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Kysilov B, Kuchtiak V, Hrcka Krausova B, Balik A, Korinek M, Fili K, Dobrovolski M, Abramova V, Chodounska H, Kudova E, Bozikova P, Cerny J, Smejkalova T, Vyklicky L. Disease-associated nonsense and frame-shift variants resulting in the truncation of the GluN2A or GluN2B C-terminal domain decrease NMDAR surface expression and reduce potentiating effects of neurosteroids. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:36. [PMID: 38214768 PMCID: PMC10786987 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a critical role in normal brain function, and variants in genes encoding NMDAR subunits have been described in individuals with various neuropsychiatric disorders. We have used whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, fluorescence microscopy and in-silico modeling to explore the functional consequences of disease-associated nonsense and frame-shift variants resulting in the truncation of GluN2A or GluN2B C-terminal domain (CTD). This study characterizes variant NMDARs and shows their reduced surface expression and synaptic localization, altered agonist affinity, increased desensitization, and reduced probability of channel opening. We also show that naturally occurring and synthetic steroids pregnenolone sulfate and epipregnanolone butanoic acid, respectively, enhance NMDAR function in a way that is dependent on the length of the truncated CTD and, further, is steroid-specific, GluN2A/B subunit-specific, and GluN1 splice variant-specific. Adding to the previously described effects of disease-associated NMDAR variants on the receptor biogenesis and function, our results improve the understanding of the molecular consequences of NMDAR CTD truncations and provide an opportunity for the development of new therapeutic neurosteroid-based ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Kysilov
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, 100 Nicolls Road, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Viktor Kuchtiak
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 2038, 12800, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Hrcka Krausova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Balik
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Korinek
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Klevinda Fili
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 10000, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Mark Dobrovolski
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 10000, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Vera Abramova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 10000, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Nam. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Nam. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Paulina Bozikova
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prumyslova 595, 25250, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Smejkalova
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14200, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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2
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Maguire JL, Mennerick S. Neurosteroids: mechanistic considerations and clinical prospects. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:73-82. [PMID: 37369775 PMCID: PMC10700537 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Like other classes of treatments described in this issue's section, neuroactive steroids have been studied for decades but have risen as a new class of rapid-acting, durable antidepressants with a distinct mechanism of action from previous antidepressant treatments and from other compounds covered in this issue. Neuroactive steroids are natural derivatives of progesterone but are proving effective as exogenous treatments. The best understood mechanism is that of positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors, where subunit selectivity may promote their profile of action. Mechanistically, there is some reason to think that neuroactive steroids may separate themselves from liabilities of other GABA modulators, although research is ongoing. It is also possible that intracellular targets, including inflammatory pathways, may be relevant to beneficial actions. Strengths and opportunities for further development include exploiting non-GABAergic targets, structural analogs, enzymatic production of natural steroids, precursor loading, and novel formulations. The molecular mechanisms of behavioral effects are not fully understood, but study of brain network states involved in emotional processing demonstrate a robust influence on affective states not evident with at least some other GABAergic drugs including benzodiazepines. Ongoing studies with neuroactive steroids will further elucidate the brain and behavioral effects of these compounds as well as likely underpinnings of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Maguire
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry and Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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3
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Vítků J, Hampl R. Steroid Conjugates and Their Physiological Role. Physiol Res 2023; 72:S317-S322. [PMID: 38116768 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
While there are hundreds of synthetic steroids conjugates with acids, sugars, proteins and other molecules, only two types of conjugates occur in living organisms, namely sulfates and glucuronides. Steroid glucuronidation in the human liver is the main mechanism controlling the levels and biological activity of unconjugated hormones, and glucuronides are their main excretion products. This process is generally irreversible. On the other hand, sulfates possess their own biological activity that differs from that of the unconjugated steroid, emphasizing the importance of steroid sulfatases and sulfotransferases. Due to their negative charge, steroid sulfates cannot cross the blood-cell barrier and have to use transporters. Their efflux is mediated by specific transporters of the ATP binding cassette protein group, which thus are further factors controlling their physiological effects. Steroid sulfates, especially dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are neuroactive steroids, with well-known effects as allosteric modulators of some neurotransmitter receptors, functioning as ion channels, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, type A (GABAA) receptors or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In this minireview, we highlight some recent findings of non-genomic steroid sulfate actions through specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), which we believe show the way of further research. A few studies have even indicated that sulfates such as DHEAS may even indirectly regulate gene expression via ligand binding to the membrane receptor and, through G-protein and second messenger formation, activate proteins like cAMP Regulated Elements Binding protein (CREB), which then binds to regulated DNA elements of the expressed gene, in a "classical" genomic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vítků
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic.
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4
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Verdoorn TA, Parry TJ, Pinna G, Lifshitz J. Neurosteroid Receptor Modulators for Treating Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1603-1615. [PMID: 37653253 PMCID: PMC10684848 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01428-7] [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] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers wide-ranging pathology that impacts multiple biochemical and physiological systems, both inside and outside the brain. Functional recovery in patients is impeded by early onset brain edema, acute and chronic inflammation, delayed cell death, and neurovascular disruption. Drug treatments that target these deficits are under active development, but it seems likely that fully effective therapy may require interruption of the multiplicity of TBI-induced pathological processes either by a cocktail of drug treatments or a single pleiotropic drug. The complex and highly interconnected biochemical network embodied by the neurosteroid system offers multiple options for the research and development of pleiotropic drug treatments that may provide benefit for those who have suffered a TBI. This narrative review examines the neurosteroids and their signaling systems and proposes directions for their utility in the next stage of TBI drug research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Verdoorn
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, 2655 Northwinds Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA.
| | - Tom J Parry
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, 2655 Northwinds Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jonathan Lifshitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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5
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Lee JR, Jeong KW. N-retinylidene- N-retinylethanolamine degradation in human retinal pigment epithelial cells via memantine- and ifenprodil-mediated autophagy. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 27:449-456. [PMID: 37641807 PMCID: PMC10466070 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2023.27.5.449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionic glutamine receptors involved in brain development and functions such as learning and memory formation. NMDA receptor inhibition is associated with autophagy activation. In this study, we investigated whether the NMDA receptor antagonists, memantine and ifenprodil, induce autophagy in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) to remove Nretinylidene- N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), an intracellular lipofuscin component. Fluorometric analysis using labeled A2E (A2E-BDP) and confocal microscopic examination revealed that low concentrations of NMDA receptor antagonists, which did not induce cytotoxicity, significantly reduced A2E accumulation in ARPE-19 cells. In addition, memantine and ifenprodil activated autophagy in ARPE-19 cells as measured by microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain3-II formation and phosphorylated p62 protein levels. Further, to understand the correlation between memantine- and ifenprodil-mediated A2E degradation and autophagy, autophagy-related 5 (ATG5) was depleted using RNA interference. Memantine and ifenprodil failed to degrade A2E in ARPE-19 cells lacking ATG5. Taken together, our study indicates that the NMDA receptor antagonists, memantine and ifenprodil, can remove A2E accumulated in cells via autophagy activation in ARPE-19 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Rim Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
| | - Kwang Won Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
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6
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Abramova V, Leal Alvarado V, Hill M, Smejkalova T, Maly M, Vales K, Dittert I, Bozikova P, Kysilov B, Hrcka Krausova B, Vyklicky V, Balik A, Fili K, Korinek M, Chodounska H, Kudova E, Ciz D, Martinovic J, Cerny J, Bartunek P, Vyklicky L. Effects of Pregnanolone Glutamate and Its Metabolites on GABA A and NMDA Receptors and Zebrafish Behavior. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1870-1883. [PMID: 37126803 PMCID: PMC10198160 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple molecular targets have been identified to mediate membrane-delimited and nongenomic effects of natural and synthetic steroids, but the influence of steroid metabolism on neuroactive steroid signaling is not well understood. To begin to address this question, we set out to identify major metabolites of a neuroprotective synthetic steroid 20-oxo-5β-pregnan-3α-yl l-glutamyl 1-ester (pregnanolone glutamate, PAG) and characterize their effects on GABAA and NMDA receptors (GABARs, NMDARs) and their influence on zebrafish behavior. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to assess concentrations of PAG and its metabolites in the hippocampal tissue of juvenile rats following intraperitoneal PAG injection. PAG is metabolized in the peripheral organs and nervous tissue to 20-oxo-17α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-3α-yl l-glutamyl 1-ester (17-hydroxypregnanolone glutamate, 17-OH-PAG), 3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one (pregnanolone, PA), and 3α,17α-dihydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one (17-hydroxypregnanolone, 17-OH-PA). Patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments in cultured hippocampal neurons demonstrate that PA and 17-OH-PA are potent positive modulators of GABARs, while PAG and 17-OH-PA have a moderate inhibitory effect at NMDARs. PAG, 17-OH-PA, and PA diminished the locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae in a dose-dependent manner. Our results show that PAG and its metabolites are potent modulators of neurotransmitter receptors with behavioral consequences and indicate that neurosteroid-based ligands may have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Abramova
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Charles
University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague 10,Czech Republic
| | - Vanessa Leal Alvarado
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hill
- Institute
of Endocrinology, Narodni
8, 116 94 Prague
1, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Smejkalova
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Maly
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vales
- Institute
of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- National
Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Dittert
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Paulina Bozikova
- Institute
of Biotechnology CAS, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Bohdan Kysilov
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Hrcka Krausova
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Balik
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Klevinda Fili
