1
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Activation of the Rat α1β2ε GABA A Receptor by Orthosteric and Allosteric Agonists. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070868. [PMID: 35883422 PMCID: PMC9312946 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
GABAA receptors are a major contributor to fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain. The receptors are activated upon binding the transmitter GABA or allosteric agonists including a number of GABAergic anesthetics and neurosteroids. Functional receptors can be formed by various combinations of the nineteen GABAA subunits cloned to date. GABAA receptors containing the ε subunit exhibit a significant degree of constitutive activity and have been suggested to be unresponsive to allosteric agents. In this study, we have characterized the functional properties of the rat α1β2ε GABAA receptor. We confirm that the α1β2ε receptor exhibits a higher level of constitutive activity than typical of GABAA receptors and show that it is inefficaciously activated by the transmitter and the allosteric agonists propofol, pentobarbital, and allopregnanolone. Manipulations intended to alter ε subunit expression and receptor stoichiometry were largely without effect on receptor properties including sensitivity to GABA and allosteric agonists. Surprisingly, amino acid substitutions at the conserved 9' and 6' positions in the second transmembrane (TM2) domain in the ε subunit did not elicit the expected functional effects of increased constitutive activity and resistance to the channel blocker picrotoxin, respectively. We tested the accessibility of TM2 residues mutated to cysteine using the cysteine-modifying reagent 4-(hydroxymercuri)benzoic acid and found a unique pattern of water-accessible residues in the ε subunit.
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2
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Electrophysiology of ionotropic GABA receptors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5341-5370. [PMID: 34061215 PMCID: PMC8257536 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03846-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
GABAA receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels and ionotropic receptors of GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in vertebrates. In this review, we discuss the major and diverse roles GABAA receptors play in the regulation of neuronal communication and the functioning of the brain. GABAA receptors have complex electrophysiological properties that enable them to mediate different types of currents such as phasic and tonic inhibitory currents. Their activity is finely regulated by membrane voltage, phosphorylation and several ions. GABAA receptors are pentameric and are assembled from a diverse set of subunits. They are subdivided into numerous subtypes, which differ widely in expression patterns, distribution and electrical activity. Substantial variations in macroscopic neural behavior can emerge from minor differences in structure and molecular activity between subtypes. Therefore, the diversity of GABAA receptors widens the neuronal repertoire of responses to external signals and contributes to shaping the electrical activity of neurons and other cell types.
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3
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Tossell K, Dodhia RA, Galet B, Tkachuk O, Ungless MA. Tonic GABAergic inhibition, via GABA A receptors containing αβƐ subunits, regulates excitability of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 53:1722-1737. [PMID: 33522050 PMCID: PMC8651010 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The activity of midbrain dopamine neurons is strongly regulated by fast synaptic inhibitory γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inputs. There is growing evidence in other brain regions that low concentrations of ambient GABA can persistently activate certain subtypes of GABAA receptor to generate a tonic current. However, evidence for a tonic GABAergic current in midbrain dopamine neurons is limited. To address this, we conducted whole‐cell recordings from ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons in brain slices from mice. We found that application of GABAA receptor antagonists decreased the holding current, indicating the presence of a tonic GABAergic input. Global increases in GABA release, induced by either a nitric oxide donor or inhibition of GABA uptake, further increased this tonic current. Importantly, prolonged inhibition of the firing activity of local GABAergic neurons abolished the tonic current. A combination of pharmacology and immunohistochemistry experiments suggested that, unlike common examples of tonic inhibition, this current may be mediated by a relatively unusual combination of α4βƐ subunits. Lastly, we found that the tonic current reduced excitability in dopamine neurons suggesting a subtractive effect on firing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Tossell
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rakesh A Dodhia
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Benjamin Galet
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Olga Tkachuk
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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4
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Serrano-Regal MP, Bayón-Cordero L, Ordaz RP, Garay E, Limon A, Arellano RO, Matute C, Sánchez-Gómez MV. Expression and Function of GABA Receptors in Myelinating Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:256. [PMID: 32973453 PMCID: PMC7472887 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelin facilitates the fast transmission of nerve impulses and provides metabolic support to axons. Differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and Schwann cell (SC) precursors is critical for myelination during development and myelin repair in demyelinating disorders. Myelination is tightly controlled by neuron-glia communication and requires the participation of a wide repertoire of signals, including neurotransmitters such as glutamate, ATP, adenosine, or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and it is also present in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The composition and function of GABA receptors (GABARs) are well studied in neurons, while their nature and role in glial cells are still incipient. Recent studies demonstrate that GABA-mediated signaling mechanisms play relevant roles in OPC and SC precursor development and function, and stand out the implication of GABARs in oligodendrocyte (OL) and SC maturation and myelination. In this review, we highlight the evidence supporting the novel role of GABA with an emphasis on the molecular identity of the receptors expressed in these glial cells and the possible signaling pathways involved in their actions. GABAergic signaling in myelinating cells may have potential implications for developing novel reparative therapies in demyelinating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Paz Serrano-Regal
