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Istiban MN, De Fruyt N, Kenis S, Beets I. Evolutionary conserved peptide and glycoprotein hormone-like neuroendocrine systems in C. elegans. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 584:112162. [PMID: 38290646 PMCID: PMC11004728 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Peptides and protein hormones form the largest group of secreted signals that mediate intercellular communication and are central regulators of physiology and behavior in all animals. Phylogenetic analyses and biochemical identifications of peptide-receptor systems reveal a broad evolutionary conservation of these signaling systems at the molecular level. Substantial progress has been made in recent years on characterizing the physiological and putative ancestral roles of many peptide systems through comparative studies in invertebrate models. Several peptides and protein hormones are not only molecularly conserved but also have conserved roles across animal phyla. Here, we focus on functional insights gained in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that, with its compact and well-described nervous system, provides a powerful model to dissect neuroendocrine signaling networks involved in the control of physiology and behavior. We summarize recent discoveries on the evolutionary conservation and knowledge on the functions of peptide and protein hormone systems in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majdulin Nabil Istiban
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan De Fruyt
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Signe Kenis
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Beets
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Pałasz A, Worthington JJ, Filipczyk Ł, Saganiak K. Pharmacomodulation of brain neuromedin U signaling as a potential therapeutic strategy. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1728-1736. [PMID: 37496289 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NMU) belongs to a family of multifunctional neuropeptides that modulate the activity of several neural networks of the brain. Acting via metabotropic receptor NMUR2, NMU plays a role in the regulation of multiple systems, including energy homeostasis, stress responses, circadian rhythms, and endocrine signaling. The involvement of NMU signaling in the central regulation of important neurophysiological processes and its disturbances is a potential target for pharmacological modulation. Number of preclinical studies have proven that both modified NMU analogues such as PASR8-NMU or F4R8-NMU and designed NMUR2 agonists, for example, CPN-116, CPN-124 exhibit a distinct pharmacological activity especially when delivered transnasally. Their application can potentially be useful in the more convenient and safe treatment of obesity, eating disorders, Alzheimer's disease-related memory impairment, alcohol addiction, and sleep disturbances. Accumulating findings suggest that pharmacomodulation of the central NMU signaling may be a promising strategy in the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - John J Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Łukasz Filipczyk
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Karolina Saganiak
- Department of Anatomy, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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De Martini LB, Sulmona C, Brambilla L, Rossi D. Cell-Penetrating Peptides as Valuable Tools for Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Biological Drugs. Cells 2023; 12:1643. [PMID: 37371113 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their high specificity toward the target and their low toxicity, biological drugs have been successfully employed in a wide range of therapeutic areas. It is yet to be mentioned that biologics exhibit unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, are susceptible to degradation by endogenous enzymes, and cannot penetrate biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (i.e., the major impediment to reaching the central nervous system (CNS)). Attempts to overcome these issues have been made by exploiting the intracerebroventricular and intrathecal routes of administration. The invasiveness and impracticality of these procedures has, however, prompted the development of novel drug delivery strategies including the intranasal route of administration. This represents a non-invasive way to achieve the CNS, reducing systemic exposure. Nonetheless, biotherapeutics strive to penetrate the nasal epithelium, raising the possibility that direct delivery to the nervous system may not be straightforward. To maximize the advantages of the intranasal route, new approaches have been proposed including the use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and CPP-functionalized nanosystems. This review aims at describing the most impactful attempts in using CPPs as carriers for the nose-to-brain delivery of biologics by analyzing their positive and negative aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Benedetta De Martini
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri-IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Sulmona
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri-IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliana Brambilla