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Charles
University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague 10,Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Korinek
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - David Ciz
- IT4Innovations
National Supercomputing Center, Studentska 6231/1B, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Martinovic
- IT4Innovations
National Supercomputing Center, Studentska 6231/1B, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bartunek
- Institute
of Molecular Genetics CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
- CZ-OPENSCREEN, Institute of
Molecular Genetics CAS, Videnska 1083, 142
20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Laboratory
of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of
Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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7
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Zampieri D, Calabretti A, Romano M, Fortuna S, Collina S, Amata E, Dichiara M, Marrazzo A, Mamolo MG. Cytotoxicity Profiles and Neuroprotective Properties of the Novel Ifenprodil Analogues as Sigma Ligands. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083431. [PMID: 37110664 PMCID: PMC10146949 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is a slow and progressive loss of neuronal cells or their function in specific regions of the brain or in the peripheral system. Among several causes responsible for the most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), cholinergic/dopaminergic pathways, but also some endogenous receptors, are often involved. In this context, sigma 1 receptor (S1R) modulators can be used as neuroprotective and antiamnesic agents. Herein, we describe the identification of novel S1R ligands endowed with antioxidant properties, potentially useful as neuroprotective agents. We also computationally assessed how the most promising compounds might interact with the S1R protein's binding sites. The in silico predicted ADME properties suggested that they could be able to cross the brain-blood-barrier (BBB), and to reach the targets. Finally, the observation that at least two novel ifenprodil analogues (5d and 5i) induce an increase of the mRNA levels of the antioxidant NRF2 and SOD1 genes in SH-SY5Y cells suggests that they might be effective agents for protecting neurons against oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zampieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonella Calabretti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Romano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 28, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Via E. Melen 83, 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Collina
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 6 and 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Mamolo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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8
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Sivcev S, Kudova E, Zemkova H. Neurosteroids as positive and negative allosteric modulators of ligand-gated ion channels: P2X receptor perspective. Neuropharmacology 2023; 234:109542. [PMID: 37040816 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Neurosteroids are steroids synthesized de novo in the brain from cholesterol in an independent manner from peripheral steroid sources. The term "neuroactive steroid" includes all steroids independent of their origin, and newly synthesized analogs of neurosteroids that modify neuronal activities. In vivo application of neuroactive steroids induces potent anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects, mainly through interaction with the γ-aminobutyric acid type-A receptor (GABAAR). However, neuroactive steroids also act as positive or negative allosteric regulators on several ligand-gated channels including N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and ATP-gated purinergic P2X receptors. Seven different P2X subunits (P2X1-7) can assemble to form homotrimeric or heterotrimeric ion channels permeable for monovalent cations and calcium. Among them, P2X2, P2X4, and P2X7 are the most abundant within the brain and can be regulated by neurosteroids. Transmembrane domains are necessary for neurosteroid binding, however, no generic motif of amino acids can accurately predict the neurosteroid binding site for any of the ligand-gated ion channels including P2X. Here, we will review what is currently known about the modulation of rat and human P2X by neuroactive steroids and the possible structural determinants underlying neurosteroid-induced potentiation and inhibition of the P2X2 and P2X4 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Sivcev
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Zemkova
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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9
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Roy D, Thakare RP, Chopra S, Panda G. Aromatic or Hetero-aromatic Directly Attached Tri and Tetrasubstituted Methanes: New Chemical Entities as Anti-Infectives. Curr Med Chem 2023; 30:974-998. [PMID: 36017850 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220823111812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tri and Tetra-substituted Methanes (TRSMs) are a significant structural motif in many approved drugs and prodrugs. There is increasing use of TRSM units in medicinal chemistry, and many derivatives are specifically designed to make drug-target interactions through new chemical space around TRSM moiety. In this perspective, we describe synthetic challenges for accessing a range of functionalized selective TRSMs and their molecular mechanism of action, especially as anti-infectives. Natural anti-infectives like (+)-Bionectin A, B, (+)-Gliocladine C, Balanocarpol having TRSMs selectively and effectively bind to target proteins in comparison to planar motif having more sp2 carbons perhaps due to conformation which reduces the penalty for conformational entropy with the enhancement of three-dimensionality. Properties of repurposed TRSMs like Almitrine, Ifenprodil, Baricitinib and Remdesivir with their recent progress in COVID-19 therapeutics with their mode of action are also delineated. This perspective is expected to deliver a user guide and reference source for scientists, researchers and academicians in pursuing newly designed TRSMs as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deblina Roy
- Medicinal & Process Chemistry Division, Gautam Panda, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Ritesh P Thakare
- Division of Microbiology, Sidharth Chopra, CSIRCentral Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow 226031, UP, India
| | - Sidharth Chopra
- Division of Microbiology, Sidharth Chopra, CSIRCentral Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow 226031, UP, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Gautam Panda
- Medicinal & Process Chemistry Division, Gautam Panda, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow 226031, UP, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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10
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Voldřich J, Matoušová M, Šmídková M, Slavíková B, Chodounská H, Kudová E, Mertlíková-Kaiserová H. Identification of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists using the rat postnatal mixed cortical and hippocampal neurons. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 927:175056. [PMID: 35636520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to evaluate mixed cortical and hippocampal primary rat postnatal neuronal culture as in vitro tool for identification of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists and to find out, whether this model is comparable with other commonly used primary rat neuronal models differing in their origin (pure cortical vs. mixed cortical and hippocampal) and differentiation state (embryonal vs. postnatal). Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) - derived human glutamatergic neurons have been included in this study as well. First, the cultures were characterized by their neuron/astrocyte composition, the mRNA expression of NR2B/NR2A NMDAR subunit ratios, and the expression of glutamate transporters (GLT1, GLAST). Then, selected endogenous steroids and synthetic neuroactive steroids that have been previously identified as negative allosteric modulators of recombinant GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptors, were evaluated for their ability to prevent an NMDA or glutamate-induced Ca2+ influx (acute effect) and excitotoxicity over 24 h. Though the neuroprotective potential against excitotoxic stimuli varied among the models studied, postnatal mixed cortical and hippocampal culture proved to be a convenient and robust tool for NMDAR antagonist screening. The most widely used embryonal (E18) cultures offered higher cell yields but at the expense of a higher sensitivity to compounds' cytotoxicity. iPSC-derived neurons were not found to be superior to rat cultures for screening purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Voldřich
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic; University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Marika Matoušová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Šmídková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Slavíková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounská
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Mertlíková-Kaiserová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6 - Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic.
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11
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Kysilov B, Hrcka Krausova B, Vyklicky V, Smejkalova T, Korinek M, Horak M, Chodounska H, Kudova E, Cerny J, Vyklicky L. Pregnane-based steroids are novel positive NMDA receptor modulators that may compensate for the effect of loss-of-function disease-associated GRIN mutations. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3970-3990. [PMID: 35318645 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a critical role in synaptic plasticity, and mutations in human genes encoding NMDAR subunits have been described in individuals with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Compounds with a positive allosteric effect are thought to compensate for reduced receptor function. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We have used whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology on recombinant rat NMDARs and human variants found in individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders, in combination with in silico modelling, to explore the site of action of novel epipregnanolone-based NMDAR modulators. KEY RESULTS Analysis of the action of 4-(20-oxo-5β-pregnan-3β-yl) butanoic acid (EPA-But) at the NMDAR indicates that the effect of this steroid with a "bent" structure is different from that of cholesterol and oxysterols and shares a disuse-dependent mechanism of NMDAR potentiation with the "planar" steroid 20-oxo-pregn-5-en-3β-yl sulfate (PE-S). The potentiating effects of EPA-But and PE-S are additive. Alanine scan mutagenesis identified residues that reduce the potentiating effect of EPA-But. No correlation was found between the effects of EPA-But and PE-S at mutated receptors that were less sensitive to either steroid. The relative degree of potentiation induced by the two steroids also differed in human NMDARs carrying rare variants of hGluN1 or hGluN2B subunits found in individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders, including intellectual disability, epilepsy, developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results show novel sites of action for pregnanolones at the NMDAR and provide an opportunity for the development of new therapeutic neurosteroid-based ligands to treat diseases associated with glutamatergic system hypofunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Kysilov
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Horak
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Prague 4, Czech Republic
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12
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Adla SK, Tonduru AK, Kronenberger T, Kudova E, Poso A, Huttunen KM. Neurosteroids: Structure-Uptake Relationships and Computational Modeling of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATP)1A2. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185662. [PMID: 34577133 PMCID: PMC8472597 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the delivery of synthetic neurosteroids into MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells via Organic Anionic Transporting Polypeptides (OATPs) (pH 7.4 and 5.5) to identify the structural components required for OATP-mediated cellular uptake and to get insight into brain drug delivery. Then, we identified structure-uptake relationships using in-house developed OATP1A2 homology model to predict binding sites and modes for the ligands. These binding modes were studied by molecular dynamics simulations to rationalize the experimental results. Our results show that carboxylic acid needs to be at least at 3 carbon-carbon bonds distance from amide bond at the C-3 position of the androstane skeleton and have an amino group to avoid efflux transport. Replacement of hydroxyl group at C-3 with any of the 3, 4, and 5-carbon chained terminal carboxylic groups improved the affinity. We attribute this to polar interactions between carboxylic acid and side-chains of Lys33 and Arg556. The additional amine group showed interactions with Glu172 and Glu200. Based on transporter capacities and efficacies, it could be speculated that the functionalization of acetyl group at the C-17 position of the steroidal skeleton might be explored further to enable OAT1A2-mediated delivery of neurosteroids into the cells and also across the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Adla
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; (A.K.T.); (T.K.); (A.P.); (K.M.H.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence:
| | - Arun Kumar Tonduru
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; (A.K.T.); (T.K.); (A.P.); (K.M.H.)