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Leioa, Spain
| | - Laura Bayón-Cordero
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Leioa, Spain
| | - Rainald Pablo Ordaz
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Edith Garay
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Agenor Limon
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Rogelio O. Arellano
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Mexico
| | - Carlos Matute
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Leioa, Spain
| | - María Victoria Sánchez-Gómez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Leioa, Spain
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5
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Bertin E, Martínez A, Boué-Grabot E. P2X Electrophysiology and Surface Trafficking in Xenopus Oocytes. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2041:243-259. [PMID: 31646494 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9717-6_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Xenopus oocytes serve as a standard heterologous expression system for the study of various ligand-gated ion channels including ATP P2X receptors. Here we describe the whole-cell two-electrode voltage clamp and biotinylation/Western blotting techniques to investigate the functional properties and surface trafficking from P2X-expressing oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eléonore Bertin
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Audrey Martínez
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Eric Boué-Grabot
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
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6
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Abstract
Current GABAergic sleep-promoting medications were developed pragmatically, without making use of the immense diversity of GABAA receptors. Pharmacogenetic experiments are leading to an understanding of the circuit mechanisms in the hypothalamus by which zolpidem and similar compounds induce sleep at α2βγ2-type GABAA receptors. Drugs acting at more selective receptor types, for example, at receptors containing the α2 and/or α3 subunits expressed in hypothalamic and brain stem areas, could in principle be useful as hypnotics/anxiolytics. A highly promising sleep-promoting drug, gaboxadol, which activates αβδ-type receptors failed in clinical trials. Thus, for the time being, drugs such as zolpidem, which work as positive allosteric modulators at GABAA receptors, continue to be some of the most effective compounds to treat primary insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Wisden
- Department Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - X Yu
- Department Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - N P Franks
- Department Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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7
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Davoudi M, Azizi H, Mirnajafi-Zadeh J, Semnanian S. Decrease of inhibitory synaptic currents of locus coeruleus neurons via orexin type 1 receptors in the context of naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal. J Physiol Sci 2019; 69:281-293. [PMID: 30406600 PMCID: PMC10717061 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-018-0645-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Acute opioid withdrawal syndrome is a series of neurological symptoms caused by the abrupt cessation of the chronic administration of opioids such as morphine. The locus coeruleus (LC) in the brain stem receives a dense projection of orexinergic fibers from the hypothalamus and is a candidate site for the expression of the somatic aspects of morphine withdrawal. Previous studies have shown that orexin-A contributes to the behavioral symptoms of naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal, partly by reducing the activity of GABAergic neurons, suggesting that orexin-A may negatively modulate fast GABAergic neurotransmission during morphine withdrawal. We used whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of LC neurons in brainstem slices to investigate the effect of orexin-A on bicuculline-sensitive GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) during naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal. Male Wistar rats (P14-P21) were given morphine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for seven consecutive days to create dependency on the drug. The application of naloxone (1 µM) to brain slices of morphine-treated rats reduced the amplitude of evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs) as well as spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) frequency but did not change sIPSCs amplitude. Orexin-A (100 nM) significantly enhanced the suppressive effect of naloxone on eIPSCs amplitude and sIPSCs frequency but had no effect on the presence of the orexin type 1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist, SB-334867. Orexin-A alone had no significant effect on eIPSCs and sIPSCs in the absence of naloxone. In summary, our results show that orexin-A, via OX1R, potentiates the suppressive effect of naloxone on GABAergic IPSCs of LC neurons in morphine-treated rats. We conclude that orexins may have a critical role in regulating GABAergic neurotransmission to LC neurons during naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahnaz Davoudi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hossein Azizi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Javad Mirnajafi-Zadeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Semnanian
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Zwart R, Mazzo F, Sher E. Microtransplantation of human brain receptors into oocytes to tackle key questions in drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2018; 24:533-543. [PMID: 30395928 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
It is important in drug discovery to demonstrate that activity of novel drugs found by screening on recombinant receptors translates to activity on native human receptors in brain areas affected by disease. In this review, we summarise the development and use of the microtransplantation technique. Native receptors are reconstituted from human brain tissues into oocytes from the frog Xenopus laevis where they can be functionally assessed. Oocytes microtransplanted with hippocampal tissue from an epileptic patient were used to demonstrate that new antiepileptic agents act on receptors in diseased tissue. Furthermore, frozen post-mortem human tissues were used to show that drugs are active on receptors in brain areas associated with a disease; but not in areas associated with side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruud Zwart
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK.
