Differences in the negative allosteric modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors elicited by 4'-chlorodiazepam and by a beta-carboline-3-carboxylate ester: a study with natural and reconstituted receptors

Modulators of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders: past, present, and future

The predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acts at ionotropic GABAA receptors to counterbalance excitation and regulate neuronal firing. GABAA receptors are heteropentameric channels comprised from subunits derived from 19 different genes. GABAA receptors have one of the richest and well-developed pharmacologies of any therapeutic drug target, including agonists, antagonists, and positive and negative allosteric modulators (PAMs, NAMs). Currently used PAMs include benzodiazepine sedatives and anxiolytics, barbiturates, endogenous and synthetic neurosteroids, and general anesthetics. In this article, I will review evidence that these drugs act at several distinct binding sites and how they can be used to alter the balance between excitation and inhibition. I will also summarize existing literature regarding (1) evidence that changes in GABAergic inhibition play a causative role in major depression, anxiety, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and schizophrenia and (2) whether and how GABAergic drugs exert beneficial effects in these conditions, focusing on human studies where possible. Where these classical therapeutics have failed to exert benefits, I will describe recent advances in clinical and preclinical drug development. I will also highlight opportunities to advance a generation of GABAergic therapeutics, such as development of subunit-selective PAMs and NAMs, that are engendering hope for novel tools to treat these devastating conditions.

Pharmacological intervention to restore connectivity deficits of neuronal networks derived from ASD patient iPSC with a TSC2 mutation

BACKGROUND

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic multisystemic disorder resulting from autosomal dominant mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. It is characterised by hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and has severe neurodevelopmental and neurological components including autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy. In human and rodent models, loss of the TSC proteins causes neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic dysfunction, although the consequences of these changes for the developing central nervous system are currently unclear.

METHODS

Here we apply multi-electrode array-based assays to study the effects of TSC2 loss on neuronal network activity using autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient-derived iPSCs. We examine both temporal synchronisation of neuronal bursting and spatial connectivity between electrodes across the network.

RESULTS

We find that ASD patient-derived neurons with a functional loss of TSC2, in addition to possessing neuronal hyperactivity, develop a dysfunctional neuronal network with reduced synchronisation of neuronal bursting and lower spatial connectivity. These deficits of network function are associated with elevated expression of genes for inhibitory GABA signalling and glutamate signalling, indicating a potential abnormality of synaptic inhibitory-excitatory signalling. mTORC1 activity functions within a homeostatic triad of protein kinases, mTOR, AMP-dependent protein Kinase 1 (AMPK) and Unc-51 like Autophagy Activating Kinase 1 (ULK1) that orchestrate the interplay of anabolic cell growth and catabolic autophagy while balancing energy and nutrient homeostasis. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin suppresses neuronal hyperactivity, but does not increase synchronised network activity, whereas activation of AMPK restores some aspects of network activity. In contrast, the ULK1 activator, LYN-1604, increases the network behaviour, shortens the network burst lengths and reduces the number of uncorrelated spikes.

LIMITATIONS

Although a robust and consistent phenotype is observed across multiple independent iPSC cultures, the results are based on one patient. There may be more subtle differences between patients with different TSC2 mutations or differences of polygenic background within their genomes. This may affect the severity of the network deficit or the pharmacological response between TSC2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations suggest that there is a reduction in the network connectivity of the in vitro neuronal network associated with ASD patients with TSC2 mutation, which may arise via an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance due to increased GABA-signalling at inhibitory synapses. This abnormality can be effectively suppressed via activation of ULK1.

Benzodiazepine modulation of homomeric GABAAρ1 receptors: differential effects of diazepam and 4'-chlorodiazepam

GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)Rs) are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). They are members of the Cys-loop receptor family and display marked structural and functional heterogeneity. Many GABA(A)Rs receptor subtypes are allosterically modulated by benzodiazepines (BDZs), which are drugs extensively used as anxiolytics, sedative-hypnotics and anticonvulsants. One high-affinity site and at least three additional low-affinity sites for BDZ recognition have been identified in several heteromeric and homomeric variants of the GABA(A)Rs (e.g.: α1β2γ2, α1β2/3, β3, etc.). However, the modulation of homomeric GABA(A)ρRs by BDZs was not previously revealed, and these receptors, for a long a time, were assumed to be fully insensitive to the actions of these drugs. In the present study, human homomeric GABA(A)ρ1 receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and GABA-evoked responses electrophysiologically recorded in the presence or absence of BDZs. GABA(A)ρ1 receptor-mediated responses were modulated by diazepam and 4'-chlorodiazepam in the micromolar range, in a concentration-dependent, voltage-independent and reversible manner. Diazepam produced potentiating effects on GABA-evoked Cl(-) currents and 4'-Cl diazepam induced biphasic effects depending on the GABA concentration, whereas Ro15-4513 and alprazolam were negative modulators. BDZ actions were insensitive to flumazenil. Other BDZs showed negligible activity at equivalent experimental conditions. Our results suggest that GABA(A)ρ1 receptor function can be selectively and differentially modulated by BDZs.