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; (A.K.T.); (T.K.); (A.P.); (K.M.H.)
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology, Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Antti Poso
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; (A.K.T.); (T.K.); (A.P.); (K.M.H.)
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology, Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kristiina M. Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; (A.K.T.); (T.K.); (A.P.); (K.M.H.)
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13
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Holubova K, Chvojkova M, Hrcka Krausova B, Vyklicky V, Kudova E, Chodounska H, Vyklicky L, Vales K. Pitfalls of NMDA Receptor Modulation by Neuroactive Steroids. The Effect of Positive and Negative Modulation of NMDA Receptors in an Animal Model of Schizophrenia. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1026. [PMID: 34356650 PMCID: PMC8301783 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies implicates dysfunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in schizophrenia progression and symptoms. We investigated the antipsychotic effect of two neuroactive steroids in an animal model of schizophrenia induced by systemic application of MK-801. The neuroactive steroids differ in their mechanism of action at NMDARs. MS-249 is positive, while PA-Glu is a negative allosteric NMDAR modulator. We hypothesized that the positive NMDA receptor modulator would attenuate deficits caused by MK-801 co-application more effectively than PA-Glu. The rats were tested in a battery of tests assessing spontaneous locomotion, anxiety and cognition. Contrary to our expectations, PA-Glu exhibited a superior antipsychotic effect to MS-249. The performance of MS-249-treated rats in cognitive tests differed depending on the level of stress the rats were exposed to during test sessions. In particular, with the increasing severity of stress exposure, the performance of animals worsened. Our results demonstrate that enhancement of NMDAR function may result in unspecific behavioral responses. Positive NMDAR modulation can influence other neurobiological processes besides memory formation, such as anxiety and response to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Holubova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (M.C.); (K.V.)
| | - Marketa Chvojkova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (M.C.); (K.V.)
| | - Barbora Hrcka Krausova
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, 16000 Prague, Czech Republic; (E.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic; (M.C.); (K.V.)
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (B.H.K.); (V.V.); (L.V.)
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14
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Ziolkowski L, Mordukhovich I, Chen DM, Chisari M, Shu HJ, Lambert PM, Qian M, Zorumski CF, Covey DF, Mennerick S. A neuroactive steroid with a therapeutically interesting constellation of actions at GABA A and NMDA receptors. Neuropharmacology 2021; 183:108358. [PMID: 33115614 PMCID: PMC7736525 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are an ascendant class of treatment for neuropsychiatric illness. Effects on ligand-gated neurotransmitter receptors appear to be a major mechanism of action. Here we describe a neuroactive steroid with a unique constellation of receptor actions. MQ-221 is a sulfated, 3β-hydroxy neurosteroid analogue that inhibits NMDAR function but also potentiates GABAAR function, thereby exhibiting unusual but potentially clinically desirable effects. Although the compound also exhibited features of other sulfated steroids, namely activation-dependent inhibition of GABAAR function, net potentiation dominated under physiological conditions. Potentiation of GABAAR function was distinct from the mechanism governing potentiation by anesthetic neurosteroids. Inhibition of NMDAR function showed weaker channel activation dependence than pregnanolone sulfate (3α5βPS). MQ-221 was unique among four stereoisomers explored in the pattern of effects at GABAA and NMDARs. Taken together, MQ-221 may represent a new class of compound with unique psychoactive effects and beneficial prospects for treating neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Ziolkowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Isaac Mordukhovich
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Daniel M Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Mariangela Chisari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Hong-Jin Shu
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Peter M Lambert
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Mingxing Qian
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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15
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Bukanova JV, Solntseva EI, Kudova E. Neurosteroids as Selective Inhibitors of Glycine Receptor Activity: Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Endogenous Androstanes and Androstenes. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:44. [PMID: 32265652 PMCID: PMC7098970 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of androstane and androstene neurosteroids with modifications at C-17, C-5, and C-3 (compounds 1-9) to influence the functional activity of inhibitory glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors was estimated. The glycine- and GABA-induced chloride current (IGly and IGABA) were measured in isolated pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus and isolated rat cerebellar Purkinje cells, correspondingly, using the patch-clamp technique. Our results demonstrate that all the nine neurosteroids display similar biological activity, namely, they strongly inhibited IGly and weakly inhibited IGABA. The threshold concentration of neurosteroids inducing effects on IGly was 0.1 μM, and for effects on IGABA was 10–50 μM. Moreover, our compounds accelerated desensitization of the IGly with the IC50 values varying from 0.12 to 0.49 μM and decreased the peak amplitude with IC50 values varying from 16 to 22 μM. Interestingly, our study revealed that only compounds 4 (epiandrosterone) and 8 (dehydroepiandrosterone) were able to cause a significant change in IGABA in 10 μM concentration. Moreover, compounds 3 (testosterone), 5 (epitestosterone), 6 (dihydroandrostenedione), and 9 (etiocholanedione) did not modulate IGABA up to the concentration of 50 μM. Thus, we conclude that compounds 3, 5, 6, and 9 may be identified as selective modulators of IGly. Our results offer new avenues of investigation in the field of drug-like selective modulators of IGly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
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16
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Goldsmith PJ. NMDAR PAMs: Multiple Chemotypes for Multiple Binding Sites. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2239-2253. [PMID: 31660834 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666191011095341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a member of the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family that plays a crucial role in brain signalling and development. NMDARs are nonselective cation channels that are involved with the propagation of excitatory neurotransmission signals with important effects on synaptic plasticity. NMDARs are functionally and structurally complex receptors, they exist as a family of subtypes each with its own unique pharmacological properties. Their implication in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions means they have been a focus of research for many decades. Disruption of NMDAR-related signalling is known to adversely affect higherorder cognitive functions (e.g. learning and memory) and the search for molecules that can recover (or even enhance) receptor output is a current strategy for CNS drug discovery. A number of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) that specifically attempt to overcome NMDAR hypofunction have been discovered. They include various chemotypes that have been found to bind to several different binding sites within the receptor. The heterogeneity of chemotype, binding site and NMDAR subtype provide a broad landscape of ongoing opportunities to uncover new features of NMDAR pharmacology. Research on NMDARs continues to provide novel mechanistic insights into receptor activation and this review will provide a high-level overview of the research area and discuss the various chemical classes of PAMs discovered so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Goldsmith
- Eli Lilly and Co. Ltd, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PH, United Kingdom
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17
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Ratner MH, Kumaresan V, Farb DH. Neurosteroid Actions in Memory and Neurologic/Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:169. [PMID: 31024441 PMCID: PMC6465949 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory dysfunction is a symptomatic feature of many neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders; however, the basic underlying mechanisms of memory and altered states of circuitry function associated with disorders of memory remain a vast unexplored territory. The initial discovery of endogenous neurosteroids triggered a quest to elucidate their role as neuromodulators in normal and diseased brain function. In this review, based on the perspective of our own research, the advances leading to the discovery of positive and negative neurosteroid allosteric modulators of GABA type-A (GABAA), NMDA, and non-NMDA type glutamate receptors are brought together in a historical and conceptual framework. We extend the analysis toward a state-of-the art view of how neurosteroid modulation of neural circuitry function may affect memory and memory deficits. By aggregating the results from multiple laboratories using both animal models for disease and human clinical research on neuropsychiatric and age-related neurodegenerative disorders, elements of a circuitry level view begins to emerge. Lastly, the effects of both endogenously active and exogenously administered neurosteroids on neural networks across the life span of women and men point to a possible underlying pharmacological connectome by which these neuromodulators might act to modulate memory across diverse altered states of mind.
