Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptors of rabbit kidney cortex are largely dimeric

Identification of reproduction-related genes and pathways in the Culter alburnus H-P-G axis and characterization of their expression differences in malformed and normal gynogenetic ovaries

This study applied RNA-seq technology to discover reproduction-related genes and pathways in female topmouth culter brain (including pituitary) and ovarian tissues. In functional analysis, 2479 and 2605 unigenes in the brain and ovary tissue were assigned to the "reproductive process" subcategory in addition to the 2660 and 2845 unigenes assigned to the "reproduction" subcategory. Twenty-three complete cDNA sequences were identified through the different gene expression (DGE) approach from five reproduction-related pathways (MAPK signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway, gonadotropin-releasing hormone signaling pathway, oocyte meiosis pathway, and steroid biosynthesis pathway). The expression levels of 16 candidate genes using qPCR in this study were in accordance with the results of transcriptome analysis. In addition, the expression levels of the FSH, 3β-HSD, PGR, and NPYR genes in malformed gynogenetic ovaries were considerably low, which was consistent with the progress of oocytogenesis in the ovaries of topmouth culter. The high expression of these four genes in the ovaries of normal topmouth culter suggested they might involve in the preparation for the shift of oogenesis to ovulation. Hence, our work identified a set of annotated gene products that are candidate factors affecting reproduction in the topmouth culter H-P-G axis. These results could be essential for further research in functional genomics and genetic editing for topmouth culter reproduction.

Dimers of G-protein coupled receptors as versatile storage and response units

The status and use of transmembrane, extracellular and intracellular domains in oligomerization of heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are reviewed and for transmembrane assemblies also supplemented by new experimental evidence. The transmembrane-linked GPCR oligomers typically have as the minimal unit an asymmetric ~180 kDa pentamer consisting of receptor homodimer or heterodimer and a G-protein αβγ subunit heterotrimer. With neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors, this assembly is converted to ~90 kDa receptor monomer-Gα complex by receptor and Gα agonists, and dimers/heteropentamers are depleted by neutralization of Gαi subunits by pertussis toxin. Employing gradient centrifugation, quantification and other characterization of GPCR dimers at the level of physically isolated and identified heteropentamers is feasible with labeled agonists that do not dissociate upon solubilization. This is demonstrated with three neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors and could apply to many receptors that use large peptidic agonists.

Two intracellular helices of G-protein coupling receptors could generally support oligomerization and coupling with transducers

For many G-protein coupling receptors (GPCRs), the upkeep of receptor dimers could depend on association with functional Gi α subunits. This is known for Y1, Y2 and Y4 neuropeptide Y receptors [presented in the companion paper (Estes et al., Amino Acids, doi: 10.1007/s00726-010-0642-z , 2010)]. Interactions with transducers use mainly intracellular domains of the receptors. Intracellular loops 1 and 2 in GPCRs are short and lack extensive helicity that could support transducer anchoring. Interaction with G-proteins is known to use the juxtamembrane Helix 8 in the fourth intracellular domain, for which we document a helix-stabilizing n/(n + 4) pattern of large hydrophobic sidechains. Another intracellular helix located in the C-terminal portion of the third intracellular loop does not display a strong stabilizing pattern, and is found in many studies to serve dynamically in association and activation of transducers and effectors. We show that these tracts share features across metazoan phyla not only in opsins and opsin-like receptors (including the Y receptors), but also in Taste-2 and Frizzled receptors. Similarities of these helices across GPCR groups could have both phylogenetic and functional roots.

Adrenergic activation of electrogenic K+ secretion in guinea pig distal colonic epithelium: desensitization via the Y2-neuropeptide receptor

Adrenergic activation of electrogenic K+ secretion in isolated mucosa from guinea pig distal colon was desensitized by peptide-YY (PYY). Addition of PYY or neuropeptide-Y (NPY) to the bathing solution of mucosae in Ussing chambers suppressed the short-circuit current (Isc) corresponding to electrogenic Cl- secretion, whether stimulated by epinephrine (epi), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), or carbachol (CCh). Neither peptide markedly inhibited the large transient component of synergistic secretion (PGE2 + CCh). Sustained Cl- secretory Isc was inhibited approximately 65% by PYY or NPY, with IC50s of 4.1 +/- 0.9 nM and 9.4 +/- 3.8 nM, respectively. This inhibition was eliminated by BIIE0246, an antagonist of the Y2-neuropeptide receptor (Y2-NpR), but not by Y1-NpR antagonist BVD10. Adrenergic sensitivity for activation of K+ secretion in the presence of Y2-NpR blockade by BIIE0246 was (EC50s) 2.9 +/- 1.2 nM for epi and 13.3 +/- 1.0 nM for norepinephrine, approximately fourfold greater than in the presence of PYY. Expression of mRNA for both Y1-NpR and Y2-NpR was indicated by RT-PCR of RNA from colonic mucosa, and protein expression was indicated by immunoblot. Immunoreactivity (ir) for Y1-NpR and Y2-NpR was distinct in basolateral membranes of columnar epithelial cells in the crypts of Lieberkühn as well as intercrypt surface epithelium. Adrenergic nerves in proximity with crypts were detected by ir for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and a portion of these nerves also contained NPY(ir). BIIE0246 addition increased secretagog-activated Isc, consistent with in vitro release of either PYY or NPY. Thus PYY and NPY were able to suppress Cl- secretory capacity and desensitize the adrenergic K+ secretory response, providing a direct inhibitory counterbalance against secretory activation.

Neural control of renal function

The renal nerves are the communication link between the central nervous system and the kidney. In response to multiple peripheral and central inputs, efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity is altered so as to convey information to the major structural and functional components of the kidney, the vessels, glomeruli, and tubules, each of which is innervated. At the level of each of these individual components, information transfer occurs via interaction of the neurotransmitter released at the sympathetic nerve terminal-neuroeffector junction with specific postjunctional receptors coupled to defined intracellular signaling and effector systems. In response to normal physiological stimuli, changes in efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity contribute importantly to homeostatic regulation of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, renal tubular epithelial cell solute and water transport, and hormonal release. Afferent input from sensory receptors located in the kidney participates in this reflex control system via renorenal reflexes that enable total renal function to be self-regulated and balanced between the two kidneys. In pathophysiological conditions, abnormal regulation of efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity contributes significantly to the associated abnormalities of renal function which, in turn, are of importance in the pathogenesis of the disease.