| | - Francesca Mazzo
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Emanuele Sher
- Eli Lilly, Lilly Research Centre, Erl Wood Manor, Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, GU20 6PH, UK
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9
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Sieghart W, Savić MM. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CVI: GABAA Receptor Subtype- and Function-selective Ligands: Key Issues in Translation to Humans. Pharmacol Rev 2018; 70:836-878. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.014449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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10
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Fatemi SH, Folsom TD, Thuras PD. GABA A and GABA B receptor dysregulation in superior frontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Synapse 2017; 71. [PMID: 28316115 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are complex psychiatric disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. Evidence from gene association and postmortem studies has identified abnormalities of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling system in both disorders. Abnormal GABAergic signaling and transmission could contribute to the symptomatology of these disorders, potentially through impaired gamma oscillations which normally occur during cognitive processing. In the current study, we examined the protein expression of 14 GABAA and two GABAB receptor subunits in the superior frontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and healthy controls. Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs) identified significant group effects for protein levels for the α1, α6, β1, β3, δ, ɛ, and π GABAA receptor subunits and R1 and R2 GABAB receptor subunits. Follow-up t tests confirmed changes for these subunits in subjects with schizophrenia, subjects with bipolar disorder, or both groups. Alterations in stoichiometry of GABA receptor subunits could result in altered ligand binding, transmission, and pharmacology of GABA receptors in superior frontal cortex. Thus, impaired GABAergic transmission may negatively contribute to symptoms such as anxiety or panic as well as impaired learning and information processing, all of which are disrupted in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Taken together, these results provide additional evidence of GABAergic receptor abnormalities in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
| | - Timothy D Folsom
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
| | - Paul D Thuras
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Medical Center, 1 Veterans Drive Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417-2399
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11
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Bristow GC, Bostrom JA, Haroutunian V, Sodhi MS. Sex differences in GABAergic gene expression occur in the anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2015; 167:57-63. [PMID: 25660468 PMCID: PMC4524801 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
GABAergic dysfunction has been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of several GABAergic genes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of postmortem subjects with schizophrenia (n=21) and a comparison group of individuals without a history of psychiatric illness (n=18). Our analyses revealed a significant sex by diagnosis effect, along with significant differences in GABAergic gene expression based on medication status. Analyses revealed that in male groups, the expression of GABAergic genes was generally lower in schizophrenia cases compared to the controls, with significantly lower expression levels of GABA-Aα5, GABA-Aβ1, and GABA-Aε. In females, the expression of GABAergic genes was higher in the schizophrenia cases, with significantly higher expression of the GABA-Aβ1 and GAD67 genes. Analysis of the effect of medication in the schizophrenia subjects revealed significantly higher expression of GABA-Aα1-3, GABA-Aβ2, GABA-Aγ2, and GAD67 in the medicated group compared to the unmedicated group. These data show that sex differences in the expression of GABAergic genes occur in the ACC in schizophrenia. Therefore, our data support previous findings of GABAergic dysfunction in schizophrenia and emphasize the importance of considering sex in analyses of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Sex differences in the GABAergic regulation of ACC function may contribute to the differences observed in the symptoms of male and female patients with schizophrenia. In addition, our findings indicate that antipsychotic medications may alter GABAergic signaling in the ACC, supporting the potential of GABAergic targets for the development of novel antipsychotic medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg C. Bristow