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18
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Role of Steroid Therapy after Ischemic Stroke by n-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Gene Regulation. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2018; 27:3066-3075. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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19
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Chisari M, Wilding TJ, Brunwasser S, Krishnan K, Qian M, Benz A, Huettner JE, Zorumski CF, Covey DF, Mennerick S. Visualizing pregnenolone sulfate-like modulators of NMDA receptor function reveals intracellular and plasma-membrane localization. Neuropharmacology 2018; 144:91-103. [PMID: 30332607 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Positive modulators of NMDA receptors are important candidates for therapeutic development to treat psychiatric disorders including autism and schizophrenia. Sulfated neurosteroids have been studied as positive allosteric modulators of NMDA receptors for years, but we understand little about the cellular fate of these compounds, an important consideration for drug development. Here we focus on a visualizable sulfated neurosteroid analogue, KK-169. As expected of a pregnenolone sulfate analogue, the compound strongly potentiates NMDA receptor function, is an antagonist of GABAA receptors, exhibits occlusion with pregnenolone sulfate potentiation, and requires receptor domains important for pregnenolone sulfate potentiation. KK-169 exhibits somewhat higher potency than the natural parent, pregnenolone sulfate. The analogue contains a side-chain alkyne group, which we exploited for retrospective click labeling of neurons. Although the anionic sulfate group is expected to hinder cell entry, we detected significant accumulation of KK-169 in neurons with even brief incubations. Adding a photolabile diazirine group revealed that the expected plasma membrane localization of KK-169 is likely lost during fixation. Overall, our studies reveal new facets of the structure-activity relationship of neurosteroids at NMDA receptors, and their intracellular distribution suggests that sulfated neurosteroids could have unappreciated targets in addition to plasma membrane receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Chisari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Timothy J Wilding
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samuel Brunwasser
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kathiresan Krishnan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mingxing Qian
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ann Benz
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - James E Huettner
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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20
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Bukanova JV, Solntseva EI, Kolbaev SN, Kudova E. Modulation of GABA and glycine receptors in rat pyramidal hippocampal neurones by 3α5β-pregnanolone derivatives. Neurochem Int 2018; 118:145-151. [PMID: 29886074 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability of pregnanolone glutamate (PA-Glu), pregnanolone hemisuccinate (PA-hSuc) and pregnanolone hemipimelate (PA-hPim), neuroactive steroids with a negative modulatory effect on excitatory N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, to influence the functional activity of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine receptors was estimated. The GABA- and glycine-induced chloride currents (IGABA and IGly) were measured in isolated pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus using the patch-clamp technique. Compound PA-Glu was found to potentiate IGABA and to inhibit IGly, while PA-hSuc and PA-hPim inhibited both IGABA and IGly. Moreover, PA-Glu, PA-hSuc, and PA-hPim had a greater effect on desensitization than on the peak amplitude of IGly. At a high concentration of glycine (500 μM), the effect of neurosteroids on the peak amplitude of IGly disappeared, and the acceleration of desensitization remained. The conversion of PA-Glu into androstane glutamate (AND-Glu), an analogue that lacks the C-17 acetyl moiety, completely eliminated the effects on these receptors. Our results indicate that the C-17 acetyl moiety is crucial for the action on IGABA and IGly. Our results indicate that the pregnanolone derivatives, in contrast to the androstane analogues, modulate IGABA and IGly at low micromolar concentrations and this family of neurosteroids can be useful for future structure-activity relationship studies of the steroid modulation of other receptor types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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21
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Gallo C, Nuzzo G, d'Ippolito G, Manzo E, Sardo A, Fontana A. Sterol Sulfates and Sulfotransferases in Marine Diatoms. Methods Enzymol 2018; 605:101-138. [PMID: 29909823 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sterol sulfates are widely occurring molecules in marine organisms. Their importance has been so far underestimated although many of these compounds are crucial mediators of physiological and ecological functions in other organisms. Biosynthesis of sterol sulfates is controlled by cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs), a varied family of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a sulfo residue (-SO3H) from the universal donor 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate to the hydroxyl function at C-3 of the steroid skeleton. The absence of molecular tools has been the main impediment to the development of a biosynthetic study of this class of compounds in marine organisms. In fact, there is very limited information about these enzymes in marine environments. SULT activity has, however, been reported in several marine species, and, recently, the production of sterol sulfates has been linked to the control of growth in marine diatoms. In this chapter, we describe methods for the study of sterol sulfates in this lineage of marine microalgae. The main aim is to provide the tools useful to deal with the biosynthesis and regulation of these compounds and to circumvent the bottleneck of the lack of molecular information. The protocols have been designed for marine diatoms, but most of the procedures can be used for other marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Gallo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Genoveffa Nuzzo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana d'Ippolito
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Manzo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Sardo
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Angelo Fontana
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.
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22
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Krausova B, Slavikova B, Nekardova M, Hubalkova P, Vyklicky V, Chodounska H, Vyklicky L, Kudova E. Positive Modulators of the N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor: Structure–Activity Relationship Study of Steroidal 3-Hemiesters. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4505-4516. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Krausova
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Slavikova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nekardova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague, Ke Karlovu 3, Prague 2, 121 16, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Hubalkova
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Ruska 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, Prague 6, 166 10, Czech Republic
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Vyklicky V, Krausova B, Cerny J, Ladislav M, Smejkalova T, Kysilov B, Korinek M, Danacikova S, Horak M, Chodounska H, Kudova E, Vyklicky L. Surface Expression, Function, and Pharmacology of Disease-Associated Mutations in the Membrane Domain of the Human GluN2B Subunit. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:110. [PMID: 29681796 PMCID: PMC5897658 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), glutamate-gated ion channels, mediate signaling at the majority of excitatory synapses in the nervous system. Recent sequencing data for neurological and psychiatric patients have indicated numerous mutations in genes encoding for NMDAR subunits. Here, we present surface expression, functional, and pharmacological analysis of 11 de novo missense mutations of the human hGluN2B subunit (P553L; V558I; W607C; N615I; V618G; S628F; E657G; G820E; G820A; M824R; L825V) located in the pre-M1, M1, M2, M3, and M4 membrane regions. These variants were identified in patients with intellectual disability, developmental delay, epileptic symptomatology, and autism spectrum disorder. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that the ratio of surface-to-total NMDAR expression was reduced for hGluN1/hGluN2B(S628F) receptors and increased for for hGluN1/hGluN2B(G820E) receptors. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that agonist potency was altered in hGluN1/hGluN2B(W607C; N615I; and E657G) receptors and desensitization was increased in hGluN1/hGluN2B(V558I) receptors. The probability of channel opening of hGluN1/hGluN2B (V558I; W607C; V618G; and L825V) receptors was diminished ~10-fold when compared to non-mutated receptors. Finally, the sensitivity of mutant receptors to positive allosteric modulators of the steroid origin showed that glutamate responses induced in hGluN1/hGluN2B(V558I; W607C; V618G; and G820A) receptors were potentiated by 59–96% and 406-685% when recorded in the presence of 20-oxo-pregn-5-en-3β-yl sulfate (PE-S) and androst-5-en-3β-yl hemisuccinate (AND-hSuc), respectively. Surprisingly hGluN1/hGluN2B(L825V) receptors were strongly potentiated, by 197 and 1647%, respectively, by PE-S and AND-hSuc. Synaptic-like responses induced by brief glutamate application were also potentiated and the deactivation decelerated. Further, we have used homology modeling based on the available crystal structures of GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptor followed by molecular dynamics simulations to try to relate the functional consequences of mutations to structural changes. Overall, these data suggest that de novo missense mutations of the hGluN2B subunit located in membrane domains lead to multiple defects that manifest by the NMDAR loss of function that can be rectified by steroids. Our results provide an opportunity for the development of new therapeutic neurosteroid-based ligands to treat diseases associated with hypofunction of the glutamatergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtech Vyklicky
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Barbora Krausova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Marek Ladislav
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tereza Smejkalova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Bohdan Kysilov
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Miloslav Korinek
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Sarka Danacikova
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Horak
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prague, Czechia
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Effect of developmental NMDAR antagonism with CGP 39551 on aspartame-induced hypothalamic and adrenal gene expression. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194416. [PMID: 29561882 PMCID: PMC5862471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale Aspartame (L-aspartyl phenylalanine methyl ester) is a non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) approved for use in more than 6000 dietary products and pharmaceuticals consumed by the general public including adults and children, pregnant and nursing mothers. However a recent prospective study reported a doubling of the risk of being overweight amongst 1-year old children whose mothers consumed NNS-sweetened beverages daily during pregnancy. We have previously shown that chronic aspartame (ASP) exposure commencing in utero may detrimentally affect adulthood adiposity status, glucose metabolism and aspects of behavior and spatial cognition, and that this can be modulated by developmental N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) blockade with the competitive antagonist CGP 39551 (CGP). Since glucose homeostasis and certain aspects of behavior and locomotion are regulated in part by the NMDAR-rich hypothalamus, which is part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal- (HPA) axis, we have elected to examine changes in hypothalamic and adrenal gene expression in response to ASP exposure in the presence or absence of developmental NMDAR antagonism with CGP, using Affymetrix microarray analysis. Results Using 2-factor ANOVA we identified 189 ASP-responsive differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the adult male hypothalamus and 2188 in the adrenals, and a further 23 hypothalamic and 232 adrenal genes significantly regulated by developmental treatment with CGP alone. ASP exposure robustly elevated the expression of a network of genes involved in hypothalamic neurosteroidogenesis, together with cell stress and inflammatory genes, consistent with previous reports of aspartame-induced CNS stress and oxidative damage. These genes were not differentially expressed in ASP mice with CGP antagonism. In the adrenal glands of ASP-exposed mice, GABA and Glutamate receptor subunit genes were amongst those most highly upregulated. Developmental NMDAR antagonism alone had less effect on adulthood gene expression and affected mainly hypothalamic neurogenesis and adrenal steroid metabolism. Combined ASP + CGP treatment mainly upregulated genes involved in adrenal drug and cholesterol metabolism. Conclusion ASP exposure increased the expression of functional networks of genes involved in hypothalamic neurosteroidogenesis and adrenal catecholamine synthesis, patterns of expression which were not present in ASP-exposed mice with developmental NMDAR antagonism.