The FGIN period: electrophysiological studies

This historical review of the electrophysiology laboratory complemented the activity of the various research teams at the Fidia Georgetown Institute for the Neurosciences and it was the fulfillment of Dr. Erminio Costa's dream to be able to study the inhibitory and excitatory synapse in the central nervous system. These studies were facilitated by the development of the patch clamp technique that allows the functional testing of several of the biochemical and pharmacological hypotheses. The studies described here were the results of the hard work of all the collaborators involved in the projects that will never forget the passionate and stimulating discussion with Dr Costa during and after the development of these projects.

A legacy of discovery: from monoamines to GABA

Seldom does a single individual have such a profound effect on the development of a scientific discipline as Erminio Costa had on neuropharmacology. During nearly sixty years of research, Costa and his collaborators helped established many of the basic principles of the pharmacodynamic actions of psychotherapeutics. His contributions range from defining basic neurochemical, physiological and behavioral properties of neurotransmitters and their receptors, to the development of novel theories for drug discovery. Outlined in this report is a portion of his work relating to the involvement of monoamines and GABA in mediating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders and as targets for drug therapies. These studies were selected for review because of their influence on my own work and as an illustration of his logical and insightful approach to research and his clever use of techniques and technologies. Given the significance of his work, the legions of scientist who collaborated with him, and those inspired by his reports, his research will continue to have an impact as long as there is a search for new therapeutics to alleviate the pain and suffering associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'.

Alzheimer type II astrocytic changes following sub-acute exposure to manganese and its prevention by antioxidant treatment

Exposure to manganese in an industrial or clinical setting can lead to manganism, a neurological disorder with similarities to Parkinson's disease. Although the pathogenetic basis of this disorder is unclear, studies indicate this metal is highly accumulated in astrocytes, suggesting an involvement of these glial cells. To investigate this issue, we have used a recently characterized, sub-acute model of manganese neurotoxicity. Treatment of rats with manganese (II) chloride (50 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) once daily for 1 or 4 days led to increases in manganese levels of up to 232, 523, and 427% in the cerebral cortex, globus pallidus, and cerebellum, respectively, by instrumental neutron activation analysis. These changes were accompanied by development of pathological changes in glial morphology identified as Alzheimer type II astrocytosis in both cortical and sub-cortical structures. Co-treatment with either the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine or the manganese chelator 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid completely blocked this pathology, indicating the cellular transformation may be mediated by oxidative stress associated with the presence of this metal. These findings represent, to our knowledge, the first report of early induction of this pathological hallmark of manganese neurotoxicity, an event previously considered a consequence of chronic exposure to manganese in primates and in human cases of manganism. Our results also indicate that use of this rodent model may provide a novel opportunity to examine the nature and role of the Alzheimer type II astrocyte in the pathophysiology of this disorder as well as in other disease processes in which cerebral accumulation of manganese occurs.

Upregulation of 'peripheral-type' benzodiazepine receptors in the globus pallidus in a sub-acute rat model of manganese neurotoxicity

Manganese neurotoxicity (MN) is a neurological disorder characterized by selective neuronal loss in the globus pallidus together with characteristic morphological changes known as Alzheimer type II astrocytosis. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these processes, we studied early effects of this metal in a sub-acute rat model. Levels of manganese in the globus pallidus were increased by 81% after 1 day of treatment and elevated by 551% compared to controls after 4 days. In addition, manganese treatment led to a 60% increase in ptbr expression, and a 105% increase in levels of its product, the isoquinoline-carboxamide binding protein, a major constituent of the 'peripheral-type' benzodiazepine receptor (PTBR) that is localized to astrocytes, in this brain region after 4 days. These results indicate that PTBRs, and possibly neurosteroids, are an early response to manganese exposure and may play a major role in the pathophysiology of MN.

Antiplatelet activity of synthetic pyrrolo-benzylisoquinolines

Pyrrolo-benzylisoquinolines were prepared as target compounds and their antiplatelet aggregation activity, adreno-receptor affinity, and cytotoxicity were screened. Compounds 1d-9d showed specific antiplatelet aggregation activity induced by arachidonic acid and collagen. Among them, 8d and 9d exhibited better activity than the reference drug, aspirin and 9d also showed inhibition of platelet aggregation by all four inducers.

