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Ten-Blanco M, Flores Á, Cristino L, Pereda-Pérez I, Berrendero F. Targeting the orexin/hypocretin system for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases: from animal to clinical studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101066. [PMID: 37015302 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Orexins (also known as hypocretins) are neuropeptides located exclusively in hypothalamic neurons that have extensive projections throughout the central nervous system and bind two different G protein-coupled receptors (OX1R and OX2R). Since its discovery in 1998, the orexin system has gained the interest of the scientific community as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of different pathological conditions. Considering previous basic science research, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, suvorexant, was the first orexin agent to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat insomnia. In this review, we discuss and update the main preclinical and human studies involving the orexin system with several psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. This system constitutes a nice example of how basic scientific research driven by curiosity can be the best route to the generation of new and powerful pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Ten-Blanco
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - África Flores
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Neurosciences Institute, University of Barcelona and Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luigia Cristino
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Inmaculada Pereda-Pérez
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Berrendero
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
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Sheibani M, Shayan M, Khalilzadeh M, Ghasemi M, Dehpour AR. Orexin receptor antagonists in the pathophysiology and treatment of sleep disorders and epilepsy. Neuropeptides 2023; 99:102335. [PMID: 37003137 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2023.102335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The correlation between sleep and epilepsy has been argued over the past decades among scientists. Although the similarities and contrasts between sleep and epilepsy had been considered, their intertwined nature was not revealed until the nineteenth century. Sleep is recognized as a recurring state of mind and body through alternating brain electrical activities. It is documented that sleep disorders are associated with epilepsy. The origin, suppression, and spread of seizures are affected by sleep. As such, in patients with epilepsy, sleep disorders are a frequent comorbidity. Meanwhile, orexin, a wake-promoting neuropeptide, provides a bidirectional effect on both sleep and epilepsy. Orexin and its cognate receptors, orexin receptor type 1 (OX1R) and type 2 (OX2R), orchestrate their effects by activating various downstream signaling pathways. Although orexin was considered a therapeutic target in insomnia shortly after its discovery, its potential usefulness for psychiatric disorders and epileptic seizures has been suggested in the pre-clinical studies. This review aimed to discuss whether the relationship between sleep, epilepsy, and orexin is clearly reciprocal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sheibani
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Razi Drug Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shayan
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Khalilzadeh
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Mamelak M. Sleep, Narcolepsy, and Sodium Oxybate. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:272-291. [PMID: 33827411 PMCID: PMC9413790 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210407151227] [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: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium oxybate (SO) has been in use for many decades to treat narcolepsy with cataplexy. It functions as a weak GABAB agonist but also as an energy source for the brain as a result of its metabolism to succinate and as a powerful antioxidant because of its capacity to induce the formation of NADPH. Its actions at thalamic GABAB receptors can induce slow-wave activity, while its actions at GABAB receptors on monoaminergic neurons can induce or delay REM sleep. By altering the balance between monoaminergic and cholinergic neuronal activity, SO uniquely can induce and prevent cataplexy. The formation of NADPH may enhance sleep’s restorative process by accelerating the removal of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accumulate during wakefulness. SO improves alertness in normal subjects and in patients with narcolepsy. SO may allay severe psychological stress - an inflammatory state triggered by increased levels of ROS and characterized by cholinergic supersensitivity and monoaminergic deficiency. SO may be able to eliminate the inflammatory state and correct the cholinergic/ monoaminergic imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mortimer Mamelak
- Department of Psychiatry, Baycrest Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. Canada
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Orexin-A Intensifies Mouse Pupillary Light Response by Modulating Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells. J Neurosci 2021; 41:2566-2580. [PMID: 33536197 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0217-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We show for the first time that the neuropeptide orexin modulates pupillary light response, a non-image-forming visual function, in mice of either sex. Intravitreal injection of the orexin receptor (OXR) antagonist TCS1102 and orexin-A reduced and enhanced pupillary constriction in response to light, respectively. Orexin-A activated OX1Rs on M2-type intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (M2 cells), and caused membrane depolarization of these cells by modulating inward rectifier potassium channels and nonselective cation channels, thus resulting in an increase in intrinsic excitability. The increased intrinsic excitability could account for the orexin-A-evoked increase in spontaneous discharges and light-induced spiking rates of M2 cells, leading to an intensification of pupillary constriction. Orexin-A did not alter the light response of M1 cells, which could be because of no or weak expression of OX1Rs on them, as revealed by RNAscope in situ hybridization. In sum, orexin-A is likely to decrease the pupil size of mice by influencing M2 cells, thereby improving visual performance in awake mice via enhancing the focal depth of the eye's refractive system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study reveals the role of the neuropeptide orexin in mouse pupillary light response, a non-image-forming visual function. Intravitreal orexin-A administration intensifies light-induced pupillary constriction via increasing the excitability of M2 intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells by activating the orexin receptor subtype OX1R. Modulation of inward rectifier potassium channels and nonselective cation channels were both involved in the ionic mechanisms underlying such intensification. Orexin could improve visual performance in awake mice by reducing the pupil size and thereby enhancing the focal depth of the eye's refractive system.
