1
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Cassity S, Choi IJ, Gregory BH, Igbasanmi AM, Bickford SC, Moore KT, Seraiah AE, Layfield D, Newman EL. Cholinergic modulation of rearing in rats performing a spatial memory task. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2240-2255. [PMID: 38258622 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Spatial memory encoding depends in part on cholinergic modulation. How acetylcholine supports spatial memory encoding is not well understood. Prior studies indicate that acetylcholine release is correlated with exploration, including epochs of rearing onto hind legs. Here, to test whether elevated cholinergic tone increases the probability of rearing, we tracked rearing frequency and duration while optogenetically modulating the activity of choline acetyltransferase containing (i.e., acetylcholine producing) neurons of the medial septum in rats performing a spatial working memory task (n = 17 rats). The cholinergic neurons were optogenetically inhibited using halorhodopsin for the duration that rats occupied two of the four open arms during the study phase of an 8-arm radial arm maze win-shift task. Comparing rats' behaviour in the two arm types showed that rearing frequency was not changed, but the average duration of rearing epochs became significantly longer. This effect on rearing was observed during optogenetic inhibition but not during sham inhibition or in rats that received infusions of a fluorescent reporter virus (i.e., without halorhodopsin; n = 6 rats). Optogenetic inhibition of cholinergic neurons during the pretrial waiting phase had no significant effect on rearing, indicating a context-specificity of the observed effects. These results are significant in that they indicate that cholinergic neuron activity in the medial septum is correlated with rearing not because it motivates an exploratory state but because it contributes to the processing of information acquired while rearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skylar Cassity
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Irene Jungyeon Choi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Billy Howard Gregory
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Adeleke Malik Igbasanmi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Sarah Cristi Bickford
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Kiara Tyanni Moore
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Dylan Layfield
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Intelligent Systems Engineering, Luddy School of Informatics Computing and Engineering, University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Ehren Lee Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Intelligent Systems Engineering, Luddy School of Informatics Computing and Engineering, University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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2
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Malone TJ, Tien NW, Ma Y, Cui L, Lyu S, Wang G, Nguyen D, Zhang K, Myroshnychenko MV, Tyan J, Gordon JA, Kupferschmidt DA, Gu Y. A consistent map in the medial entorhinal cortex supports spatial memory. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1457. [PMID: 38368457 PMCID: PMC10874432 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45853-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) is hypothesized to function as a cognitive map for memory-guided navigation. How this map develops during learning and influences memory remains unclear. By imaging MEC calcium dynamics while mice successfully learned a novel virtual environment over ten days, we discovered that the dynamics gradually became more spatially consistent and then stabilized. Additionally, grid cells in the MEC not only exhibited improved spatial tuning consistency, but also maintained stable phase relationships, suggesting a network mechanism involving synaptic plasticity and rigid recurrent connectivity to shape grid cell activity during learning. Increased c-Fos expression in the MEC in novel environments further supports the induction of synaptic plasticity. Unsuccessful learning lacked these activity features, indicating that a consistent map is specific for effective spatial memory. Finally, optogenetically disrupting spatial consistency of the map impaired memory-guided navigation in a well-learned environment. Thus, we demonstrate that the establishment of a spatially consistent MEC map across learning both correlates with, and is necessary for, successful spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J Malone
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Nai-Wen Tien
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yan Ma
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lian Cui
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shangru Lyu
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Garret Wang
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Duc Nguyen
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Center of Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Maxym V Myroshnychenko
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jean Tyan
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Joshua A Gordon
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David A Kupferschmidt
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yi Gu
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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3
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Thumu SCR, Jain M, Soman S, Das S, Verma V, Nandi A, Gutmann DH, Jayaprakash B, Nair D, Clement JP, Marathe S, Ramanan N. SRF-deficient astrocytes provide neuroprotection in mouse models of excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. eLife 2024; 13:e95577. [PMID: 38289036 PMCID: PMC10857791 DOI: 10.7554/elife.95577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrogliosis is a common pathological hallmark of CNS injury, infection, and neurodegeneration, where reactive astrocytes can be protective or detrimental to normal brain functions. Currently, the mechanisms regulating neuroprotective astrocytes and the extent of neuroprotection are poorly understood. Here, we report that conditional deletion of serum response factor (SRF) in adult astrocytes causes reactive-like hypertrophic astrocytes throughout the mouse brain. These SrfGFAP-ERCKO astrocytes do not affect neuron survival, synapse numbers, synaptic plasticity or learning and memory. However, the brains of Srf knockout mice exhibited neuroprotection against kainic-acid induced excitotoxic cell death. Relevant to human neurodegenerative diseases, SrfGFAP-ERCKO astrocytes abrogate nigral dopaminergic neuron death and reduce β-amyloid plaques in mouse models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. Taken together, these findings establish SRF as a key molecular switch for the generation of reactive astrocytes with neuroprotective functions that attenuate neuronal injury in the setting of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monika Jain
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - Sumitha Soman
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - Soumen Das
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - Vijaya Verma
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific ResearchBangaloreIndia
| | - Arnab Nandi
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | | | - Deepak Nair
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific ResearchBangaloreIndia
| | - Swananda Marathe
- Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
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Weinstein JJ, Moeller SJ, Perlman G, Gil R, Van Snellenberg JX, Wengler K, Meng J, Slifstein M, Abi-Dargham A. Imaging the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter in Schizophrenia: A Positron Emission Tomography Study Using [ 18F]-VAT. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)00062-3. [PMID: 38309322 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite longstanding interest in the central cholinergic system in schizophrenia (SCZ), cholinergic imaging studies with patients have been limited to receptors. Here, we conducted a proof-of-concept positron emission tomography study using [18F]-VAT, a new radiotracer that targets the vesicular acetylcholine transporter as a proxy measure of acetylcholine transmission capacity, in patients with SCZ and explored relationships of vesicular acetylcholine transporter with clinical symptoms and cognition. METHODS A total of 18 adult patients with SCZ or schizoaffective disorder (the SCZ group) and 14 healthy control participants underwent a positron emission tomography scan with [18F]-VAT. Distribution volume (VT) for [18F]-VAT was derived for each region of interest, and group differences in VT were assessed with 2-sample t tests. Functional significance was explored through correlations between VT and scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and a computerized neurocognitive battery (PennCNB). RESULTS No group differences in [18F]-VAT VT were observed. However, within the SCZ group, psychosis symptom severity was positively associated with VT in multiple regions of interest, with the strongest effects in the hippocampus, thalamus, midbrain, cerebellum, and cortex. In addition, in the SCZ group, working memory performance was negatively associated with VT in the substantia innominata and several cortical regions of interest including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS In this initial study, the severity of 2 important features of SCZ-psychosis and working memory deficit-was strongly associated with [18F]-VAT VT in several cortical and subcortical regions. These correlations provide preliminary evidence of cholinergic activity involvement in SCZ and, if replicated in larger samples, could lead to a more complete mechanistic understanding of psychosis and cognitive deficits in SCZ and the development of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi J Weinstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos School of Medicine and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York.