Astrocytes and manganese neurotoxicity

Increasing evidence suggests that astrocytes are the site of early dysfunction and damage in manganese neurotoxicity. Astrocytes accumulate manganese by a high affinity, high capacity, specific transport system. Chronic exposure to manganese leads to increased pallidal signal hyperintensities on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and selective neuronal loss in basal ganglia structures together with characteristic astrocytic changes known as Alzheimer type II astrocytosis. Manganese is sequestered in mitochondria where it inhibits oxidative phosphorylation. Exposure of astrocytes to manganese results in important changes including (i) decreased uptake of glutamate; (ii) increased densities of binding sites for the "peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptor (PTBR), a class of receptor localized to mitochondria of astrocytes and involved in oxidative metabolism, mitochondrial proliferation, and neurosteroid synthesis; (iii) increased gene expression and activity of the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), known to be associated with apoptosis; (iv) increased uptake of L-arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide, together with increased expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Potential consequences of these alterations in astrocytic gene expression include failure of energy metabolism, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased extracellular glutamate concentration and excitotoxicity which could play a key role in manganese-induced neuronal cell death as a direct result of impaired astrocytic-neuronal interactions.

The anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam reverses the inhibition by negative allosteric modulators of neuronal GABA- and glycine-gated currents

1. In this study in vitro and in vivo approaches were combined in order to investigate if the anti-epileptic mechanism(s) of action of levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra) may involve modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission. 2. GABA- and glycine-gated currents were studied in vitro using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques applied on cultured cerebellar granule, hippocampal and spinal neurons. Protection against clonic convulsions was assessed in vivo in sound-susceptible mice. The effect of LEV was compared with reference anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs): carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, clonazepam, phenobarbital and ethosuximide. 3. LEV contrasted the reference AEDs by an absence of any direct effect on glycine-gated currents. At high concentrations, beyond therapeutic relevance, it induced a small reduction in the peak amplitude and a prolongation of the decay phase of GABA-gated currents. A similar action on GABA-elicited currents was observed with the reference AEDs, except ethosuximide. 4. These minor direct effects contrasted with a potent ability of LEV (EC(50)=1 - 10 microM) to reverse the inhibitory effects of the negative allosteric modulators zinc and beta-carbolines on both GABA(A) and glycine receptor-mediated responses. 5. Clonazepam, phenobarbital and valproate showed a similar ability to reverse the inhibition of beta-carbolines on GABA-gated currents. Blockade of zinc inhibition of GABA responses was observed with clonazepam and ethosuximide. Phenytoin was the only AED together with LEV that inhibited the antagonism of zinc on glycine-gated currents and only clonazepam and phenobarbital inhibited the action of DMCM. 6. LEV (17 mg kg(-1)) produced a potent suppression of sound-induced clonic convulsions in mice. This protective effect was significantly abolished by co-administration of the beta-carboline FG 7142, from a dose of 5 mg kg(-1). In contrast, the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (up to 10 mg kg(-1)) was without any effect on the protection afforded by LEV. 7. The results of the present study suggest that a novel ability to oppose the action of negative modulators on the two main inhibitory ionotropic receptors may be of relevance for the anti-epileptic mechanism(s) of action of LEV.

Antidepressant-like effect of the neurosteroid 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one in mice forced swim test

The present study aimed to examine the antidepressant-like effect of the neurosteroid 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha, 5alpha THP) using the forced swim test in mice. Intracerebroventricular (ICV, 1 or 2 microg/mouse) or intraperitoneal (IP, 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg) administration of 3alpha, 5alpha THP dose-dependently reduced the duration of immobility in forced swim test without accompanying changes in ambulatory or rearing behaviors in the open-field test. The antidepressant-like effect of 3alpha, 5alpha THP (1 microg/mouse, ICV) was potentiated by prior administration of the GABA(A) receptor agonist, muscimol (0. 5 mg/kg, IP) and blocked by prior administration of GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline (1 mg/kg, IP). Administration of the agonist at diazepam binding inhibitor receptors, 4'-chlorodiazepam (4'CD, 15 mg/kg, IP) or N,N-di-n-hexyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-indol-3-acetamide (FGIN 1-27, 1 or 2 microg/mouse, ICV), the 11beta-hydroxylase inhibitor, metyrapone (150 mg/kg, IP and 1 or 2 microg/mouse, ICV) and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, IP), which are known to increase the endogenous level of neurosteroids, also reduced the duration of immobility in forced swim test. The tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine (20 mg/kg, IP), which does not increase the 3alpha, 5alpha THP in the brain, also reduced the immobility time. While the antidepressant-like effect of fluoxetine, which is known to selectively increase the brain content of 3alpha, 5alpha THP, was either blocked partially by bicuculline (1 mg/kg, IP) or potentiated by muscimol (0.5 mg/kg, IP), the antidepressant-like effect of imipramine was not modified by bicuculline. These results demonstrate the antidepressant-like effect of the neurosteroid 3alpha, 5alpha THP, and suggest further evaluation for its development as a new class of antidepressant drug.