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA.,Corresponding author: Dr. Greg Bristow, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago, 900 S. Ashland Ave., MC870, Chicago IL 60607-4067, USA. Tel: +1-312-996-1413, Fax: +1-312-413-9303,
| | - John A. Bostrom
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Vahram Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monsheel S. Sodhi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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12
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Fatemi SH, Folsom TD. GABA receptor subunit distribution and FMRP-mGluR5 signaling abnormalities in the cerebellum of subjects with schizophrenia, mood disorders, and autism. Schizophr Res 2015; 167:42-56. [PMID: 25432637 PMCID: PMC5301472 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABAergic receptor abnormalities have been documented in several major psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, mood disorders, and autism. Abnormal expression of mRNA and protein for multiple GABA receptors has also been observed in multiple brain regions leading to alterations in the balance between excitatory/inhibitory signaling in the brain with potential profound consequences for normal cognition and maintenance of mood and perception. Altered expression of GABAA receptor subunits has been documented in fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) knockout mice, suggesting that loss of its protein product, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), impacts GABAA subunit expression. Recent postmortem studies from our laboratory have shown reduced expression of FMRP in the brains of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and autism. FMRP acts as a translational repressor and, under normal conditions, inhibits metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5)-mediated signaling. In fragile X syndrome (FXS), the absence of FMRP is hypothesized to lead to unregulated mGluR5 signaling, ultimately resulting in the behavioral and intellectual impairments associated with this disorder. Our laboratory has identified changes in mGluR5 expression in autism, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. In the current review article, we discuss our postmortem data on GABA receptors, FMRP, and mGluR5 levels and compare our results with other laboratories. Finally, we discuss the interactions between these molecules and the potential for new therapeutic interventions that target these interconnected signaling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Timothy D Folsom
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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13
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Bruzos-Cidón C, Llamosas N, Ugedo L, Torrecilla M. Dysfunctional inhibitory mechanisms in locus coeruleus neurons of the wistar kyoto rat. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu122. [PMID: 25586927 PMCID: PMC4540101 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) has functional relevance in several psychopathologies such as stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition to glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic inputs, the activation of somatodendritic α2-adrenoceptors is the main responsible for LC activity regulation. The Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat exhibits depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors and hyperresponse to stressors. Thus, the goal of the present study was to investigate in vitro the sensitivity of α2-adrenoceptors, as well as the glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic activity on LC neurons of the WKY strain. METHODS For that purpose patch-clamp whole-cell recordings were done in LC slices. RESULTS The α2-adrenoceptors of LC neurons from WKY rats were less sensitive to the effect induced by the agonist UK 14 304 as compared to that recorded in the Wistar (Wis) control strain. In addition, the GABAergic input to LC neurons of WKY rats was significantly modified compared to that in Wis rats, since the amplitude of spontaneous GABAergic postsynaptic currents was reduced and the half-width increased. On the contrary, no significant alterations were detected regarding glutamatergic input to LC neurons between rat strains. CONCLUSIONS These results point out that in WKY rats the inhibitory control exerted by α2-adrenoceptors and GABAergic input onto LC neurons is dysregulated. Overall, this study supports in this animal model the hypothesis that claims an imbalance between the glutamatergic-GABAergic systems as a key factor in the pathophysiology of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M Torrecilla
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain (Drs Bruzos-Cidón, Ugedo, and Torrecilla, and Llamosas).