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Tanaka S, Higuchi M, Seki S, Enomoto A, Kogo M. Orexins modulate membrane excitability in rat trigeminal motoneurons. J Oral Sci 2020; 62:265-270. [DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.19-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Tanaka
- First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University
| | - Masataka Higuchi
- First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University
| | - Soju Seki
- First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University
| | - Akifumi Enomoto
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University
| | - Mikihiko Kogo
- First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University
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Orexinergic actions modify occurrence of slow inward currents on neurons in the pedunculopontine nucleus. Neuroreport 2019; 30:933-938. [PMID: 31469725 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Orexins are neuromodulatory peptides of the lateral hypothalamus which regulate homeostatic mechanisms including sleep-wakefulness cycles. Orexinergic actions stabilize wakefulness by acting on the nuclei of the reticular activating system, including the pedunculopontine nucleus. Orexin application to pedunculopontine neurons produces a noisy tonic inward current and an increase in the frequency and amplitudes of excitatory postsynaptic currents. In the present project, we investigated orexinergic neuromodulatory actions on astrocyte-mediated neuronal slow inward currents of pedunculopontine neurons and their relationships with tonic currents by using slice electrophysiology on preparations from mice. We demonstrated that, in contrast to several other neuromodulatory actions and in line with literature data, orexin predominantly elicited a tonic inward current. A subpopulation of the pedunculopontine neurons possessed slow inward currents. Independently from the tonic currents, actions on slow inward currents were also detected, which resembled other neuromodulatory actions: if slow inward currents were almost absent on the neuron, orexin induced an increase of the charge movements by slow inward currents, whereas if slow inward current activity was abundant on the neurons, orexin exerted inhibitory action on it. Our data support the previous findings that orexin elicits only inward currents in contrast with cannabinoid, cholinergic or serotonergic actions. Similar to the aforementioned neuromodulatory actions, orexin influences slow inward currents in a way depending on control slow inward current activity. Furthermore, we found that orexinergic actions on slow inward currents are similarly independent from its actions on tonic currents, as it was previously found with other neuromodulatory agonists.
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Cellular Mechanisms for Antinociception Produced by Oxytocin and Orexins in the Rat Spinal Lamina II-Comparison with Those of Other Endogenous Pain Modulators. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12030136. [PMID: 31527474 PMCID: PMC6789548 DOI: 10.3390/ph12030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Much evidence indicates that hypothalamus-derived neuropeptides, oxytocin, orexins A and B, inhibit nociceptive transmission in the rat spinal dorsal horn. In order to unveil cellular mechanisms for this antinociception, the effects of the neuropeptides on synaptic transmission were examined in spinal lamina II neurons that play a crucial role in antinociception produced by various analgesics by using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique and adult rat spinal cord slices. Oxytocin had no effect on glutamatergic excitatory transmission while producing a membrane depolarization, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic and glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory transmission enhancement. On the other hand, orexins A and B produced a membrane depolarization and/or a presynaptic spontaneous excitatory transmission enhancement. Like oxytocin, orexin A enhanced both GABAergic and glycinergic transmission, whereas orexin B facilitated glycinergic but not GABAergic transmission. These inhibitory transmission enhancements were due to action potential production. Oxytocin, orexins A and B activities were mediated by oxytocin, orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptors, respectively. This review article will mention cellular mechanisms for antinociception produced by oxytocin, orexins A and B, and discuss similarity and difference in antinociceptive mechanisms among the hypothalamic neuropeptides and other endogenous pain modulators (opioids, nociceptin, adenosine, adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, somatostatin, cannabinoids, galanin, substance P, bradykinin, neuropeptide Y and acetylcholine) exhibiting a change in membrane potential, excitatory or inhibitory transmission in the spinal lamina II neurons.
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Palus-Chramiec K, Chrobok L, Kepczynski M, Lewandowski MH. Orexin A depolarises rat intergeniculate leaflet neurons through non-selective cation channels. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:2683-2693. [PMID: 30803080 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Orexins/hypocretins are hypothalamic neuropeptides that have a variety of functions, including maintenance of arousal, control over the sleep/wake cycle, reward and feeding. Accumulating evidence links orexins to the time-keeping system with a documented action in the master clock-the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) is a thalamic structure with the well-known function of collecting photic and non-photic cues to adjust the rhythm of the suprachiasmatic nucleus to changing environmental conditions. The IGL consists of GABAergic neurons that are intrinsically active, even in slice preparations. Our previous studies revealed the excitatory postsynaptic effects of orexins on single IGL neurons, even though the ionic mechanism underlying this effect remained elusive. Therefore, in this study, we used patch clamp electrophysiology to identify the ions and distinct ion channels responsible for the observed depolarisations. The major finding of this article is that the orexin A-evoked depolarisation of IGL neurons depends on non-selective cation channels, implicating the orexinergic tone in establishing the basal firing rate in these cells. The data presented here strengthen the mutual connections between the time-keeping and orexinergic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Palus-Chramiec
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lukasz Chrobok
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kepczynski
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marian Henryk Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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Di Giovanni G, Chagraoui A, Puginier E, Galati S, De Deurwaerdère P. Reciprocal interaction between monoaminergic systems and the pedunculopontine nucleus: Implication in the mechanism of L-DOPA. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 128:9-18. [PMID: 30149181 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is part of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) and has been involved in the control of gait, posture, locomotion, sleep, and arousal. It likely participates in some motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and is regularly proposed as a surgical target to ameliorate gait, posture and sleep disorders in Parkinsonian patients. The PPN overlaps with the monoaminergic systems including dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline in the modulation of the above-mentioned functions. All these systems are involved in Parkinson's disease and the mechanism of the anti-Parkinsonian agents, mostly L-DOPA. This suggests that PPN interacts with monoaminergic neurons and vice versa. Some evidence indicates that the PPN sends cholinergic, glutamatergic and even gabaergic inputs to mesencephalic dopaminergic cells, with the data regarding serotonergic or noradrenergic cells being less well known. Similarly, the control exerted by the PPN on dopaminergic neurons, is multiple and complex, and more extensively explored than the other monoaminergic systems. The data on the influence of monoaminergic systems on PPN neuron activity are rather scarce. While there is evidence that the PPN influences the therapeutic response of L-DOPA, it is still difficult to discerne the reciprocal action of the PPN and monoaminergic systems in this action. Additional data are required to better understand the functional organization of monoaminergic inputs to the MLR including the PPN to get a clearer picture of their interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Department of Physiology & Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Abdeslam Chagraoui
