Etiology of (CAG)n triplet repeat neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease is connected to stimulation of glutamate receptors

Ion channels and neuronal excitability in polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases

Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a family composed of nine neurodegenerative inherited disorders (NDDs) caused by pathological expansions of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeats which encode a polyQ tract in the corresponding proteins. CAG polyQ repeat expansions produce neurodegeneration via multiple downstream mechanisms; among those the neuronal activity underlying the ion channels is affected directly by specific channelopathies or indirectly by secondary dysregulation. In both cases, the altered excitability underlies to gain- or loss-of-function pathological effects. Here we summarize the repertoire of ion channels in polyQ NDDs emphasizing the biophysical features of neuronal excitability and their pathogenic role. The aim of this review is to point out the value of a deeper understanding of those functional mechanisms and processes as crucial elements for the designing and targeting of novel therapeutic avenues.

Human PDE5A gene encodes three PDE5 isoforms from two alternate promoters

Sildenafil improves erectile function by inhibiting the cGMP-catalytic activity of phosphodiesterase type V (PDE5). We used rapid amplification of cDNA Ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) to isolate three PDE5 isoforms from human corpus cavernosum. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis on eight human cavernous tissue samples showed that all samples expressed the PDE5A1 at a lower level than the PDE5A2 isoform. Five samples expressed the PDE5A3 isoform at various levels while the other three did not. Analysis on non-penile tissues showed that all tissues expressed the A1 and A2 isoforms while only those that have substantial amounts of smooth muscle expressed the A3 isoform. Cloning and sequencing of the PDE5A gene showed that the isoform-specific 5'-ends of the PDE5 mRNAs are encoded from three alternative first exons arranged in the order of A1-A3-A2. Promoter activities were detected upstream from the A1-specific exon and in the intron preceding the A2-specific exon. The upstream PDE5A promoter is expected to direct the expression of all three PDE5 isoforms while the intronic PDE5A2 promoter only the A2 isoform. Both promoters were upregulated by increasing concentrations of either cAMP or cGMP. Several transcription factor AP2 and Sp1-binding sequences identified in the promoters are likely to be the mediators of cAMP/cGMP-responsiveness.

Brain cannabinoid systems as targets for the therapy of neurological disorders

Unprecedented developments in cannabinoid research within the past decade include discovery of a brain (CB1) and peripheral (CB2) receptor; endogenous ligands, anandamide, and 2-arachidonylglycerol; cannabinoid drug-induced partial and inverse agonism at CB1 receptors, antagonism of NMDA receptors and glutamate, and antioxidant activity; and preferential CB1 receptor localization in areas subserving spasticity, pain, abnormal involuntary movements, seizures, and amnesia. These endogenous structures and chemicals and mechanisms are potentially new pathophysiologic substrates, and targets for novel cannabinoid treatments, of several neurological disorders.