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Cai H, Cao T, Zhou X, Yao JK. Neurosteroids in Schizophrenia: Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:73. [PMID: 29568275 PMCID: PMC5852066 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurosteroids are a group of important endogenous molecules affecting many neural functions in the brain. Increasing evidence suggests a possible role of these neurosteroids in the pathology and symptomatology of schizophrenia (SZ) and other mental disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the neural functions of neurosteroids in the brain, and to evaluate the role of the key neurosteroids as candidate modulators in the etiology and therapeutics of SZ. The present paper provides a brief introduction of neurosteroid metabolism and distribution, followed by a discussion of the mechanisms underlying neurosteroid actions in the brain. The content regarding the modulation of the GABAA receptor is elaborated, given the considerable knowledge of its interactions with other neurotransmitter and neuroprotective systems, as well as its ameliorating effects on stress that may play a role in the SZ pathophysiology. In addition, several preclinical and clinical studies suggested a therapeutic benefit of neurosteroids in SZ patients, even though the presence of altered neurosteroid pathways in the circulating blood and/or brain remains debatable. Following treatment of antipsychotic drugs in SZ, therapeutic benefits have also been linked to the regulation of neurosteroid signaling. Specifically, the neurosteroids such as pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone affect a broad spectrum of behavioral functions through their unique molecular characteristics and may represent innovative therapeutic targets for SZ. Future investigations in larger cohorts with long-term follow-ups will be required to ascertain the neuropsychopharmacological role of this yet unexploited class of neurosteroid agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- HuaLin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- The Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Medical Research Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey K. Yao
- Medical Research Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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26
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Kapras V, Vyklicky V, Budesinsky M, Cisarova I, Vyklicky L, Chodounska H, Jahn U. Total Synthesis of ent-Pregnanolone Sulfate and Its Biological Investigation at the NMDA Receptor. Org Lett 2018; 20:946-949. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b03838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vojtech Kapras
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- Institute
of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Milos Budesinsky
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Cisarova
- Department
of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 8, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute
of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ullrich Jahn
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10, Prague 6, Czech Republic
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27
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Loiseau C, Cayetanot F, Joubert F, Perrin-Terrin AS, Cardot P, Fiamma MN, Frugiere A, Straus C, Bodineau L. Current Perspectives for the use of Gonane Progesteronergic Drugs in the Treatment of Central Hypoventilation Syndromes. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:1433-1454. [PMID: 28721821 PMCID: PMC6295933 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170719104605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central alveolar hypoventilation syndromes (CHS) encompass neurorespiratory diseases resulting from congenital or acquired neurological disorders. Hypercapnia, acidosis, and hypoxemia resulting from CHS negatively affect physiological functions and can be lifethreatening. To date, the absence of pharmacological treatment implies that the patients must receive assisted ventilation throughout their lives. OBJECTIVE To highlight the relevance of determining conditions in which using gonane synthetic progestins could be of potential clinical interest for the treatment of CHS. METHODS The mechanisms by which gonanes modulate the respiratory drive were put into the context of those established for natural progesterone and other synthetic progestins. RESULTS The clinical benefits of synthetic progestins to treat respiratory diseases are mixed with either positive outcomes or no improvement. A benefit for CHS patients has only recently been proposed. We incidentally observed restoration of CO2 chemosensitivity, the functional deficit of this disease, in two adult CHS women by desogestrel, a gonane progestin, used for contraception. This effect was not observed by another group, studying a single patient. These contradictory findings are probably due to the complex nature of the action of desogestrel on breathing and led us to carry out mechanistic studies in rodents. Our results show that desogestrel influences the respiratory command by modulating the GABAA and NMDA signaling in the respiratory network, medullary serotoninergic systems, and supramedullary areas. CONCLUSION Gonanes show promise for improving ventilation of CHS patients, although the conditions of their use need to be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Laurence Bodineau
- Address correspondence to this author at the Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, F-75013, Paris, France; Tel: 33 1 40 77 97 15; Fax: 33 1 40 77 97 89; E-mail:
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Abstract
Most of the energy we get to spend is furnished by mitochondria, minuscule living structures sitting inside our cells or dispatched back and forth within them to where they are needed. Mitochondria produce energy by burning down what remains of our meal after we have digested it, but at the cost of constantly corroding themselves and us. Here we review how our mitochondria evolved from invading bacteria and have retained a small amount of independence from us; how we inherit them only from our mother; and how they are heavily implicated in learning, memory, cognition, and virtually every mental or neurological affliction. We discuss why counteracting mitochondrial corrosion with antioxidant supplements is often unwise, and why our mitochondria, and therefore we ourselves, benefit instead from exercise, meditation, sleep, sunshine, and particular eating habits. Finally, we describe how malfunctioning mitochondria force rats to become socially subordinate to others, how such disparity can be evened off by a vitamin, and why these findings are relevant to us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kramer
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Bressan
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy
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29
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Krohmer A, Brehm M, Auwärter V, Szabo B. Pregnenolone does not interfere with the effects of cannabinoids on synaptic transmission in the cerebellum and the nucleus accumbens. Pharmacol Res 2017; 123:51-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Chimeric Glutamate Receptor Subunits Reveal the Transmembrane Domain Is Sufficient for NMDA Receptor Pore Properties but Some Positive Allosteric Modulators Require Additional Domains. J Neurosci 2017; 36:8815-25. [PMID: 27559165 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0345-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED NMDA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that underlie transmission at excitatory synapses and play an important role in regulating synaptic strength and stability. Functional NMDA receptors require two copies of the GluN1 subunit coassembled with GluN2 (and/or GluN3) subunits into a heteromeric tetramer. A diverse array of allosteric modulators can upregulate or downregulate NMDA receptor activity. These modulators include both synthetic compounds and endogenous modulators, such as cis-unsaturated fatty acids, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, and various neurosteroids. To evaluate the structural requirements for the formation and allosteric modulation of NMDA receptor pores, we have replaced portions of the rat GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B subunits with homologous segments from the rat GluK2 kainate receptor subunit. Our results with these chimeric constructs show that the NMDA receptor transmembrane domain is sufficient to account for most pore properties, but that regulation by some allosteric modulators requires additional cytoplasmic or extracellular domains. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Glutamate receptors mediate excitatory synaptic transmission by forming cation channels through the membrane that open upon glutamate binding. Although many compounds have been identified that regulate glutamate receptor activity, in most cases the detailed mechanisms that underlie modulation are poorly understood. To identify what parts of the receptor are essential for pore formation and sensitivity to allosteric modulators, we generated chimeric subunits that combined segments from NMDA and kainate receptors, subtypes with distinct pharmacological profiles. Surprisingly, our results identify separate domain requirements for allosteric potentiation of NMDA receptor pores by pregnenolone sulfate, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, and docosahexaenoic acid, three endogenous modulators derived from membrane constituents. Understanding where and how these compounds act on NMDA receptors should aid in designing better therapeutic agents.
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Distributions of therapeutically promising neurosteroids in cellular membranes. Chem Phys Lipids 2017; 203:78-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Nakazawa K, Jeevakumar V, Nakao K. Spatial and temporal boundaries of NMDA receptor hypofunction leading to schizophrenia. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2017; 3:7. [PMID: 28560253 PMCID: PMC5441533 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-016-0003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction is one of the most prevalent models of schizophrenia. For example, healthy subjects treated with uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists elicit positive, negative, and cognitive-like symptoms of schizophrenia. Patients with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis, which is likely caused by autoantibody-mediated down-regulation of cell surface N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, often experience psychiatric symptoms similar to schizophrenia initially. However, where and when N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction occurs in the brain of schizophrenic patients is poorly understood. Here we review the findings from N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist and autoantibody models, postmortem studies on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunits, as well as the global and cell-type-specific knockout mouse models of subunit GluN1. We compare various conditional GluN1 knockout mouse strains, focusing on the onset of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor deletion and on the cortical cell-types. Based on these results, we hypothesize that N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction initially occurs in cortical GABAergic neurons during early postnatal development. The resulting GABA neuron maturation deficit may cause reduction of intrinsic excitability and GABA release, leading to disinhibition of pyramidal neurons. The cortical disinhibition in turn could elicit glutamate spillover and subsequent homeostatic down regulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function in pyramidal neurons in prodromal stage. These two temporally-distinct N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunctions may be complimentary, as neither alone may not be able to fully explain the entire schizophrenia pathophysiology. Potential underlying mechanisms for N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction in cortical GABA neurons are also discussed, based on studies of naturally-occurring N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists, neuregulin/ErbB4 signaling pathway, and theoretical analysis of excitatory/inhibitory balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazu Nakazawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Vivek Jeevakumar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - Kazuhito Nakao
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
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Joubert F, Perrin-Terrin AS, Verkaeren E, Cardot P, Fiamma MN, Frugière A, Rivals I, Similowski T, Straus C, Bodineau L. Desogestrel enhances ventilation in ondine patients: Animal data involving serotoninergic systems. Neuropharmacology 2016; 107:339-350. [PMID: 27040794 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a neurorespiratory disease characterized by life-threatening sleep-related hypoventilation involving an alteration of CO2/H(+) chemosensitivity. Incidental findings have suggested that desogestrel may allow recovery of the ventilatory response to CO2. The effects of desogestrel on resting ventilation have not been reported. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that desogestrel strengthens baseline ventilation by analyzing the ventilation of CCHS patients. Rodent models were used in order to determine the mechanisms involved. Ventilation in CCHS patients was measured with a pneumotachometer. In mice, ventilatory neural activity was recorded from ex vivo medullary-spinal cord preparations, ventilation was measured by plethysmography and c-fos expression was studied in medullary respiratory nuclei. Desogestrel increased baseline respiratory frequency of CCHS patients leading to a decrease in their PETCO2. In medullary spinal-cord preparations or in vivo mice, the metabolite of desogestrel, etonogestrel, induced an increase in respiratory frequency that necessitated the functioning of serotoninergic systems, and modulated GABAA and NMDA ventilatory regulations. c-FOS analysis showed the involvement of medullary respiratory groups of cell including serotoninergic neurons of the raphe pallidus and raphe obscurus nuclei that seem to play a key role. Thus, desogestrel may improve resting ventilation in CCHS patients by a stimulant effect on baseline respiratory frequency. Our data open up clinical perspectives based on the combination of this progestin with serotoninergic drugs to enhance ventilation in CCHS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Joubert
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Perrin-Terrin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France; University Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratory "Hypoxia & Lung" EA2363, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, 93017, Bobigny, France
| | - Emilienne Verkaeren
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Cardot
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Fiamma
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Alain Frugière
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Rivals
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France; Équipe de Statistique Appliquée, ESPCI ParisTech, PSL Research University, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Similowski
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Service de Pneumologie et Réanimation Médicale (Département "R3S"), F-75013, Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Branche "Adultes" du Centre de Référence du Syndrome d'Ondine, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Christian Straus
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Branche "Adultes" du Centre de Référence du Syndrome d'Ondine, F-75013, Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles de la Respiration, de l'Exercice et de la Dyspnée (Département "R3S"), Paris, France
| | - Laurence Bodineau
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, UMR_S1158 Neurophysiologie respiratoire expérimentale et clinique, F-75013, Paris, France.
