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Vargas-Pinilla P, S Oliveira Fam B, Medina Tavares G, Lima T, Landau L, Paré P, de Cássia Aleixo Tostes R, Pissinatti A, Falótico T, Costa-Neto C, Maestri R, Bortolini MC. From molecular variations to behavioral adaptations: Unveiling adaptive epistasis in primate oxytocin system. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2024; 184:e24947. [PMID: 38783700 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our primary objective was to investigate the variability of oxytocin (OT) and the GAMEN binding motif within the LNPEP oxytocinase in primates. MATERIALS AND METHODS We sequenced the LNPEP segment encompassing the GAMEN motif in 34 Platyrrhini species, with 21 of them also sequenced for the OT gene. Our dataset was supplemented with primate sequences of LNPEP, OT, and the oxytocin receptor (OTR) sourced from public databases. Evolutionary analysis and coevolution predictions were made followed by the macroevolution analysis of relevant amino acids associated with phenotypic traits, such as mating systems, parental care, and litter size. To account for phylogenetic structure, we utilized two distinct statistical tests. Additionally, we calculated binding energies focusing on the interaction between Callithtrix jacchus VAMEN and Pro8OT. RESULTS We identified two novel motifs (AAMEN and VAMEN), challenging the current knowledge of motif conservation in placental mammals. Coevolution analysis demonstrated a correlation between GAMEN, AAMEN, and VAMEN and their corresponding OTs and OTRs. Callithrix jacchus exhibited a higher binding energy between VAMEN and Pro8OT than orthologous molecules found in humans (GAMEN and Leu8OT). DISCUSSION The coevolution of AAMEN and VAMEN with their corresponding OTs and OTRs suggests a functional relationship that could have contributed to specific reproductive and adaptive behaviors, including paternal care, social monogamy, and twin births, prominent traits in Cebidae species, such as marmosets and tamarins. Our findings underscore the coevolution of taxon-specific amino acids among the three studied molecules, shedding light on the oxytocinergic system as an adaptive epistatic repertoire in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Vargas-Pinilla
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Bibiana S Oliveira Fam
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Medicina Genômica, Centro de Pesquisa Experimental (CPE), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Medina Tavares
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thaynara Lima
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luane Landau
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Pâmela Paré
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Tiago Falótico
- Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cláudio Costa-Neto
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Renan Maestri
- Laboratório de Ecomorfologia e Macroevolução, Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maria Cátira Bortolini
- Laboratory of Human and Molecular Evolution, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Sosnowski MJ, Brosnan SF. Conserved and differing functions of the endocrine system across different social systems - oxytocin as a case study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1418089. [PMID: 39055053 PMCID: PMC11269223 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1418089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A key goal of the field of endocrinology has been to understand the hormonal mechanisms that drive social behavior and influence reactions to others, such as oxytocin. However, it has sometimes been challenging to understand which aspects and influences of hormonal action are conserved and common among mammalian species, and which effects differ based on features of these species, such as social system. This challenge has been exacerbated by a focus on a relatively small number of traditional model species. In this review, we first demonstrate the benefits of using non-traditional models for the study of hormones, with a focus on oxytocin as a case study in adding species with diverse social systems. We then expand our discussion to explore differing effects of oxytocin (and its response to behavior) within a species, with a particular focus on relationship context and social environment among primate species. Finally, we suggest key areas for future exploration of oxytocin's action centrally and peripherally, and how non-traditional models can be an important resource for understanding the breadth of oxytocin's potential effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan J. Sosnowski
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sarah F. Brosnan
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Language Research Center, Georgia State University, Decatur, GA, United States
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Iffland M, Livingstone N, Jorgensen M, Hazell P, Gillies D. Pharmacological intervention for irritability, aggression, and self-injury in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 10:CD011769. [PMID: 37811711 PMCID: PMC10561353 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011769.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological interventions are frequently used for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to manage behaviours of concern, including irritability, aggression, and self-injury. Some pharmacological interventions might help treat some behaviours of concern, but can also have adverse effects (AEs). OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and AEs of pharmacological interventions for managing the behaviours of irritability, aggression, and self-injury in ASD. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, 11 other databases and two trials registers up to June 2022. We also searched reference lists of relevant studies, and contacted study authors, experts and pharmaceutical companies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials of participants of any age with a clinical diagnosis of ASD, that compared any pharmacological intervention to an alternative drug, standard care, placebo, or wait-list control. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Primary outcomes were behaviours of concern in ASD, (irritability, aggression and self-injury); and AEs. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, and tolerability and acceptability. Two review authors independently assessed each study for risk of bias, and used GRADE to judge the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We included 131 studies involving 7014 participants in this review. We identified 26 studies as awaiting classification and 25 as ongoing. Most studies involved children (53 studies involved only children under 13 years), children and adolescents (37 studies), adolescents only (2 studies) children and adults (16 studies), or adults only (23 studies). All included studies compared a pharmacological intervention to a placebo or to another pharmacological intervention. Atypical antipsychotics versus placebo At short-term follow-up (up to 6 months), atypical antipsychotics probably reduce irritability compared to placebo (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.25 to -0.55, 12 studies, 973 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), which may indicate a large effect. However, there was no clear evidence of a difference in aggression between groups (SMD -0.44, 95% CI -0.89 to 0.01; 1 study, 77 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Atypical antipsychotics may also reduce self-injury (SMD -1.43, 95% CI -2.24 to -0.61; 1 study, 30 participants; low-certainty evidence), possibly indicating a large effect. There may be higher rates of neurological AEs (dizziness, fatigue, sedation, somnolence, and tremor) in the intervention group (low-certainty evidence), but there was no clear evidence of an effect on other neurological AEs. Increased appetite may be higher in the intervention group (low-certainty evidence), but we found no clear evidence of an effect on other metabolic AEs. There was no clear evidence of differences between groups in musculoskeletal or psychological AEs. Neurohormones versus placebo At short-term follow-up, neurohormones may have minimal to no clear effect on irritability when compared to placebo (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.37 to -0.00; 8 studies; 466 participants; very low-certainty evidence), although the evidence is very uncertain. No data were reported for aggression or self -injury. Neurohormones may reduce the risk of headaches slightly in the intervention group, although the evidence is very uncertain. There was no clear evidence of an effect of neurohormones on any other neurological AEs, nor on any psychological, metabolic, or musculoskeletal AEs (low- and very low-certainty evidence). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related medications versus placebo At short-term follow-up, ADHD-related medications may reduce irritability slightly (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.01; 10 studies, 400 participants; low-certainty evidence), which may indicate a small effect. However, there was no clear evidence that ADHD-related medications have an effect on self-injury (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.63 to 0.39; 1 study, 16 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No data were reported for aggression. Rates of neurological AEs (drowsiness, emotional AEs, fatigue, headache, insomnia, and irritability), metabolic AEs (decreased appetite) and psychological AEs (depression) may be higher in the intervention group, although the evidence is very uncertain (very low-certainty evidence). There was no evidence of a difference between groups for any other metabolic, neurological, or psychological AEs (very low-certainty evidence). No data were reported for musculoskeletal AEs. Antidepressants versus placebo At short-term follow-up, there was no clear evidence that antidepressants have an effect on irritability (SMD -0.06, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.18; 3 studies, 267 participants; low-certainty evidence). No data for aggression or self-injury were reported or could be included in the analysis. Rates of metabolic AEs (decreased energy) may be higher in participants receiving antidepressants (very low-certainty evidence), although no other metabolic AEs showed clear evidence of a difference. Rates of neurological AEs (decreased attention) and psychological AEs (impulsive behaviour and stereotypy) may also be higher in the intervention group (very low-certainty evidence) although the evidence is very uncertain. There was no clear evidence of any difference in the other metabolic, neurological, or psychological AEs (very low-certainty evidence), nor between groups in musculoskeletal AEs (very low-certainty evidence). Risk of bias We rated most of the studies across the four comparisons at unclear overall risk of bias due to having multiple domains rated as unclear, very few rated as low across all domains, and most having at least one domain rated as high risk of bias. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that atypical antipsychotics probably reduce irritability, ADHD-related medications may reduce irritability slightly, and neurohormones may have little to no effect on irritability in the short term in people with ASD. There was some evidence that atypical antipsychotics may reduce self-injury in the short term, although the evidence is uncertain. There was no clear evidence that antidepressants had an effect on irritability. There was also little to no difference in aggression between atypical antipsychotics and placebo, or self-injury between ADHD-related medications and placebo. However, there was some evidence that atypical antipsychotics may result in a large reduction in self-injury, although the evidence is uncertain. No data were reported (or could be used) for self-injury or aggression for neurohormones versus placebo. Studies reported a wide range of potential AEs. Atypical antipsychotics and ADHD-related medications in particular were associated with an increased risk of metabolic and neurological AEs, although the evidence is uncertain for atypical antipsychotics and very uncertain for ADHD-related medications. The other drug classes had minimal or no associated AEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Iffland
- Senior Practitioner Branch, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Penrith, Australia
| | - Nuala Livingstone
- Cochrane Evidence Production and Methods Directorate , Cochrane, London, UK
| | - Mikaela Jorgensen
- Senior Practitioner Branch, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Penrith, Australia
| | - Philip Hazell
- Speciality of Psychiatry, University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Donna Gillies
- Senior Practitioner Branch, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Penrith, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
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Yamamoto K, Nakano Y, Iwata N, Soejima Y, Suyama A, Hasegawa T, Otsuka F. Stimulatory effects of vasopressin on progesterone production and BMP signaling by ovarian granulosa cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 667:132-137. [PMID: 37224632 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on ovarian steroid production and its functional relationship to the ovarian bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) system. The results showed that AVP treatment significantly increased gonadotropin- and forskolin-induced progesterone synthesis by primary culture of rat granulosa cells and human granulosa cells, respectively. In contrast, estradiol production was not significantly affected by AVP. Treatment with AVP significantly increased forskolin-induced cAMP synthesis by human granulosa cells and mRNA levels of the progesterogenic enzymes CYP11A1 and HSD3B2 in the cells. On the other hand, AVP also enhanced BMP-15-induced phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/9 and ID1 transcription. It was further revealed that the expression levels of BMP receptors, including ALK3, ALK6 and BMPR2, were upregulated by AVP. Collectively, the results indicate that AVP stimulates progesterone production via the cAMP-PKA pathway with upregulation of BMP signaling that inhibits progesterone production, which may lead to fine adjustment of progesterone biosynthesis by granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Yamamoto
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakano
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Nahoko Iwata
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Soejima
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Suyama
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Toru Hasegawa
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan
| | - Fumio Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
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Duarte DA, Parreiras-E-Silva LT, Oliveira EB, Bouvier M, Costa-Neto CM. Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Tachyphylaxis Is Defined by Agonist Residence Time. Hypertension 2021; 79:115-125. [PMID: 34739768 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.17977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) have been reported to exhibit tachyphylaxis, which is an acute loss of functional receptor response after repeated stimuli with an agonist. GPCRs are important clinical targets for a wide range of disorders. Therefore, elucidation of the ligand features that contribute to receptor tachyphylaxis and signaling events underlying this phenomenon is important for drug discovery and development. In this study, we examined the role of ligand-binding kinetics in the tachyphylaxis of AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor) using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays to monitor signaling events under both kinetic and equilibrium conditions. We investigated AT1R signal transduction and translocation promoted by the endogenous tachyphylactic agonist Ang II (angiotensin II) and its analogs, described previously for inducing reduced receptor tachyphylaxis. Estimation of binding kinetic parameters of the ligands revealed that the residence time of Ang II was higher than that of the analogs, resulting in more sustained Gq protein activation and recruitment of β-arrestin than that promoted by the analogs. Furthermore, we observed that Ang II led to more sustained internalization of the receptor, thereby retarding its recycling to the plasma membrane and preventing further receptor responses. These results show that the apparent lack of tachyphylaxis in the studied analogs resulted from their short residence time at the AT1R. In addition, our data highlight the relevance of complete characterization of novel GPCR drug candidates, taking into account their receptor binding kinetics as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A Duarte
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil (D.A.D., L.T.P.-e.-S., E.B.O., C.M.C.-N.)
| | - Lucas T Parreiras-E-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil (D.A.D., L.T.P.-e.-S., E.B.O., C.M.C.-N.)
| | - Eduardo B Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil (D.A.D., L.T.P.-e.-S., E.B.O., C.M.C.-N.)