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, CHU Rouen, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine of Normandy (IRIB), Rouen, France; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Emilie Puginier
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, CHU Rouen, Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication Laboratory, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine of Normandy (IRIB), Rouen, France; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Salvatore Galati
- Parkinson and movement Disorders Center Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Civico di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Philippe De Deurwaerdère
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287), 146 rue Léo Saignat, B.P.281, F-33000 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
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Wang C, Fujita T, Kumamoto E. Orexin B Modulates Spontaneous Excitatory and Inhibitory Transmission in Lamina II Neurons of Adult Rat Spinal Cord. Neuroscience 2018; 383:114-128. [PMID: 29752983 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cellular mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive properties of orexins, a group of neuropeptides produced by the hypothalamus, in the spinal dorsal horn have not been thoroughly investigated. We examined how orexin B affects spontaneous synaptic transmission in lamina II neurons, which play a pivotal role in regulating nociceptive transmission, by applying a whole-cell patch-clamp technique to lamina II neurons in adult rat spinal cord slices. In 66% of neurons tested, bath-applied orexin B concentration dependently produced an inward current at -70 mV and/or increased the frequency of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) without changing its amplitude, in a manner resistant to the voltage-gated Na+-channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX). Glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory transmission was enhanced by orexin B in a TTX-sensitive manner in 71% of neurons examined, whereas GABAergic transmission was unaffected in the majority of these neurons. These activities were inhibited by an orexin-2 receptor antagonist (JNJ10397049) but not an orexin-1 receptor antagonist (SB334867). While the effects of orexin B in orexin B-sensitive neurons were mimicked by orexin A, another hypothalamic neuropeptide, oxytocin, produced an inward current but no increase in sEPSC frequency. These results indicate that orexin B produces membrane depolarization and/or increased spontaneous l-glutamate release in lamina II neurons by activating orexin-2 receptors, leading to increased excitability of these neurons. Such increases potentially produce an action potential, resulting in enhancement of glycinergic transmission in lamina II neurons. This activity of orexin B, and possibly orexin A, may contribute to its antinociceptive effects, which are partly shared by oxytocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Wang
- Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Tsugumi Fujita
- Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Eiichi Kumamoto
- Department of Physiology, Saga Medical School, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
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Abstract
Orexin/hypocretin peptide (orexin-A and orexin-B) signaling is believed to take place via the two G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), named OX1 and OX2 orexin receptors, as described in the previous chapters. Signaling of orexin peptides has been investigated in diverse endogenously orexin receptor-expressing cells - mainly neurons but also other types of cells - and in recombinant cells expressing the receptors in a heterologous manner. Findings in the different systems are partially convergent but also indicate cellular background-specific signaling. The general picture suggests an inherently high degree of diversity in orexin receptor signaling.In the current chapter, I present orexin signaling on the cellular and molecular levels. Discussion of the connection to (potential) physiological orexin responses is only brief since these are in focus of other chapters in this book. The same goes for the post-synaptic signaling mechanisms, which are dealt with in Burdakov: Postsynaptic actions of orexin. The current chapter is organized according to the tissue type, starting from the central nervous system. Finally, receptor signaling pathways are discussed across tissues, cell types, and even species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyrki P Kukkonen
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, POB 66, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Khanday M, Mallick B. REM sleep modulation by perifornical orexinergic inputs to the pedunculo-pontine tegmental neurons in rats. Neuroscience 2015; 308:125-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Pienaar IS, Gartside SE, Sharma P, De Paola V, Gretenkord S, Withers D, Elson JL, Dexter DT. Pharmacogenetic stimulation of cholinergic pedunculopontine neurons reverses motor deficits in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2015; 10:47. [PMID: 26394842 PMCID: PMC4580350 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-015-0044-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) often present with axial symptoms, including postural- and gait difficulties that respond poorly to dopaminergic agents. Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) of a highly heterogeneous brain structure, the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), improves such symptoms, the underlying neuronal substrate responsible for the clinical benefits remains largely unknown, thus hampering optimization of DBS interventions. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)::Cre(+) transgenic rats were sham-lesioned or rendered parkinsonian through intranigral, unihemispheric stereotaxic administration of the ubiquitin-proteasomal system inhibitor, lactacystin, combined with designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD), to activate the cholinergic neurons of the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontine (PPTg), the rat equivalent of the human PPN. We have previously shown that the lactacystin rat model accurately reflects aspects of PD, including a partial loss of PPTg cholinergic neurons, similar to what is seen in the post-mortem brains of advanced PD patients. RESULTS In this manuscript, we show that transient activation of the remaining PPTg cholinergic neurons in the lactacystin rat model of PD, via peripheral administration of the cognate DREADD ligand, clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), dramatically improved motor symptoms, as was assessed by behavioral tests that measured postural instability, gait, sensorimotor integration, forelimb akinesia and general motor activity. In vivo electrophysiological recordings revealed increased spiking activity of PPTg putative cholinergic neurons during CNO-induced activation. c-Fos expression in DREADD overexpressed ChAT-immunopositive (ChAT+) neurons of the PPTg was also increased by CNO administration, consistent with upregulated neuronal activation in this defined neuronal population. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these findings provide evidence that functional modulation of PPN cholinergic neurons alleviates parkinsonian motor symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse S Pienaar
- Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 ONN, UK.