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Decker JM, Krüger L, Sydow A, Dennissen FJ, Siskova Z, Mandelkow E, Mandelkow EM. The Tau/A152T mutation, a risk factor for frontotemporal-spectrum disorders, leads to NR2B receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. EMBO Rep 2016; 17:552-69. [PMID: 26931569 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201541439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on a novel transgenic mouse model expressing human full-length Tau with the Tau mutation A152T (hTau(AT)), a risk factor for FTD-spectrum disorders including PSP and CBD Brain neurons reveal pathological Tau conformation, hyperphosphorylation, mis-sorting, aggregation, neuronal degeneration, and progressive loss, most prominently in area CA3 of the hippocampus. The mossy fiber pathway shows enhanced basal synaptic transmission without changes in short- or long-term plasticity. In organotypic hippocampal slices, extracellular glutamate increases early above control levels, followed by a rise in neurotoxicity. These changes are normalized by inhibiting neurotransmitter release or by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels. CA3 neurons show elevated intracellular calcium during rest and after activity induction which is sensitive to NR2B antagonizing drugs, demonstrating a pivotal role of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors. Slices show pronounced epileptiform activity and axonal sprouting of mossy fibers. Excitotoxic neuronal death is ameliorated by ceftriaxone, which stimulates astrocytic glutamate uptake via the transporter EAAT2/GLT1. In summary, hTau(AT) causes excitotoxicity mediated by NR2B-containing NMDA receptors due to enhanced extracellular glutamate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars Krüger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Astrid Sydow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Zuzana Siskova
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, Hamburg, Germany Caesar Research Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research (Cologne), Hamburg Outstation, Hamburg, Germany Caesar Research Center, Bonn, Germany
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Köles L, Kató E, Hanuska A, Zádori ZS, Al-Khrasani M, Zelles T, Rubini P, Illes P. Modulation of excitatory neurotransmission by neuronal/glial signalling molecules: interplay between purinergic and glutamatergic systems. Purinergic Signal 2015; 12:1-24. [PMID: 26542977 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-015-9480-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system (CNS), released both from neurons and glial cells. Acting via ionotropic (NMDA, AMPA, kainate) and metabotropic glutamate receptors, it is critically involved in essential regulatory functions. Disturbances of glutamatergic neurotransmission can be detected in cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. This paper summarizes the present knowledge on the modulation of glutamate-mediated responses in the CNS. Emphasis will be put on NMDA receptor channels, which are essential executive and integrative elements of the glutamatergic system. This receptor is crucial for proper functioning of neuronal circuits; its hypofunction or overactivation can result in neuronal disturbances and neurotoxicity. Somewhat surprisingly, NMDA receptors are not widely targeted by pharmacotherapy in clinics; their robust activation or inhibition seems to be desirable only in exceptional cases. However, their fine-tuning might provide a promising manipulation to optimize the activity of the glutamatergic system and to restore proper CNS function. This orchestration utilizes several neuromodulators. Besides the classical ones such as dopamine, novel candidates emerged in the last two decades. The purinergic system is a promising possibility to optimize the activity of the glutamatergic system. It exerts not only direct and indirect influences on NMDA receptors but, by modulating glutamatergic transmission, also plays an important role in glia-neuron communication. These purinergic functions will be illustrated mostly by depicting the modulatory role of the purinergic system on glutamatergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex, a CNS area important for attention, memory and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Köles
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, 1089, Hungary.
| | - Erzsébet Kató
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Hanuska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Zoltán S Zádori
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Mahmoud Al-Khrasani
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Tibor Zelles
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, Budapest, 1089, Hungary
| | - Patrizia Rubini
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Illes
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04107, Leipzig, Germany.
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Kudova E, Chodounska H, Slavikova B, Budesinsky M, Nekardova M, Vyklicky V, Krausova B, Svehla P, Vyklicky L. A New Class of Potent N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Inhibitors: Sulfated Neuroactive Steroids with Lipophilic D-Ring Modifications. J Med Chem 2015; 58:5950-66. [PMID: 26171651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are glutamate-gated ion channels that play a crucial role in excitatory synaptic transmission. However, the overactivation of NMDARs can lead to excitotoxic cell damage/death, and as such, they play a role in numerous neuropathological conditions. The activity of NMDARs is known to be influenced by a wide variety of allosteric modulators, including neurosteroids, which in turn makes them promising therapeutic targets. In this study, we describe a new class of neurosteroid analogues which possess structural modifications in the steroid D-ring region. These analogues were tested on recombinant GluN1/GluN2B receptors to evaluate the structure-activity relationship. Our results demonstrate that there is a strong correlation between this new structural feature and the in vitro activity, as all tested compounds were evaluated as more potent inhibitors of NMDA-induced currents (IC50 values varying from 90 nM to 5.4 μM) than the known endogeneous neurosteroid-pregnanolone sulfate (IC50 = 24.6 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kudova
- †Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Flemingovo nam 2, Prague 6-Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- †Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Flemingovo nam 2, Prague 6-Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Slavikova
- †Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Flemingovo nam 2, Prague 6-Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Milos Budesinsky
- †Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Flemingovo nam 2, Prague 6-Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Nekardova
- †Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Flemingovo nam 2, Prague 6-Dejvice, 16610, Czech Republic.,§Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague, Ke Karlovu 3, Prague 2, 12116, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Vyklicky
- ‡Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Krausova
- ‡Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Svehla
- ‡Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- ‡Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, Prague 4, 14220, Czech Republic
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Vyklicky V, Krausova B, Cerny J, Balik A, Zapotocky M, Novotny M, Lichnerova K, Smejkalova T, Kaniakova M, Korinek M, Petrovic M, Kacer P, Horak M, Chodounska H, Vyklicky L. Block of NMDA receptor channels by endogenous neurosteroids: implications for the agonist induced conformational states of the channel vestibule. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10935. [PMID: 26086919 PMCID: PMC4471902 DOI: 10.1038/srep10935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate synaptic plasticity, and their dysfunction is implicated in multiple brain disorders. NMDARs can be allosterically modulated by numerous compounds, including endogenous neurosteroid pregnanolone sulfate. Here, we identify the molecular basis of the use-dependent and voltage-independent inhibitory effect of neurosteroids on NMDAR responses. The site of action is located at the extracellular vestibule of the receptor's ion channel pore and is accessible after receptor activation. Mutations in the extracellular vestibule in the SYTANLAAF motif disrupt the inhibitory effect of negatively charged steroids. In contrast, positively charged steroids inhibit mutated NMDAR responses in a voltage-dependent manner. These results, in combination with molecular modeling, characterize structure details of the open configuration of the NMDAR channel. Our results provide a unique opportunity for the development of new therapeutic neurosteroid-based ligands to treat diseases associated with dysfunction of the glutamate system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtech Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Krausova
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Cerny
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Balik
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Zapotocky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Novotny
- Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | | | - Tereza Smejkalova
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Kaniakova
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Korinek
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Milos Petrovic
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
- Institute of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26/II, 11000 Beograd, Srbija
| | - Petr Kacer
- Institute of Chemical Technology—Prague, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Horak
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Chodounska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, Flemingovo nam. 2, 166 10 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology CAS, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Kejík Z, Bříza T, Králová J, Mikula I, Poučková P, Martásek P, Král V. New method for recognition of sterol signalling molecules: methinium salts as receptors for sulphated steroids. Steroids 2015; 94:15-20. [PMID: 25478679 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2014.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we studied indolium and benzothiazolium pentamethine salts 1-3 as novel type of receptors for the recognition of sulphated signalling molecules (sulphated steroids: oestrone, pregnenolone and cholesterol sulphate). A recognition study was performed in an aqueous medium (1mM phosphate buffer (H2O:MeOH; 99:1 (v/v))) at pH 7.34. The tested salts displayed a high affinity for these sulphated analytes, mainly for cholesterol sulphate. However, no interaction between the salts and control, non-sulphated sterol analytes (cholesterol and bile acid) was observed. The highest affinity for the sulphated steroids was observed for benzothiazole salt 1. This salt also displayed different spectral behaviour from that observed for carbocyanine salts 2 and 3. In this presence of cholesterol sulphate, benzothiazole salt 1 displayed significant spectral changes depending on the medium used: a blue shift in the aqueous medium and a red shift in the methanolic one (H2O:MeOH; 2:1 (v/v)). Subsequently preliminary in vivo study showed that, salt 1 significantly inhibits a growth of breast carcinoma on Nu/nu mice model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Kejík
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Bříza
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jarmila Králová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Mikula
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Poučková
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Martásek
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Král
- Institute of Chemical Technology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Zentiva Development (part of Sanofi Generic group), U Kabelovny 130, 102 37 Prague 10, Czech Republic.
