastatic cascade to be made up of a series of basic cellular behaviours (such as proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, secretion migration, invasion and angiogenesis). We evaluate how NO controls such behaviours, in comparison with normal cells. The available information suggests strongly that NO signalling would be expected to regulate these behaviours both positively and negatively and this probably leads to the observed apparent variability in the NO status of cancer cells and tissues. Thus, the role of NO in cancer is more complex than previously thought. A number of suggestions are made, including consideration of novel mechanisms, such as ion channels, in order to achieve a more consistent and integrated understanding of NO signalling in cancer and to realise its clinical potential.

AGAP1, a novel binding partner of nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase

Nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is the major cytosolic receptor for NO, catalyzing the conversion of GTP to cGMP. In a search for proteins specifically interacting with human sGC, we have identified the multidomain protein AGAP1, the prototype of an ArfGAP protein with a GTPase-like domain, Ankyrin repeats, and a pleckstrin homology domain. AGAP1 binds through its carboxyl terminal portion to both the alpha1 and beta1 subunits of sGC. We demonstrate that AGAP1 mRNA and protein are co-expressed with sGC in human, murine, and rat cells and tissues and that the two proteins interact in vitro and in vivo. We also show that AGAP1 is prone to tyrosine phosphorylation by Src-like kinases and that tyrosine phosphorylation potently increases the interaction between AGAP1 and sGC, indicating that complex formation is modulated by reversible phosphorylation. Our findings may hint to a potential role of AGAP1 in integrating signals from Arf, NO/cGMP, and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.