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
| | - Sarah E Gartside
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Puneet Sharma
- Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 ONN, UK
| | - Vincenzo De Paola
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sabine Gretenkord
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Dominic Withers
- Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Joanna L Elson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
- Centre for Human Metabonomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - David T Dexter
- Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 ONN, UK
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Ishibashi M, Gumenchuk I, Kang B, Steger C, Lynn E, Molina NE, Eisenberg LM, Leonard CS. Orexin Receptor Activation Generates Gamma Band Input to Cholinergic and Serotonergic Arousal System Neurons and Drives an Intrinsic Ca(2+)-Dependent Resonance in LDT and PPT Cholinergic Neurons. Front Neurol 2015; 6:120. [PMID: 26082752 PMCID: PMC4451588 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of the waking state is a shift in EEG power to higher frequencies with epochs of synchronized intracortical gamma activity (30-60 Hz) - a process associated with high-level cognitive functions. The ascending arousal system, including cholinergic laterodorsal (LDT) and pedunculopontine (PPT) tegmental neurons and serotonergic dorsal raphe (DR) neurons, promotes this state. Recently, this system has been proposed as a gamma wave generator, in part, because some neurons produce high-threshold, Ca(2+)-dependent oscillations at gamma frequencies. However, it is not known whether arousal-related inputs to these neurons generate such oscillations, or whether such oscillations are ever transmitted to neuronal targets. Since key arousal input arises from hypothalamic orexin (hypocretin) neurons, we investigated whether the unusually noisy, depolarizing orexin current could provide significant gamma input to cholinergic and serotonergic neurons, and whether such input could drive Ca(2+)-dependent oscillations. Whole-cell recordings in brain slices were obtained from mice expressing Cre-induced fluorescence in cholinergic LDT and PPT, and serotonergic DR neurons. After first quantifying reporter expression accuracy in cholinergic and serotonergic neurons, we found that the orexin current produced significant high frequency, including gamma, input to both cholinergic and serotonergic neurons. Then, by using a dynamic clamp, we found that adding a noisy orexin conductance to cholinergic neurons induced a Ca(2+)-dependent resonance that peaked in the theta and alpha frequency range (4-14 Hz) and extended up to 100 Hz. We propose that this orexin current noise and the Ca(2+) dependent resonance work synergistically to boost the encoding of high-frequency synaptic inputs into action potentials and to help ensure cholinergic neurons fire during EEG activation. This activity could reinforce thalamocortical states supporting arousal, REM sleep, and intracortical gamma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Ishibashi
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
| | - Iryna Gumenchuk
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
| | - Bryan Kang
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
| | - Catherine Steger
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
| | - Elizabeth Lynn
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
| | - Nancy E Molina
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
| | - Leonard M Eisenberg
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA ; Department of Medicine, New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY , USA
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15
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López JM, Sanz-Morello B, González A. Organization of the orexin/hypocretin system in the brain of two basal actinopterygian fishes, the cladistians Polypterus senegalus and Erpetoichthys calabaricus. Peptides 2014; 61:23-37. [PMID: 25169954 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cladistians are primitive actinopterygian fishes mostly neglected in neuroanatomical studies. In the present study, the detailed neuroanatomical distribution of orexin (hypocretin)-like immunoreactive (OX-ir) cell bodies and fibers was analyzed in the brain of two species representative of the two extant genera of cladistians. Antibodies against mammalian orexin-A and orexin-B peptides were used. Simultaneous detection of orexins with neuropeptide Y (NPY), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and serotonin (5-HT) was used to establish accurately the topography of the orexin system and to evaluate the possible interactions with NPY and monoaminergic systems. A largely common pattern of OX-ir distribution in the two cladistian species was observed. Most OX-ir cells were located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and tuberal hypothalamus, whereas scarce cells were observed in the posterior tubercle. In addition, a population of OX-ir cells was found in the preoptic area only in Polypterus and some cells also contained TH. The observed widespread distribution of OX-ir fibers was especially abundant in the retrobulbar area, subpallial areas, preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, tuberal hypothalamic area, prethalamus, thalamus, pretectum, optic tectum, and tegmentum. Low innervation was found in relation to monoaminergic cell groups, whereas a high NPY innervation was observed in all OX-ir cell groups. These relationships would represent the anatomical substrate for the functional interdependence between these systems. The organization of the orexin system in cladistians revealed a pattern largely consistent with those reported for all studied groups of vertebrates, suggesting that the primitive organization of this peptidergic system occurred in the common ancestor of gnathostome vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús M López
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Berta Sanz-Morello
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín González
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Chen Q, de Lecea L, Hu Z, Gao D. The hypocretin/orexin system: an increasingly important role in neuropsychiatry. Med Res Rev 2014; 35:152-97. [PMID: 25044006 DOI: 10.1002/med.21326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Hypocretins, also named as orexins, are excitatory neuropeptides secreted by neurons specifically located in lateral hypothalamus and perifornical areas. Orexinergic fibers are extensively distributed in various brain regions and involved in a number of physiological functions, such as arousal, cognition, stress, appetite, and metabolism. Arousal is the most important function of orexin system as dysfunction of orexin signaling leads to narcolepsy. In addition to narcolepsy, orexin dysfunction is associated with serious neural disorders, including addiction, depression, and anxiety. However, some results linking orexin with these disorders are still contradictory, which may result from differences of detection methods or the precision of tools used in measurements; strategies targeted to orexin system (e.g., antagonists to orexin receptors, gene delivery, and cell transplantation) are promising new tools for treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, though studies are still in a stage of preclinical or clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanhui Chen
- Department of Physiology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; Department of Sleep and Psychology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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17