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Cantarelli MDG, Tramontina AC, Leite MC, Gonçalves CA. Potential neurochemical links between cholesterol and suicidal behavior. Psychiatry Res 2014; 220:745-51. [PMID: 25457283 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The role of cholesterol in psychiatric diseases has aroused the interest of the medical community, particularly in association with violent and suicidal behavior. Herein, we discuss some aspects of brain cholesterol metabolism, exploring possible mechanisms underlying the findings and reviewing the available literature on the possible neurochemical link between suicide and low or reduced levels of serum cholesterol. Most of the current hypotheses suggest a decreased serotonergic activity due to a decrease in cholesterol in the lipid rafts of synaptic membranes. Some aspects and limitations of this assumption are emphasized. In addition to serotonin hypofunction, other mechanisms have been proposed to explain increased impulsivity in suicidal individuals, including steroid modulation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor decrease, which could also be related to changes in lipid rafts. Other putative markers of suicidal behavior (e.g. protein S100B) are discussed in connection with cholesterol metabolism in the brain tissue.
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Zemkova H, Tvrdonova V, Bhattacharya A, Jindrichova M. Allosteric modulation of ligand gated ion channels by ivermectin. Physiol Res 2014; 63 Suppl 1:S215-24. [PMID: 24564661 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.932711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ivermectin acts as a positive allosteric regulator of several ligand-gated channels including the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl), gamma aminobutyric acid type-A receptor, glycine receptor, neuronal alpha7-nicotinic receptor and purinergic P2X4 receptor. In most of the ivermectin-sensitive channels, the effects of ivermectin include the potentiation of agonist-induced currents at low concentrations and channel opening at higher concentrations. Based on mutagenesis, electrophysiological recordings and functional analysis of chimeras between ivermectin-sensitive and ivermectin-insensitive receptors, it has been concluded that ivermectin acts by insertion between transmembrane helices. The three-dimensional structure of C. elegans GluCl complexed with ivermectin has revealed the details of the ivermectin-binding site, however, no generic motif of amino acids could accurately predict ivermectin binding site for other ligand gated channels. Here, we will review what is currently known about ivermectin binding and modulation of Cys-loop receptor family of ligand-gated ion channels and what are the critical structural determinants underlying potentiation of the P2X4 receptor channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zemkova
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Neuroendocrinology and Biocev, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
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41
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Smith CC, Gibbs TT, Farb DH. Pregnenolone sulfate as a modulator of synaptic plasticity. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3537-56. [PMID: 24997854 PMCID: PMC4625978 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3643-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) acts as a cognitive enhancer and modulator of neurotransmission, yet aligning its pharmacological and physiological effects with reliable measurements of endogenous local concentrations and pharmacological and therapeutic targets has remained elusive for over 20 years. OBJECTIVES New basic and clinical research concerning neurosteroid modulation of the central nervous system (CNS) function has emerged over the past 5 years, including important data involving pregnenolone and various neurosteroid precursors of PregS that point to a need for a critical status update. RESULTS Highly specific actions of PregS affecting excitatory N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated synaptic transmission and the pharmacological effects of PregS on various receptors and ion channels are discussed. The discovery of a high potency (nanomolar) signal transduction pathway for PregS-induced NMDAR trafficking to the cell surface via a Ca(2+)- and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent mechanism and a potent (EC50 ~ 2 pM) direct enhancement of intracellular Ca(2+) levels is discussed in terms of its agonist effects on long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory. Lastly, preclinical and clinical studies assessing the promnestic effects of PregS and pregnenolone toward cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, and altered serum levels in epilepsy and alcohol dependence, are reviewed. CONCLUSIONS PregS is present in human and rodent brain at physiologically relevant concentrations and meets most of the criteria for an endogenous neurotransmitter/neuromodulator. PregS likely plays a significant role in modulation of glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission underlying learning and memory, yet the molecular target(s) for its action awaits identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor C. Smith
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Terrell T. Gibbs
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - David H. Farb
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Holubova K, Nekovarova T, Pistovcakova J, Sulcova A, Stuchlík A, Vales K. Pregnanolone Glutamate, a Novel Use-Dependent NMDA Receptor Inhibitor, Exerts Antidepressant-Like Properties in Animal Models. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:130. [PMID: 24795582 PMCID: PMC3997017 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of studies demonstrated a rapid onset of an antidepressant effect of non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) antagonists. Nonetheless, its therapeutic potential is rather limited, due to a high coincidence of negative side-effects. Therefore, the challenge seems to be in the development of NMDAR antagonists displaying antidepressant properties, and at the same time maintaining regular physiological function of the NMDAR. Previous results demonstrated that naturally occurring neurosteroid 3α5β-pregnanolone sulfate shows pronounced inhibitory action by a use-dependent mechanism on the tonically active NMDAR. The aim of the present experiments is to find out whether the treatment with pregnanolone 3αC derivatives affects behavioral response to chronic and acute stress in an animal model of depression. Adult male mice were used throughout the study. Repeated social defeat and forced swimming tests were used as animal models of depression. The effect of the drugs on the locomotor/exploratory activity in the open-field test was also tested together with an effect on anxiety in the elevated plus maze. Results showed that pregnanolone glutamate (PG) did not induce hyperlocomotion, whereas both dizocilpine and ketamine significantly increased spontaneous locomotor activity in the open field. In the elevated plus maze, PG displayed anxiolytic-like properties. In forced swimming, PG prolonged time to the first floating. Acute treatment of PG disinhibited suppressed locomotor activity in the repeatedly defeated group-housed mice. Aggressive behavior of isolated mice was reduced after the chronic 30-day administration of PG. PG showed antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like properties in the used tests, with minimal side-effects. Since PG combines GABAA receptor potentiation and use-dependent NMDAR inhibition, synthetic derivatives of neuroactive steroids present a promising strategy for the treatment of mood disorders. Highlights:
3α5β-pregnanolone glutamate (PG) is a use-dependent antagonist of NMDA receptors. We demonstrated that PG did not induce significant hyperlocomotion. We showed that PG displayed anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Holubova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Nekovarova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Jana Pistovcakova
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Sulcova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlík
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vales
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
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Kleteckova L, Tsenov G, Kubova H, Stuchlik A, Vales K. Neuroprotective effect of the 3α5β-pregnanolone glutamate treatment in the model of focal cerebral ischemia in immature rats. Neurosci Lett 2014; 564:11-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.01.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Deutsch SI, Tang AH, Burket JA, Benson AD. NMDA receptors on the surface of cancer cells: target for chemotherapy? Biomed Pharmacother 2014; 68:493-6. [PMID: 24751001 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2014.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase, is a therapeutic target for many types of cancers. NMDA receptors regulate mTOR signalling activity; their inappropriate expression on several human cancer cell lines represents a potential therapeutic avenue to control dysregulated growth, division and invasiveness. Targeting these receptors with selective ligands (e.g., glycineB site ligands) may be a less toxic and more tolerable approach than administering compounds acting at the mTORC1 complex itself, such as rapamycin and its derivatives. Thus, testing glycineB site ligands in relevant in vitro and in vivo paradigms with established human cancer cells that express NMDA receptors on their surface could provide proofs of concept/principle that would encourage exploration of these and other "non-toxic" strategies. Interestingly, in some cancer models that express NMDA receptors on their surface, NMDA receptor antagonists, such as MK-801 (dizocilpine), were shown to possess anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects, which conflict with hypotheses about promoting NMDA receptor activation as a cancer chemotherapeutic strategy. Whether NMDA receptor activation or antagonism is associated with anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects may reflect differences between cancer cell lines in terms of the proteins associated with the NMDA receptors on their cell surfaces, which, in turn, could lead to different "downstream" effects on cascades of intracellular phosphorylations. Irrespective of whether activation or antagonism is associated with anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects for specific types of cancer, data are emerging that support exploration of targeting NMDA receptors expressed on the surface of cancer cells as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen I Deutsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States.