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri-IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri-IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Takahashi J, Ueta Y, Yamada D, Sasaki‐Hamada S, Iwai T, Akita T, Yamashita C, Saitoh A, Oka J. Intracerebroventricular administration of oxytocin and intranasal administration of the oxytocin derivative improve β-amyloid peptide (25-35)-induced memory impairment in mice. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2022; 42:492-501. [PMID: 36117475 PMCID: PMC9773650 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM We previously reported that oxytocin, a peptide hormone, can reverse the β-amyloid peptide (25-35) (Aβ25-35 )-induced impairments of the murine hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In this study, we examined the effects of oxytocin on the Aβ25-35 -induced impairment of cognitive behavior in murine in order to investigate the potential of oxytocin as a clinical treatment tool for Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS The Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed. Since the intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration is both invasive and impractical, we further utilized intranasal (IN) delivery to the brain. For this purpose, we prepared an oxytocin derivative containing cell-penetrating peptides and a penetration accelerating sequence, which was subsequently used in our IN administration experiments. RESULTS We herein showed that the ICV administration of oxytocin in mice exerted memory-improving effects on the Aβ25-35 -induced amnesia in both the Y-maze and MWM tests. The IN administration of the oxytocin derivative exhibited memory-improving effects in the Y-maze test. Moreover, we acquired evidence that the fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled oxytocin derivative was distributed throughout the mouse brain following its IN administration. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the oxytocin derivative is effective for its IN delivery to the brain and may be particularly useful in the clinical treatment of cognitive impairment, such as that characterizing AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Takahashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
| | - Yudai Ueta
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
| | - Daisuke Yamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
| | - Sachie Sasaki‐Hamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan,Department of Physiology, School of Allied Health SciencesKitasato UniversitySagamiharaJapan
| | - Takashi Iwai
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan,Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesKitasato UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Tomomi Akita
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
| | - Chikamasa Yamashita
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
| | - Akiyoshi Saitoh
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
| | - Jun‐Ichiro Oka
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyo University of ScienceChibaJapan
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Van Damme S, De Fruyt N, Watteyne J, Kenis S, Peymen K, Schoofs L, Beets I. Neuromodulatory pathways in learning and memory: Lessons from invertebrates. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12911. [PMID: 33350018 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In an ever-changing environment, animals have to continuously adapt their behaviour. The ability to learn from experience is crucial for animals to increase their chances of survival. It is therefore not surprising that learning and memory evolved early in evolution and are mediated by conserved molecular mechanisms. A broad range of neuromodulators, in particular monoamines and neuropeptides, have been found to influence learning and memory, although our knowledge on their modulatory functions in learning circuits remains fragmentary. Many neuromodulatory systems are evolutionarily ancient and well-conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates. Here, we highlight general principles and mechanistic insights concerning the actions of monoamines and neuropeptides in learning circuits that have emerged from invertebrate studies. Diverse neuromodulators have been shown to influence learning and memory in invertebrates, which can have divergent or convergent actions at different spatiotemporal scales. In addition, neuromodulators can regulate learning dependent on internal and external states, such as food and social context. The strong conservation of neuromodulatory systems, the extensive toolkit and the compact learning circuits in invertebrate models make these powerful systems to further deepen our understanding of neuromodulatory pathways involved in learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Van Damme
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathan De Fruyt
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Watteyne
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Signe Kenis
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katleen Peymen
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabel Beets
- Neural Signaling and Circuit Plasticity Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Sasaki-Hamada S, Hojyo Y, Mizumoto R, Koyama H, Yanagisawa S, Oka JI. Cognitive and hippocampal synaptic profiles in monosodium glutamate-induced obese mice. Neurosci Res 2020; 170:201-207. [PMID: 32949668 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a growing worldwide public health issue and is associated with a range of comorbidities, including cognitive deficits. The present study investigated synaptic changes in the hippocampus during the development of obesity. The treatment of newborn mice with monosodium-L-glutamate (MSG, 2 mg/g) induced obesity and recognition memory deficits in the novel object recognition (NOR) test at 16-17 weeks, but not at 8-9 weeks. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), and excitatory synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral-CA1 (SC-CA1) synapses were compared between MSG-treated mice and age-matched control mice. LTP and fiber volley amplitudes were enhanced in MSG-treated mice at 16-17 weeks, but not at 8-9 weeks. Furthermore, the strength of paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) changed in MSG-treated mice at 16-17 weeks, but not at 8-9 weeks. These results suggest that enhanced LTP in the SC-CA1 synapses of MSG-induced obese mice involves presynaptic rather than postsynaptic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachie Sasaki-Hamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan; Department of Physiology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara 252-0373, Japan
| | - Yuki Hojyo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Ryo Mizumoto
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Hajime Koyama
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Shoko Yanagisawa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichiro Oka
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan.