Abecarnil and alprazolam reverse anxiety-like behaviors induced by ethanol withdrawal

This study investigated the effects of a benzodiazepine partial agonist, abecarnil, and a full agonist, alprazolam, on ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Anxiety was assessed in two models: elevated plus maze and pentylenetetrazol (GABA(A) antagonist) discrimination assay. Male rats received an ethanol-containing (4.5%) liquid diet for 7 to 10 days and were tested for withdrawal symptoms 12 h after termination of the diet. In the elevated plus maze, ethanol-withdrawn rats displayed less open arm activity and total arm entries than pair-fed rats. Abecarnil (0.08-0.32 mg/kg, IP) and alprazolam (0.08-1.25 mg/kg, IP) each produced a dose-dependent, full reversal of ethanol withdrawal-induced reduction of open arm activity, but only alprazolam increased the total arm entries. In the pentylenetetrazol assay, ethanol-withdrawn rats selected the pentylenetetrazol lever (100%) over the salin-lever. Abecarnil (0.04-0.32 mg/kg, IP) and alprazolam (0.08-0.32 mg/kg, IP) dose dependently reduced pentylenetetrazol-lever responding to control levels (10-20%). Alprazolam was more potent than abecarnil in reversing ethanol withdrawal-induced decrease in open arm activities, but showed comparable potency and efficacy to abecarnil in blocking the pentylenetetrazol-like ethanol withdrawal stimulus. These results suggest that abecarnil and alprazolam may have therapeutic potential for treatment of ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety-like symptoms.

The endozepine ODN stimulates [3H]thymidine incorporation in cultured rat astrocytes

High concentrations of diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) mRNA have been detected in astrocytoma, suggesting that DBI-derived peptides may play a role in glial cell proliferation. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of a processing product of DBI, the octadecaneuropeptide ODN, on DNA synthesis in cultured rat astrocytes. At very low concentrations (10(-14) to 10(-11) M), ODN caused a dose-dependent increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation. At higher doses (10(-10) to 10(-5) M), the effect of ODN gradually declined. The central-type benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (10(-6) M) completely suppressed the stimulatory action of ODN whereas the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligand, PK11195 (10(-6) M) had no effect. The ODN-induced stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation was mimicked by methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM). The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (10(-4) M) suppressed the effect of both ODN and DMCM on DNA synthesis. Exposure of cultured astrocytes to the specific GABAA agonist 3APS (10(-10) to 10(-4) M) also induced a dose-related increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation. The present study indicates that ODN, acting through central-type benzodiazepine receptors associated with the GABAA receptor complex, stimulates DNA synthesis in rat glial cells. These data provide evidence for an autocrine role of endozepines in the control of glial cell proliferation.

The diversity of GABAA receptors. Pharmacological and electrophysiological properties of GABAA channel subtypes

The amino acid gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) prevails in the CNS as an inhibitory neurotransmitter that mediates most of its effects through fast GABA-gated Cl(-)-channels (GABAAR). Molecular biology uncovered the complex subunit architecture of this receptor channel, in which a pentameric assembly derived from five of at least 17 mammalian subunits, grouped in the six classes alpha, beta, gamma, delta, sigma and epsilon, permits a vast number of putative receptor isoforms. The subunit composition of a particular receptor determines the specific effects of allosterical modulators of the GABAARs like benzodiazepines (BZs), barbiturates, steroids, some convulsants, polyvalent cations, and ethanol. To understand the physiology and diversity of GABAARs, the native isoforms have to be identified by their localization in the brain and by their pharmacology. In heterologous expression systems, channels require the presence of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits in order to mimic the full repertoire of native receptor responses to drugs, with the BZ pharmacology being determined by the particular alpha and gamma subunit variants. Little is known about the functional properties of the beta, delta, and epsilon subunit classes and only a few receptor subtype-specific substances like loreclezole and furosemide are known that enable the identification of defined receptor subtypes. We will summarize the pharmacology of putative receptor isoforms and emphasize the characteristics of functional channels. Knowledge of the complex pharmacology of GABAARs might eventually enable site-directed drug design to further our understanding of GABA-related disorders and of the complex interaction of excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms in neuronal processing.

The stimulatory effect of the octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) on cytosolic Ca2+ in rat astrocytes is not mediated through classical benzodiazepine receptors

Diazepam-binding inhibitor has been initially isolated from the rat brain from its ability to compete with benzodiazepines for their receptors. We have recently shown that the octadecaneuropeptide (diazepam-binding inhibitor-(33-50) or ODN) induces an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in astroglial cells. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether central-type benzodiazepine receptors or peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors are involved in the response of cultured rat astrocytes to ODN. The mixed central-/peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligand flunitrazepam (10(-10) to 10(-6) M), the specific peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor agonist Ro5-4864 (10(-10) to 10(-6) M) and the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor 'antagonist' PK 11195 (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) all induced a dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i. At high doses (10(-7) to 10(-5) M), the central-type benzodiazepine receptor agonist clonazepam also mimicked the stimulatory effect of ODN on [Ca2+]i. However, the [Ca2+]i rise induced by ODN was blocked neither by PK 11195 nor by the central-type benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (10(-6) M each). Binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to intact astrocytes was displaced by low concentrations of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands flunitrazepam, Ro5 4864 and PK 11195, and by high concentrations of clonazepam. In contrast, ODN did not compete for [3H]flunitrazepam binding in intact cells. These data indicate that the effect of ODN on Ca2+ mobilization in rat astrocytes is mediated by high affinity receptors which are not related to classical benzodiazepine receptors.