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Leonard CS, Kukkonen JP. Orexin/hypocretin receptor signalling: a functional perspective. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:294-313. [PMID: 23848055 PMCID: PMC3904253 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple homeostatic systems are regulated by orexin (hypocretin) peptides and their two known GPCRs. Activation of orexin receptors promotes waking and is essential for expression of normal sleep and waking behaviour, with the sleep disorder narcolepsy resulting from the absence of orexin signalling. Orexin receptors also influence systems regulating appetite/metabolism, stress and reward, and are found in several peripheral tissues. Nevertheless, much remains unknown about the signalling pathways and targets engaged by native receptors. In this review, we integrate knowledge about the orexin receptor signalling capabilities obtained from studies in expression systems and various native cell types (as presented in Kukkonen and Leonard, this issue of British Journal of Pharmacology) with knowledge of orexin signalling in different tissues. The tissues reviewed include the CNS, the gastrointestinal tract, the pituitary gland, pancreas, adrenal gland, adipose tissue and the male reproductive system. We also summarize the findings in different native and recombinant cell lines, especially focusing on the different cascades in CHO cells, which is the most investigated cell line. This reveals that while a substantial gap exists between what is known about orexin receptor signalling and effectors in recombinant systems and native systems, mounting evidence suggests that orexin receptor signalling is more diverse than originally thought. Moreover, rather than being restricted to orexin receptor 'overexpressing' cells, this signalling diversity may be utilized by native receptors in a site-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Leonard
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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18
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Kohlmeier KA, Tyler CJ, Kalogiannis M, Ishibashi M, Kristensen MP, Gumenchuk I, Chemelli RM, Kisanuki YY, Yanagisawa M, Leonard CS. Differential actions of orexin receptors in brainstem cholinergic and monoaminergic neurons revealed by receptor knockouts: implications for orexinergic signaling in arousal and narcolepsy. Front Neurosci 2013; 7:246. [PMID: 24391530 PMCID: PMC3869224 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Orexin neuropeptides influence multiple homeostatic functions and play an essential role in the expression of normal sleep-wake behavior. While their two known receptors (OX1 and OX2) are targets for novel pharmacotherapeutics, the actions mediated by each receptor remain largely unexplored. Using brain slices from mice constitutively lacking either receptor, we used whole-cell and Ca2+ imaging methods to delineate the cellular actions of each receptor within cholinergic [laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT)] and monoaminergic [dorsal raphe (DR) and locus coeruleus (LC)] brainstem nuclei—where orexins promote arousal and suppress REM sleep. In slices from OX−/−2 mice, orexin-A (300 nM) elicited wild-type responses in LDT, DR, and LC neurons consisting of a depolarizing current and augmented voltage-dependent Ca2+ transients. In slices from OX−/−1 mice, the depolarizing current was absent in LDT and LC neurons and was attenuated in DR neurons, although Ca2+-transients were still augmented. Since orexin-A produced neither of these actions in slices lacking both receptors, our findings suggest that orexin-mediated depolarization is mediated by both receptors in DR, but is exclusively mediated by OX1 in LDT and LC neurons, even though OX2 is present and OX2 mRNA appears elevated in brainstems from OX−/−1 mice. Considering published behavioral data, these findings support a model in which orexin-mediated excitation of mesopontine cholinergic and monoaminergic neurons contributes little to stabilizing spontaneous waking and sleep bouts, but functions in context-dependent arousal and helps restrict muscle atonia to REM sleep. The augmented Ca2+ transients produced by both receptors appeared mediated by influx via L-type Ca2+ channels, which is often linked to transcriptional signaling. This could provide an adaptive signal to compensate for receptor loss or prolonged antagonism and may contribute to the reduced severity of narcolepsy in single receptor knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi A Kohlmeier
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mike Kalogiannis
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Masaru Ishibashi
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Morten P Kristensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Iryna Gumenchuk
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Richard M Chemelli
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yaz Y Kisanuki
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Masashi Yanagisawa
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX, USA
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Mieda M, Tsujino N, Sakurai T. Differential roles of orexin receptors in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2013; 4:57. [PMID: 23730297 PMCID: PMC3656340 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Orexin A and orexin B are hypothalamic neuropeptides that play critical roles in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness, as well as in a variety of physiological functions such as emotion, reward, and energy homeostasis. The actions of orexins are mediated by two receptors, orexin 1 (OX1R) and orexin 2 (OX2R) receptors. OX1R and OX2R show partly overlapping but distinct distributions throughout the central nervous system, suggesting their differential roles. This review presents and discusses the current knowledge concerning the physiological roles of each orexin receptor subtype, focusing on the regulation of sleep/wakefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihiro Mieda
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa UniversityKanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
- *Correspondence: Michihiro Mieda and Takeshi Sakurai, Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan. e-mail: ;
| | - Natsuko Tsujino
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa UniversityKanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa UniversityKanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
- *Correspondence: Michihiro Mieda and Takeshi Sakurai, Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8640, Japan. e-mail: ;
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20
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Lungwitz EA, Molosh A, Johnson PL, Harvey BP, Dirks RC, Dietrich A, Minick P, Shekhar A, Truitt WA. Orexin-A induces anxiety-like behavior through interactions with glutamatergic receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of rats. Physiol Behav 2012; 107:726-32. [PMID: 22652097 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Revised: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin (ORX) has been implicated in anxiety, and anxiety-like behaviors. The purpose of these studies was to determine the role of ORX, specifically orexin-A (ORX-A) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) on anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Rats injected with ORX-A into the BNST displayed greater anxiety-like measures in the social interaction and elevated plus maze tests compared to vehicle treated controls. Such anxiety-like behaviors were not observed when the ORX-A injections were adjacent to the BNST, in the medial septum. The anxiety-inducing effects of direct infusions of ORX-A into the BNST may be a consequence of increased activation of BNST neurons. In BNST slice preparations using patch-clamp techniques, ORX-A induced membrane depolarization and generation of action potentials in a subset of BNST neurons. The anxiety-inducing effects of ORX-A in the BNST also appear to be dependent on NMDA-type glutamate receptor activity, as pre-injecting the NMDA antagonist AP5 into the BNST blocked anxiogenic effects of local ORX-A injections. Injections of AMPA-type receptor antagonists into the BNST prior to ORX-A resulted in only a partial attenuation of anxiety-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Lungwitz
- Graduate Program in Medical Neuroscience, Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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21
