1
|
Takeuchi H, Kurahashi T. Segregation of Ca2+ signaling in olfactory signal transduction. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:213865. [PMID: 36787110 PMCID: PMC9960254 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory signal transduction is conducted through a cAMP-mediated second messenger cascade. The cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration increases through the opening of CNG channels, a phenomenon that underlies two major functions, namely, signal boosting and olfactory adaptation. Signal boosting is achieved by an additional opening of the Ca2+-activated Cl- channel whereas adaptation is regulated by Ca2+ feedback to the CNG channel. Thus, the influx of Ca2+ and the resultant increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels play seemingly opposing effects: increasing the current while reducing the current through adaptation. The two functions could be interpreted as compensating for each other. However, in real cells, both functions should be segregated. Ca2+ dynamics in olfactory cilia need to be directly measured, but technical difficulties accompanying the thin structure of olfactory cilia have prevented systematic analyses. In this study, using a combination of electrophysiology, local photolysis of caged cAMP, and Ca2+ imaging, we found that free Ca2+ in the local ciliary cytoplasm decreased along with a reduction in the current containing Ca2+-activated Cl- components returning to the basal level, whereas Ca2+-dependent adaptation persisted for a longer period. The activity of Cl- channels is highly likely to be regulated by the free Ca2+ that is present only immediately after the influx through the CNG channel, and an exclusive interaction between Ca2+ and Ca2+-binding proteins that mediate the adaptation may modulate the adaptation lifetime.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Takeuchi
- Department of Biophysical Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Correspondence to Hiroko Takeuchi:
| | - Takashi Kurahashi
- Department of Biophysical Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jeynes-Smith C, Araujo RP. Protein-protein complexes can undermine ultrasensitivity-dependent biological adaptation. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20220553. [PMID: 36596458 PMCID: PMC9810431 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Robust perfect adaptation (RPA) is a ubiquitously observed signalling response across all scales of biological organization. A major class of network architectures that drive RPA in complex networks is the Opposer module-a feedback-regulated network into which specialized integral-computing 'opposer node(s)' are embedded. Although ultrasensitivity-generating chemical reactions have long been considered a possible mechanism for such adaptation-conferring opposer nodes, this hypothesis has relied on simplified Michaelian models, which neglect the presence of protein-protein complexes. Here we develop complex-complete models of interlinked covalent-modification cycles with embedded ultrasensitivity, explicitly capturing all molecular interactions and protein complexes. Strikingly, we demonstrate that the presence of protein-protein complexes thwarts the network's capacity for RPA in any 'free' active protein form, conferring RPA capacity instead on the concentration of a larger protein pool consisting of two distinct forms of a single protein. We further show that the presence of enzyme-substrate complexes, even at comparatively low concentrations, play a crucial and previously unrecognized role in controlling the RPA response-significantly reducing the range of network inputs for which RPA can obtain, and imposing greater parametric requirements on the RPA response. These surprising results raise fundamental new questions as to the biochemical requirements for adaptation-conferring Opposer modules within complex cellular networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. Jeynes-Smith
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - R. P. Araujo
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim H, Kim H, Nguyen LT, Ha T, Lim S, Kim K, Kim SH, Han K, Hyeon SJ, Ryu H, Park YS, Kim SH, Kim IB, Hong GS, Lee SE, Choi Y, Cohen LB, Oh U. Amplification of olfactory signals by Anoctamin 9 is important for mammalian olfaction. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 219:102369. [PMID: 36330924 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sensing smells of foods, prey, or predators determines animal survival. Olfactory sensory neurons in the olfactory epithelium (OE) detect odorants, where cAMP and Ca2+ play a significant role in transducing odorant inputs to electrical activity. Here we show Anoctamin 9, a cation channel activated by cAMP/PKA pathway, is expressed in the OE and amplifies olfactory signals. Ano9-deficient mice had reduced olfactory behavioral sensitivity, electro-olfactogram signals, and neural activity in the olfactory bulb. In line with the difference in olfaction between birds and other vertebrates, chick ANO9 failed to respond to odorants, whereas chick CNGA2, a major transduction channel, showed greater responses to cAMP. Thus, we concluded that the signal amplification by ANO9 is important for mammalian olfactory transduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyungsup Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesu Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Luan Thien Nguyen
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Taewoong Ha
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujin Lim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungmin Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Ho Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungreem Han
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Jae Hyeon
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Soo Park
- Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Beom Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyu-Sang Hong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunsook Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Lawrence B Cohen
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Uhtaek Oh
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oh JH, Han YE, Bao YR, Kang CW, Koo J, Ku CR, Cho YH, Lee EJ. Olfactory marker protein regulation of glucagon secretion in hyperglycemia. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1502-1510. [PMID: 36104518 PMCID: PMC9534918 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00843-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The olfactory marker protein (OMP), which is also expressed in nonolfactory tissues, plays a role in regulating the kinetics and termination of olfactory transduction. Thus, we hypothesized that OMP may play a similar role in modulating the secretion of hormones involved in Ca2+ and cAMP signaling, such as glucagon. In the present study, we confirmed nonolfactory α-cell-specific OMP expression in human and mouse pancreatic islets as well as in the murine α-cell line αTC1.9. Glucagon and OMP expression increased under hyperglycemic conditions. Omp knockdown in hyperglycemic αTC1.9 cells using small-interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the responses to glucagon release and the related signaling pathways compared with the si-negative control. The OMPlox/lox;GCGcre/w mice expressed basal glucagon levels similar to those in the wild-type OMPlox/lox mice but showed resistance against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia. The ectopic olfactory signaling events in pancreatic α-cells suggest that olfactory receptor pathways could be therapeutic targets for reducing excessive glucagon levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ju Hun Oh
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ye Eon Han
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ya Ru Bao
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chan Woo Kang
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - JaeHyung Koo
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, South Korea
| | - Cheol Ryong Ku
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon Hee Cho
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Eun Jig Lee
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abdelazim MH, Abdelazim AH, Moneir W. The effect of intra-nasal tetra sodium pyrophosphate on decreasing elevated nasal calcium and improving olfactory function post COVID-19: a randomized controlled trial. ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 18:67. [PMID: 35927706 PMCID: PMC9354346 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-022-00711-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Olfactory dysfunction is recognized as a symptom of COVID-19. Reports revealed the nasal calcium increase has adverse effects on olfactory function. Tetra sodium pyrophosphate, a chelating agent, can bind calcium and help improve olfaction. Methods Sixty-four patients with olfactory dysfunction persisting for more than 90 days after COVID-19 were recruited. Participants were divided into 2 groups that received either 0.9% sodium chloride or 1% tetra sodium pyrophosphate for topical application. Olfactory function was tested with the Sniffin' Sticks test before treatment and 1 month later. In addition, nasal calcium was determined with an ion-selective electrode. Results After topical application of tetra sodium pyrophosphate compared to sodium chloride, improvement from anosmia to hyposmia with decrease in calcium level was demonstrated. As for the results of tetra-sodium pyrophosphate, 81% showed improved olfactory function and 19% did not exhibit olfaction improvement. Conclusions Intranasal application of tetra sodium pyrophosphate may be associated with improvement in olfactory function after COVID -19 infection. Trial registration Ethical Committee of Damietta Faculty of Medicine approved this study on January 2021 (approval number, IRB 00012367-21-03-010).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H Abdelazim
- Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, 34518, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Abdelazim
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr CityCairo, 11751, Egypt.
| | - Waleed Moneir
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35511, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
microRNA-Mediated Encoding and Decoding of Time-Dependent Signals in Tumorigenesis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020213. [PMID: 35204714 PMCID: PMC8961662 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
microRNAs, pivotal post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, in the past decades have caught the attention of researchers for their involvement in different biological processes, ranging from cell development to cancer. Although lots of effort has been devoted to elucidate the topological features and the equilibrium properties of microRNA-mediated motifs, little is known about how the information encoded in frequency, amplitude, duration, and other features of their regulatory signals can affect the resulting gene expression patterns. Here, we review the current knowledge about microRNA-mediated gene regulatory networks characterized by time-dependent input signals, such as pulses, transient inputs, and oscillations. First, we identify the general characteristic of the main motifs underlying temporal patterns. Then, we analyze their impact on two commonly studied oncogenic networks, showing how their dysfunction can lead to tumorigenesis.