| | - Scott J Moeller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Greg Perlman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Roberto Gil
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Jared X Van Snellenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Kenneth Wengler
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos School of Medicine and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York; Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Jiayan Meng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Mark Slifstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Anissa Abi-Dargham
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos School of Medicine and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
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5
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Cassity S, Choi IJ, Gregory BH, Igbasanmi AM, Bickford SC, Moore KT, Seraiah AE, Layfield D, Newman EL. Cholinergic modulation of rearing in rats performing a spatial memory task. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.14.559618. [PMID: 37873370 PMCID: PMC10592823 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.14.559618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Spatial memory encoding depends in part on cholinergic modulation. How acetylcholine supports spatial memory encoding is not well understood. Prior studies indicate that acetylcholine release is correlated with exploration, including epochs of rearing onto hind legs. Here, to test whether elevated cholinergic tone increases the probability of rearing, we tracked rearing frequency and duration while optogenetically modulating the activity of choline acetyltransferase containing (i.e., acetylcholine producing) neurons of the medial septum in rats performing a spatial working memory task (n = 17 rats). The cholinergic neurons were optogenetically inhibited using halorhodopsin for the duration that rats occupied two of the four open arms during the study phase of an 8-arm radial arm maze win-shift task. Comparing rats' behavior in the two arm types showed that rearing frequency was not changed but the average duration of rearing epochs became significantly longer. This effect on rearing was observed during optogenetic inhibition but not during sham inhibition or in rats that received infusions of a fluorescent reporter virus (i.e., without halorhodopsin; n = 6 rats). Optogenetic inhibition of cholinergic neurons during the pre-trial waiting phase had no significant effect on rearing, indicating a context-specificity of the observed effects. These results are significant in that they indicate that cholinergic neuron activity in the medial septum is correlated with rearing not because it motivates an exploratory state but because it contributes to the processing of information acquired while rearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skylar Cassity
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Irene Jungyeon Choi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Billy Howard Gregory
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Adeleke Malik Igbasanmi
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Sarah Cristi Bickford
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Kiara Tyanni Moore
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Anna Elisabeth Seraiah
- Intelligent Systems Engineering, Luddy School of Informatics Computing and Engineering, University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Dylan Layfield
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Ehren Lee Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, 1101 E 10 St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
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Malone TJ, Tien NW, Ma Y, Cui L, Lyu S, Wang G, Nguyen D, Zhang K, Myroshnychenko MV, Tyan J, Gordon JA, Kupferschmidt DA, Gu Y. A consistent map in the medial entorhinal cortex supports spatial memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.30.560254. [PMID: 37986767 PMCID: PMC10659391 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.30.560254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) is hypothesized to function as a cognitive map for memory-guided navigation. How this map develops during learning and influences memory remains unclear. By imaging MEC calcium dynamics while mice successfully learned a novel virtual environment over ten days, we discovered that the dynamics gradually became more spatially consistent and then stabilized. Additionally, grid cells in the MEC not only exhibited improved spatial tuning consistency, but also maintained stable phase relationships, suggesting a network mechanism involving synaptic plasticity and rigid recurrent connectivity to shape grid cell activity during learning. Increased c-Fos expression in the MEC in novel environments further supports the induction of synaptic plasticity. Unsuccessful learning lacked these activity features, indicating that a consistent map is specific for effective spatial memory. Finally, optogenetically disrupting spatial consistency of the map impaired memory-guided navigation in a well-learned environment. Thus, we demonstrate that the establishment of a spatially consistent MEC map across learning both correlates with, and is necessary for, successful spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Malone
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Nai-Wen Tien
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Current address: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yan Ma
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Lian Cui
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shangru Lyu
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Garret Wang
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Duc Nguyen
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Current address: Center of Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Maxym V. Myroshnychenko
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jean Tyan
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joshua A. Gordon
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David A. Kupferschmidt
- Integrative Neuroscience Section, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yi Gu
- Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Rapanelli M, Wang W, Hurley E, Feltri ML, Pittenger C, Frick LR, Yan Z. Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain are involved in behavioral abnormalities associated with Cul3 deficiency: Role of prefrontal cortex projections in cognitive deficits. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:22. [PMID: 36693858 PMCID: PMC9873627 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02306-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations of the gene Cul3 have been identified as a risk factor for autism-spectrum disorder (ASD), but the pathogenic mechanisms are not well understood. Conditional Cul3 ablation in cholinergic neurons of mice (ChatCRECul3F/+) recapitulated ASD-like social and sensory gating phenotypes and caused significant cognitive impairments, with diminished activity of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF). Chemogenetic inhibition of BF cholinergic neurons in healthy mice induced similar social and cognitive deficits. Conversely, chemogenetic stimulation of BF cholinergic neurons in ChatCRECul3F/+ mice reversed abnormalities in sensory gating and cognition. Cortical hypofunction was also found after ChAT-specific Cul3 ablation and stimulation of cholinergic projections from the BF to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) mitigated cognitive deficits. Overall, we demonstrate that cholinergic dysfunction due to Cul3 deficiency is involved in ASD-like behavioral abnormalities, and that BF cholinergic neurons are particularly critical for cognitive component through their projections to the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Rapanelli
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Edward Hurley
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Maria Laura Feltri
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program. Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Yale Child Study Center, and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, Buffalo, USA
| | - Luciana Romina Frick
- Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program. Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program. Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA.
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8
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Pugliese A, Holland SH, Rodolico C, Lochmüller H, Spendiff S. Presynaptic Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes: Understanding Clinical Phenotypes through In vivo Models. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:731-759. [PMID: 37212067 PMCID: PMC10578258 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of genetic disorders affecting the presynaptic side of the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ). They can result from a dysfunction in acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis or recycling, in its packaging into synaptic vesicles, or its subsequent release into the synaptic cleft. Other proteins involved in presynaptic endplate development and maintenance can also be impaired.Presynaptic CMS usually presents during the prenatal or neonatal period, with a severe phenotype including congenital arthrogryposis, developmental delay, and apnoeic crisis. However, milder phenotypes with proximal muscle weakness and good response to treatment have been described. Finally, many presynaptic genes are expressed in the brain, justifying the presence of additional central nervous system symptoms.Several animal models have been developed to study CMS, providing the opportunity to identify disease mechanisms and test treatment options. In this review, we describe presynaptic CMS phenotypes with a focus on in vivo models, to better understand CMS pathophysiology and define new causative genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pugliese
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Stephen H. Holland
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Carmelo Rodolico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sally Spendiff
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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9
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Kondo-Takuma Y, Mizuno M, Tsuda Y, Madokoro Y, Suzuki K, Sato T, Takase H, Uchida Y, Adachi KI, Hida H, Borlongan CV, Matsukawa N. Reduction of acetylcholine in the hippocampus of hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide precursor protein knockout mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22072. [PMID: 34764402 PMCID: PMC8586363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01667-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic efferent network from the medial septal nucleus to the hippocampus plays an important role in learning and memory processes. This cholinergic projection can generate theta oscillations in the hippocampus to encode novel information. Hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide (HCNP), which induces acetylcholine (Ach) synthesis in the medial septal nuclei of an explant culture system, was purified from the soluble fraction of postnatal rat hippocampus. HCNP is processed from the N-terminal region of a 186-amino acid, 21-kDa HCNP precursor protein, also known as Raf kinase inhibitory protein and phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1. Here, we confirmed direct reduction of Ach release in the hippocampus of freely moving HCNP-pp knockout mice under an arousal state by the microdialysis method. The levels of vesicular acetylcholine transporter were also decreased in the hippocampus of these mice in comparison with those in control mice, suggesting there was decreased incorporation of Ach into the synaptic vesicle. These results potently indicate that HCNP may be a cholinergic regulator in the septo-hippocampal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kondo-Takuma
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Masayuki Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yo Tsuda
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yuta Madokoro
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kengo Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Toyohiro Sato
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takase
- Core Laboratory, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yuto Uchida
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Adachi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Hideki Hida
- Department of Neurophysiology and Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Cesario V Borlongan
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Noriyuki Matsukawa
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan.
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10
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Kipp BT, Nunes PT, Galaj E, Hitchcock B, Nasra T, Poynor KR, Heide SK, Reitz NL, Savage LM. Adolescent Ethanol Exposure Alters Cholinergic Function and Apical Dendritic Branching Within the Orbital Frontal Cortex. Neuroscience 2021; 473:52-65. [PMID: 34450212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During adolescence, heavy binge-like ethanol consumption can lead to frontocortical structural and functional impairments. These impairments are likely driven by adolescence being a critical time point for maturation of brain regions associated with higher-order cognitive functioning. Rodent models of heavy binge-like ethanol exposure show consistent disruptions to the typical development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). All deep cortical layers receive cholinergic projections that originate from the Nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM) complex. These cholinergic projections are highly involved in learning, memory, and attention. Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) induces cholinergic dysfunction as a result of an epigenetic suppression of the genes that drive the cholinergic phenotype. The current study used a model of AIE to assess structural and functional changes to the frontal cortex and NbM following binge-like ethanol exposure in adolescence. Western blot analysis revealed long-term disruptions of the cholinergic circuit following AIE: choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was suppressed in the NbM and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) was suppressed in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). In vivo microdialysis for acetylcholine efflux during a spatial memory task determined changes in cholinergic modulation within the PFC following AIE. However, AIE spared performance on the spatial memory task and on an operant reversal task. In a second study, Golgi-Cox staining determined that AIE increased apical dendritic complexity in the OFC, with sex influencing whether the increase in branching occurred near or away from the soma. Spine density or maturity was not affected, likely compensating for a disruption in neurotransmitter function following AIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- B T Kipp
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - P T Nunes
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - E Galaj
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - B Hitchcock
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - T Nasra
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - K R Poynor
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - S K Heide
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - N L Reitz
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA
| | - L M Savage
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University of the State University of New York, New York, USA.