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Jäntti MH, Putula J, Somerharju P, Frohman MA, Kukkonen JP. OX1 orexin/hypocretin receptor activation of phospholipase D. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 165:1109-23. [PMID: 21718304 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01565.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Orexin receptors potently signal to lipid messenger systems, and our previous studies have suggested that PLD would be one of these. We thus wanted to verify this by direct measurements and clarify the molecular mechanism of the coupling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Orexin receptor-mediated PLD activation was investigated in CHO cells stably expressing human OX(1) orexin receptors using [(14) C]-oleic acid-prelabelling and the transphosphatidylation assay. KEY RESULTS Orexin stimulation strongly increased PLD activity - even more so than the phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate), a highly potent activator of PLD. Both orexin and TPA responses were mediated by PLD1. Orexin-A and -B showed approximately 10-fold difference in potency, and the concentration-response curves were biphasic. Using pharmacological inhibitors and activators, both orexin and TPA were shown to signal to PLD1 via the novel PKC isoform, PKCδ. In contrast, pharmacological or molecular biological inhibitors of Rho family proteins RhoA/B/C, cdc42 and Rac did not inhibit the orexin (or the TPA) response, nor did the molecular biological inhibitors of PKD. In addition, neither cAMP elevation, Gα(i/o) nor Gβγ seemed to play an important role in the orexin response. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Stimulation of OX(1) receptors potently activates PLD (probably PLD1) in CHO cells and this is mediated by PKCδ but not other PKC isoforms, PKDs or Rho family G-proteins. At present, the physiological significance of orexin-induced PLD activation is unknown, but this is not the first time we have identified PKCδ in orexin signalling, and thus some specific signalling cascade may exist between orexin receptors and PKCδ.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Jäntti
- Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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22
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Hong EY, Yoon YS, Lee HS. Differential distribution of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)- and hypocretin (Hcrt)-immunoreactive neurons projecting to the mesopontine cholinergic complex in the rat. Brain Res 2011; 1424:20-31. [PMID: 22015351 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Hypocretin (Hcrt or orexin) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) containing neurons are located in the hypothalamus and are implicated in the regulation of feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, and sleep-wake cycle. MCH and Hcrt are not co-localized within the same neuron, but these neurons project widely throughout the brain, especially to brain regions regulating arousal. Recent data indicate that HCRT and MCH neurons located medially with respect to the fornix have a differential projection pattern compared to those located lateral to the fornix. To further elucidate the projection of these neurons in the present study we use retrograde tracing methods combined with double immunofluorescence to determine the differential distribution of Hcrt- and MCH-immunoreactive neurons projecting to the pedunculopontine tegmental (PPTg) or laterodorsal tegmental (LDTg) nuclei. In rats where the retrograde tracer was confined to the PPTg/LDTg we found that there were more MCH neurons projecting to these targets compared to HCRT neurons (P<0.01). When the retrograde tracer was confined to the PPTg, there were more retrogradely labeled MCH neurons lateral to the fornix compared to MCH neurons in the medial LH subdivision (P<0.05). On the average, only about 4.5% of MCH neurons versus 6.1% of HCRT neurons project to PPTg/LDTg. Thus, very few of the MCH or HCRT neurons project to these arousal populations. Although there were significantly more MCH neurons projecting to the mesopontine cholinergic arousal zone compared to the HCRT neurons, the HCRT neurons also exert an indirect influence via the tuberomammillary nucleus. Based on the present and previous (Hong and Lee, 2011) observations, we suggest that both MCH and HCRT neurons exert a potent influence on the PPTg/LDTg, which might play an important role in arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Y Hong
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, 143-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea
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23
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Abstract
Orexin-A and orexin-B are hypothalamic neuropeptides that play critical roles in the maintenance of wakefulness. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of orexin-A has been shown to promote wakefulness and suppress both rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep through the orexin receptor-1 (OX(1)R) and orexin receptor-2 (OX(2)R). Here, we elucidated the differential roles of orexin receptors in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness by comparing the effects of ICV orexin-A administration in wild-type, OX(1)R(-/-), and OX(2)R(-/-) mice. The effects of orexin-A on wakefulness and NREM sleep were significantly attenuated in both knock-out mice as compared with wild-type mice, with substantially larger attenuation in OX(2)R(-/-) mice than in OX(1)R(-/-) mice. These results suggest that although the OX(2)R-mediated pathway has a pivotal role in the promotion of wakefulness, OX(1)R also plays additional roles in promoting arousal. In contrast, suppression of REM sleep by orexin-A administration was slightly and similarly attenuated in both OX(1)R(-/-) and OX(2)R(-/-) mice, suggesting a comparable contribution of the two receptors to REM sleep suppression. Histological studies demonstrated differential distributions of each receptor subtype in distinct neuronal populations with specific neurotransmitter identities in brainstem cholinergic/monoaminergic neurons. In the laterodorsal tegmental and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei especially, cholinergic neurons exclusively expressed OX(1)R mRNA, but OX(2)R mRNA was expressed mainly in GABAergic putative interneurons. Thus, each orexin receptor subtype plays differential roles in gating NREM and REM sleep through distinct neuronal pathways.
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Mori K, Kim J, Sasaki K. Electrophysiological effects of orexin-B and dopamine on rat nucleus accumbens shell neurons in vitro. Peptides 2011; 32:246-52. [PMID: 21055430 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Orexin (ORX) plays a critical role in reward-seeking behavior for natural rewards and drugs of abuse. The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathway that projects into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) from the ventral tegmental area is deeply involved in the neural mechanisms underlying reward, drug abuse and motivation. A recent study demonstrated that ORX-immunopositive fibers densely project into the shell of the NAc (NAcSh), suggesting that the NAcSh might be a site of the interaction between the ORXergic and DAergic systems for reward-seeking behavior. Therefore, the electrophysiological effects of ORX-B and DA on NAcSh neurons were examined extracellularly in rat brain slice preparations. ORX-B excited approximately 78% of neurons tested and inhibited 4%, whereas DA excited 50% and inhibited 22% of NAcSh neurons. These excitations and inhibitions persisted during synaptic blockade in a low-Ca(2+)/high-Mg(2+) solution. DA-induced excitation was attenuated by SCH23390 or sulpiride, whereas DA-induced inhibition was suppressed by sulpiride. Of the neurons that were excited by ORX-B, 71% and 18% were excited and inhibited by DA, respectively. In 63% of neurons that were excited by ORX-B, the simultaneous application of ORX-B and DA increased the firing rate to two times greater than ORX-B alone, whereas, the simultaneous application significantly decreased the neuronal firing rate by 73% in the remaining 37% compared to ORX-B. These results suggest that an interaction between the ORXergic and DAergic systems occurs in the NAcSh and that the NAcSh is involved in the neural mechanisms in which ORX participates in the regulation of reward-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Mori
- Division of Bio-information Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama City, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
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25