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14
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Babateen O, Jin Z, Bhandage A, Korol SV, Westermark B, Forsberg Nilsson K, Uhrbom L, Smits A, Birnir B. Etomidate, propofol and diazepam potentiate GABA-evoked GABAA currents in a cell line derived from human glioblastoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 748:101-7. [PMID: 25510230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
GABAA receptors are pentameric chloride ion channels that are opened by GABA. We have screened a cell line derived from human glioblastoma, U3047MG, for expression of GABAA receptor subunit isoforms and formation of functional ion channels. We identified GABAA receptors subunit α2, α3, α5, β1, β2, β3, δ, γ3, π, and θ mRNAs in the U3047MG cell line. Whole-cell GABA-activated currents were recorded and the half-maximal concentration (EC₅₀) for the GABA-activated current was 36 μM. The currents were activated by THIP (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol) and enhanced by the benzodiazepine diazepam (1 μM) and the general anesthetics etomidate and propofol (50 μM). In line with the expressed GABAA receptors containing at least the α3β3θ subunits, the receptors were highly sensitive to etomidate (EC₅₀=55 nM). Immunocytochemistry identified expression of the α3 and β3 subunit proteins. Our results show that the GABAA receptors in the glial cell line are functional and are modulated by classical GABAA receptor drugs. We propose that the U3047MG cell line may be used as a model system to study GABAA receptors function and pharmacology in glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Babateen
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Zhe Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - AmolK Bhandage
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sergiy V Korol
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bengt Westermark
- Department of Immunology, Genetic and Pathology, and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Forsberg Nilsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetic and Pathology, and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lene Uhrbom
- Department of Immunology, Genetic and Pathology, and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anja Smits
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bryndis Birnir
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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15
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Wang HY, Kuo ZC, Fu YS, Chen RF, Min MY, Yang HW. GABAB receptor-mediated tonic inhibition regulates the spontaneous firing of locus coeruleus neurons in developing rats and in citalopram-treated rats. J Physiol 2014; 593:161-80. [PMID: 25556794 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.281378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Noradrenaline (NA)-releasing neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) provide NA to the forebrain and play important roles in regulating many brain functions. LC neurons are subject to tonic inhibition mediated by GABAB receptors (GABAB Rs) and that the extent of the effect varies with ambient GABA levels. GABAB R-mediated tonic inhibition can effectively tune the spontaneous firing rate (SFR) of LC neurons; it is developmentally regulated and is responsible for maintaining a constant SFR of LC neurons during development. In male, but not female rats, chronic perinatal treatment with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, results in downregulation of GABAB R-mediated tonic inhibition of LC neurons that partially accounts for increased SFR in male, but not female, rats receiving such treatment. Our results show that GABAB R-mediated tonic inhibition could be an important player in the development of normal and abnormal behaviours/brain functions associated with the LC-NA system. Noradrenaline (NA)-releasing neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) provide NA to the forebrain. Their activity is believed to be a key factor regulating the wakefulness/arousal level of the brain. In this study, we found that the activity of NA-releasing neurons in the LC (LC neurons) was subject to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) tonic inhibition through GABAB receptors (GABAB Rs), but not GABAA receptors. The intensity of GABAB R tonic inhibition was found to depend on ambient GABA levels, as it was dramatically increased by blockade of GABA reuptake. It also varied with the function of GABAB Rs. The GABAB R activity on LC neurons was found to increase with postnatal age up to postnatal days 8-10, resulting in increased tonic inhibition. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in the spontaneous activity of LC neurons at different postnatal ages unless GABAB R tonic inhibition was blocked. These results show that, during postnatal development, there is a continuous increase in GABAB R tonic inhibition that maintains the activity of LC neurons at a proper level. In male, but not female, rats, chronic perinatal treatment with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, reduced GABAB R activity and tonic inhibition, which might result in the significantly higher spontaneous activity of LC neurons seen in these animals. In conclusion, our results show that GABAB R-mediated tonic inhibition has a direct impact on the spontaneous activity of LC neurons and that the extent of the effect varies with ambient GABA levels and functionality of GABAB R signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Ying Wang
- Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 107, Taiwan; Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 107, Taiwan
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16