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, QC, Canada (M.B.)
| | - Claudio M Costa-Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil (D.A.D., L.T.P.-e.-S., E.B.O., C.M.C.-N.)
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Campbell SK, Cortés-Ortiz L. Oxytocin amino acid variation within Neotropical primates: new genetic variants in hormone and receptor sequences and evidence for evolutionary forces driving this unexpected diversity. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Oxytocin is a mammalian neuropeptide hormone that mediates behaviours important to reproduction. Despite almost universal amino acid sequence conservation across most groups of mammals, several unique forms have been reported across Neotropical primates. To explore sequence diversity, we investigated the genes encoding oxytocin and its receptor across the Atelidae, which was known to contain at least three unique oxytocin sequences. Additionally, we included the genus Cebus, within the Cebidae, to further explore the ubiquity of the Pro8 variant in this family. We found a novel amino acid variant (Val3) within the Atelidae radiation, bringing the total number of oxytocin sequences within Neotropical primates to seven. Analyses of physicochemical properties revealed conservative substitutions that are likely tolerated within the selective constraints imposed by receptor binding. Furthermore, we report radical substitutions at the eighth codon and evidence for co-evolution between Pro8 and a ligand-binding region of the oxytocin receptor in the Atelidae, supporting the notion that this variant may affect binding specificity. Overall, we suggest that selective constraint on binding specificity may maintain proper oxytocin function and that the diversification of amino acid sequence is likely due to a variety of processes such as relaxed constraint, neutral mutation, positive selection and coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna K Campbell
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Liliana Cortés-Ortiz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Taylor JH, McCann KE, Ross AP, Albers HE. Binding affinities of oxytocin, vasopressin and Manning compound at oxytocin and V1a receptors in male Syrian hamster brains. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12882. [PMID: 32662552 PMCID: PMC7485222 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), as well as synthetic ligands targeting their receptors (OTR, V1aR), are used in a wide variety of research contexts, although their pharmacological properties are determined in only a few species. Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) have a long history of use as a behavioural and biomedical model for the study of OT and AVP and, more recently, hamsters have been used to investigate behavioural consequences of OT-mediated activation of V1aR. We aimed to determine the binding affinities of OT, AVP and the selective V1aR antagonist, Manning compound, for OTR and V1aR in hamster brains. We performed saturation binding assays to determine the Kd values for the selective OTR and V1aR radioligands, [125 I]ornithine vasotocin analogue and [125 I]linear vasopressin antagonist. We then performed competition binding assays to determine Ki values for OT, AVP and Manning compound at both the OTR and V1aR. We found that OT and AVP each had the highest affinity for their canonical receptors (OT-OTR Ki = 4.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.9-6.3] nmol L-1 ; AVP-V1ar Ki = 4.70 [95% CI = 1.5-14.1] nmol L-1 ) and had the lowest affinity for their non-canonical ligands (OT-V1aR = 495.2 [95% CI = 198.5-1276] nmol L-1 ; AVP-OTR Ki = 36.1 [95% CI = 12.4-97.0] nmol L-1 ). Manning compound had the highest affinity for the V1aR (MC-V1aR Ki = 6.87 [95% CI = 4.0-11.9] nmol L-1 ; MC-OTR Ki = 213.8 [95% CI = 117.3-392.7] nmol L-1 ), although Manning compound was not as selective for the V1aR in hamsters as has been reported for the receptor in rats. When comparing these data with previously published work, we found that the promiscuity of the V1aR in hamsters with respect to OT and AVP binding is more similar to the promiscuity of the human V1aR than to the rat V1aR receptor. Moreover, the selectivity of OT at hamster receptors is more similar to the selectivity of OT at human receptors than the selectivity of OT at rat receptors. These data highlight the importance of determining the pharmacological properties of behaviourally relevant compounds in diverse model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack H Taylor
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Katharine E McCann
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amy P Ross
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - H Elliott Albers
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Atlanta, Georgia