Collapse
|
7
|
Hernandez A, Alaniz-Palacios A, Contreras-Vite JA, Martínez-Torres A. Positive modulation of the TMEM16B mediated currents by TRPV4 antagonist. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 28:101180. [PMID: 34917777 PMCID: PMC8646129 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) play important roles in many physiological processes and their malfunction is implicated in diverse pathologies such as cancer, asthma, and hypertension. TMEM16A and TMEM16B proteins are the structural components of the CaCCs. Recent studies in cell cultures and animal models have demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of CaCCs could be helpful in the treatment of some diseases, however, there are few specific modulators of these channels. CaCCs and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) channels are co-expressed in some tissues where they functionally interact. TRPV4 is activated by different stimuli and forms a calcium permeable channel that is activated by GSK1016790A and antagonized by GSK2193874. Here we report that GSK2193874 enhances the chloride currents mediated by TMEM16B expressed in HEK cells at nanomolar concentrations and that GSK1016790A enhances native CaCCs of Xenopus oocytes. Thus, these compounds may be used as a tool for the study of CaCCs, TRPV4 and their interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adan Hernandez
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Alaniz-Palacios
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Juan A Contreras-Vite
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ataúlfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Francia S, Lodovichi C. The role of the odorant receptors in the formation of the sensory map. BMC Biol 2021; 19:174. [PMID: 34452614 PMCID: PMC8394594 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01116-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In the olfactory system, odorant receptors (ORs) expressed at the cell membrane of olfactory sensory neurons detect odorants and direct sensory axons toward precise target locations in the brain, reflected in the presence of olfactory sensory maps. This dual role of ORs is corroborated by their subcellular expression both in cilia, where they bind odorants, and at axon terminals, a location suitable for axon guidance cues. Here, we provide an overview and discuss previous work on the role of ORs in establishing the topographic organization of the olfactory system and recent findings on the mechanisms of activation and function of axonal ORs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Francia
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudia Lodovichi
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy. .,Neuroscience Institute CNR, Via Orus 2, 35129, Padua, Italy. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. .,Padova Neuroscience Center, Padua, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jeynes-Smith C, Araujo RP. Ultrasensitivity and bistability in covalent-modification cycles with positive autoregulation. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2021; 477:20210069. [PMID: 35153570 PMCID: PMC8331239 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2021.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Switch-like behaviours in biochemical networks are of fundamental significance in biological signal processing, and exist as two distinct types: ultra-sensitivity and bistability. Here we propose two new models of a reversible covalent-modification cycle with positive autoregulation (PAR), a motif structure that is thought to be capable of both ultrasensitivity and bistability in different parameter regimes. These new models appeal to a modelling framework that we call complex-complete, which accounts fully for the molecular complexities of the underlying signalling mechanisms. Each of the two new models encodes a specific molecular mechanism for PAR. We demonstrate that the modelling simplifications for PAR models that have been used in previous work, which rely on Michaelian approximations, are unable to accurately recapitulate the qualitative signalling responses supported by our detailed models. Strikingly, we show that complex-complete PAR models are capable of new qualitative responses such as one-way switches and a 'prozone' effect, depending on the specific PAR-encoding mechanism, which are not supported by Michaelian simplifications. Our results highlight the critical importance of accurately representing the molecular details of biochemical signalling mechanisms, and strongly suggest that the Michaelian approximation is inadequate for predictive models of enzyme-mediated chemical reactions with added regulations such as PAR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cailan Jeynes-Smith
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robyn P. Araujo
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Brisbane, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
A Comparative Perspective on Functionally-Related, Intracellular Calcium Channels: The Insect Ryanodine and Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11071031. [PMID: 34356655 PMCID: PMC8301844 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is vital for insect development and metabolism, and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major intracellular reservoir for Ca2+. The inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) are large homotetrameric channels associated with the ER and serve as two major actors in ER-derived Ca2+ supply. Most of the knowledge on these receptors derives from mammalian systems that possess three genes for each receptor. These studies have inspired work on synonymous receptors in insects, which encode a single IP3R and RyR. In the current review, we focus on a fundamental, common question: “why do insect cells possess two Ca2+ channel receptors in the ER?”. Through a comparative approach, this review covers the discovery of RyRs and IP3Rs, examines their structures/functions, the pathways that they interact with, and their potential as target sites in pest control. Although insects RyRs and IP3Rs share structural similarities, they are phylogenetically distinct, have their own structural organization, regulatory mechanisms, and expression patterns, which explains their functional distinction. Nevertheless, both have great potential as target sites in pest control, with RyRs currently being targeted by commercial insecticide, the diamides.
Collapse
|
11
|
Salinity-dependent expression of calcium-sensing receptors in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) tissues. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2021; 207:505-522. [PMID: 34114081 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-021-01493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Multiple reports suggest that calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) are involved in calcium homeostasis, osmoregulation, and/or salinity sensing in fish (Loretz 2008, Herberger and Loretz 2013). We have isolated three unique full-length CaSR cDNAs from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) kidney that share many features with other reported CaSRs. Using anti-CaSR antibodies and PCR primers specific for individual salmon CaSR transcripts we show expression in osmoregulatory, neuroendocrine and sensory tissues. Furthermore, CaSRs are expressed in different patterns in salmon tissues where mRNA and protein expression are modified by freshwater or seawater acclimation. For example, in seawater, CaSR mRNA and protein expression is increased significantly in kidney as compared to freshwater. Electrophysiological recordings of olfactory responses produced upon exposure of salmon olfactory epithelium to CaSR agonists suggest a role for CaSRs in chemoreception in this species consistent with other freshwater, anadromous, and marine species where similar olfactory responses to divalent and polyvalent cations have been reported. These data provide further support for a role of CaSR proteins in osmoregulatory and sensory functions in Atlantic salmon, an anadromous species that experiences a broad range of environmental salinities in its life history.
Collapse
|
12
|
Thippeswamy H, Davies W. A new molecular risk pathway for postpartum mood disorders: clues from steroid sulfatase-deficient individuals. Arch Womens Ment Health 2021; 24:391-401. [PMID: 33219387 PMCID: PMC8116278 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-020-01093-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum mood disorders develop shortly after childbirth in a significant proportion of women. These conditions are associated with a range of symptoms including abnormally high or low mood, irritability, cognitive disorganisation, disrupted sleep, hallucinations/delusions, and occasionally suicidal or infanticidal ideation; if not treated promptly, they can substantially impact upon the mother's health, mother-infant bonding, and family dynamics. The biological precipitants of such disorders remain unclear, although large changes in maternal immune and hormonal physiology following childbirth are likely to play a role. Pharmacological therapies for postpartum mood disorders can be effective, but may be associated with side effects, concerns relating to breastfeeding, and teratogenicity risks when used prophylactically. Furthermore, most of the drugs that are used to treat postpartum mood disorders are the same ones that are used to treat mood episodes during non-postpartum periods. A better understanding of the biological factors predisposing to postpartum mood disorders would allow for rational drug development, and the identification of predictive biomarkers to ensure that 'at risk' mothers receive earlier and more effective clinical management. We describe new findings relating to the role of the enzyme steroid sulfatase in maternal postpartum behavioural processes, and discuss how these point to a novel molecular risk pathway underlying postpartum mood disorders. Specifically, we suggest that aberrant steroid hormone-dependent regulation of neuronal calcium influx via extracellular matrix proteins and membrane receptors involved in responding to the cell's microenvironment might be important. Testing of this hypothesis might identify novel therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harish Thippeswamy
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
| | - William Davies
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics and Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. .,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK. .,Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Design of Anticancer 2,4-Diaminopyrimidines as Novel Anoctamin 1 (ANO1) Ion Channel Blockers. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215180. [PMID: 33172169 PMCID: PMC7664333 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrimidine is a privileged scaffold in many synthetic compounds exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities, and is used for therapeutic applications in a broad spectrum of human diseases. In this study, we prepared a small set of pyrimidine libraries based on the structure of two hit compounds that were identified through the screening of an in-house library in order to identify an inhibitor of anoctamin 1 (ANO1). ANO1 is amplified in various types of human malignant tumors, such as head and neck, parathyroid, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, as well as in breast, lung, and prostate cancers. After initial screening and further structure optimization, we identified Aa3 as a dose-dependent ANO1 blocker. This compound exhibited more potent anti-cancer activity in the NCI-H460 cell line, expressing high levels of ANO1 compared with that in A549 cells that express low levels of ANO1. Our results open a new direction for the development of small-molecule ANO1 blockers composed of a pyrimidine scaffold and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moiety, with drug-like properties.