Clozapine and some other antipsychotic drugs may preferentially block the same subset of GABA(A) receptors

Selective blockade of a subset of GABA(A) receptors may be involved in the antipsychotic effects of Clozapine and several other antipsychotic drugs. Seven antipsychotic drugs, and 11 drugs classified as antidepressants that only partially reverse the inhibitory effect of 1 microM GABA on [35S]TBPS binding, do not yield additive reversal when tested pairwise with Clozapine, which also only partially reverses the inhibitory effect of GABA. This suggests that all of these antipsychotic/antidepressant drugs may block a common subset of GABA(A) receptors. DMCM and Ro 5-4864 are also partial reversers of GABA's inhibitory effect, but they yield additive reversals when tested pairwise with the antipsychotic/antidepressant drugs, and also with each other, suggesting that DMCM, Ro 5-4864, and the antipsychotic drugs define three heterogeneous subsets of GABA(A) receptors, with variable overlap, depending on the drug. Several potent ligands for benzodiazepine binding sites can block the GABA inhibitory effects of DMCM and Ro 5-4864, but with different patterns: the ligands generally blocked DMCM less potently, but more completely than Ro 5-4864. Ro 5-4864 was not blocked by Flumazenil or CGS-8216, ligands that potently blocked DMCM. Nine additional antipsychotic/antidepressant drugs, as well as Clozapine, and 7 "classical" GABA(A) receptor blockers, all of which reversed GABA nearly completely, when tested at lower concentrations that only reverse approximately 20-35%, yielded almost complete additivity when tested pairwise with DMCM or Ro 54864. Another convulsant benzodiazepine, KW-1937, a positional isomer of Brotizolam, fully reverses the inhibitory effect of 1 microM GABA. At a lower concentration yielding about 50% reversal, KW-1937 is completely additive with DMCM, but entirely nonadditive with Ro 5-4864. The 50% reversal obtained with KW-1937 was potently blocked by Triazolam, but with a plateau similar to that obtained with Ro 5-4864. The results with KW- 1937 suggest that its 50% reversal largely corresponds to the reversal obtained with Ro 5-4864, and that virtually all of the [35S]TBPS binding sites inhibited by 1 microM GABA are coupled to benzodiazepine binding sites. The fraction of GABA(A) receptors preferentially blocked by all the antipsychotic/antidepressant drugs, roughly 25% of the [35S]TBPS binding sites inhibited with 1 microM GABA, are sensitive to KW-1937, but not to DMCM or to Ro 5-4864.

Furosemide interactions with brain GABAA receptors

1. The loop diuretic furosemide is known to antagonize the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. The purpose of the present study was to examine the direct interaction of furosemide with the GABAA receptors by autoradiography and ligand binding studies with native rat and human receptors and with recombinant receptors composed of rat subunits. 2. Autoradiography with [35S]-t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]-TBPS) as a ligand indicated that furosemide (0.1-1 mM) reversed the 5 microM GABA-induced inhibition of binding only in the cerebellar granule cell layer of rat brain sections. In all other regions studied, notably also in the hippocampal and thalamic areas, furosemide failed to antagonize GABA. Furosemide 1 mM decreased [35S]-TBPS binding only in a limited number of brain regions, but facilitation of the GABA-inhibition of the binding was much more widespread. 3. In well-washed rat cerebellar, but not cerebrocortical, membranes, furosemide enhanced the [35S]-TBPS binding over basal level in the absence of added GABA. The GABAA antagonist, SR 95531, and the convulsant, Ro 5-4864, blocked this furosemide-induced increase. Both interactions with the furosemide enhancement are likely to be allosteric, since furosemide affected the binding of [3H]-SR 95531 and [3H]-Ro 5-4864 identically in the cerebellar and cerebrocortical membranes. Maximal GABA-antagonism induced by furosemide in cerebellar membranes was further increased by SR 95531 but not by Ro 5-4864, indicating additive antagonism only for SR 95531. In human cerebellar receptors, only GABA antagonism by furosemide, but not the enhancement without added GABA, was observed. 4. In recombinant GABAA receptors, furosemide antagonism of GABA-inhibition of [35S]-TBPS binding depended only on the presence of alpha 6 and beta 2/3 subunits, irrespective of the presence or absence of gamma 2 or delta subunits. 5. In alpha 6 beta 3 gamma 2 receptors, clozapine reversed the enhancement of [35S]-TBPS binding by furosemide in the absence of GABA. However, it failed to affect the GABA-antagonism of furosemide, suggesting that the enhancement of basal binding and the GABA antagonism might represent two different allosteric actions of furosemide. 6. In conclusion, the present results indicate that furosemide is a subtype-selective GABAA antagonist with a mode of action not shared by several other antagonists, which makes furosemide a unique compound for development of potential GABAA receptor subtype-specific and -selective ligands.