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11
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Leung LS, Chu L. Aberrant slow waves in the hippocampus during activation in mice with low cholinergic tone. Hippocampus 2021; 31:1233-1253. [PMID: 34520598 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The effects of acetylcholine on cortical activation were studied in wild-type (WT) mice, compared to knockout (KO) mice depleted of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene in the basal forebrain, and knockdown (KD) mice with heterogeneous depletion of VAChT gene in the brain. Cortical activation was assessed by comparing power spectra of local field potentials (LFPs) during activated states of rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM) or walk (WLK), with those during non-activated states of slow-wave sleep (SWS) or awake-immobility (IMM). Activation-induced suppression of delta (1-4 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) power in the hippocampus, and delta power in frontal cortex, were reduced in KO and KD mice compared to WT mice. Mean theta frequency was higher in KD than KO mice during WLK and REM, but not different between WT and KO mice. Peak theta (4-12 Hz) and integrated gamma (30-150 Hz) power were not significantly different among mouse groups. However, theta-peak-frequency selected gamma2 (62-100 Hz) power was lower in KO than WT or KD mice during WLK, and theta-peak-frequency selected theta power during REM decreased faster with high theta frequency in KO than WT/ KD mice. Theta power increase during REM compared to WLK was lower in KO and KD mice compared to WT mice. Theta-gamma cross-frequency coherence, a measure of synchronization of gamma with theta phase, was not different among mouse groups. However, during REM, SWS, and IMM, delta-gamma coherence was significantly higher and proximal-distal delta coherence in CA1 was lower in KO than WT/KD mice. We conclude that a deficiency in basal forebrain acetylcholine release not only enhances slow waves and suppresses theta-associated gamma waves during activation, but also increases delta-gamma cross-frequency coherence during nonactivated states, with a possible effect of disrupting cognitive processing during any brain state.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Stan Leung
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liangwei Chu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Hauser SR, Rodd ZA, Deehan GA, Liang T, Rahman S, Bell RL. Effects of adolescent substance use disorders on central cholinergic function. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 160:175-221. [PMID: 34696873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, in which the individual undergoes significant cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, and social developmental changes. During this period, adolescents engage in experimentation and risky behaviors such as licit and illicit drug use. Adolescents' high vulnerability to abuse drugs and natural reinforcers leads to greater risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs) during adulthood. Accumulating evidence indicates that the use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs during adolescence and emerging adulthood can disrupt the cholinergic system and its processes. This review will focus on the effects of peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol use, or exposure, on the cholinergic system during adulthood from preclinical and clinical studies. This review further explores potential cholinergic agents and pharmacological manipulations to counteract peri-adolescent nicotine and/or alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Hauser
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Z A Rodd
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - G A Deehan
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - T Liang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Richard L Bell
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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13
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Kljakic O, Al-Onaizi M, Janíčková H, Chen KS, Guzman MS, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Cholinergic transmission from the basal forebrain modulates social memory in male mice. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6075-6092. [PMID: 34308559 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Disruptions in social behaviour are prevalent in many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorders. However, the underlying neurochemical regulation of social behaviour is still not well understood. The central cholinergic system has been proposed to contribute to the regulation of social behaviour. For instance, decreased global levels of acetylcholine release in the brain leads to decreased social interaction and an impairment of social memory in mice. Nonetheless, it has been difficult to ascertain the specific brain areas where cholinergic signalling influences social preference and social memory. In this study, we investigated the impact of different forebrain cholinergic regions on social behaviour by examining mouse lines that differ in their regional expression level of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter-the protein that regulates acetylcholine secretion. We found that when cholinergic signalling is highly disrupted in the striatum, hippocampus, cortex and amygdala mice have intact social preference but are impaired in social memory, as they cannot remember a familiar conspecific nor recognize a novel one. A similar pattern emerges when acetylcholine release is disrupted mainly in the striatum, cortex, and amygdala; however, the ability to recognize novel conspecifics is retained. In contrast, cholinergic signalling of the striatum and amygdala does not appear to significantly contribute to the modulation of social memory and social preference. Furthermore, we demonstrated that increasing global cholinergic tone does not increase social behaviours. Together, these data suggest that cholinergic transmission from the hippocampus and cortex are important for regulating social memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammed Al-Onaizi
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Helena Janíčková
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin S Chen
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Leung LS, Chu L, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Forebrain Acetylcholine Modulates Isoflurane and Ketamine Anesthesia in Adult Mice. Anesthesiology 2021; 134:588-606. [PMID: 33635947 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000003713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholinergic drugs are known to modulate general anesthesia, but anesthesia responses in acetylcholine-deficient mice have not been studied. It was hypothesized that mice with genetic deficiency of forebrain acetylcholine show increased anesthetic sensitivity to isoflurane and ketamine and decreased gamma-frequency brain activity. METHODS Male adult mice with heterozygous knockdown of vesicular acetylcholine transporter in the brain or homozygous knockout of the transporter in the basal forebrain were compared with wild-type mice. Hippocampal and frontal cortical electrographic activity and righting reflex were studied in response to isoflurane and ketamine doses. RESULTS The loss-of-righting-reflex dose for isoflurane was lower in knockout (mean ± SD, 0.76 ± 0.08%, n = 18, P = 0.005) but not knockdown (0.78 ± 0.07%, n = 24, P = 0.021), as compared to wild-type mice (0.83 ± 0.07%, n = 23), using a significance criterion of P = 0.017 for three planned comparisons. Loss-of-righting-reflex dose for ketamine was lower in knockout (144 ± 39 mg/kg, n = 14, P = 0.006) but not knockdown (162 ± 32 mg/kg, n = 20, P = 0.602) as compared to wild-type mice (168 ± 24 mg/kg, n = 21). Hippocampal high-gamma (63 to 100 Hz) power after isoflurane was significantly lower in knockout and knockdown mice compared to wild-type mice (isoflurane-dose and mouse-group interaction effect, F[8,56] = 2.87, P = 0.010; n = 5 to 6 mice per group). Hippocampal high-gamma power after ketamine was significantly lower in both knockout and knockdown mice when compared to wild-type mice (interaction effect F[2,13] = 6.06, P = 0.014). The change in frontal cortical gamma power with isoflurane or ketamine was not statistically different among knockout, knockdown, and wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that forebrain cholinergic neurons modulate behavioral sensitivity and hippocampal gamma activity during isoflurane and ketamine anesthesia. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
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15
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Gökçek-Saraç Ç, Akçay G, Karakurt S, Ateş K, Özen Ş, Derin N. Possible effects of different doses of 2.1 GHz electromagnetic radiation on learning, and hippocampal levels of cholinergic biomarkers in Wistar rats. Electromagn Biol Med 2020; 40:179-190. [PMID: 33259237 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2020.1851251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated whether short-term exposure to different doses of 2.1 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) has different effects on rats' behaviour and hippocampal levels of central cholinergic biomarkers. Animals were divided into three equal groups namely; group 1 was sham-exposed group, group 2-3 were exposed to 45 V/m and 65 V/m doses of 2.1 GHz frequency for 1 week respectively. Numerical dosimetry simulations were carried out. Object location and Y-maze were used as behavioural tasks. The protein and mRNA expression levels of AChE, ChAT, and VAChT, in the hippocampus were tested using Western Blotting and Real-Time PCR. The impairment performance of rats subjected to 65 V/m dose of 2.1 GHz RF-EMR in both object location and Y-maze tasks was observed. The hippocampal levels of AChE, ChAT, and VAChT, were significantly lower in rats exposed to 65 V/m dose of 2.1 GHz RF-EMR than others. The stronger effect of "65 V/m" dose on both rat's hippocampal-dependent behavioural performances and hippocampal levels of cholinergic biomarkers may be due to the stronger effect of "65 V/m" dose where rats' snouts were located at the nearest distance from the monopole antenna. Furthermore, the simulated SAR values were high for 65 V/m electric-field strengths. For the first time, we report the potential dose-dependent effects of short-term exposure to 2.1 GHz radiation on rat's behavioural performances as well as hippocampal levels of cholinergic biomarkers. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which RF-EMR influences the function of the central cholinergic system in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çiğdem Gökçek-Saraç
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Akdeniz University , Antalya, Turkey
| | - Güven Akçay
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University , Antalya, Turkey
| | - Serdar Karakurt
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry, Selçuk University , Konya, Turkey
| | - Kayhan Ateş
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University , Antalya, Turkey
| | - Şükrü Özen
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University , Antalya, Turkey
| | - Narin Derin
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University , Antalya, Turkey
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16
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Goncalves DF, Guzman MS, Gros R, Massensini AR, Bartha R, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Striatal Acetylcholine Helps to Preserve Functional Outcomes in a Mouse Model of Stroke. ASN Neuro 2020; 12:1759091420961612. [PMID: 32967452 PMCID: PMC7521057 DOI: 10.1177/1759091420961612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) has been suggested to facilitate plasticity and
improve functional recovery after different types of brain lesions.