Collapse
|
14
|
Olivares J, Schmachtenberg O. An update on anatomy and function of the teleost olfactory system. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7808. [PMID: 31579633 PMCID: PMC6768218 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
About half of all extant vertebrates are teleost fishes. Although our knowledge about anatomy and function of their olfactory systems still lags behind that of mammals, recent advances in cellular and molecular biology have provided us with a wealth of novel information about the sense of smell in this important animal group. Its paired olfactory organs contain up to five types of olfactory receptor neurons expressing OR, TAAR, VR1- and VR2-class odorant receptors associated with individual transduction machineries. The different types of receptor neurons are preferentially tuned towards particular classes of odorants, that are associated with specific behaviors, such as feeding, mating or migration. We discuss the connections of the receptor neurons in the olfactory bulb, the differences in bulbar circuitry compared to mammals, and the characteristics of second order projections to telencephalic olfactory areas, considering the everted ontogeny of the teleost telencephalon. The review concludes with a brief overview of current theories about odor coding and the prominent neural oscillations observed in the teleost olfactory system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Olivares
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Universidad de Valparaíso, PhD Program in Neuroscience, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Oliver Schmachtenberg
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu W, Qin H, Pan Y, Luo F, Zhang Z. Low concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate repress osteogenic and enhance adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 367:82-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
16
|
Takeuchi H, Kurahashi T. Second messenger molecules have a limited spread in olfactory cilia. J Gen Physiol 2018; 150:1647-1659. [PMID: 30352795 PMCID: PMC6279364 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory responses in the cilia of olfactory receptor cells last for longer than 10 s, which cannot be explained by free diffusion of second messengers. Takeuchi and Kurahashi show that these signaling molecules have a limited spread and remain at the site of generation for a long time. Odorants are detected by olfactory receptors on the sensory cilia of olfactory receptor cells (ORCs). These cylindrical cilia have a diameters of 100–200 nm, within which the components required for signal transduction by the adenylyl cyclase–cAMP system are located. The kinetics of odorant responses are determined by the lifetimes of active proteins as well as the production, diffusion, and extrusion/degradation of second messenger molecules (cAMP and Ca2+). However, there is limited information about the molecular kinetics of ORC responses, mostly because of the technical limitations involved in studying such narrow spaces and fine structures. In this study, using a combination of electrophysiology, photolysis of caged substances, and spot UV laser stimulation, we show that second messenger molecules work only in the vicinity of their site of generation in the olfactory cilia. Such limited spreading clearly explains a unique feature of ORCs, namely, the integer multiple of unitary events that they display in low Ca2+ conditions. Although the small ORC uses cAMP and Ca2+ for various functions in different regions of the cell, these substances seem to operate only in the compartment that has been activated by the appropriate stimulus. We also show that these substances remain in the same vicinity for a long time. This enables the ORC to amplify the odorant signal and extend the lifetime of Ca2+-dependent adaptation. Cytoplasmic buffers and extrusion/degradation systems seem to play a crucial role in limiting molecular spreading. In addition, binding sites on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane may limit molecular diffusion in such a narrow space because of the high surface/volume ratio. Such efficient energy conversion may also be broadly used in other biological systems that have not yet been subjected to systematic experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Takeuchi
- Department of Biophysical Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Kurahashi
- Department of Biophysical Dynamics, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Adaptation refers to the biological phenomenon where living systems change their internal states in response to changes in their environments in order to maintain certain key functions critical for their survival and fitness. Adaptation is one of the most ubiquitous and arguably one of the most fundamental properties of living systems. It occurs throughout all biological scales, from adaptation of populations of species over evolutionary time to adaptation of a single cell to different environmental stresses during its life span. In this article, we review some of the recent progress made in understanding molecular mechanisms of cellular level adaptation. We take the minimalist (or the physicist) approach and study the simplest systems that exhibit generic adaptive behaviors. We focus on understanding the basic biochemical interaction networks in living matter that are responsible for adaptation dynamics. By combining theoretical modeling with quantitative experimentation, we demonstrate universal features in adaptation as well as important differences in different cellular systems, including chemotaxis in bacterium cells (Escherichia coli) and eukaryotic cells (Dictyostelium). Future work in extending the modeling framework to study adaptation in more complex systems such as sensory neurons are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhai Tu
- IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
James ZM, Zagotta WN. Structural insights into the mechanisms of CNBD channel function. J Gen Physiol 2017; 150:225-244. [PMID: 29233886 PMCID: PMC5806680 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201711898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
James and Zagotta discuss how recent cryoEM structures inform our understanding of cyclic nucleotide–binding domain channels. Cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (CNBD) channels are a family of ion channels in the voltage-gated K+ channel superfamily that play crucial roles in many physiological processes. CNBD channels are structurally similar but functionally very diverse. This family includes three subfamilies: (1) the cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, which are cation-nonselective, voltage-independent, and cyclic nucleotide-gated; (2) the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which are weakly K+ selective, hyperpolarization-activated, and cyclic nucleotide-gated; and (3) the ether-à-go-go-type (KCNH) channels, which are strongly K+ selective, depolarization-activated, and cyclic nucleotide-independent. Recently, several high-resolution structures have been reported for intact CNBD channels, providing a structural framework to better understand their diverse function. In this review, we compare and contrast the recent structures and discuss how they inform our understanding of ion selectivity, voltage-dependent gating, and cyclic nucleotide–dependent gating within this channel family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary M James
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - William N Zagotta
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fierro F, Suku E, Alfonso-Prieto M, Giorgetti A, Cichon S, Carloni P. Agonist Binding to Chemosensory Receptors: A Systematic Bioinformatics Analysis. Front Mol Biosci 2017; 4:63. [PMID: 28932739 PMCID: PMC5592726 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2017.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human G-protein coupled receptors (hGPCRs) constitute a large and highly pharmaceutically relevant membrane receptor superfamily. About half of the hGPCRs' family members are chemosensory receptors, involved in bitter taste and olfaction, along with a variety of other physiological processes. Hence these receptors constitute promising targets for pharmaceutical intervention. Molecular modeling has been so far the most important tool to get insights on agonist binding and receptor activation. Here we investigate both aspects by bioinformatics-based predictions across all bitter taste and odorant receptors for which site-directed mutagenesis data are available. First, we observe that state-of-the-art homology modeling combined with previously used docking procedures turned out to reproduce only a limited fraction of ligand/receptor interactions inferred by experiments. This is most probably caused by the low sequence identity with available structural templates, which limits the accuracy of the protein model and in particular of the side-chains' orientations. Methods which transcend the limited sampling of the conformational space of docking may improve the predictions. As an example corroborating this, we review here multi-scale simulations from our lab and show that, for the three complexes studied so far, they significantly enhance the predictive power of the computational approach. Second, our bioinformatics analysis provides support to previous claims that several residues, including those at positions 1.50, 2.50, and 7.52, are involved in receptor activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fierro
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum JülichJülich, Germany
| | - Eda Suku
- Department of Biotechnology, University of VeronaVerona, Italy
| | - Mercedes Alfonso-Prieto
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum JülichJülich, Germany.,Cécile and Oskar Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alejandro Giorgetti
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum JülichJülich, Germany.,Department of Biotechnology, University of VeronaVerona, Italy
| | - Sven Cichon
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-1, Forschungszentrum JülichJülich, Germany.,Institute for Human Genetics, Department of Genomics, Life&Brain Center, University of BonnBonn, Germany.,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University of BaselBasel, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Computational Biomedicine, Institute for Advanced Simulation IAS-5 and Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine INM-9, Forschungszentrum JülichJülich, Germany.,Department of Physics, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule AachenAachen, Germany.,VNU Key Laboratory "Multiscale Simulation of Complex Systems", VNU University of Science, Vietnam National UniversityHanoi, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mechanisms of synaptic depression at the hair cell ribbon synapse that support auditory nerve function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:9719-9724. [PMID: 28827351 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1706160114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inner hair cells (IHCs) in the cochlea are the mammalian phono-receptors, transducing sound energy into graded changes in membrane potentials, the so called "receptor potentials." Ribbon synapses between IHCs and auditory nerve neurons are responsible for converting receptor potentials into spike rates. The characteristics of auditory nerve responses to sound have been described extensively. For instance, persistent acoustic stimulation produces sensory adaptation, which is revealed as a reduction in neuronal spike rate with time constants in the range of milliseconds to seconds. Since the amplitude of IHC receptor potentials is invariant during this period, the classic hypothesis pointed to vesicle depletion at the IHC as responsible for auditory adaptation. In this study, we observed that fast synaptic depression occurred in responses to stimuli of varying intensities. Nevertheless, release continued after this initial depression, via synaptic vesicles with slower exocytotic kinetics. Heterogeneity in kinetic elements, therefore, favored synaptic responses with an early peak and a sustained phase. The application of cyclothiazide (CTZ) revealed that desensitization of postsynaptic receptors contributed to synaptic depression, which was more pronounced during stronger stimulation. Thus, desensitization had a twofold effect: It abbreviated signaling between IHC and the auditory nerve and also balanced differences in decay kinetics between responses to different stimulation strengths. We therefore propose that both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms at the IHC ribbon synapse contribute to synaptic depression at the IHC ribbon synapse and spike rate adaptation in the auditory nerve.