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Pierce ML, French JA, Murray TF. Comparison of the pharmacological profiles of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin analogs at marmoset, macaque, and human vasopressin 1a receptor. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 126:110060. [PMID: 32145592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110060] [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] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) are nonapeptides that bind to G-protein coupled receptors and influence social behaviors. Consensus mammalian AVP and OT (Leu8-OT) sequences are highly conserved. In marmosets, an amino acid change in the 8th position of the peptide (Pro8-OT) exhibits unique structural and functional properties. There is ∼85 % structural homology between the OT receptor (OTR) and vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) resulting in significant cross-reactivity between the ligands and receptors. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing marmoset (mV1aR), macaque (qV1aR), or human vasopressin receptor 1a (hV1aR) were used to assess AVP, Leu8-OT and Pro8-OT pharmacological profiles. To assess activation of Gq, functional assays were performed using Fluo-3 to measure ligand-induced Ca2+ mobilization. In all three V1aR-expressing cell lines, AVP was more potent than the OT ligands. To assess ligand-induced hyperpolarization, FLIPR Membrane Potential (FMP) assays were performed. In all three V1aR lines, AVP was more potent than the OT analogs. The distinctive U-shaped concentration-response curve displayed by AVP may reflect enhanced desensitization of the mV1aR and hV1aR, which is not observed with qV1aR. Evaluation of Ca2+-activated potassium (K+) channels using the inhibitors apamin, paxilline, and TRAM-34 demonstrated that both intermediate and large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels contributed to membrane hyperpolarization, with different pharmacological profiles identified for distinct ligand-receptor combinations. Taken together, these data suggest differences in ligand-receptor signaling that may underlie differences in social behavior. Integrative studies of behavior, genetics and ligand-receptor interaction will help elucidate the connection between receptor pharmacology and social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha L Pierce
- Department of Pharmacology, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Jeffrey A French
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182, USA
| | - Thomas F Murray
- Department of Pharmacology, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
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Pierce ML, French JA, Murray TF. Comparison of the pharmacologic profiles of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin analogs at marmoset, titi monkey, macaque, and human oxytocin receptors. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 125:109832. [PMID: 32018219 PMCID: PMC7196279 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxytocin-arginine vasopressin (OT-AVP) ligand-receptor family influences a variety of physiological, behavioral, and social behavioral processes in the brain and periphery. The OT-AVP family is highly conserved in mammals, but recent discoveries have revealed remarkable diversity in OT ligands and receptors in New World Monkeys (NWMs) providing a unique opportunity to assess the effects of genetic variation on pharmacological signatures of peptide ligands. The consensus mammalian OT sequence has leucine in the 8th position (Leu8-OT), whereas a number of NWMs, including the marmoset, have proline in the 8th position (Pro8-OT) resulting in a more rigid tail structure. OT and AVP bind to OT’s cognate G-protein coupled receptor (OTR), which couples to various G-proteins (Gi/o, Gq, Gs) to stimulate diverse signaling pathways. CHO cells expressing marmoset (mOTR), titi monkey (tOTR), macaque (qOTR), or human (hOTR) OT receptors were used to compare AVP and OT analog-induced signaling. Assessment of Gq-mediated increase in intracellular calcium (Ca2+) demonstrated that AVP was less potent than OT analogs at OTRs from species whose endogenous ligand is Leu8-OT (tOTR, qOTR, hOTR), relative to Pro8-OT. Likewise, AVP-induced membrane hyperpolarization was less potent at these same OTRs. Evaluation of (Ca2+)-activated potassium (K+) channels using the inhibitors apamin, paxilline, and TRAM-34 demonstrated that both intermediate and large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels contributed to membrane hyperpolarization, with different pharmacological profiles identified for distinct ligand-receptor combinations. Understanding more fully the contributions of structure activity relationships for these peptide ligands at vasopressin and OT receptors will help guide the development of OT-mediated therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha L Pierce
- Department of Pharmacology, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Midwestern University, 555 31St., Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA.
| | - Jeffrey A French
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE, 68182, USA.
| | - Thomas F Murray
- Department of Pharmacology, Creighton University School of Medicine, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA.