Interestingly, numerous studies have shown that striatal cholinergic
interneurons are relatively resistant to acute ischemic insults, but
whether ACh released by these neurons enhances functional recovery
after stroke is unknown. We investigated the role of endogenous
striatal ACh in stroke lesion volume and functional outcomes following
middle cerebral artery occlusion to induce focal ischemia in
striatum-selective vesicular acetylcholine transporter-deficient mice
(stVAChT-KO). As transporter expression is almost completely
eliminated in the striatum of stVAChT-KO mice, ACh release is nearly
abolished in this area. Conversely, in other brain areas, VAChT
expression and ACh release are preserved. Our results demonstrate a
larger infarct size after ischemic insult in stVAChT-KO mice, with
more pronounced functional impairments and increased mortality than in
littermate controls. These changes are associated with increased
activation of GSK-3, decreased levels of β-catenin, and a higher
permeability of the blood–brain barrier in mice with loss of VAChT in
striatum neurons. These results support a framework in which
endogenous ACh secretion originating from cholinergic interneurons in
the striatum helps to protect brain tissue against ischemia-induced
damage and facilitates brain recovery by supporting blood–brain
barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F Goncalves
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Neuroscience Centre, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - André R Massensini
- Neuroscience Centre, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Robert Bartha
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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17
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White D, de Sousa Abreu RP, Blake A, Murphy J, Showell S, Kitamoto T, Lawal HO. Deficits in the vesicular acetylcholine transporter alter lifespan and behavior in adult Drosophila melanogaster. Neurochem Int 2020; 137:104744. [PMID: 32315665 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in critical organismal functions that include locomotion and cognition. Importantly, alterations in the cholinergic system are a key underlying factor in cognitive defects associated with aging. One essential component of cholinergic synaptic transmission is the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), which regulates the packaging of ACh into synaptic vesicles for extracellular release. Mutations that cause a reduction in either protein level or activity lead to diminished locomotion ability whereas complete loss of function of VAChT is lethal. While much is known about the function of VAChT, the direct role of altered ACh release and its association with either an impairment or an enhancement of cognitive function are still not fully understood. We hypothesize that point mutations in Vacht cause age-related deficits in cholinergic-mediated behaviors such as locomotion, and learning and memory. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we have studied several mutations within Vacht and observed their effect on survivability and locomotive behavior. Here we report for the first time a weak hypomorphic Vacht allele that shows a differential effect on ACh-linked behaviors. We also demonstrate that partially rescued Vacht point mutations cause an allele-dependent deficit in lifespan and defects in locomotion ability. Moreover, using a thorough data analytics strategy to identify exploratory behavioral patterns, we introduce new paradigms for measuring locomotion-related activities that could not be revealed or detected by a simple measure of the average speed alone. Together, our data indicate a role for VAChT in the maintenance of longevity and locomotion abilities in Drosophila and we provide additional measurements of locomotion that can be useful in determining subtle changes in Vacht function on locomotion-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel White
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Raquel P de Sousa Abreu
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Andrew Blake
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Jeremy Murphy
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Shardae Showell
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Toshihiro Kitamoto
- Department of Anesthesia, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Hakeem O Lawal
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA.
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18
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Luo L, Ambrozkiewicz MC, Benseler F, Chen C, Dumontier E, Falkner S, Furlanis E, Gomez AM, Hoshina N, Huang WH, Hutchison MA, Itoh-Maruoka Y, Lavery LA, Li W, Maruo T, Motohashi J, Pai ELL, Pelkey KA, Pereira A, Philips T, Sinclair JL, Stogsdill JA, Traunmüller L, Wang J, Wortel J, You W, Abumaria N, Beier KT, Brose N, Burgess HA, Cepko CL, Cloutier JF, Eroglu C, Goebbels S, Kaeser PS, Kay JN, Lu W, Luo L, Mandai K, McBain CJ, Nave KA, Prado MA, Prado VF, Rothstein J, Rubenstein JL, Saher G, Sakimura K, Sanes JR, Scheiffele P, Takai Y, Umemori H, Verhage M, Yuzaki M, Zoghbi HY, Kawabe H, Craig AM. Optimizing Nervous System-Specific Gene Targeting with Cre Driver Lines: Prevalence of Germline Recombination and Influencing Factors. Neuron 2020; 106:37-65.e5. [PMID: 32027825 PMCID: PMC7377387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Cre-loxP system is invaluable for spatial and temporal control of gene knockout, knockin, and reporter expression in the mouse nervous system. However, we report varying probabilities of unexpected germline recombination in distinct Cre driver lines designed for nervous system-specific recombination. Selective maternal or paternal germline recombination is showcased with sample Cre lines. Collated data reveal germline recombination in over half of 64 commonly used Cre driver lines, in most cases with a parental sex bias related to Cre expression in sperm or oocytes. Slight differences among Cre driver lines utilizing common transcriptional control elements affect germline recombination rates. Specific target loci demonstrated differential recombination; thus, reporters are not reliable proxies for another locus of interest. Similar principles apply to other recombinase systems and other genetically targeted organisms. We hereby draw attention to the prevalence of germline recombination and provide guidelines to inform future research for the neuroscience and broader molecular genetics communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Luo
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Mateusz C. Ambrozkiewicz
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany,Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fritz Benseler
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Emilie Dumontier
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Naosuke Hoshina
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Mary Anne Hutchison
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yu Itoh-Maruoka
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Laura A. Lavery
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77003, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tomohiko Maruo
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Tokushima University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Junko Motohashi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Emily Ling-Lin Pai
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kenneth A. Pelkey
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ariane Pereira
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas Philips
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Sinclair
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jeff A. Stogsdill
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Jiexin Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joke Wortel
- Department of Functional Genomics and Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and University Medical Center Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wenjia You
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Departments of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nashat Abumaria
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China,Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kevin T. Beier
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harold A. Burgess
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Constance L. Cepko
- Departments of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jean-François Cloutier
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Neurobiology, and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Regeneration Next Initiative, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sandra Goebbels
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Pascal S. Kaeser
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy N. Kay
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wei Lu
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Liqun Luo
- Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kenji Mandai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan,Department of Biochemistry, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan
| | - Chris J. McBain
- Section on Cellular and Synaptic Physiology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marco A.M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Rothstein
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - John L.R. Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gesine Saher
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
| | - Joshua R. Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - Yoshimi Takai
- Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hisashi Umemori
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics and Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), VU University Amsterdam and University Medical Center Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michisuke Yuzaki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Huda Yahya Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77003, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hiroshi Kawabe
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Division of Pathogenetic Signaling, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-5-6 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan; Department of Gerontology, Laboratory of Molecular Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, 2-2 Minatojima-minamimachi Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Ann Marie Craig
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
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19
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Mantanona CP, Alsiö J, Elson JL, Fisher BM, Dalley JW, Bussey T, Pienaar IS. Altered motor, anxiety-related and attentional task performance at baseline associate with multiple gene copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and related protein overexpression in ChAT::Cre+ rats. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:3095-3116. [PMID: 31506825 PMCID: PMC6875150 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic rodents expressing Cre recombinase cell specifically are used for exploring mechanisms regulating behavior, including those mediated by cholinergic signaling. However, it was recently reported that transgenic mice overexpressing a bacterial artificial chromosome containing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene, for synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, present with multiple vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene copies, resulting in altered cholinergic tone and accompanying behavioral abnormalities. Since ChAT::Cre+ rats, used increasingly for understanding the biological basis of CNS disorders, utilize the mouse ChAT promotor to control Cre recombinase expression, we assessed for similar genotypical and phenotypical differences in such rats compared to wild-type siblings. The rats were assessed for mouse VAChT copy number, VAChT protein expression levels and for sustained attention, response control and anxiety. Rats were also subjected to a contextual fear conditioning paradigm using an unconditional fear-inducing stimulus (electrical foot shocks), with blood samples taken at baseline, the fear acquisition phase and retention testing, for measuring blood plasma markers of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal gland (HPA)-axis activity. ChAT::Cre+ rats expressed multiple mouse VAChT gene copies, resulting in significantly higher VAChT protein expression, revealed anxiolytic behavior, hyperlocomotion and deficits in tasks requiring sustained attention. The HPA-axis was intact, with unaltered circulatory levels of acute stress-induced corticosterone, leptin and glucose. Our findings, therefore, reveal that in ChAT::Cre+ rats, VAChT overexpression associates with significant alterations of certain cognitive, motor and affective functions. Although highly useful as an experimental tool, it is essential to consider the potential effects of altered cholinergic transmission on baseline behavior in ChAT::Cre rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P Mantanona
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joanna L Elson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Beth M Fisher
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jeffrey W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy Bussey
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ilse S Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9PH, UK.
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20
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Wang GW, Cao J, Wang XQ. Effects of ethanol extract from Bidens pilosa L. on spontaneous activity, learning and memory in aged rats. Exp Gerontol 2019; 125:110651. [PMID: 31295527 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.110651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bidens pilosa L., a herbal medicine, is rich in flavonoids, but its anti-aging effect on neurocognitive functions is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract from Bidens pilosa L. (EEBP) on spontaneous activity, learning and memory in aged rats. METHODS Forty aged (21.90 ± 0.22 months) and 10 young (10 weeks) adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups, which were respectively treated orally with 0 mg/kg (young and aged control), 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of EEBP for 30 days consecutively. Then, the animals were examined with open-field, passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks. RESULTS In the open-field task, compared with the aged control, the EEBP animals exhibited more rearing (50 mg/kg, P < 0.01) and urination (50 mg/kg, P < 0.01), but less defecation (P < 0.05). In the passive avoidance task, the retention latencies were longer than those in the training phase in all other groups (P < 0.01) except the aged control (P > 0.05). Compared with the young control, the retention latency of the aged control decreased (P < 0.01), but that of the EEBP animals increased again (P < 0.05 vs. aged control). In the Morris water maze, the EEBP animals had shorter latency (100 mg/kg) and had more crossing times (25 mg/kg) in seeking the platform position (P < 0.05, vs. aged control). CONCLUSION The results suggested that EEBP could affect the spontaneous activity and improve memory in aged animals and could have potential advantages for cognition improvement in aged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gong-Wu Wang
- School of Life Sciences and School of Physical Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China; Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Development and Utilization of Biomass, MOE, Kunming 650500, China; Key Laboratory of Yunnan for Biomass Energy and Biotechnology of Environment, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jun Cao
- School of Agriculture and Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Wang
- School of Life Sciences and School of Physical Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China.