Collapse
|
21
|
Simultaneous Loss of NCKX4 and CNG Channel Desensitization Impairs Olfactory Sensitivity. J Neurosci 2017; 37:110-119. [PMID: 28053034 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2527-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), Ca2+ plays key roles in both mediating and regulating the olfactory response. Ca2+ enters OSN cilia during the response through the olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel and stimulates a depolarizing chloride current by opening the olfactory Ca2+-activated chloride channel to amplify the response. Ca2+ also exerts negative regulation on the olfactory transduction cascade, through mechanisms that include reducing the CNG current by desensitizing the CNG channel via Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM), to reduce the response. Ca2+ is removed from the cilia primarily by the K+-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 4 (NCKX4), and the removal of Ca2+ leads to closure of the chloride channel and response termination. In this study, we investigate how two mechanisms conventionally considered negative regulatory mechanisms of olfactory transduction, Ca2+ removal by NCKX4, and desensitization of the CNG channel by Ca2+/CaM, interact to regulate the olfactory response. We performed electro-olfactogram (EOG) recordings on the double-mutant mice, NCKX4-/-;CNGB1ΔCaM, which are simultaneously lacking NCKX4 (NCKX4-/-) and Ca2+/CaM-mediated CNG channel desensitization (CNGB1ΔCaM). Despite exhibiting alterations in various response attributes, including termination kinetics and adaption properties, OSNs in either NCKX4-/- mice or CNGB1ΔCaM mice show normal resting sensitivity, as determined by their unchanged EOG response amplitude. We found that OSNs in NCKX4-/-;CNGB1ΔCaM mice displayed markedly reduced EOG amplitude accompanied by alterations in other response attributes. This study suggests that what are conventionally considered negative regulatory mechanisms of olfactory transduction also play a role in setting the resting sensitivity in OSNs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory receptor cells maintain high sensitivity at rest. Although the mechanisms responsible for setting the resting sensitivity of sensory receptor cells are not well understood, it has generally been assumed that the sensitivity is set primarily by how effectively the components in the activation cascade of sensory transduction can be stimulated. Our findings in mouse olfactory sensory neurons suggest that mechanisms that are primarily responsible for terminating the olfactory response are also critical for proper resting sensitivity.
Collapse
|
22
|
Yu B, Jiang Y, Jin L, Ma T, Yang H. Role of Quercetin in Modulating Chloride Transport in the Intestine. Front Physiol 2016; 7:549. [PMID: 27932986 PMCID: PMC5120089 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial chloride channels provide the pathways for fluid secretion in the intestine. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) are the main chloride channels in the luminal membrane of enterocytes. These transmembrane proteins play important roles in many physiological processes. In this study, we have identified a flavonoid quercetin as a modulator of CaCC chloride channel activity. Fluorescence quenching assay showed that quercetin activated Cl− transport in a dose-dependent manner, with EC50 ~37 μM. Short-circuit current analysis confirmed that quercetin activated CaCC-mediated Cl− currents in HT-29 cells that can be abolished by CaCCinh-A01. Ex vivo studies indicated that application of quercetin to mouse ileum and colon on serosal side resulted in activation of CFTR and CaCC-mediated Cl− currents. Notably, we found that quercetin exhibited inhibitory effect against ANO1 chloride channel activity in ANO1-expressing FRT cells and decreased mouse intestinal motility. Quercetin-stimulated short-circuit currents in mouse ileum was multi-component, which included elevation of Ca2+ concentration through L-type calcium channel and activation of basolateral NKCC, Na+/K+-ATPase, and K+ channels. In vivo studies further revealed that quercetin promoted fluid secretion in mouse ileum. The modulatory effect of quercetin on CaCC chloirde channels may therefore represent a potential therapeutic strategy for treating CaCC-related diseases like constipation, secretory diarrhea and hypertension. The inverse effects of quercetin on CaCCs provided evidence that ANO1 and intestinal epithelial CaCCs are different calcium-activated chloride channels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University Dalian, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University Dalian, China
| | - Lingling Jin
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian, China
| | - Tonghui Ma
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University Dalian, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Tang ZF, McMillen DR. Design principles for the analysis and construction of robustly homeostatic biological networks. J Theor Biol 2016; 408:274-289. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
24
|
Abstract
Adaptation is a ubiquitous feature in biological sensory and signaling networks. It has been suggested that adaptive systems may follow certain simple design principles across diverse organisms, cells and pathways. One class of networks that can achieve adaptation utilizes an incoherent feedforward control, in which two parallel signaling branches exert opposite but proportional effects on the output at steady state. In this paper, we generalize this adaptation mechanism by establishing a steady-state proportionality relationship among a subset of nodes in a network. Adaptation can be achieved by using any two nodes in the sub-network to respectively regulate the output node positively and negatively. We focus on enzyme networks and first identify basic regulation motifs consisting of two and three nodes that can be used to build small networks with proportional relationships. Larger proportional networks can then be constructed modularly similar to LEGOs. Our method provides a general framework to construct and analyze a class of proportional and/or adaptation networks with arbitrary size, flexibility and versatile functional features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Xiong
- School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China. Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Genovese F, Thews M, Möhrlen F, Frings S. Properties of an optogenetic model for olfactory stimulation. J Physiol 2016; 594:3501-16. [PMID: 26857095 DOI: 10.1113/jp271853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS In olfactory research it is difficult to deliver stimuli with defined intensity and duration to olfactory sensory neurons. Expression of channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) in olfactory sensory neurons provides a means to activate these neurons with light flashes. Appropriate mouse models are available. The present study explores the suitability of an established olfactory marker protein (OMP)/ChR2-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) mouse model for ex vivo experimentation. Expression of ChR2 in sensory neurons of the main olfactory epithelium, the septal organ and vomeronasal organ is characterized. Expression pattern of ChR2 in olfactory receptor neurons and the properties of light responses indicate that light stimulation does not impact on signal transduction in the chemosensory cilia. Light-induced electro-olfactograms are characterized with light flashes of different intensities, durations and frequencies. The impact of light-induced afferent stimulation on the olfactory bulb is examined with respect to response amplitude, polarity and low-pass filtering. ABSTRACT For the examination of sensory processing, it is helpful to deliver stimuli in precisely defined temporal and spatial patterns with accurate control of stimulus intensity. This is challenging in experiments with the mammalian olfactory system because airborne odorants have to be transported into the intricate sensory structures of the nose and must dissolve in mucus to be detected by sensory neurons. Defined and reproducible activity can be generated in olfactory sensory neurons that express the light-gated ion channel channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2). The neurons can be stimulated by light flashes in a controlled fashion by this optogenetic approach. Here we examined the application of an olfactory marker protein (OMP)/ChR2-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) model for ex vivo exploration of the olfactory epithelium and the olfactory bulb of the mouse. We studied the expression patterns of ChR2 in the main olfactory system, the vomeronasal system, and the septal organ, and we found that ChR2 is absent from the sensory cilia of olfactory sensory neurons. In the olfactory epithelium, we characterized light-induced electro-olfactograms with respect to peripheral encoding of stimulus intensity, stimulus duration and stimulus frequency. In acute slices of the olfactory bulb, we identified specific aspects of the ChR2-induced input signal, concerning its dynamic range, its low-pass filter property and its response to prolonged stimulation. Our study describes the performance of the OMP/ChR2-YFP model for ex vivo experimentation on the peripheral olfactory system and documents its versatility and its limitations for olfactory research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Genovese
- Department of Animal Molecular Physiology, Centre of Organismal Studies, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marion Thews
- Department of Animal Molecular Physiology, Centre of Organismal Studies, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Möhrlen
- Department of Animal Molecular Physiology, Centre of Organismal Studies, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Frings
- Department of Animal Molecular Physiology, Centre of Organismal Studies, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Aquino G, Zapotocky M. Information transfer through a signaling module with feedback: A perturbative approach. Biosystems 2015; 136:66-72. [PMID: 26296775 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2015.08.001] [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: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Signal transduction in biological cells is effected by signaling pathways that typically include multiple feedback loops. Here we analyze information transfer through a prototypical signaling module with biochemical feedback. The module switches stochastically between an inactive and active state; the input to the module governs the activation rate while the output (i.e., the product concentration) perturbs the inactivation rate. Using a novel perturbative approach, we compute the rate with which information about the input is gained from observation of the output. We obtain an explicit analytical result valid to first order in feedback strength and to second order in the strength of input. The total information gained during an extended time interval is found to depend on the feedback strength only through the total number of activation/inactivation events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Aquino
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, SW7 2AZ London, UK.