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Jin X, Zhong W, Jiang C. Time-dependent modulation of GABA(A)-ergic synaptic transmission by allopregnanolone in locus coeruleus neurons of Mecp2-null mice. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2013; 305:C1151-60. [PMID: 24067915 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00195.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms starting 6-18 mo after birth, while what underlies the delayed onset is unclear. Allopregnanolone (Allop) is a metabolite of progesterone and a potent modulator of GABAA-ergic currents whose defects are seen in RTT. Allop changes its concentration during the perinatal period, which may affect central neurons via the GABAA-ergic synaptic transmission, contributing to the onset of the disease. To determine whether Mecp2 disruption affects Allop modulation, we performed studies in brain slices obtained from wild-type (WT) and Mecp2(-/Y) mice. Allop dose dependently suppressed locus coeruleus (LC) neuronal excitability in WT mice, while Mecp2-null neurons showed significant defects. Using optogenetic approaches, channelrhodopsin was specifically expressed in GABA-ergic neurons in which optical stimulation evoked action potentials. In LC neurons of WT mice, Allop exposure increased the amplitude of GABAA-ergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) evoked by optical stimulation and prolonged the IPSC decay time. Consistently, Allop augmented both frequency and amplitude of GABAA-ergic spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) and extended the decay time of sIPSCs. The Allop-induced potentiation of sIPSCs was deficient in Mecp2(-/Y) mice. Surprisingly, the impairment occurred at 3 wk postnatal age, while no significant difference in Allop modulation was observed in 1-2 wk between WT and Mecp2(-/Y) mice. These results indicate that the modulation of GABAA-ergic synaptic transmission by Allop is impaired in LC neurons of Mecp2-null mice at a time when RTT-like symptoms manifest, suggesting a potential mechanism for the delayed onset of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jin
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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17
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Fatemi SH, Folsom TD, Rooney RJ, Thuras PD. Expression of GABAA α2-, β1- and ε-receptors are altered significantly in the lateral cerebellum of subjects with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2013; 3:e303. [PMID: 24022508 PMCID: PMC3784760 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2013.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is abundant evidence that dysfunction of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic signaling system is implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia and mood disorders. Less is known about the alterations in protein expression of GABA receptor subunits in brains of subjects with schizophrenia and mood disorders. We have previously demonstrated reduced expression of GABA(B) receptor subunits 1 and 2 (GABBR1 and GABBR2) in the lateral cerebella of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. In the current study, we have expanded these studies to examine the mRNA and protein expression of 12 GABA(A) subunit proteins (α1, α2, α3, α5, α6, β1, β2, β3, δ, ε, γ2 and γ3) in the lateral cerebella from the same set of subjects with schizophrenia (N=9-15), bipolar disorder (N=10-15) and major depression (N=12-15) versus healthy controls (N=10-15). We found significant group effects for protein levels of the α2-, β1- and ε-subunits across treatment groups. We also found a significant group effect for mRNA levels of the α1-subunit across treatment groups. New avenues for treatment, such as the use of neurosteroids to promote GABA modulation, could potentially ameliorate GABAergic dysfunction in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Fatemi
- Division of Neuroscience Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Division of Neuroscience Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. E-mail:
| | - T D Folsom
- Division of Neuroscience Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - P D Thuras
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Medical Center Minneapolis, MN, USA
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18
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Heidelberg LS, Warren JW, Fisher JL. SB-205384 is a positive allosteric modulator of recombinant GABAA receptors containing rat α3, α5, or α6 subunit subtypes coexpressed with β3 and γ2 subunits. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 347:235-41. [PMID: 23902941 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.207324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Many drugs used to treat anxiety are positive modulators of GABAA receptors, which mediate fast inhibitory neurotransmission. The GABAA receptors can be assembled from a combination of at least 16 different subunits. The receptor's subunit composition determines its pharmacologic and functional properties, and subunit expression varies throughout the brain. A primary goal for new treatments targeting GABAA receptors is the production of subunit-selective modulators acting upon a discrete population of receptors. The anxiolytic 4-amino-7-hydroxy-2-methyl-5,6,7,8,-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, but-2-ynyl ester (SB-205384) is widely considered to be selective for α3-containing GABAA receptors. However, it has been tested only on α1-, α2-, and α3-containing receptors. We examined the activity of SB-205384 at recombinant receptors containing the six different α subunits and found that receptors containing the α3, α5, and α6 subunits were potentiated by SB-205384, with the α6 subunit conferring the greatest responsiveness. Properties associated with chimeric α1/α6 subunits suggested that multiple structural domains influence sensitivity to SB-205384. Point mutations of residues within the extracellular N-terminal domain identified a leucine residue located in loop E of the agonist binding site as an important determinant of high sensitivity to modulation. In the α6 subunit the identity of this residue is species-dependent, with the leucine found in rat subunits but not in human. Our results indicate that SB-205384 is not an α3-selective modulator, and instead acts at several GABAA receptor isoforms. These findings have implications for the side-effect profile of this anxiolytic as well as for its use in neuronal and animal studies as a marker for contribution from α3-containing receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Heidelberg
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia, South Carolina (J.W.W., J.L.F.); and Honors College, University of South Carolina-Columbia, Columbia, South Carolina (L.S.H.)