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21
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The differential impact of acute microglia activation on the excitability of cholinergic neurons in the mouse medial septum. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:2297-2309. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01905-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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22
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Nkpaa KW, Amadi BA, Wegwu MO, Farombi EO. Ethanol increases manganese—Induced spatial learning and memory deficits via oxidative/nitrosative stress induced p53 dependent/independent hippocampal apoptosis. Toxicology 2019; 418:51-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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23
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Janickova H, Kljakic O, Rosborough K, Raulic S, Matovic S, Gros R, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Inoue W, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Selective decrease of cholinergic signaling from pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei has little impact on cognition but markedly increases susceptibility to stress. FASEB J 2019; 33:7018-7036. [PMID: 30857416 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802108r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) are heterogeneous brainstem structures that contain cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurons. PPT/LDT neurons are suggested to modulate both cognitive and noncognitive functions, yet the extent to which acetylcholine (ACh) signaling from the PPT/LDT is necessary for normal behavior remains uncertain. We addressed this issue by using a mouse model in which PPT/LDT cholinergic signaling is highly decreased by selective deletion of the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT) gene. This approach interferes exclusively with ACh signaling, leaving signaling by other neurotransmitters from PPT/LDT cholinergic neurons intact and sparing other cells. VAChT mutants were examined on different PPT/LDT-associated cognitive domains. Interestingly, VAChT mutants showed no attentional deficits and only minor cognitive flexibility impairments while presenting large deficiencies in both spatial and cued Morris water maze (MWM) tasks. Conversely, working spatial memory determined with the Y-maze and spatial memory measured with the Barnes maze were not affected, suggesting that deficits in MWM were unrelated to spatial memory abnormalities. Supporting this interpretation, VAChT mutants exhibited alterations in anxiety-like behavior and increased corticosterone levels after exposure to the MWM, suggesting altered stress response. Thus, PPT/LDT VAChT-mutant mice present little cognitive impairment per se, yet they exhibit increased susceptibility to stress, which may lead to performance deficits in more stressful conditions.-Janickova, H., Kljakic, O., Rosborough, K., Raulic, S., Matovic, S., Gros, R., Saksida, L. M., Bussey, T. J., Inoue, W., Prado, V. F., Prado, M. A. M. Selective decrease of cholinergic signaling from pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei has little impact on cognition but markedly increases susceptibility to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Janickova
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaie Rosborough
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sanda Raulic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Matovic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wataru Inoue
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Wu XQ, Zhao YN, Ding J, Si Z, Cheng DF, Shi HC, Wang X. Decreased vesicular acetylcholine transporter related to memory deficits in epilepsy: A [ 18 F] VAT positron emission tomography brain imaging study. Epilepsia 2018; 59:1655-1666. [PMID: 30126014 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) is a rate-limiting factor for synaptic acetylcholine transport. Our study focused on whether [18 F] VAT, a novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, could be used in detecting cognitive deficits in epilepsy. METHODS Morris water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory deficits in pilocarpine-induced chronic epilepsy rats 12 weeks after status epilepticus. Interictal [18 F] VAT PET was performed 13 weeks after status epilepticus to evaluate the level of VAChT in cholinergic pathways compared with [18 F] fluorodeoxyglucose PET. The association between VAChT levels and memory measures was analyzed. Neuropathological tests were performed. RESULTS Epileptic rats exhibited significant memory deficits in Morris water maze test. [18 F] VAT uptake decreased in septum, hippocampus, thalamus, and basal forebrain, and correlated to memory function. Of note, the level of VAChT in basal forebrain significantly decreased, yet no glucose hypometabolism was detected. Immunofluorescence and Western blot demonstrated decreased expression of VAChT in hippocampus and basal forebrain in the epilepsy group, but no change of expression of acetyltransferase or activity of acetylcholinesterase was detected. SIGNIFICANCE [18 F] VAT PET is a promising method to test the level of VAChT as a valuable biomarker for memory deficits in pilocarpine-induced chronic epileptic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Qing Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Nan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan Si
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Deng-Feng Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Cheng Shi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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25
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Kolisnyk B, Al-Onaizi M, Soreq L, Barbash S, Bekenstein U, Haberman N, Hanin G, Kish MT, Souza da Silva J, Fahnestock M, Ule J, Soreq H, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Cholinergic Surveillance over Hippocampal RNA Metabolism and Alzheimer's-Like Pathology. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:3553-3567. [PMID: 27312991 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between long-term cholinergic dysfunction and risk of developing dementia is poorly understood. Here we used mice with deletion of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in the forebrain to model cholinergic abnormalities observed in dementia. Whole-genome RNA sequencing of hippocampal samples revealed that cholinergic failure causes changes in RNA metabolism. Remarkably, key transcripts related to Alzheimer's disease are affected. BACE1, for instance, shows abnormal splicing caused by decreased expression of the splicing regulator hnRNPA2/B1. Resulting BACE1 overexpression leads to increased APP processing and accumulation of soluble Aβ1-42. This is accompanied by age-related increases in GSK3 activation, tau hyperphosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, decreased synaptic markers, increased neuronal death, and deteriorating cognition. Pharmacological inhibition of GSK3 hyperactivation reversed deficits in synaptic markers and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by cholinergic dysfunction, indicating a key role for GSK3 in some of these pathological changes. Interestingly, in human brains there was a high correlation between decreased levels of VAChT and hnRNPA2/B1 levels with increased tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that changes in RNA processing caused by cholinergic loss can facilitate Alzheimer's-like pathology in mice, providing a mechanism by which decreased cholinergic tone may increase risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammed Al-Onaizi
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Lilach Soreq
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Shahar Barbash
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Uriya Bekenstein
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Nejc Haberman
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Geula Hanin
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Maxine T Kish
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
| | | | - Margaret Fahnestock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaL8S 4K1
| | - Jernej Ule
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Hermona Soreq
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
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26
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GIT1 regulates synaptic structural plasticity underlying learning. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194350. [PMID: 29554125 PMCID: PMC5858814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The signaling scaffold protein GIT1 is expressed widely throughout the brain, but its function in vivo remains elusive. Mice lacking GIT1 have been proposed as a model for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, due to alterations in basal locomotor activity as well as paradoxical locomotor suppression by the psychostimulant amphetamine. Since we had previously shown that GIT1-knockout mice have normal locomotor activity, here we examined GIT1-deficient mice for ADHD-like behavior in more detail, and find neither hyperactivity nor amphetamine-induced locomotor suppression. Instead, GIT1-deficient mice exhibit profound learning and memory defects and reduced synaptic structural plasticity, consistent with an intellectual disability phenotype. We conclude that loss of GIT1 alone is insufficient to drive a robust ADHD phenotype in distinct strains of mice. In contrast, multiple learning and memory defects have been observed here and in other studies using distinct GIT1-knockout lines, consistent with a predominant intellectual disability phenotype related to altered synaptic structural plasticity.