| | - Martin Zapotocky
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Neural Mechanisms and Information Processing in Recognition Systems. INSECTS 2014; 5:722-41. [PMID: 26462936 PMCID: PMC4592617 DOI: 10.3390/insects5040722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Revised: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nestmate recognition is a hallmark of social insects. It is based on the match/mismatch of an identity signal carried by members of the society with that of the perceiving individual. While the behavioral response, amicable or aggressive, is very clear, the neural systems underlying recognition are not fully understood. Here we contrast two alternative hypotheses for the neural mechanisms that are responsible for the perception and information processing in recognition. We focus on recognition via chemical signals, as the common modality in social insects. The first, classical, hypothesis states that upon perception of recognition cues by the sensory system the information is passed as is to the antennal lobes and to higher brain centers where the information is deciphered and compared to a neural template. Match or mismatch information is then transferred to some behavior-generating centers where the appropriate response is elicited. An alternative hypothesis, that of “pre-filter mechanism”, posits that the decision as to whether to pass on the information to the central nervous system takes place in the peripheral sensory system. We suggest that, through sensory adaptation, only alien signals are passed on to the brain, specifically to an “aggressive-behavior-switching center”, where the response is generated if the signal is above a certain threshold.
Collapse
|
28
|
Antunes G, Sebastião AM, Simoes de Souza FM. Mechanisms of regulation of olfactory transduction and adaptation in the olfactory cilium. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105531. [PMID: 25144232 PMCID: PMC4140790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory adaptation is a fundamental process for the functioning of the olfactory system, but the underlying mechanisms regulating its occurrence in intact olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are not fully understood. In this work, we have combined stochastic computational modeling and a systematic pharmacological study of different signaling pathways to investigate their impact during short-term adaptation (STA). We used odorant stimulation and electroolfactogram (EOG) recordings of the olfactory epithelium treated with pharmacological blockers to study the molecular mechanisms regulating the occurrence of adaptation in OSNs. EOG responses to paired-pulses of odorants showed that inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and phosphatases enhanced the levels of STA in the olfactory epithelium, and this effect was mimicked by blocking vesicle exocytosis and reduced by blocking cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and vesicle endocytosis. These results suggest that G-coupled receptors (GPCRs) cycling is involved with the occurrence of STA. To gain insights on the dynamical aspects of this process, we developed a stochastic computational model. The model consists of the olfactory transduction currents mediated by the cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels and calcium ion (Ca2+)-activated chloride (CAC) channels, and the dynamics of their respective ligands, cAMP and Ca2+, and it simulates the EOG results obtained under different experimental conditions through changes in the amplitude and duration of cAMP and Ca2+ response, two second messengers implicated with STA occurrence. The model reproduced the experimental data for each pharmacological treatment and provided a mechanistic explanation for the action of GPCR cycling in the levels of second messengers modulating the levels of STA. All together, these experimental and theoretical results indicate the existence of a mechanism of regulation of STA by signaling pathways that control GPCR cycling and tune the levels of second messengers in OSNs, and not only by CNG channel desensitization as previously thought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Antunes
- Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Laboratory of Neural Systems, Psychobiology Sector, Department of Psychology, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Sebastião
- Institute of Pharmacology and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fabio Marques Simoes de Souza
- Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Jia C, Jiang D, Qian M. An allosteric model of the inositol trisphosphate receptor with nonequilibrium binding. Phys Biol 2014; 11:056001. [PMID: 25118617 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/11/5/056001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The inositol trisphosphate receptor (IPR) is a crucial ion channel that regulates the Ca(2+) influx from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytoplasm. A thorough study of the IPR channel contributes to a better understanding of calcium oscillations and waves. It has long been observed that the IPR channel is a typical biological system which performs adaptation. However, recent advances on the physical essence of adaptation show that adaptation systems with a negative feedback mechanism, such as the IPR channel, must break detailed balance and always operate out of equilibrium with energy dissipation. Almost all previous IPR models are equilibrium models assuming detailed balance and thus violate the dissipative nature of adaptation. In this article, we constructed a nonequilibrium allosteric model of single IPR channels based on the patch-clamp experimental data obtained from the IPR in the outer membranes of isolated nuclei of the Xenopus oocyte. It turns out that our model reproduces the patch-clamp experimental data reasonably well and produces both the correct steady-state and dynamic properties of the channel. Particularly, our model successfully describes the complicated bimodal [Ca(2+)] dependence of the mean open duration at high [IP3], a steady-state behavior which fails to be correctly described in previous IPR models. Finally, we used the patch-clamp experimental data to validate that the IPR channel indeed breaks detailed balance and thus is a nonequilibrium system which consumes energy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Jia
- LMAM, School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China. Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kuhlmann K, Tschapek A, Wiese H, Eisenacher M, Meyer HE, Hatt HH, Oeljeklaus S, Warscheid B. The membrane proteome of sensory cilia to the depth of olfactory receptors. Mol Cell Proteomics 2014; 13:1828-43. [PMID: 24748648 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m113.035378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the nasal cavity, the nonmotile cilium of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) constitutes the chemosensory interface between the ambient environment and the brain. The unique sensory organelle facilitates odor detection for which it includes all necessary components of initial and downstream olfactory signal transduction. In addition to its function in olfaction, a more universal role in modulating different signaling pathways is implicated, for example, in neurogenesis, apoptosis, and neural regeneration. To further extend our knowledge about this multifunctional signaling organelle, it is of high importance to establish a most detailed proteome map of the ciliary membrane compartment down to the level of transmembrane receptors. We detached cilia from mouse olfactory epithelia via Ca(2+)/K(+) shock followed by the enrichment of ciliary membrane proteins at alkaline pH, and we identified a total of 4,403 proteins by gel-based and gel-free methods in conjunction with high resolution LC/MS. This study is the first to report the detection of 62 native olfactory receptor proteins and to provide evidence for their heterogeneous expression at the protein level. Quantitative data evaluation revealed four ciliary membrane-associated candidate proteins (the annexins ANXA1, ANXA2, ANXA5, and S100A5) with a suggested function in the regulation of olfactory signal transduction, and their presence in ciliary structures was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, we corroborated the ciliary localization of the potassium-dependent Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCKX) 4 and the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase 1 (PMCA1) involved in olfactory signal termination, and we detected for the first time NCKX2 in olfactory cilia. Through comparison with transcriptome data specific for mature, ciliated OSNs, we finally delineated the membrane ciliome of OSNs. The membrane proteome of olfactory cilia established here is the most complete today, thus allowing us to pave new avenues for the study of diverse molecular functions and signaling pathways in and out of olfactory cilia and thus to advance our understanding of the biology of sensory organelles in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kuhlmann
- From the ‡Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum
| | - Astrid Tschapek
- From the ‡Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum
| | - Heike Wiese
- the ¶Faculty of Biology and BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg
| | - Martin Eisenacher
- From the ‡Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum
| | - Helmut E Meyer
- From the ‡Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, the ‖Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6b, 44227 Dortmund, and
| | - Hanns H Hatt
- the **Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Silke Oeljeklaus
- the ¶Faculty of Biology and BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg
| | - Bettina Warscheid
- the ¶Faculty of Biology and BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg,