Allosteric modulation by single enantiomers of a C3-chiral 1,4-benzodiazepine of the gamma aminobutyric acid type A receptor channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with Poly(A)(+)-RNA isolated from neuronal tissue express membrane proteins peculiar to the origin of mRNA. The translation of gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors has been shown by dose/ response behavior of GABA and the reversible blockade of the GABA-induced current by picrotoxin. This current was analyzed quantitatively under two electrode voltage-clamp conditions. This methodology has been applied for the first time to study the functional properties of the receptor as a function of the stereochemistry of the ligands. The (+)-S and (-)-R enantiomers of a water-soluble benzodiazepine derivative, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hemisuccinyloxy-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazep in-2-one (OXHEM), obtained by preparative high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) resolution on chiral stationary phase, act as agonists in the in vitro modulation of the chloride channel. The (+)-S-OXHEM enantiomer was the more active.

From ion currents to genomic analysis: recent advances in GABAA receptor research

The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor represents an elementary switching mechanism integral to the functioning of the central nervous system and a locus for the action of many mood- and emotion-altering agents such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, steroids, and alcohol. Anxiety, sleep disorders, and convulsive disorders have been effectively treated with therapeutic agents that enhance the action of GABA at the GABAA receptor or increase the concentration of GABA in nervous tissue. The GABAA receptor is a multimeric membrane-spanning ligand-gated ion channel that admits chloride upon binding of the neurotransmitter GABA and is modulated by many endogenous and therapeutically important agents. Since GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, modulation of its response has profound implications for brain functioning. The GABAA receptor is virtually the only site of action for the centrally acting benzodiazepines, the most widely prescribed of the anti-anxiety medications. Increasing evidence points to an important role for GABA in epilepsy and various neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent advances in molecular biology and complementary information derived from pharmacology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, anatomy and cell biology, and behavior have led to a phenomenal growth in our understanding of the structure, function, regulation, and evolution of the GABAA receptor. Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, steroids, polyvalent cations, and ethanol act as positive or negative modulators of receptor function. The description of a receptor gene superfamily comprising the subunits of the GABAA, nicotinic acetylcholine, and glycine receptors has led to a new way of thinking about gene expression and receptor assembly in the nervous system. Seventeen genetically distinct subunit subtypes (alpha 1-alpha 6, beta 1-beta 4, gamma 1-gamma 4, delta, p1-p2) and alternatively spliced variants contribute to the molecular architecture of the GABAA receptor. Mysteriously, certain preferred combinations of subunits, most notably the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 arrangement, are widely codistributed, while the expression of other subunits, such as beta 1 or alpha 6, is severely restricted to specific neurons in the hippocampal formation or cerebellar cortex. Nervous tissue has the capacity to exert control over receptor number, allosteric uncoupling, subunit mRNA levels, and posttranslational modifications through cellular signal transduction mechanisms under active investigation. The genomic organization of the GABAA receptor genes suggests that the present abundance of subtypes arose during evolution through the duplication and translocations of a primordial alpha-beta-gamma gene cluster. This review describes these varied aspects of GABAA receptor research with special emphasis on contemporary cellular and molecular discoveries.

The benzodiazepine receptor antagonists flumazenil and CGS8216 block the enhancement of fear conditioning and interference with escape behavior produced by inescapable shock

Prior work has suggested that the mediation of the behavioral effects of inescapable shock (IS) might involve release of an endogenous beta-carboline-like ligand at the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) that binds to the benzodiazepine (BZ) recognition site on the GABAA complex, thereby disinhibiting the DRN. This was tested by microinjection of the BZ receptor antagonists flumazenil and CGS8216 in the region of the DRN, either before IS or before later behavioral testing. Both compounds blocked subsequent enhancement of fear conditioning and interference with shuttlebox escape when administered before IS, but had no effect when given before testing. In addition, flumazenil did not alter the behavior of escapably shocked subjects.

DBI mRNA is expressed in endocrine pancreas and its post-translational product DBI(33-50) inhibits insulin release

It has been previously demonstrated that DBI is present in endocrine pancreas and it is able to inhibit insulin release in isolated rat islets. Its mechanism of action has been investigated, demonstrating the possible involvement of cAMP and ATP-dependent K(+) channels. DB1(33-50), a post-translational product of DBI, is also able to inhibit insulin release, but its action has not been characterized. In the present study, we have investigated the presence of DBI mRNA in pancreas, islets and cultured ß cells. The possible mechanism of action of DBI(33-50) and the involvement of BZ/GABA(A) receptors has been studied.