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27
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Al-Onaizi MA, Parfitt GM, Kolisnyk B, Law CSH, Guzman MS, Barros DM, Leung LS, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Regulation of Cognitive Processing by Hippocampal Cholinergic Tone. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:1615-1628. [PMID: 26803167 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic dysfunction has been associated with cognitive abnormalities in a variety of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Here we tested how information processing is regulated by cholinergic tone in genetically modified mice targeting the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), a protein required for acetylcholine release. We measured long-term potentiation of Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in vivo and assessed information processing by using a mouse touchscreen version of paired associates learning task (PAL). Acquisition of information in the mouse PAL task correlated to levels of hippocampal VAChT, suggesting a critical role for cholinergic tone. Accordingly, synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus in vivo was disturbed, but not completely abolished, by decreased hippocampal cholinergic signaling. Disrupted forebrain cholinergic signaling also affected working memory, a result reproduced by selectively decreasing VAChT in the hippocampus. In contrast, spatial memory was relatively preserved, whereas reversal spatial memory was sensitive to decreased hippocampal cholinergic signaling. This work provides a refined roadmap of how synaptically secreted acetylcholine influences distinct behaviors and suggests that distinct forms of cognitive processing may be regulated in different ways by cholinergic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gustavo M Parfitt
- Robarts Research Institute.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Fisiologia Animal Comparada, Laboratório de Neurociências (FURG), Brazil
| | | | - Clayton S H Law
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A5K8
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Daniela Martí Barros
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Fisiologia Animal Comparada, Laboratório de Neurociências (FURG), Brazil
| | - L Stan Leung
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A5K8
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience and.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience and.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
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Haam J, Yakel JL. Cholinergic modulation of the hippocampal region and memory function. J Neurochem 2017; 142 Suppl 2:111-121. [PMID: 28791706 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important role in memory function and has been implicated in aging-related dementia, in which the impairment of hippocampus-dependent learning strongly manifests. Cholinergic neurons densely innervate the hippocampus, mediating the formation of episodic as well as semantic memory. Here, we will review recent findings on acetylcholine's modulation of memory function, with a particular focus on hippocampus-dependent learning, and the circuits involved. In addition, we will discuss the complexity of ACh actions in memory function to better understand the physiological role of ACh in memory. This is an article for the special issue XVth International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhee Haam
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jerrel L Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Janickova H, Prado VF, Prado MAM, El Mestikawy S, Bernard V. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) over-expression induces major modifications of striatal cholinergic interneuron morphology and function. J Neurochem 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Janickova
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology; Robarts Research Institute; Molecular Medicine Laboratories; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology; Robarts Research Institute; Molecular Medicine Laboratories; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology; Robarts Research Institute; Molecular Medicine Laboratories; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Salah El Mestikawy
- Sorbonne Universités; Université Pierre et Marie Curie UM 119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM U1130; Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS); Paris France
- Department of Psychiatry; Douglas Mental Health University Institute; McGill University; Montreal Canada
| | - Véronique Bernard
- Sorbonne Universités; Université Pierre et Marie Curie UM 119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM U1130; Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS); Paris France
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30
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Cholinergic circuits in cognitive flexibility. Neuroscience 2017; 345:130-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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31
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Tamming RJ, Siu JR, Jiang Y, Prado MAM, Beier F, Bérubé NG. Mosaic expression of Atrx in the mouse central nervous system causes memory deficits. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:119-126. [PMID: 28093507 PMCID: PMC5312007 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.027482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid modulation of chromatin organization is thought to play a crucial role in cognitive processes such as memory consolidation. This is supported in part by the dysregulation of many chromatin-remodelling proteins in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. A key example is ATRX, an X-linked gene commonly mutated in individuals with syndromic and nonsyndromic intellectual disability. The consequences of Atrx inactivation for learning and memory have been difficult to evaluate because of the early lethality of hemizygous-null animals. In this study, we evaluated the outcome of brain-specific Atrx deletion in heterozygous female mice. These mice exhibit a mosaic pattern of ATRX protein expression in the central nervous system attributable to the location of the gene on the X chromosome. Although the hemizygous male mice die soon after birth, heterozygous females survive to adulthood. Body growth is stunted in these animals, and they have low circulating concentrations of insulin growth factor 1. In addition, they are impaired in spatial, contextual fear and novel object recognition memory. Our findings demonstrate that mosaic loss of ATRX expression in the central nervous system leads to endocrine defects and decreased body size and has a negative impact on learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee J Tamming
- Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario N6C 2V5, Canada.,Departments of Paediatrics, Biochemistry and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, Victoria Research Laboratories, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Jennifer R Siu
- Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario N6C 2V5, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Yan Jiang
- Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario N6C 2V5, Canada.,Departments of Paediatrics, Biochemistry and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, Victoria Research Laboratories, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Robarts Research Institute, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Frank Beier
- Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario N6C 2V5, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Nathalie G Bérubé
- Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario N6C 2V5, Canada .,Departments of Paediatrics, Biochemistry and Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of Western Ontario, Victoria Research Laboratories, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada
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32
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Janickova H, Rosborough K, Al-Onaizi M, Kljakic O, Guzman MS, Gros R, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Deletion of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter from pedunculopontine/laterodorsal tegmental neurons modifies gait. J Neurochem 2017; 140:787-798. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Janickova
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Kaie Rosborough
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Mohammed Al-Onaizi
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Monica S. Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry; University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
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Commemorating John F. MacDonald and the Art of Being a Mentor. Can J Neurol Sci 2016; 43:735-44. [PMID: 27488619 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2016.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
John F. MacDonald was a close friend and mentor whose life was ended far too soon on April 22, 2014. To those who knew him, John was an endearing blend of fiery Scotsman, compassionate socialist, dedicated family man, and tireless investigator. Those close to him valued his loyalty and friendship, relished his biting wit, and puzzled at his self-deprecating manner. His career spanned a remarkable period of discovery from the early identification of excitatory amino acid, to the molecular cloning and characterization of glutamate receptors and the elucidation of mechanisms responsible for regulating their function. A true pioneer in each of these areas, John's research has had a lasting impact on our understanding of excitatory synaptic transmission and its plasticity. Our intent in commemorating John's work is to focus on some notable discoveries that highlight the impact and innovative aspects of John's work. In doing so, we also wish to highlight just how greatly our understanding of the glutamate transmitter systems has advanced since the late 1970s, when John first launched his independent neuroscience career.
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Abstract
Fear memory is the best-studied form of memory. It was thoroughly investigated in the past 60 years mostly using two classical conditioning procedures (contextual fear conditioning and fear conditioning to a tone) and one instrumental procedure (one-trial inhibitory avoidance). Fear memory is formed in the hippocampus (contextual conditioning and inhibitory avoidance), in the basolateral amygdala (inhibitory avoidance), and in the lateral amygdala (conditioning to a tone). The circuitry involves, in addition, the pre- and infralimbic ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the central amygdala subnuclei, and the dentate gyrus. Fear learning models, notably inhibitory avoidance, have also been very useful for the analysis of the biochemical mechanisms of memory consolidation as a whole. These studies have capitalized on in vitro observations on long-term potentiation and other kinds of plasticity. The effect of a very large number of drugs on fear learning has been intensively studied, often as a prelude to the investigation of effects on anxiety. The extinction of fear learning involves to an extent a reversal of the flow of information in the mentioned structures and is used in the therapy of posttraumatic stress disorder and fear memories in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Izquierdo
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cristiane R. G. Furini
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jociane C. Myskiw
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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The Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 2 (TRPM2) Channel Contributes to β-Amyloid Oligomer-Related Neurotoxicity and Memory Impairment. J Neurosci 2016; 35:15157-69. [PMID: 26558786 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4081-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED In Alzheimer's disease, accumulation of soluble oligomers of β-amyloid peptide is known to be highly toxic, causing disturbances in synaptic activity and neuronal death. Multiple studies relate these effects to increased oxidative stress and aberrant activity of calcium-permeable cation channels leading to calcium imbalance. The transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel, a Ca(2+)-permeable nonselective cation channel activated by oxidative stress, has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, and more recently in amyloid-induced toxicity. Here we show that the function of TRPM2 is augmented by treatment of cultured neurons with β-amyloid oligomers. Aged APP/PS1 Alzheimer's mouse model showed increased levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, protein disulfide isomerase and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, as well as decreased levels of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin. Elimination of TRPM2 in APP/PS1 mice corrected these abnormal responses without affecting plaque burden. These effects of TRPM2 seem to be selective for β-amyloid toxicity, as ER stress responses to thapsigargin or tunicamycin in TRPM2(-/-) neurons was identical to that of wild-type neurons. Moreover, reduced microglial activation was observed in TRPM2(-/-)/APP/PS1 hippocampus compared with APP/PS1 mice. In addition, age-dependent spatial memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice were reversed in TRPM2(-/-)/APP/PS1 mice. These results reveal the importance of TRPM2 for β-amyloid neuronal toxicity, suggesting that TRPM2 activity could be potentially targeted to improve outcomes in Alzheimer's disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is an oxidative stress sensing calcium-permeable channel that is thought to contribute to calcium dysregulation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we show that oligomeric β-amyloid, the toxic peptide in Alzheimer's disease, facilitates TRPM2 channel activation. In mice designed to model Alzheimer's disease, genetic elimination of TRPM2 normalized deficits in synaptic markers in aged mice. Moreover, the absence of TRPM2 improved age-dependent spatial memory deficits observed in Alzheimer's mice. Our results reveal the importance of TRPM2 for neuronal toxicity and memory impairments in an Alzheimer's mouse model and suggest that TRPM2 could be targeted for the development of therapeutic agents effective in the treatment of dementia.