| | - Amy H Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Jessica A Burket
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Andrew D Benson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
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STUCHLIK A, KUBIK S, VLCEK K, VALES K. Spatial Navigation: Implications for Animal Models, Drug Development and Human Studies. Physiol Res 2014; 63:S237-49. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.932660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial navigation and memory is considered to be a part of the declarative memory system and it is widely used as an animal model of human declarative memory. However, spatial tests typically involve only static settings, despite the dynamic nature of the real world. Animals, as well as people constantly need to interact with moving objects, other subjects or even with entire moving environments (flowing water, running stairway). Therefore, we design novel spatial tests in dynamic environments to study brain mechanisms of spatial processing in more natural settings with an interdisciplinary approach including neuropharmacology. We also translate data from neuropharmacological studies and animal models into development of novel therapeutic approaches to neuropsychiatric disorders and more sensitive screening tests for impairments of memory, thought, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. STUCHLIK
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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Thiol oxidation and altered NR2B/NMDA receptor functions in in vitro and in vivo pilocarpine models: implications for epileptogenesis. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 49:87-98. [PMID: 22824136 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal sclerosis, the main pathological sign of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), is associated with oxidative injury, altered N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) stoichiometry, and loss of hippocampal neurons. However, the mechanisms that drive the chronic progression of TLE remain elusive. Our previous studies have shown that NADPH oxidase activation and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation are required for the up-regulation of the predominantly pre-synaptic NR2B subunit auto-receptor in both in vitro and in vivo pilocarpine (PILO) models of TLE. To provide further understanding of the cellular responses during the early-stages of hyper excitability, we investigated the role of oxidative damage and altered NR2B functions. In rat primary hippocampal cultures, we found that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevented PILO-mediated thiol oxidation, apoptosis, cell death and NR2B subunit over-expression. Interestingly, NAC did not block thiol oxidation when added to the neurons 6h after the PILO exposure, suggesting that disulfide formation could rapidly become an irreversible phenomenon. Moreover, NAC pre-treatment did not prevent PILO-induced NR2A subunit over-expression, a critical event in hippocampal sclerosis. Pre-treatment with the highly specific NR2B subunit inhibitor, ifenprodil, partially decreased PILO-mediated thiol oxidation and was not effective in preventing apoptosis and cell death. However, if acutely administered 48h after PILO exposure, ifenprodil blocked glutamate-induced aberrant calcium influx, suggesting the crucial role of NR2B over-expression in triggering neuronal hyper-excitability. Furthermore, ifenprodil treatment was able to prevent NR2A subunit over-expression by means of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Our findings indicate oxidative stress and NR2B/NMDA signaling as promising therapeutic targets for co-treatments aimed to prevent chronic epilepsy following the seizure onset.
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Collingridge GL, Volianskis A, Bannister N, France G, Hanna L, Mercier M, Tidball P, Fang G, Irvine MW, Costa BM, Monaghan DT, Bortolotto ZA, Molnár E, Lodge D, Jane DE. The NMDA receptor as a target for cognitive enhancement. Neuropharmacology 2012; 64:13-26. [PMID: 22796429 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 06/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play an important role in neural plasticity including long-term potentiation and long-term depression, which are likely to explain their importance for learning and memory. Cognitive decline is a major problem facing an ageing human population, so much so that its reversal has become an important goal for scientific research and pharmaceutical development. Enhancement of NMDAR function is a core strategy toward this goal. In this review we indicate some of the major ways of potentiating NMDAR function by both direct and indirect modulation. There is good evidence that both positive and negative modulation can enhance function suggesting that a subtle approach correcting imbalances in particular clinical situations will be required. Excessive activation and the resultant deleterious effects will need to be carefully avoided. Finally we describe some novel positive allosteric modulators of NMDARs, with some subunit selectivity, and show initial evidence of their ability to affect NMDAR mediated events. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham L Collingridge
- MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK.
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Bolton C, Wood EG, Ayoub SS. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor involvement in central nervous system prostaglandin production during the relapse phase of chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (CR EAE). Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2012; 27:535-43. [PMID: 22742874 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2012.01050.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Our previous studies have established that major changes in central nervous system (CNS) prostaglandin (PG) levels occur during the relapse phase of chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (CR EAE), an animal model of the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. PG production is controlled through a series of enzymic pathways that, in EAE, are influenced by neuroantigen-driven autoimmune events. In non-immune-based models of CNS disease, endogenous glucocorticoids have been proposed as instigators of PG synthesis via activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Glucocorticoids have an important regulatory role in the pathogenesis EAE and the NMDA receptor is intimately involved in many of the characteristic neuroinflammatory processes that govern the disease. Therefore, the alterations in prostanoid concentrations during the relapse stage of CR EAE may ultimately be governed by glucocorticoid-induced NMDA receptor activation. The current investigation has examined the proposed glucocorticoid-NMDA receptor link by determining the effects of the receptor antagonist, (+) MK-801, on CNS PGE 2 and PGD 2 levels in Biozzi mice with relapse symptoms of CR EAE. Prostanoid concentrations in the cerebral cortex were not altered by drug administration, and in cerebellar tissues, a vehicle effect negated any drug-induced changes. However, the level of PGD 2 in spinal cords from (+) MK-801-dosed mice was significantly lower, compared to controls, but PGE 2 concentrations remained unchanged. The results suggest that glucocorticoid-NMDA receptor-linked events are not primarily responsible for PG generation in the brain but may influence prostanoid production in discrete areas of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Bolton
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, St. Bartholomew's and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4, Newark Street, London, E12 AT, UK
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Cameron K, Bartle E, Roark R, Fanelli D, Pham M, Pollard B, Borkowski B, Rhoads S, Kim J, Rocha M, Kahlson M, Kangala M, Gentile L. Neurosteroid binding to the amino terminal and glutamate binding domains of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Steroids 2012; 77:774-9. [PMID: 22504555 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2012.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Revised: 03/25/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous neurosteroids, pregnenolone sulfate (PS) and 3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one sulfate (PREGAS), have been shown to differentially regulate the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family of ligand-gated ion channels. Upon binding to these receptors, PREGAS decreases current flow through the channels. Upon binding to non-NMDA or NMDA receptors containing an GluN2C or GluN2D subunit, PS also decreases current flow through the channels, however, upon binding to NMDA receptors containing an GluN2A or GluN2B subunit, flow through the channels increases. To begin to understand this differential regulation, we have cloned the S1S2 and amino terminal domains (ATD) of the NMDA GluN2B and GluN2D and AMPA GluA2 subunits. Here we present results that show that PS and PREGAS bind to different sites in the ATD of the GluA2 subunit, which when combined with previous results from our lab, now identifies two binding domains for each neurosteroid. We also show both neurosteroids bind only to the ATD of the GluN2D subunit, suggesting that this binding is distinct from that of the AMPA GluA2 subunit, with both leading to iGluR inhibition. Finally, we provide evidence that both PS and PREGAS bind to the S1S2 domain of the NMDA GluN2B subunit. Neurosteroid binding to the S1S2 domain of NMDA subunits responsible for potentiation of iGluRs and to the ATD of NMDA subunits responsible for inhibition of iGluRs, provides an interesting option for therapeutic design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krasnodara Cameron
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
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Frye CA, Paris JJ, Walf AA, Rusconi JC. Effects and Mechanisms of 3α,5α,-THP on Emotion, Motivation, and Reward Functions Involving Pregnane Xenobiotic Receptor. Front Neurosci 2012; 5:136. [PMID: 22294977 PMCID: PMC3261425 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2011.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Progestogens [progesterone (P(4)) and its products] play fundamental roles in the development and/or function of the central nervous system during pregnancy. We, and others, have investigated the role of pregnane neurosteroids for a plethora of functional effects beyond their pro-gestational processes. Emerging findings regarding the effects, mechanisms, and sources of neurosteroids have challenged traditional dogma about steroid action. How the P(4) metabolite and neurosteroid, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP), influences cellular functions and behavioral processes involved in emotion/affect, motivation, and reward, is the focus of the present review. To further understand these processes, we have utilized an animal model assessing the effects, mechanisms, and sources of 3α,5α-THP. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), 3α,5α-THP has actions to facilitate affective, and motivated, social behaviors through non-traditional targets, such as GABA, glutamate, and dopamine receptors. 3α,5α-THP levels in the midbrain VTA both facilitate, and/or are enhanced by, affective and social behavior. The pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) mediates the production of, and/or metabolism to, various neurobiological factors. PXR is localized to the midbrain VTA of rats. The role of PXR to influence 3α,5α-THP production from central biosynthesis, and/or metabolism of peripheral P(4), in the VTA, as well as its role to facilitate, or be increased by, affective/social behaviors is under investigation. Investigating novel behavioral functions of 3α,5α-THP extends our knowledge of the neurobiology of progestogens, relevant for affective/social behaviors, and their connections to systems that regulate affect and motivated processes, such as those important for stress regulation and neuropsychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, drug dependence). Thus, further understanding of 3α,5α-THP's role and mechanisms to enhance affective and motivated processes is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A. Frye
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
- Biological Sciences, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
- The Centers for Neuroscience, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
- Life Science Research, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
| | - J. J. Paris
- Department of Psychology, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
| | - A. A. Walf
- Life Science Research, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
| | - J. C. Rusconi
- Biological Sciences, The University at Albany-SUNYAlbany, NY, USA
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