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Grubb S, Poulsen KA, Juul CA, Kyed T, Klausen TK, Larsen EH, Hoffmann EK. TMEM16F (Anoctamin 6), an anion channel of delayed Ca(2+) activation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 141:585-600. [PMID: 23630341 PMCID: PMC3639583 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201210861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Members of the TMEM16 (Anoctamin) family of membrane proteins have been shown to be essential constituents of the Ca2+-activated Cl− channel (CaCC) in many cell types. In this study, we have investigated the electrophysiological properties of mouse TMEM16F. Heterologous expression of TMEM16F in HEK293 cells resulted in plasma membrane localization and an outwardly rectifying ICl,Ca that was activated with a delay of several minutes. Furthermore, a significant Na+ current was activated, and the two permeabilities were correlated according to PNa = 0.3 PCl. The current showed an EC50 of 100 µM intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and an Eisenman type 1 anion selectivity sequence of PSCN > PI > PBr > PCl > PAsp. The mTMEM16F-associated ICl,Ca was abolished in one mutant of the putative pore region (R592E) but retained in two other mutants (K616E and R636E). The mutant K616E had a lower relative permeability to iodide, and the mutant R636E had an altered anion selectivity sequence (PSCN = PI = PBr = PCl > PAsp). Our data provide evidence that TMEM16F constitutes a Ca2+-activated anion channel or a pore-forming subunit of an anion channel with properties distinct from TMEM16A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Søren Grubb
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Stuck BA, Fadel V, Hummel T, Sommer JU. Subjective Olfactory Desensitization and Recovery in Humans. Chem Senses 2013; 39:151-7. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjt064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
33
|
Tadesse T, Derby CD, Schmidt M. Mechanisms underlying odorant-induced and spontaneous calcium signals in olfactory receptor neurons of spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2013; 200:53-76. [PMID: 24178131 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-013-0861-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We determined if a newly developed antennule slice preparation allows studying chemosensory properties of spiny lobster olfactory receptor neurons under in situ conditions with Ca(2+) imaging. We show that chemical stimuli reach the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons but not their somata, and that odorant-induced Ca(2+) signals in the somata are sufficiently stable over time to allow stimulation with a substantial number of odorants. Pharmacological manipulations served to elucidate the source of odorant-induced Ca(2+) transients and spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations in the somata of olfactory receptor neurons. Both Ca(2+) signals are primarily mediated by an influx of extracellular Ca(2+) through voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels that can be blocked by CoCl2 and the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker verapamil. Intracellular Ca(2+) stores contribute little to odorant-induced Ca(2+) transients and spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations. The odorant-induced Ca(2+) transients as well as the spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations depend on action potentials mediated by Na(+) channels that are largely TTX-insensitive but blocked by the local anesthetics tetracaine and lidocaine. Collectively, these results corroborate the conclusion that odorant-induced Ca(2+) transients and spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations in the somata of olfactory receptor neurons closely reflect action potential activity associated with odorant-induced phasic-tonic responses and spontaneous bursting, respectively. Therefore, both types of Ca(2+) signals represent experimentally accessible proxies of spiking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tizeta Tadesse
- Neuroscience Institute and Department of Biology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5030, Atlanta, GA, 30302-5030, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chen S, Harrigan P, Heineike B, Stewart-Ornstein J, El-Samad H. Building robust functionality in synthetic circuits using engineered feedback regulation. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2013; 24:790-6. [PMID: 23566378 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2013.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability to engineer novel functionality within cells, to quantitatively control cellular circuits, and to manipulate the behaviors of populations, has many important applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. These applications are only beginning to be explored. In this review, we advocate the use of feedback control as an essential strategy for the engineering of robust homeostatic control of biological circuits and cellular populations. We also describe recent works where feedback control, implemented in silico or with biological components, was successfully employed for this purpose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Common dynamical features of sensory adaptation in photoreceptors and olfactory sensory neurons. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1251. [PMID: 23409242 PMCID: PMC3570788 DOI: 10.1038/srep01251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory systems adapt, i.e., they adjust their sensitivity to external stimuli according to the ambient level. In this paper we show that single cell electrophysiological responses of vertebrate olfactory receptors and of photoreceptors to different input protocols exhibit several common features related to adaptation, and that these features can be used to investigate the dynamical structure of the feedback regulation responsible for the adaptation. In particular, we point out that two different forms of adaptation can be observed, in response to steps and to pairs of pulses. These two forms of adaptation appear to be in a dynamical trade-off: the more adaptation to a step is close to perfect, the slower is the recovery in adaptation to pulse pairs and viceversa. Neither of the two forms is explained by the dynamical models currently used to describe adaptation, such as the integral feedback model.
Collapse
|
36
|
Bosia C, Osella M, Baroudi ME, Corà D, Caselle M. Gene autoregulation via intronic microRNAs and its functions. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2012; 6:131. [PMID: 23050836 PMCID: PMC3534558 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-6-131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs, post-transcriptional repressors of gene expression, play a pivotal role in gene regulatory networks. They are involved in core cellular processes and their dysregulation is associated to a broad range of human diseases. This paper focus on a minimal microRNA-mediated regulatory circuit, in which a protein-coding gene (host gene) is targeted by a microRNA located inside one of its introns. Results Autoregulation via intronic microRNAs is widespread in the human regulatory network, as confirmed by our bioinformatic analysis, and can perform several regulatory tasks despite its simple topology. Our analysis, based on analytical calculations and simulations, indicates that this circuitry alters the dynamics of the host gene expression, can induce complex responses implementing adaptation and Weber’s law, and efficiently filters fluctuations propagating from the upstream network to the host gene. A fine-tuning of the circuit parameters can optimize each of these functions. Interestingly, they are all related to gene expression homeostasis, in agreement with the increasing evidence suggesting a role of microRNA regulation in conferring robustness to biological processes. In addition to model analysis, we present a list of bioinformatically predicted candidate circuits in human for future experimental tests. Conclusions The results presented here suggest a potentially relevant functional role for negative self-regulation via intronic microRNAs, in particular as a homeostatic control mechanism of gene expression. Moreover, the map of circuit functions in terms of experimentally measurable parameters, resulting from our analysis, can be a useful guideline for possible applications in synthetic biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Bosia
- Human Genetics Foudation, V Nizza 52, Torino I-10126, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Assisi C, Stopfer M, Bazhenov M. Excitatory local interneurons enhance tuning of sensory information. PLoS Comput Biol 2012; 8:e1002563. [PMID: 22807661 PMCID: PMC3395596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the insect antennal lobe represent odors as spatiotemporal patterns of activity that unfold over multiple time scales. As these patterns unspool they decrease the overlap between odor representations and thereby increase the ability of the olfactory system to discriminate odors. Using a realistic model of the insect antennal lobe we examined two competing components of this process -lateral excitation from local excitatory interneurons, and slow inhibition from local inhibitory interneurons. We found that lateral excitation amplified differences between representations of similar odors by recruiting projection neurons that did not receive direct input from olfactory receptors. However, this increased sensitivity also amplified noisy variations in input and compromised the ability of the system to respond reliably to multiple presentations of the same odor. Slow inhibition curtailed the spread of projection neuron activity and increased response reliability. These competing influences must be finely balanced in order to decorrelate odor representations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collins Assisi
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Mark Stopfer
- US National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maxim Bazhenov
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
De Palo G, Boccaccio A, Miri A, Menini A, Altafini C. A dynamical feedback model for adaptation in the olfactory transduction pathway. Biophys J 2012; 102:2677-86. [PMID: 22735517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory transduction exhibits two distinct types of adaptation, which we denote multipulse and step adaptation. In terms of measured transduction current, multipulse adaptation appears as a decrease in the amplitude of the second of two consecutive responses when the olfactory neuron is stimulated with two brief pulses. Step adaptation occurs in response to a sustained steplike stimulation and is characterized by a return to a steady-state current amplitude close to the prestimulus value, after a transient peak. In this article, we formulate a dynamical model of the olfactory transduction pathway, which includes the kinetics of the CNG channels, the concentration of Ca ions flowing through them, and the Ca-complexes responsible for the regulation. Based on this model, a common dynamical explanation for the two types of adaptation is suggested. We show that both forms of adaptation can be well described using different time constants for the kinetics of Ca ions (faster) and the kinetics of the feedback mechanisms (slower). The model is validated on experimental data collected in voltage-clamp conditions using different techniques and animal species.