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36
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Differential protein expression analysis following olfactory learning in Apis cerana. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2015; 201:1053-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-015-1042-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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37
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Beraldo FH, Thomas A, Kolisnyk B, Hirata PH, De Jaeger X, Martyn AC, Fan J, Goncalves DF, Cowan MF, Masood T, Martins VR, Gros R, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Hyperactivity and attention deficits in mice with decreased levels of stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1). Dis Model Mech 2015; 8:1457-66. [PMID: 26398952 PMCID: PMC4631792 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.022525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress-inducible phosphoprotein I (STIP1, STI1 or HOP) is a co-chaperone intermediating Hsp70/Hsp90 exchange of client proteins, but it can also be secreted to trigger prion protein-mediated neuronal signaling. Some mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present antibodies against certain brain proteins, including antibodies against STIP1. Maternal antibodies can cross the fetus blood-brain barrier during pregnancy, suggesting the possibility that they can interfere with STIP1 levels and, presumably, functions. However, it is currently unknown whether abnormal levels of STIP1 have any impact in ASD-related behavior. Here, we used mice with reduced (50%) or increased STIP1 levels (fivefold) to test for potential ASD-like phenotypes. We found that increased STIP1 regulates the abundance of Hsp70 and Hsp90, whereas reduced STIP1 does not affect Hsp70, Hsp90 or the prion protein. Interestingly, BAC transgenic mice presenting fivefold more STIP1 show no major phenotype when examined in a series of behavioral tasks, including locomotor activity, elevated plus maze, Morris water maze and five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). In contrast, mice with reduced STIP1 levels are hyperactive and have attentional deficits on the 5-CSRTT, but exhibit normal performance for the other tasks. We conclude that reduced STIP1 levels can contribute to phenotypes related to ASD. However, future experiments are needed to define whether it is decreased chaperone capacity or impaired prion protein signaling that contributes to these phenotypes. Summary: Here, using a series of behavioral tests including touchscreen tasks we show that decreased levels of stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) lead to attention deficits and hyperactivity in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio H Beraldo
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Anu Thomas
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Benjamin Kolisnyk
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Pedro H Hirata
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Xavier De Jaeger
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Amanda C Martyn
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Jue Fan
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Daniela F Goncalves
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Matthew F Cowan
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Talal Masood
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Vilma R Martins
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center and National Institute for Translational Neuroscience Research Center, Sao Paulo, SP 01508-010, Brazil
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A5B7, Canada
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Bedore J, Martyn AC, Li AKC, Dolinar EA, McDonald IS, Coupland SG, Prado VF, Prado MA, Hill KA. Whole-Retina Reduced Electrophysiological Activity in Mice Bearing Retina-Specific Deletion of Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133989. [PMID: 26226617 PMCID: PMC4520552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite rigorous characterization of the role of acetylcholine in retinal development, long-term effects of its absence as a neurotransmitter are unknown. One of the unanswered questions is how acetylcholine contributes to the functional capacity of mature retinal circuits. The current study investigates the effects of disrupting cholinergic signalling in mice, through deletion of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in the developing retina, pigmented epithelium, optic nerve and optic stalk, on electrophysiology and structure of the mature retina. METHODS & RESULTS A combination of electroretinography, optical coherence tomography imaging and histological evaluation assessed retinal integrity in mice bearing retina- targeted (embryonic day 12.5) deletion of VAChT (VAChTSix3-Cre-flox/flox) and littermate controls at 5 and 12 months of age. VAChTSix3-Cre-flox/flox mice did not show any gross changes in nuclear layer cellularity or synaptic layer thickness. However, VAChTSix3-Cre-flox/flox mice showed reduced electrophysiological response of the retina to light stimulus under scotopic conditions at 5 and 12 months of age, including reduced a-wave, b-wave, and oscillatory potential (OP) amplitudes and decreased OP peak power and total energy. Reduced a-wave amplitude was proportional to the reduction in b-wave amplitude and not associated with altered a-wave 10%-90% rise time or inner and outer segment thicknesses. SIGNIFICANCE This study used a novel genetic model in the first examination of function and structure of the mature mouse retina with disruption of cholinergic signalling. Reduced amplitude across the electroretinogram wave form does not suggest dysfunction in specific retinal cell types and could reflect underlying changes in the retinal and/or extraretinal microenvironment. Our findings suggest that release of acetylcholine by VAChT is essential for the normal electrophysiological response of the mature mouse retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Bedore
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Amanda C Martyn
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Anson K C Li
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Eric A Dolinar
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Ian S McDonald
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Stuart G Coupland
- Ophthalmology, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6
| | - Vania F Prado
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Marco A Prado
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Kathleen A Hill
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
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Mikhaleva Y, Kreneisz O, Olsen LC, Glover JC, Chourrout D. Modification of the larval swimming behavior inOikopleura dioica, a chordate with a miniaturized central nervous system by dsRNA injection into fertilized eggs. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2015; 324:114-27. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yana Mikhaleva
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
| | - Orsolya Kreneisz
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Department of Physiology; University of Oslo; Norway
| | - Lisbeth C. Olsen
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
| | - Joel C. Glover
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Department of Physiology; University of Oslo; Norway
| | - Daniel Chourrout
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology; University of Bergen; Norway
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40
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Lu CL, Tang S, Meng ZJ, He YY, Song LY, Liu YP, Ma N, Li XY, Guo SC. Taurine improves the spatial learning and memory ability impaired by sub-chronic manganese exposure. J Biomed Sci 2014; 21:51. [PMID: 24885898 PMCID: PMC4045917 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-21-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive manganese exposure induced cognitive deficit. Several lines of evidence have demonstrated that taurine improves cognitive impairment induced by numerous neurotoxins. However, the role of taurine on manganese-induced damages in learning and memory is still elusive. This goal of this study was to investigate the beneficial effect of taurine on learning and memory capacity impairment by manganese exposure in an animal model. Results The escape latency in the Morris Water Maze test was significantly longer in the rats injected with manganese than that in the rats received both taurine and manganese. Similarly, the probe trial showed that the annulus crossings were significantly greater in the taurine plus manganese treated rats than those in the manganese-treated rats. However, the blood level of manganese was not altered by the taurine treatment. Interestingly, the exposure of manganese led to a significant increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity and an evidently decrease in the choline acetyltransferase activity, which were partially restored by the addition of taurine. Additionally, we identified 9 differentially expressed proteins between the rat hippocampus treated by manganese and the control or the manganese plus taurine in the proteomic analysis using the 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by the tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Most of these proteins play a role in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuron synapse. Conclusions In summary, taurine restores the activity of AChE and ChAT, which are critical for the regulation of acetylcholine. We have identified seven differentially expressed proteins specifically induced by manganese and two proteins induced by taurine from the rat hippocampus. Our results support that taurine improves the impaired learning and memory ability caused by excessive exposure of manganese.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xi-Yi Li
- Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, 530021 Nanning, Guangxi, P,R, China.
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Furini CRG, Myskiw JC, Benetti F, Izquierdo I. New frontiers in the study of memory mechanisms. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2014; 35:173-7. [PMID: 23904024 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2012-1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We review recent work on three major lines of memory research: a) the possible role of the protein kinase M-zeta (PKMzeta) in memory persistence; b) the processes of "synaptic tagging and capture" in memory formation; c) the modulation of extinction learning, widely used in the psychotherapy of fear memories under the name of "exposure therapy". PKMzeta is a form of protein kinase C (PKC) that apparently remains stimulated for months after the consolidation of a given memory. Synaptic tagging is a mechanism whereby the weak activation of one synapse can tag it with a protein so other synapses in the same cell can reactivate it by producing other proteins that bind to the tag. Extinction, once mistakenly labeled as a form of forgetting, is by itself a form of learning; through it animals can learn to inhibit a response. We now know it can be modulated by neurotransmitters or by synaptic tagging, which should enable better control of its clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane R G Furini
- Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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The prion protein ligand, stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1, regulates amyloid-β oligomer toxicity. J Neurosci 2013; 33:16552-64. [PMID: 24133259 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3214-13.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), soluble amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) trigger neurotoxic signaling, at least partially, via the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). However, it is unknown whether other ligands of PrP(C) can regulate this potentially toxic interaction. Stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STI1), an Hsp90 cochaperone secreted by astrocytes, binds to PrP(C) in the vicinity of the AβO binding site to protect neurons against toxic stimuli. Here, we investigated a potential role of STI1 in AβO toxicity. We confirmed the specific binding of AβOs and STI1 to the PrP and showed that STI1 efficiently inhibited AβO binding to PrP in vitro (IC50 of ∼70 nm) and also decreased AβO binding to cultured mouse primary hippocampal neurons. Treatment with STI1 prevented AβO-induced synaptic loss and neuronal death in mouse cultured neurons and long-term potentiation inhibition in mouse hippocampal slices. Interestingly, STI1-haploinsufficient neurons were more sensitive to AβO-induced cell death and could be rescued by treatment with recombinant STI1. Noteworthy, both AβO binding to PrP(C) and PrP(C)-dependent AβO toxicity were inhibited by TPR2A, the PrP(C)-interacting domain of STI1. Additionally, PrP(C)-STI1 engagement activated α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which participated in neuroprotection against AβO-induced toxicity. We found an age-dependent upregulation of cortical STI1 in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD and in the brains of AD-affected individuals, suggesting a compensatory response. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized role of the PrP(C) ligand STI1 in protecting neurons in AD and suggest a novel pathway that may help to offset AβO-induced toxicity.
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Forebrain deletion of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter results in deficits in executive function, metabolic, and RNA splicing abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex. J Neurosci 2013; 33:14908-20. [PMID: 24027290 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1933-13.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key brain regions in cognitive processing and executive function is the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which receives cholinergic input from basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. We evaluated the contribution of synaptically released acetylcholine (ACh) to executive function by genetically targeting the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in the mouse forebrain. Executive function was assessed using a pairwise visual discrimination paradigm and the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRT). In the pairwise test, VAChT-deficient mice were able to learn, but were impaired in reversal learning, suggesting that these mice present cognitive inflexibility. Interestingly, VAChT-targeted mice took longer to reach criteria in the 5-CSRT. Although their performance was indistinguishable from that of control mice during low attentional demand, increased attentional demand revealed striking deficits in VAChT-deleted mice. Galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor used in Alzheimer's disease, significantly improved the performance of control mice, but not of VAChT-deficient mice on the 5-CSRT. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed altered levels of two neurochemical markers of neuronal function, taurine and lactate, suggesting altered PFC metabolism in VAChT-deficient mice. The PFC of these mice displayed a drastic reduction in the splicing factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2/B1), whose cholinergic-mediated reduction was previously demonstrated in Alzheimer's disease. Consequently, several key hnRNPA2/B1 target transcripts involved in neuronal function present changes in alternative splicing in VAChT-deficient mice, including pyruvate kinase M, a key enzyme involved in lactate metabolism. We propose that VAChT-targeted mice can be used to model and to dissect the neurochemical basis of executive abnormalities.