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Nakamura Y, Miura S, Yoshida T, Kim J, Sasaki K. Cytosolic calcium elevation induced by orexin/hypocretin in granule cell domain cells of the rat cochlear nucleus in vitro. Peptides 2010; 31:1579-88. [PMID: 20457199 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2009] [Revised: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Using rat brain slice preparations, we examined the effect of orexin on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in the granule cell domain (GCD) cells of the cochlear nucleus that carry non-auditory information to the dorsal cochlear nucleus. Application of orexin concentration-dependently increased [Ca(2+)](i), and in two thirds of GCD cells these increases persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin. There was no significant difference between the dose-response curve for orexin-A and that for orexin-B. Extracellular Ca(2+) removal abolished the [Ca(2+)](i) elevation induced by orexin-B, whereas depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores had no effect. The orexin-B-induced elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) was not blocked by inhibitors of reverse-mode Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) and nonselective cation channel, whereas it was blocked by lowering the extracellular Na(+) or by applying inhibitors of forward-mode NCX and voltage-gated R- and T-type Ca(2+) channels. The ORX-B-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was also blocked by inhibitors of adenylcyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA), but not by inhibitors of phosphatidylcholine-specific and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. In electrophysiological experiments using whole-cell patch clamp recordings, half of GCD cells were depolarized by orexin-B, and the depolarization was abolished by a forward-mode NCX inhibitor. These results suggest that orexin increases [Ca(2+)](i) postsynaptically via orexin 2 receptors, and the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) is induced via the AC-PKA-forward-mode NCX-membrane depolarization-mediated activation of voltage-gated R- and T-type Ca(2+) channels. The results further support the hypothesis that the orexin system participates in integrating neural systems that are involved in arousal, sensory processing, energy homeostasis and autonomic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Nakamura
- Division of Bio-Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
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26
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Ye M, Hayar A, Strotman B, Garcia-Rill E. Cholinergic modulation of fast inhibitory and excitatory transmission to pedunculopontine thalamic projecting neurons. J Neurophysiol 2010; 103:2417-32. [PMID: 20181729 PMCID: PMC2867582 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01143.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2009] [Accepted: 02/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is part of the cholinergic arm of the reticular activating system, which is mostly active during waking and rapid-eye movement sleep. The PPN projects to the thalamus and receives cholinergic inputs from the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus and contralateral PPN. We employed retrograde labeling and whole cell recordings to determine the modulation of GABAergic, glycinergic, and glutamatergic transmission to PPN thalamic projecting neurons, and their postsynaptic responses to the nonspecific cholinergic agonist carbachol. M2 and M4 muscarinic receptor-modulated inhibitory postsynaptic responses were observed in 73% of PPN output neurons; in 12.9%, M1 and nicotinic receptor-mediated excitation was detected; and muscarinic and nicotinic-modulated fast inhibitory followed by slow excitatory biphasic responses were evident in 6.7% of cells. A significant increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents during carbachol application was observed in 66.2% and 65.2% of efferent neurons, respectively. This effect was blocked by a M1 antagonist or nonselective muscarinic blocker, indicating that glutamatergic, GABAergic, and/or glycinergic neurons projecting to PPN output neurons are excited through muscarinic receptors. Decreases in the frequency of miniature EPSCs, and amplitude of electrical stimulation-evoked EPSCs, were blocked by a M2 antagonist, suggesting the presence of M2Rs at terminals of presynaptic glutamatergic neurons. Carbachol-induced multiple types of postsynaptic responses, enhancing both inhibitory and excitatory fast transmission to PPN thalamic projecting neurons through muscarinic receptors. These results provide possible implications for the generation of different frequency oscillations in PPN thalamic projecting neurons during distinct sleep-wake states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijun Ye
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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27
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Yoshida K, Kim J, Nakajima K, Oomura Y, Wayner MJ, Sasaki K. Electrophysiological effects of neuropeptide S on rat ventromedial hypothalamic neurons in vitro. Peptides 2010; 31:712-9. [PMID: 19925841 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2009] [Revised: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The newly identified neuropeptide S (NPS) is a ligand for a previously orphan G protein-coupled GPR 154 receptor, now named the NPS receptor (NPSR). Previous studies have shown that NPS induces hyperlocomotion, increases arousal and suppresses anxiety-like behaviors via NPSR. Although NPS also inhibits food intake, nothing is known about the neuronal mechanisms underlying this action. Anatomical studies show that NPSRs are expressed abundantly in the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), a satiety center for food intake. Hence, we examined the electrophysiological effects of NPS on rat VMH neurons in vitro. NPS predominantly depolarized the VMH neurons, and the effects were postsynaptic and dose-dependent. Membrane resistance was significantly decreased during the depolarization, suggesting an opening of some ionic channels. The NPS-induced depolarization was significantly attenuated in Ca(2+)-free, NiCl(2)-containing and mibefradil-containing TTX ACSFs, but it did not disappear. The NPS-induced depolarization was also attenuated in low-Na(+) TTX ACSF, and completely abolished in Ca(2+)-free/low-Na(+) TTX ACSF. Pretreatment with 30 microM KB-R7943, an inhibitor of forward-mode Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, did not have any significant effect on the NPS-induced depolarization in Ca(2+)-free TTX ACSF. These results suggest that NPS depolarizes VMH neurons via activations of R- and T-type Ca(2+) channels and nonselective cation channels, and that VMH neurons might be involved in the cellular process through which NPS participates in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Yoshida
- Division of Bio-Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
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Nicotine self-administration in the rat: effects of hypocretin antagonists and changes in hypocretin mRNA. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 209:203-12. [PMID: 20177882 PMCID: PMC3141337 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1792-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The hypocretin (hcrt) system has been implicated in addiction-relevant effects of several drugs, but its role in nicotine dependence has been little studied. OBJECTIVES These experiments examined the role of the hcrt system in nicotine reinforcement. METHODS Rats were trained for nicotine self-administration (NSA) on fixed-ratio schedules. The effects of acute, presession treatments with the hcrtR1 antagonist SB334867 and the hcrtR1/2 antagonist almorexant were examined on NSA maintained on a fixed-ratio (FR) 5 schedule. Gene expression for the hcrt system (mRNA for hcrt, hcrtR1, and hcrtR2) was measured in animals following NSA on a FR 1 schedule for a 19-day period. RESULTS The hcrtR1 antagonist SB334867 and the hcrtR1/2 antagonist almorexant both reduced NSA dose-dependently (significantly at doses of 30 and 300 mg/kg, respectively); SB334867 did not affect food-maintained responding whereas almorexant (at the 300 mg/kg) did. Tissue from animals collected 5 h after self-administration showed an increase in hcrtR1 mRNA in the arcuate nucleus compared to control subjects. In tissue collected immediately after a similar 19-day self-administration period, mRNA for hcrtR1 was decreased in the rostral lateral hypothalamus compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm a previous report (Hollander et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:19480-19485, 2008) that the hypocretin receptor hcrtR1 is activated in nicotine reinforcement and in addition show that both the arcuate nucleus and lateral hypothalamus are sites at which hcrt receptor mechanisms may influence reinforcement. Different patterns of mRNA expression at different times after NSA suggest that changes in the hcrt system may be labile with time.