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Neuromedin U signaling regulates retrieval of learned salt avoidance in a C. elegans gustatory circuit. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2076. [PMID: 32350283 PMCID: PMC7190830 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15964-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning and memory are regulated by neuromodulatory pathways, but the contribution and temporal requirement of most neuromodulators in a learning circuit are unknown. Here we identify the evolutionarily conserved neuromedin U (NMU) neuropeptide family as a regulator of C. elegans gustatory aversive learning. The NMU homolog CAPA-1 and its receptor NMUR-1 are required for the retrieval of learned salt avoidance. Gustatory aversive learning requires the release of CAPA-1 neuropeptides from sensory ASG neurons that respond to salt stimuli in an experience-dependent manner. Optogenetic silencing of CAPA-1 neurons blocks the expression, but not the acquisition, of learned salt avoidance. CAPA-1 signals through NMUR-1 in AFD sensory neurons to modulate two navigational strategies for salt chemotaxis. Aversive conditioning thus recruits NMU signaling to modulate locomotor programs for expressing learned avoidance behavior. Because NMU signaling is conserved across bilaterian animals, our findings incite further research into its function in other learning circuits.
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Kang Z, Ding G, Meng Z, Meng Q. The rational design of cell-penetrating peptides for application in delivery systems. Peptides 2019; 121:170149. [PMID: 31491454 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.170149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) play a crucial role in the transportation of bioactive molecules. Although CPPs have been used widely in various delivery systems, further applications of CPPs are hampered by several drawbacks, such as high toxicity, low delivery efficiency, proteolytic instability and poor specificity. To design CPPs with great cell-penetrating ability, physicochemical properties and safety, researchers have tried to develop new methods to overcome the defects of CPPs. Briefly, (1) the side chain of arginine containing the guanidinium group is essential for the facilitation of cellular uptake; (2) the hydrophobic counterion complex around the guanidinium-rich backbone can "coat" the highly cationic structure with lipophilic moieties and act as an activator; (3) the conformation-constrained strategy was pursued to shield the peptide, thereby impeding access of the proteolytic enzyme; (4) targeting strategies can increase cell-type specificity of CPPs. In this review, the above four aspects were discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyao Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Guihua Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Zhao Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Qingbin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China; Key Laboratory of Natural Resources and Functional Molecules of the Changbai Mountain, Affiliated Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, China.
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Oka JI. [Improving Effects of Peptides on Brain Malfunction and Intranasal Delivery of Those Derivatives to the Brain]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2019; 139:783-791. [PMID: 31061348 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.18-00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the anti-dementia and antidepressant-like effects of peptides including glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, GLP-2, neuromedin U (NmU), and oxytocin, and the intranasal delivery of these peptides to the brain. Intracerebroventricularly administered GLP-1, NmU, and oxytocin improved impairment of learning and memory in mice treated with lipopolysaccharide or β-amyloid protein. GLP-1 also improved impairment of learning and memory in juvenile diabetes model rats. On the other hand, GLP-2 exhibited antidepressant-like effects in mice during the forced-swim test, which were associated with 5-HT1A, α2, β1, and D2 receptors. GLP-2 also exerted antidepressant-like effects in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-treated mice through restoration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis and neurogenesis in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. Because intracerebroventricular administration is invasive and the peptides are unable to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, we introduced our new method of intranasal administration to deliver the peptides to the brain. We prepared a GLP-2 derivative containing cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and a penetration accelerating sequence (PAS). Intranasally administered PAS-CPPs-GLP-2 was distributed throughout the brain, and exhibited antidepressant-like effects in both naive and ACTH-treated mice. The derivatives of GLP-1, NmU, and oxytocin with the PAS and CPPs were also distributed throughout the brain after intranasal administration, and improved impairment of learning and memory. We confirmed that our peptide derivatives were effectively delivered into the brain by intranasal administration. As such, these derivatives may be useful for the clinical treatment of psychiatric and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ichiro Oka
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science
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Combination of Cell-Penetrating Peptides with Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Application: A Review. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9010022. [PMID: 30634689 PMCID: PMC6359287 DOI: 10.3390/biom9010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein translocation domains, membrane translocating sequences or Trojan peptides, are small molecules of 6 to 30 amino acid residues capable of penetrating biological barriers and cellular membranes. Furthermore, CPP have become an alternative strategy to overcome some of the current drug limitations and combat resistant strains since CPPs are capable of delivering different therapeutic molecules against a wide range of diseases. In this review, we address the recent conjugation of CPPs with nanoparticles, which constitutes a new class of delivery vectors with high pharmaceutical potential in a variety of diseases.
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