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Holmstrand EC, Lund D, Cherian AK, Wright J, Martin RF, Ennis EA, Stanwood GD, Sarter M, Blakely RD. Transgenic overexpression of the presynaptic choline transporter elevates acetylcholine levels and augments motor endurance. Neurochem Int 2013; 73:217-28. [PMID: 24274995 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2013.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) sensitive, high-affinity choline transporter (CHT) sustains cholinergic signaling via the presynaptic uptake of choline derived from dietary sources or from acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-mediated hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh). Loss of cholinergic signaling capacity is associated with cognitive and motor deficits in humans and in animal models. Whereas genetic elimination of CHT has revealed the critical nature of CHT in maintaining ACh stores and sustaining cholinergic signaling, the consequences of elevating CHT expression have yet to be studied. Using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-mediated transgenic methods, we generated mice with integrated additional copies of the mouse Slc5a7 gene. BAC-CHT mice are viable, appear to develop normally, and breed at wild-type (WT) rates. Biochemical studies revealed a 2 to 3-fold elevation in CHT protein levels in the CNS and periphery, paralleled by significant increases in [(3)H]HC-3 binding and synaptosomal choline transport activity. Elevations of ACh in the BAC-CHT mice occurred without compensatory changes in the activity of either choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) or AChE. Immunohistochemistry for CHT in BAC-CHT brain sections revealed markedly elevated CHT expression in the cell bodies of cholinergic neurons and in axons projecting to regions known to receive cholinergic innervation. Behaviorally, BAC-CHT mice exhibited diminished fatigue and increased speeds on the treadmill test without evidence of increased strength. Finally, BAC-CHT mice displayed elevated horizontal activity in the open field test, diminished spontaneous alteration in the Y-maze, and reduced time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. Together, these studies provide biochemical, pharmacological and behavioral evidence that CHT protein expression and activity can be elevated beyond that seen in wild-type animals. BAC-CHT mice thus represent a novel tool to examine both the positive and negative impact of constitutively elevated cholinergic signaling capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ericka C Holmstrand
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David Lund
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ajeesh Koshy Cherian
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jane Wright
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rolicia F Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Ennis
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gregg D Stanwood
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Martin Sarter
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Randy D Blakely
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Rodrigues HA, Fonseca MDC, Camargo WL, Lima PMA, Martinelli PM, Naves LA, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Guatimosim C. Reduced expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and neurotransmitter content affects synaptic vesicle distribution and shape in mouse neuromuscular junction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78342. [PMID: 24260111 PMCID: PMC3832638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, nerve muscle communication is mediated by the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine packed inside synaptic vesicles by a specific vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Here we used a mouse model (VAChT KDHOM) with 70% reduction in the expression of VAChT to investigate the morphological and functional consequences of a decreased acetylcholine uptake and release in neuromuscular synapses. Upon hypertonic stimulation, VAChT KDHOM mice presented a reduction in the amplitude and frequency of miniature endplate potentials, FM 1–43 staining intensity, total number of synaptic vesicles and altered distribution of vesicles within the synaptic terminal. In contrast, under electrical stimulation or no stimulation, VAChT KDHOM neuromuscular junctions did not differ from WT on total number of vesicles but showed altered distribution. Additionally, motor nerve terminals in VAChT KDHOM exhibited small and flattened synaptic vesicles similar to that observed in WT mice treated with vesamicol that blocks acetylcholine uptake. Based on these results, we propose that decreased VAChT levels affect synaptic vesicle biogenesis and distribution whereas a lower ACh content affects vesicles shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann A. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Matheus de C. Fonseca
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Wallace L. Camargo
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Patrícia M. A. Lima
- Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas, Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, São João Del Rei, Brasil
| | - Patrícia M. Martinelli
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Lígia A. Naves
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Vânia F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice have enhanced motor endurance but show deficits in attention and several additional cognitive domains. J Neurosci 2013; 33:10427-38. [PMID: 23785154 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0395-13.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is an important neuromodulator in the nervous system implicated in many forms of cognitive and motor processing. Recent studies have used bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) protein under the control of the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) promoter (ChAT-ChR2-EYFP) to dissect cholinergic circuit connectivity and function using optogenetic approaches. We report that a mouse line used for this purpose also carries several copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter gene (VAChT), which leads to overexpression of functional VAChT and consequently increased cholinergic tone. We demonstrate that these mice have marked improvement in motor endurance. However, they also present severe cognitive deficits, including attention deficits and dysfunction in working memory and spatial memory. These results suggest that increased VAChT expression may disrupt critical steps in information processing. Our studies demonstrate that ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice show altered cholinergic tone that fundamentally differentiates them from wild-type mice.
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Van Liefferinge J, Massie A, Portelli J, Di Giovanni G, Smolders I. Are vesicular neurotransmitter transporters potential treatment targets for temporal lobe epilepsy? Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:139. [PMID: 24009559 PMCID: PMC3757300 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The vesicular neurotransmitter transporters (VNTs) are small proteins responsible for packing synaptic vesicles with neurotransmitters thereby determining the amount of neurotransmitter released per vesicle through fusion in both neurons and glial cells. Each transporter subtype was classically seen as a specific neuronal marker of the respective nerve cells containing that particular neurotransmitter or structurally related neurotransmitters. More recently, however, it has become apparent that common neurotransmitters can also act as co-transmitters, adding complexity to neurotransmitter release and suggesting intriguing roles for VNTs therein. We will first describe the current knowledge on vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1/2/3), the vesicular excitatory amino acid transporter (VEAT), the vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT), vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT1/2), the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and the vesicular γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter (VGAT) in the brain. We will focus on evidence regarding transgenic mice with disruptions in VNTs in different models of seizures and epilepsy. We will also describe the known alterations and reorganizations in the expression levels of these VNTs in rodent models for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in human tissue resected for epilepsy surgery. Finally, we will discuss perspectives on opportunities and challenges for VNTs as targets for possible future epilepsy therapies.
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Nagy PM, Aubert I. B6eGFPChAT mice overexpressing the vesicular acetylcholine transporter exhibit spontaneous hypoactivity and enhanced exploration in novel environments. Brain Behav 2013; 3:367-83. [PMID: 24381809 PMCID: PMC3869679 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic innervation is extensive throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Among its many roles, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) contributes to the regulation of motor function, locomotion, and exploration. Cholinergic deficits and replacement strategies have been investigated in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly in cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Focus has been on blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and enhancing ACh synthesis to improve cholinergic neurotransmission. As a first step in evaluating the physiological effects of enhanced cholinergic function through the upregulation of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), we used the hypercholinergic B6eGFPChAT congenic mouse model that has been shown to contain multiple VAChT gene copies. Analysis of biochemical and behavioral paradigms suggest that modest increases in VAChT expression can have a significant effect on spontaneous locomotion, reaction to novel stimuli, and the adaptation to novel environments. These observations support the potential of VAChT as a therapeutic target to enhance cholinergic tone, thereby decreasing spontaneous hyperactivity and increasing exploration in novel environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Nagy
- Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Isabelle Aubert
- Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
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Abstract
Acetylcholine, the first chemical to be identified as a neurotransmitter, is packed in synaptic vesicles by the activity of VAChT (vesicular acetylcholine transporter). A decrease in VAChT expression has been reported in a number of diseases, and this has consequences for the amount of acetylcholine loaded in synaptic vesicles as well as for neurotransmitter release. Several genetically modified mice targeting the VAChT gene have been generated, providing novel models to understand how changes in VAChT affect transmitter release. A surprising finding is that most cholinergic neurons in the brain also can express a second type of vesicular neurotransmitter transporter that allows these neurons to secrete two distinct neurotransmitters. Thus a given neuron can use two neurotransmitters to regulate different physiological functions. In addition, recent data indicate that non-neuronal cells can also express the machinery used to synthesize and release acetylcholine. Some of these cells rely on VAChT to secrete acetylcholine with potential physiological consequences in the periphery. Hence novel functions for the oldest neurotransmitter known are emerging with the potential to provide new targets for the treatment of several pathological conditions.
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Mello-Carpes PB, Izquierdo I. The Nucleus of the Solitary Tract→Nucleus Paragigantocellularis→Locus Coeruleus→CA1 region of dorsal hippocampus pathway is important for consolidation of object recognition memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2013; 100:56-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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