Stimulation of brain pregnenolone synthesis by mitochondrial diazepam binding inhibitor receptor ligands in vivo

Evidence that neurosteroids are potent modulators of the action of GABA at GABAA receptors has prompted the investigation of the mechanism that controls brain neurosteroid synthesis by glial cell mitochondria in vivo. In vitro studies suggest that the interaction of the diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI)--a polypeptide that is abundant in steroidogenic cells--with glial mitochondrial DBI receptors (MDRs) is a crucial step in the physiological regulation of neurosteroid biosynthesis. MDRs bind 4'-chlorodiazepam (4'-CD), N,N-di-n-hexyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-indol-3-acetamide (FGIN-1-27), and the isoquinoline carboxamide PK 11195 with high affinity, and these ligands have been used to investigate whether the stimulation of glial MDRs increases brain pregnenolone production in vivo. Adrenalectomized and castrated (A-C) male rats (to eliminate peripheral sources of pregnenolone) were pretreated with trilostane (to prevent pregnenolone metabolism to progesterone), and the pregnenolone content in brain regions dissected after fixation with a 0.8-s exposure to microwave irradiation focused to the head was determined by HPLC followed by specific radioimmunoassay. The forebrain and cerebellum of A-C rats contained 4-7 ng of pregnenolone/g of tissue, and the olfactory bulb contained 10-14 ng/g. These concentrations of brain pregnenolone are only 30-40% lower than those of sham-operated rats. In contrast, the plasma pregnenolone content of sham-operated rats was 2-3 ng/ml, but it was only 0.15-0.20 ng/ml in the plasma of A-C rats. In A-C rats, treatment with the MDR ligands 4'-CD and FGIN-1-27 increased the pregnenolone content in the brain but failed to change the plasma or peripheral tissue content of this steroid. The effect of 4'-CD on brain pregnenolone content was maximal (70-100% increase) at the dose of 18 mumol/kg, 5-10 min after intravenous injection. The effect of oral administration of FGIN-1-27 on brain pregnenolone content was maximal (80-150% increase) at doses of 400-800 mumol/kg and peaked at approximately 1 h. That this effect of FGIN-1-27 was mediated by the MDR was documented by pretreatment with the MDR partial agonist PK 11195 (100 mumol/kg, i.p.). PK 11195 did not affect basal brain pregnenolone content but prevented the accumulation of brain pregnenolone induced by FGIN-1-27. FGIN-1-27 and 4'-CD failed to increase the brain concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone in A-C rats. These data suggest that glial cell MDRs play a role in neurosteroid biosynthesis in vivo.

Comparative molecular neuroanatomy of cloned GABAA receptor subunits in the rat CNS

gamma-Aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptors in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) are members of a family of ligand-gated ion channels consisting of heterooligomeric glycoprotein complexes in synaptic and extrasynaptic membranes. Although molecular cloning studies have identified 5 subunits (with approximately 40% amino acid homology) and isoforms thereof (approximately 70% homology), namely alpha 1-6, beta 1-4, gamma 1-3, delta, and rho, the subunit composition and stoichiometry of native receptors are not known. The regional distribution and cellular expression of GABAA receptor messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the rat CNS have now been investigated by in situ hybridization histochemistry with subunit-specific 35S-labelled oligonucleotide probes on adjacent cryostat sections. Whereas alpha 1, beta 2, and gamma 2 transcripts were the most abundant and ubiquitous in the rat brain--correlating with the radioautographic distribution of GABAA receptors revealed by an ionophore ligand--others had a more restricted expression while often being abundant. For example, alpha 2 transcripts were found only in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, hippocampal formation, and certain lower brain stem nuclei; alpha 3 only in the olfactory bulb and cerebral cortex; alpha 5 in the hippocampal formation; and alpha 6 only in cerebellar granule cells. In addition, beta 1, beta 3, gamma 1, and delta mRNAs were also uniquely expressed in restricted brain regions. Moreover, in the spinal cord, alpha 1-3, beta 2,3, and gamma 2 mRNAs were differently expressed in Rexed layers 2-9, with alpha 2, beta 3, and gamma 2 transcripts most prominent in motoneurons of layer 9. Although differential protein trafficking could lead to the incorporation of some subunits into somatic membranes and others into dendritic membranes, some tentative conclusions as to the probable composition of native proteins in various regions of the CNS may be drawn.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Expression patterns of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit mRNAs in primary cultures of granule neurons and astrocytes from neonatal rat cerebella