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19
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Chandley M, Ordway G. Noradrenergic Dysfunction in Depression and Suicide. THE NEUROBIOLOGICAL BASIS OF SUICIDE 2012. [DOI: 10.1201/b12215-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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20
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Mirzoyan EA, Khudaverdyan DN, Hasratyan HA. The electrophysiological study of changes in the activities of locus coeruleus neurons under conditions of parathyroidectomy and parathyroid hormone administration. NEUROCHEM J+ 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712412010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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21
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Corteen NL, Cole TM, Sarna A, Sieghart W, Swinny JD. Localization of GABA-A receptor alpha subunits on neurochemically distinct cell types in the rat locus coeruleus. Eur J Neurosci 2011; 34:250-62. [PMID: 21692880 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07740.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC) provides the major source of noradrenaline to the central nervous system and is modulated by neurochemically diverse afferents. LC function is central to arousal, memory, cognition and the stress response, with dysfunction of the LC-noradrenergic axis implicated in debilitating psychiatric disorders. The precise targeting of neurotransmitter receptors within the LC is essential for processing the information contained in diverse afferents and thus LC output. The inhibitory modulation of LC neurons is thought to be effected mainly through GABA-A receptors (GABA(A)Rs). Diverse GABA(A)Rs are pentameric complexes assembled from a repertoire of subunits resulting in substantial diversity in their molecular, functional and pharmacological properties throughout the brain. The precise location of distinct GABA(A) R subunits in subregions of the LC, and the neurochemical identity of the cells that express them, remains to be determined. Here, we show that the GABA(A)R alpha1 subunit is expressed exclusively in neurochemically and morphologically diverse non-noradrenergic cell types within the LC, which may innervate the principal noradrenergic cells. Thus, the GABA(A)R alpha1 subunit could provide a neurochemical signature for a pool of local circuit interneurons in the LC. In contrast, non-overlapping GABA(A)R alpha2 and alpha3 subunit-immunoreactive puncta were enriched on noradrenergic dendrites and, to a lesser extent, on somata. The study reveals a cell-type- and domain-specific expression pattern of distinct GABA(A)R subunits in the LC. These data will serve as a template for understanding inhibitory modulation of this region and facilitate more directed pharmacological strategies for disorders arising from the impairment of LC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Corteen
- Institute for Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
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22
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Hengen KB, Gomez TM, Stang KM, Johnson SM, Behan M. Changes in ventral respiratory column GABAaR ε- and δ-subunits during hibernation mediate resistance to depression by EtOH and pentobarbital. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2010; 300:R272-83. [PMID: 21084677 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00607.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During hibernation in the 13-lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, the cerebral cortex is electrically silent, yet the brainstem continues to regulate cardiorespiratory function. Previous work showed that neurons in slices through the medullary ventral respiratory column (VRC) but not the cortex are insensitive to high doses of pentobarbital during hibernation, leading to the hypothesis that GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)R) in the VRC undergo a seasonal modification in subunit composition. To test whether alteration of GABA(A)R subunits are responsible for hibernation-associated pentobarbital insensitivity, we examined an array of subunits using RT-PCR and Western blots and identified changes in ε- and δ-subunits in the medulla but not the cortex. Using immunohistochemistry, we confirmed that during hibernation, the expression of ε-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs nearly doubles in the VRC. We also identified a population of δ-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs adjacent to the VRC that were differentially expressed during hibernation. As δ-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs are particularly sensitive to ethanol (EtOH), multichannel electrodes were inserted in slices of medulla and cortex from hibernating squirrels and EtOH was applied. EtOH, which normally inhibits neuronal activity, excited VRC but not cortical neurons during hibernation. This excitation was prevented by bicuculline pretreatment, indicating the involvement of GABA(A)Rs. We propose that neuronal activity in the VRC during hibernation is unaffected by pentobarbital due to upregulation of ε-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs on VRC neurons. Synaptic input from adjacent inhibitory interneurons that express δ-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs is responsible for the excitatory effects of EtOH on VRC neurons during hibernation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Hengen
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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23