Collapse
|
39
|
Lan G, Sartori P, Neumann S, Sourjik V, Tu Y. The energy-speed-accuracy tradeoff in sensory adaptation. NATURE PHYSICS 2012; 8:422-428. [PMID: 22737175 PMCID: PMC3378065 DOI: 10.1038/nphys2276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Adaptation is the essential process by which an organism becomes better suited to its environment. The benefits of adaptation are well documented, but the cost it incurs remains poorly understood. Here, by analysing a stochastic model of a minimum feedback network underlying many sensory adaptation systems, we show that adaptive processes are necessarily dissipative, and continuous energy consumption is required to stabilize the adapted state. Our study reveals a general relation among energy dissipation rate, adaptation speed and the maximum adaptation accuracy. This energy-speed-accuracy relation is tested in the Escherichia coli chemosensory system, which exhibits near-perfect chemoreceptor adaptation. We identify key requirements for the underlying biochemical network to achieve accurate adaptation with a given energy budget. Moreover, direct measurements confirm the prediction that adaptation slows down as cells gradually de-energize in a nutrient-poor medium without compromising adaptation accuracy. Our work provides a general framework to study cost-performance tradeoffs for cellular regulatory functions and information processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ganhui Lan
- IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, P.O. Box 218, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, USA
| | - Pablo Sartori
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nothnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Silke Neumann
- Zentrum fur Molekulare Biologie der Universitat Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Victor Sourjik
- Zentrum fur Molekulare Biologie der Universitat Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuhai Tu
- IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, P.O. Box 218, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to YT ()
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Molinas A, Sicard G, Jakob I. Functional evidence of multidrug resistance transporters (MDR) in rodent olfactory epithelium. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36167. [PMID: 22563480 PMCID: PMC3341370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) are membrane transporter proteins which function as efflux pumps at cell membranes and are considered to exert a protective function against the entry of xenobiotics. While evidence for Pgp and MRP transporter activity is reported for olfactory tissue, their possible interaction and participation in the olfactory response has not been investigated. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Functional activity of putative MDR transporters was assessed by means of the fluorometric calcein acetoxymethyl ester (calcein-AM) accumulation assay on acute rat and mouse olfactory tissue slices. Calcein-AM uptake was measured as fluorescence intensity changes in the presence of Pgp or MRP specific inhibitors. Epifluorescence microscopy measured time course analysis in the olfactory epithelium revealed significant inhibitor-dependent calcein uptake in the presence of each of the selected inhibitors. Furthermore, intracellular calcein accumulation in olfactory receptor neurons was also significantly increased in the presence of either one of the Pgp or MRP inhibitors. The presence of Pgp or MRP1 encoding genes in the olfactory mucosa of rat and mouse was confirmed by RT-PCR with appropriate pairs of species-specific primers. Both transporters were expressed in both newborn and adult olfactory mucosa of both species. To assess a possible involvement of MDR transporters in the olfactory response, we examined the electrophysiological response to odorants in the presence of the selected MDR inhibitors by recording electroolfactograms (EOG). In both animal species, MRPs inhibitors induced a marked reduction of the EOG magnitude, while Pgp inhibitors had only a minor or no measurable effect. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that both Pgp and MRP transporters are functional in the olfactory mucosa and in olfactory receptor neurons. Pgp and MRPs may be cellular constituents of olfactory receptor neurons and represent potential mechanisms for modulation of the olfactory response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Molinas
- Equipe Neurophysiologie de la Peripherie des Systèmes Chimiosensoriels, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS UMR 6265, INRA, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Gilles Sicard
- Equipe Neurophysiologie de la Peripherie des Systèmes Chimiosensoriels, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS UMR 6265, INRA, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Ingrid Jakob
- Equipe Neurophysiologie de la Peripherie des Systèmes Chimiosensoriels, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS UMR 6265, INRA, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Zufall
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine, Homburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Assisi C, Bazhenov M. Synaptic inhibition controls transient oscillatory synchronization in a model of the insect olfactory system. FRONTIERS IN NEUROENGINEERING 2012; 5:7. [PMID: 22529800 PMCID: PMC3328766 DOI: 10.3389/fneng.2012.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In a variety of neuronal systems it has been hypothesized that inhibitory interneurons corral principal neurons into synchronously firing groups that encode sensory information and sub-serve behavior (Buzsáki and Chrobak, 1995; Buzsáki, 2008). This mechanism is particularly relevant to the olfactory system where spatiotemporal patterns of projection neuron (PN) activity act as robust markers of odor attributes (Laurent et al., 1996; Wehr and Laurent, 1996). In the insect antennal lobe (AL), a network of local inhibitory interneurons arborizes extensively throughout the AL (Leitch and Laurent, 1996) providing inhibitory input to the cholinergic PNs. Our theoretical work has attempted to elaborate the exact role of inhibition in the generation of odor specific PN responses (Bazhenov et al., 2001a,b; Assisi et al., 2011). In large-scale AL network models we characterized the inhibitory sub-network by its coloring (Assisi et al., 2011) and showed that it can entrain excitatory PNs to the odor specific patterns of transient synchronization. In this focused review, we further examine the dynamics of entrainment in more detail by simulating simple model networks in various parameter regimes. Our simulations in conjunction with earlier studies point to the key role played by lateral (between inhibitory interneurons) and feedback (from inhibitory interneurons to principal cells) inhibition in the generation of experimentally observed patterns of transient synchrony.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collins Assisi
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mitochondrial Ca(2+) mobilization is a key element in olfactory signaling. Nat Neurosci 2012; 15:754-62. [PMID: 22446879 DOI: 10.1038/nn.3074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), cytosolic Ca(2+) controls the gain and sensitivity of olfactory signaling. Important components of the molecular machinery that orchestrates OSN Ca(2+) dynamics have been described, but key details are still missing. Here, we demonstrate a critical physiological role of mitochondrial Ca(2+) mobilization in mouse OSNs. Combining a new mitochondrial Ca(2+) imaging approach with patch-clamp recordings, organelle mobility assays and ultrastructural analyses, our study identifies mitochondria as key determinants of olfactory signaling. We show that mitochondrial Ca(2+) mobilization during sensory stimulation shapes the cytosolic Ca(2+) response profile in OSNs, ensures a broad dynamic response range and maintains sensitivity of the spike generation machinery. When mitochondrial function is impaired, olfactory neurons function as simple stimulus detectors rather than as intensity encoders. Moreover, we describe activity-dependent recruitment of mitochondria to olfactory knobs, a mechanism that provides a context-dependent tool for OSNs to maintain cellular homeostasis and signaling integrity.