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Leu 8 and Pro 8 oxytocin agonism differs across human, macaque, and marmoset vasopressin 1a receptors. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15480. [PMID: 31664130 PMCID: PMC6820730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is an important neuromodulator of social behaviors via activation of both oxytocin receptors (OXTR) and vasopressin (AVP) 1a receptors (AVPR1a). Marmosets are neotropical primates with a modified OXT ligand (Pro8-OXT), and this ligand shows significant coevolution with traits including social monogamy and litter size. Pro8-OXT produces more potent and efficacious responses at primate OXTR and stronger behavioral effects than the consensus mammalian OXT ligand (Leu8-OXT). Here, we tested whether OXT/AVP ligands show differential levels of crosstalk at primate AVPR1a. We measured binding affinities and Ca2+ signaling responses of AVP, Pro8-OXT and Leu8-OXT at human, macaque, and marmoset AVPR1a. We found that AVP binds with higher affinity than OXT across AVPR1a, and marmoset AVPR1a show a 10-fold lower OXT binding affinity compared to human and macaque AVPR1a. Both Leu8-OXT and Pro8-OXT produce a less efficacious response than AVP at human AVPR1a and higher efficacious response than AVP at marmoset AVPR1a. These data suggest that OXT might partially antagonize endogenous human AVPR1a signaling and enhance marmoset AVPR1a signaling. These findings aid in further understanding inconsistencies observed following systemic intranasal administration of OXT and provide important insights into taxon-specific differences in nonapeptide ligand/receptor coevolution and behavior.
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Cavanaugh J, Mustoe A, Womack SL, French JA. Oxytocin modulates mate-guarding behavior in marmoset monkeys. Horm Behav 2018; 106:150-161. [PMID: 30342885 PMCID: PMC6298842 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In socially-monogamous species, intolerance of interactions between a pairmate and a sexual rival (i.e., mate-guarding) promotes the preservation of long-lasting partnerships. One promising neurobiological candidate for the regulation of mate-guarding behavior in monogamous primates is the oxytocin (OT) system, given its established role in both the development of monogamous bonds and the behavioral processes that facilitate the preservation of those bonds. In this study, male and female marmosets were exposed to a same-sex intruder in their home environment during conditions when their pairmate was present and absent, and across three treatment conditions (OT receptor agonist; saline control; OT receptor antagonist). Saline-treated marmosets spent significantly more time in proximity to the intruder, relative to the empty pairmate enclosure, when their pairmate was absent. However, when marmosets received OT they spent less time in proximity to the intruder, indicating that OT may reduce interest in a same-sex stranger in a territorial context. When their pairmate was present, saline-treated marmosets spent equal time in proximity to both intruder and pairmate; yet when they received OT they spent significantly more time in proximity to the intruder, indicating that OT may increase interest in a same-sex stranger in a mate-guarding context. While OT treatment did not directly influence the expression of aggression, OT system manipulations impacted the expression of selective social interest during an intruder challenge, suggesting that OT may enhance adaptive responses to social challenges. Moreover, these findings add to the converging evidence that the OT system regulates behavioral processes that underlie the preservation of established relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Cavanaugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States of America.
| | - Aaryn Mustoe
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States of America
| | - Stephanie L Womack
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A French
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States of America; Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States of America
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Mustoe A, Taylor JH, French JA. Oxytocin structure and function in New World monkeys: from pharmacology to behavior. Integr Zool 2018; 13:634-654. [PMID: 29436774 PMCID: PMC6089668 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a hypothalamic nonapeptide that mediates a host of physiological and behavioral processes including reproductive physiology and social attachments. While the OT sequence structure is highly conserved among mammals, New World monkeys (NWMs) represent an unusual "hot spot" in OT structure variability among mammals. At least 6 distinct OT ligand variants among NWMs exist, yet it is currently unclear whether these evolved structural changes result in meaningful functional consequences. NWMs offer a new area to explore how these modifications to OT and its canonical G-protein coupled OT receptor (OTR) may mediate specific cellular, physiological and behavioral outcomes. In this review, we highlight relationships between OT ligand and OTR structural variability, specifically examining coevolution between OT ligands, OTRs, and physiological and behavioral phenotypes across NWMs. We consider whether these evolved modifications to the OT structure alter pharmacological profiles at human and marmoset OTRs, including changes to receptor binding, intracellular signaling and receptor internalization. Finally, we evaluate whether exogenous manipulation using OT variants in marmoset monkeys differentially enhance or impair behavioral processes involved in social relationships between pairmates, opposite-sex strangers, and parents and their offspring. Overall, it appears that changes to OT ligands in NWMs result in important changes ranging from cellular signaling to broad measures of social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaryn Mustoe
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jack H Taylor
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jeffrey A French
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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