Using a competitive polymerase chain reaction assay, we have quantitated the absolute amounts of mRNA encoding 14 distinct subunits of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons and cerebellar astrocytes. We found that the total amount of GABAA receptor subunit mRNA in astrocytes was 2 orders of magnitude lower than in neuronal cells. Furthermore, granule cell cultures expressed all 14 different GABAA subunit mRNAs, while the astroglial cultures contained detectable amounts of all the subunits expressed by granule cells except the alpha 6 and the gamma 2L subunits. Of the alpha subunit family members, the alpha 1, alpha 5, and alpha 6 mRNAs were prominent in granule cells, while the alpha 1 and alpha 2 mRNAs were abundant in astrocytes. Of the beta receptor subunit mRNAs, the beta 1 and beta 3 mRNAs were abundantly expressed in both cultures. The gamma 2S and gamma 2L mRNAs constituted the great majority of gamma subunit mRNAs in neurons, while the gamma 1 subunit mRNA was the most abundant gamma subunit mRNA in astrocytes. When various allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors were tested electrophysiologically, methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline- 3-carboxylate (DMCM) was the only one to modulate chloride currents elicited by GABA in a significantly different manner in granule cells (negative modulation) compared with astrocytes (positive modulation). The latter effect was previously observed in transiently expressed recombinant GABAA receptors containing a gamma 1 instead of a gamma 2 subunit. Our quantitative mRNA results suggest that an important molecular determinant responsible for the DMCM-positive modulatory effect on astroglial native GABAA receptors is the presence of the gamma 1 subunit in the receptor assembly.

Role of DBI in brain and its posttranslational processing products in normal and abnormal behavior

Because diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) and its processing products coexist with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in several axon terminals, DBI immunoreactivity was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of individuals suffering from various neuropsychiatric disorders, that are believe to be associated with abnormalities of GABAergic transmission. Increased amounts of DBI-like immunoreactivity were found in the CSF of patients suffering from severe depression with a severe anxiety component (Barbaccia, Costa, Ferrero, Guidotti, Roy, Sunderland, Pickar, Paul and Goodwin, 1986). Moreover, the amount of DBI and its processing products was found to be increased in the CSF of patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (Rothstein, McKhann, Guarneri, Barbaccia, Guidotti and Costa, 1989; Guarneri, Berkovich, Guidotti and Costa, 1990). The clinical rating of HE correlated with the extent of the increase in DBI in CSF. Other lines of research suggest that DBI and DBI processing products may be important factors in behavioral adaptation to stress, acting via benzodiazepine (BZD) binding sites, located on mitochondria. DBI and its processing products, ODN and TTN, are present in high concentrations in the hypothalamus and in the amygdala, two areas of the brain that are important in regulating behavioral patterns associated with conflict situations, anxiety and stress. In CSF, the content of DBI changes in association with corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (Roy, Pickar, Gold, Barbaccia, Guidotti, Costa and Linnoila, 1989). Finally DBI is preferentially concentrated in steroidogenic tissues and cells (adrenal cortical cells, Leydig cells of the testes and glial cells of the brain).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

gamma-Aminobutyric acid type A receptor point mutation increases the affinity of compounds for the benzodiazepine site

Recombinantly expressed gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors consisting of alpha 1, beta 2, and gamma 2 subunits contain a binding site for benzodiazepines that differs in its properties from that of alpha 3 beta 2 gamma 2 receptors. Amino acid substitutions between the GABAA receptor alpha subunits were analyzed for their effect on the binding of compounds to the benzodiazepine site. By converting ever smaller regions of the alpha 3 subunit sequence to that of the alpha 1 subunit, we show that a single substitution (glycine for glutamic acid) increases the affinity for several compounds approximately 10-fold without changing the affinity for nonselective compounds. Hence, the identified amino acids may interact directly with the ligand and define part of the benzodiazepine binding sites in these receptors.

Pharmacological and molecular basis for dopamine D-2 receptor diversity

This review will focus on the main lines of evidence that suggest the existence of multiple types of dopamine D-2 receptors. Dopamine D-2 receptors share structural elements suggesting that they belong to a gene superfamily classified as G-protein-coupled receptors and show an archetypical topology predicted to consist of seven putative transmembrane domains. Activation of D-2 receptors results in a variety of responses, including inhibition of cyclic AMP formation, inhibition of phosphoinositol turnover, increase of K-channel activity, and inhibition of Ca influx. The G protein(s) linking the D-2 receptors to these responses have not been completely identified, nor has the possible hierarchy of these regulatory proteins in transforming the incoming signal into a change of second-messenger levels. A lot of experimental data support the hypothesis that there are multiple signal-processing pathways activated by dopamine through D-2-receptor stimulation. Recently, the identification of dopaminergic drugs that discriminate among the different transduction pathways and the isolation of distinct cDNAs encoding proteins that share binding profile indicative of D-2 receptors clearly indicate multiple forms of D-2 receptors. Pharmacologically, at least two distinct categories of dopamine D-2 receptors exist in rat pituitary. The first (D-2a) is insensitive to BHT 920 and coupled to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity; the second (D-2b) is activated by BHT 920 and linked to voltage-dependent K channels. The two types of dopamine D-2 receptors differ in their structure, G-protein-coupled and effector. Each of the three basic receptor units shows a certain degree of heterogeneity, which may affect the quality and the kinetic of the response. This variety may represent the molecular basis for the diversity in pharmacological and functional profiles of different dopamine D-2 receptors located in various brain areas and peripheral tissues.