Collapse
|
44
|
Ma M. Odor and pheromone sensing via chemoreceptors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 739:93-106. [PMID: 22399397 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-1704-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionally, chemosensation is an ancient but yet enigmatic sense. All organisms ranging from the simplest unicellular form to the most advanced multicellular creature possess the capability to detect chemicals in the surroundings. Conversely, all living things emit some forms of smells, either as communicating signals or as by-products of metabolism. Many species (from worms, insects to mammals) rely on the olfactory systems which express a large number of chemoreceptors to locate food and mates and to avoid danger. Most chemoreceptors expressed in olfactory organs are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and can be classified into two major categories: odorant receptors (ORs) and pheromone receptors, which principally detect general odors and pheromones, respectively. In vertebrates, these two types of receptors are often expressed in two distinct apparatuses: The main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO), respectively. Each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) in the MOE typically expresses one type of OR from a large repertoire. General odors activate ORs and their host OSNs (ranging from narrowly- to broadly-tuned) in a combinatorial manner and the information is sent to the brain via the main olfactory system leading to perception of smells. In contrast, pheromones stimulate relatively narrowly-tuned receptors and their host VNO neurons and the information is sent to the brain via the accessory olfactory system leading to behavioral and endocrinological changes. Recent studies indicate that the functional separation between these two systems is blurred in some cases and there are more subsystems serving chemosensory roles. This chapter focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying odor and pheromone sensing in rodents, the best characterized vertebrate models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minghong Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Li Y. A generic model for open signaling cascades with forward activation. J Math Biol 2011; 65:709-42. [PMID: 22002682 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-011-0480-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this work, cellular signal transduction in an open cascade with forward activation was studied. By proposing a generic model which captures the common features of major existing models in the literature, it is showed how signaling profile changes during the propagation along the cascade. In particular, a typical OFF-ON-OFF switch-like transient behavior with prolonged temporary ON state is revealed, where OFF and ON represent the states of low level and high level concentrations, respectively. Analytically this phenomenon is closely related to uniform convergence of the active protein concentration of downstream cycles in the finite time range and its failure in the entire time domain. Consequently a classification of open signaling cascade which can sustain OFF-ON-OFF behavior in the far downstream cycles is accessible. Relevant biological issues, such as delayed activation of downstream reaction cycles, signal amplification and prolonged signal duration, to the generic model is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Li
- Division of Space Life Sciences, Universities Space Research Association, 3600 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Dibattista M, Massimino ML, Maurya DK, Menini A, Bertoli A, Sorgato MC. The Cellular Prion Protein Is Expressed in Olfactory Sensory Neurons of Adult Mice but Does Not Affect the Early Events of the Olfactory Transduction Pathway. Chem Senses 2011; 36:791-7. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjr054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
47
|
Srividhya J, Li Y, Pomerening JR. Open cascades as simple solutions to providing ultrasensitivity and adaptation in cellular signaling. Phys Biol 2011; 8:046005. [PMID: 21566270 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/8/4/046005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell signaling is achieved predominantly by reversible phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction cascades. Up until now, circuits conferring adaptation have all required the presence of a cascade with some type of closed topology: negative-feedback loop with a buffering node, or incoherent feed-forward loop with a proportioner node. In this paper--using Goldbeter and Koshland-type expressions--we propose a differential equation model to describe a generic, open signaling cascade that elicits an adaptation response. This is accomplished by coupling N phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycles unidirectionally, without any explicit feedback loops. Using this model, we show that as the length of the cascade grows, the steady states of the downstream cycles reach a limiting value. In other words, our model indicates that there are a minimum number of cycles required to achieve a maximum in sensitivity and amplitude in the response of a signaling cascade. We also describe for the first time that the phenomenon of ultrasensitivity can be further subdivided into three sub-regimes, separated by sharp stimulus threshold values: OFF, OFF-ON-OFF, and ON. In the OFF-ON-OFF regime, an interesting property emerges. In the presence of a basal amount of activity, the temporal evolution of early cycles yields damped peak responses. On the other hand, the downstream cycles switch rapidly to a higher activity state for an extended period of time, prior to settling to an OFF state (OFF-ON-OFF). This response arises from the changing dynamics between a feed-forward activation module and dephosphorylation reactions. In conclusion, our model gives the new perspective that open signaling cascades embedded in complex biochemical circuits may possess the ability to show a switch-like adaptation response, without the need for any explicit feedback circuitry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeyaraman Srividhya
- Institute for Mathematics and its Applications, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ungerer N, Mücke N, Broecker J, Keller S, Frings S, Möhrlen F. Distinct binding properties distinguish LQ-type calmodulin-binding domains in cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. Biochemistry 2011; 50:3221-8. [PMID: 21413724 DOI: 10.1021/bi200115m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels operate as transduction channels in photoreceptors and olfactory receptor neurons. Direct binding of cGMP or cAMP opens these channels which conduct a mixture of monovalent cations and Ca(2+). Upon activation, CNG channels generate intracellular Ca(2+) signals that play pivotal roles in the transduction cascades of the visual and olfactory systems. Channel activity is controlled by negative feedback mechanisms that involve Ca(2+)-calmodulin, for which all CNG channels possess binding sites. Here we compare the binding properties of the two LQ-type calmodulin binding sites, both of which are thought to be involved in channel regulation. They reside on the isoforms CNGB1 and CNGA4. The CNGB1 subunit is present in rod photoreceptors and olfactory receptor neurons. The CNGA4 subunit is only expressed in olfactory receptor neurons, and there are conflicting results as to its role in calmodulin-mediated feedback inhibition. We examined the interaction of Ca(2+)-calmodulin with two recombinant proteins that encompass either of the two LQ sites. Comparing binding properties, we found that the LQ site of CNGB1 binds Ca(2+)-calmodulin at 10-fold lower Ca(2+) levels than the LQ site of CNGA4. Our data provide biochemical evidence against a contribution of CNGA4 to feedback inhibition. In accordance with previous work on photoreceptor CNG channels, our results indicate that feedback control is the exclusive role of the B-subunits in photoreceptors and olfactory receptor neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Ungerer
- Department of Molecular Physiology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Jaén C, Ozdener MH, Reisert J. Mechanisms of chloride uptake in frog olfactory receptor neurons. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2011; 197:339-49. [PMID: 21253748 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-010-0618-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Odorant stimulation of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) leads to the activation of a Ca(2+) permeable cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel followed by opening of an excitatory Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel, which carries about 70% of the odorant-induced receptor current. This requires ORNs to have a [Cl(-)](i) above the electrochemical equilibrium to render this anionic current excitatory. In mammalian ORNs, the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) has been characterized as the principal mechanism by which these neurons actively accumulate Cl(-). To determine if NKCC activity is needed in amphibian olfactory transduction, and to characterize its cellular location, we used the suction pipette technique to record from Rana pipiens ORNs. Application of bumetanide, an NKCC blocker, produced a 50% decrease of the odorant-induced current. Similar effects were observed when [Cl(-)](i) was decreased by bathing ORNs in low Cl(-) solution. Both manipulations reduced only the Cl(-) component of the current. Application of bumetanide only to the ORN cell body and not to the cilia decreased the current by again about 50%. The results show that NKCC is required for amphibian olfactory transduction, and suggest that the co-transporter is located basolaterally at the cell body although its presence at the cilia could not be discarded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Jaén
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
The sense of smell begins with odorant molecules binding to membrane receptors on the cilia of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), thereby activating a G protein, G(olf), and the downstream effector enzyme, an adenylyl cyclase (ACIII). Recently, we have found in amphibian ORNs that an odorant-binding event has a low probability of activating sensory transduction at all; even when successful, the resulting unitary response apparently involves a single active Gα(olf)-ACIII molecular complex. This low amplification is in contrast to rod phototransduction in vision, the best-quantified G-protein signaling pathway, where each photoisomerized rhodopsin molecule is well known to produce substantial amplification by activating many G-protein, and hence effector-enzyme, molecules. We have now carried out similar experiments on mouse ORNs, which offer, additionally, the advantage of genetics. Indeed, we found the same low probability of transduction, based on the unitary olfactory response having a fairly constant amplitude and similar kinetics across different odorants and randomly encountered ORNs. Also, consistent with our picture, the unitary response of Gα(olf)(+/-) ORNs was similar to WT in amplitude, although their Gα(olf)-protein expression was only half of normal. Finally, from the action potential firing, we estimated that ≤19 odorant-binding events successfully triggering transduction in a WT mouse ORN will lead to signaling to the brain.
Collapse
|