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Domínguez L, Morona R, Joven A, González A, López JM. Immunohistochemical localization of orexins (hypocretins) in the brain of reptiles and its relation to monoaminergic systems. J Chem Neuroanat 2010; 39:20-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2009.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2009] [Revised: 07/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/30/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Corrigall WA. Hypocretin mechanisms in nicotine addiction: evidence and speculation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2009; 206:23-37. [PMID: 19529922 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-009-1588-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hypocretin/orexin system has been implicated in arousal mechanisms, sleep, and sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, and more recently in drug addiction. Theoretically, hypocretin (hcrt) mechanisms appear to be potential substrates for nicotine addiction: arousal and attentional mechanisms influence use and withdrawal symptoms, and hcrt systems overlap anatomically with a number of brain regions associated with nicotine addiction. OBJECTIVE This review summarizes the studies that have examined hcrt mechanisms in the effects of nicotine and describes hcrt innervation of, and effects in, several brain regions implicated in nicotine addiction. The review speculates on the possible mechanisms by which hcrt may contribute to nicotine addiction in these regions, with the objective of encouraging research in this area. RESULTS In a small literature, both experimenter-administered and self-administered nicotine have been shown to elicit or depend on hcrt signaling. However, although untested in experimental designs, there is compelling evidence that hcrt mechanisms in the ventral tegmental area, the pontine region, thalamocortical circuits, the prefrontal cortex, and the amygdala could have a broad influence on nicotine addiction. CONCLUSIONS Evidence reviewed leads to the conclusion that hcrt mechanisms could mediate several dimensions of nicotine addiction, including a multi-faceted regulation of mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic function, but beyond dopaminergic mechanisms, hcrt could influence nicotine use and relapse during abstinence through broadly based arousal/attentional effects. These speculative ideas need to be examined experimentally; the potential gains are a more thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of nicotine addiction, and the discovery of novel targets for the development of pharmacotherapeutics.
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Mukai K, Kim J, Nakajima K, Oomura Y, Wayner MJ, Sasaki K. Electrophysiological effects of orexin/hypocretin on nucleus accumbens shell neurons in rats: an in vitro study. Peptides 2009; 30:1487-96. [PMID: 19416746 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2009] [Accepted: 04/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Orexin-A (ORX-A) and orexin-B (ORX-B) play critical roles in the regulation of sleep-wakefulness, energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine system and autonomic functions. Although ORXs are also implicated in the reward process, their electrophysiological effects on neurons in the shell of nucleus accumbems (NAcSh) have not been described thoroughly. Therefore we examined the electrophysiological effects of ORXs on rat NAcSh neurons. Whole cell patch clamp recording in vitro revealed that ORX-A and ORX-B depolarize NAcSh neurons in normal and/or tetrodotoxin (TTX)-containing artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF). The depolarization accompanied by a decrease of membrane resistance was concentration-dependent, and there was no significant difference between the two dose-response curves obtained by ORX-A and ORX-B. The ORX-B-induced depolarization was reduced in low-Na(+), flufenamic acid-containing, and high-K(+) TTX ACSFs, and completely abolished in low-Na(+)/high-K(+) TTX ACSF. An inhibitor of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger had no effect on the depolarization. The reversal potential obtained from I-V relationships before and during the ORX-B-induced depolarization in low-Na(+) TTX ACSF was about -84mV, and that obtained in TTX ACSF using patch pipettes with Cs(+)-containing internal solution was about -38mV. These results suggest that ORXs directly depolarize NAcSh neurons via OX(2) receptors and via a dual ionic mechanism including an increase of nonselective cationic conductance and a decrease of K(+) conductance, and that NAcSh neurons are involved in the cellular mechanisms through which ORXs participate in the regulation of the reward process as well as feeding and arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuyuki Mukai
- Division of Bio-Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
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Kim J, Nakajima K, Oomura Y, Wayner MJ, Sasaki K. Orexin-A and ghrelin depolarize the same pedunculopontine tegmental neurons in rats: an in vitro study. Peptides 2009; 30:1328-35. [PMID: 19540431 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2009] [Revised: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Orexin (ORX), also called hypocretin, and ghrelin are newly identified peptides in the brain and/or peripheral organs, and they are involved in the regulation of sleep-wakefulness as well as feeding. In our previous studies we have found that ORX and ghrelin each depolarizes more than half of the cholinergic neurons recorded in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) via a dual ionic mechanism including a decrease of K(+) conductance and an increase of nonselective cationic conductance. Thus, the present study was carried out to investigate whether ORX-A and ghrelin both depolarize the same PPT neuron. About 60% of PPT neurons examined was depolarized by both ORX-A and ghrelin, 20% by ORX-A alone, and 10% by ghrelin alone. The remaining 10% did not respond to these peptides. In neurons which were responsive to both ORX-A and ghrelin, the depolarizations induced by ORX-A and ghrelin were additive. In addition, the ORX-A- and ghrelin-induced depolarizations were both blocked by D609, a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor. These results suggest that same PPT neurons with receptors for ORX and ghrelin are involved in the cellular process through which ORX and ghrelin participate in the regulation of sleep wakefulness, and that the excitatory effects of ORX and ghrelin on PPT neurons are mediated by PLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyon Kim
- Division of Bio-Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
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