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Sergeeva OA, Kletke O, Kragler A, Poppek A, Fleischer W, Schubring SR, Görg B, Haas HL, Zhu XR, Lübbert H, Gisselmann G, Hatt H. Fragrant dioxane derivatives identify beta1-subunit-containing GABAA receptors. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:23985-93. [PMID: 20511229 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.103309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nineteen GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) subunits are known in mammals with only a restricted number of functionally identified native combinations. The physiological role of beta1-subunit-containing GABA(A)Rs is unknown. Here we report the discovery of a new structural class of GABA(A)R positive modulators with unique beta1-subunit selectivity: fragrant dioxane derivatives (FDD). At heterologously expressed alpha1betaxgamma2L (x-for 1,2,3) GABA(A)R FDD were 6 times more potent at beta1- versus beta2- and beta3-containing receptors. Serine at position 265 was essential for the high sensitivity of the beta1-subunit to FDD and the beta1N286W mutation nearly abolished modulation; vice versa the mutation beta3N265S shifted FDD sensitivity toward the beta1-type. In posterior hypothalamic neurons controlling wakefulness GABA-mediated whole-cell responses and GABAergic synaptic currents were highly sensitive to FDD, in contrast to beta1-negative cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Immunostaining for the beta1-subunit and the potency of FDD to modulate GABA responses in cultured hypothalamic neurons was drastically diminished by beta1-siRNA treatment. In conclusion, with the help of FDDs we reveal a functional expression of beta1-containing GABA(A)Rs in the hypothalamus, offering a new tool for studies on the functional diversity of native GABA(A)Rs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sergeeva
- Lehrstuhl für Zellphysiologie, Ruhr-Universität, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
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Mathew J, Peeyush Kumar T, Khan RS, Paulose CS. Behavioral deficit and decreased GABA receptor functional regulation in the cerebellum of epileptic rats: effect of Bacopa monnieri and bacoside A. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 17:441-7. [PMID: 20153260 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2009] [Revised: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 01/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the effects of Bacopa monnieri and its active component, bacoside A, on motor deficit and alterations of GABA receptor functional regulation in the cerebellum of epileptic rats were investigated. Scatchard analysis of [(3)H]GABA and [(3)H]bicuculline in the cerebellum of epileptic rats revealed a significant decrease in B(max) compared with control. Real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification of GABA(A) receptor subunits-GABA(Aalpha1), GABA(Aalpha5,) and GABA(Adelta)-was downregulated (P<0.001) in the cerebellum of epileptic rats compared with control rats. Epileptic rats exhibit deficits in radial arm and Y-maze performance. Treatment with B. monnieri and bacoside A reversed these changes to near-control levels. Our results suggest that changes in GABAergic activity, motor learning, and memory deficit are induced by the occurrence of repetitive seizures. Treatment with B. monnieri and bacoside A prevents the occurrence of seizures thereby reducing the impairment of GABAergic activity, motor learning, and memory deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jobin Mathew
- Department of Biotechnology, Molecular Neurobiology and Cell Biology Unit, Centre for Neuroscience, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, India
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25
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Pape JR, Bertrand SS, Lafon P, Odessa MF, Chaigniau M, Stiles JK, Garret M. Expression of GABA(A) receptor alpha3-, theta-, and epsilon-subunit mRNAs during rat CNS development and immunolocalization of the epsilon subunit in developing postnatal spinal cord. Neuroscience 2009; 160:85-96. [PMID: 19249336 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2008] [Revised: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ionotropic GABA(A) receptors are heteromeric structures composed of a combination of five from at least 16 different subunits. Subunit genes are expressed in distinct cell types at specific times during development. The most abundant native GABA(A) receptors consist of alpha1-, beta2-, and gamma2-subunits that are co-expressed in numerous brain areas. alpha3-, theta-, And epsilon-subunits are clustered on the X chromosome and show striking overlapping expression patterns throughout the adult rat brain. To establish whether these subunits are temporally and spatially co-expressed, we used in situ hybridization to analyze their expression throughout rat development from embryonic stage E14 to postnatal stage P12. Each transcript exhibited a unique or a shared regional and temporal developmental expression profile. The thalamic expression pattern evolved from a restricted expression of epsilon and theta transcripts before birth, to a theta and alpha3 expression at birth, and finally to a grouped epsilon, theta and alpha3 expression postpartum. However, strong similarities occurred, such as a grouped expression of the three subunits within the hypothalamus, tegmentum and pontine nuclei throughout the developmental process. At early stages of development (E17), epsilon and theta appeared to have a greater spatial distribution before the dominance of the alpha3 subunit transcript around birth. We also revealed expression of alpha3, theta, and epsilon in the developing spinal cord and identified neurons that express epsilon in the postnatal dorsal horn, intermediolateral column and motoneurons. Our findings suggest that various combinations of alpha3-, theta- and epsilon-subunits may be assembled at a regional and developmental level in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-R Pape
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5228, France
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