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Kabeiseman E, Paulsen RT, Burrell BD. Characterization of a Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) in Hirudo Verbana. Neurochem Res 2024:10.1007/s11064-024-04216-7. [PMID: 39093361 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04216-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in modulating both peripheral and central nervous system function. Despite being present throughout the animal kingdom, there has been relatively little investigation of the endocannabinoid system beyond traditional animal models. In this study, we report on the identification and characterization of a putative fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana. FAAH is the primary enzyme responsible for metabolizing the endocannabinoid signaling molecule arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide or AEA) and therefore plays a critical role in regulating AEA levels in the nervous system. mRNA encoding Hirudo FAAH (HirFAAH) is expressed in the leech central nervous system (CNS) and sequence analysis suggests that this is an orthologue of FAAH-2 observed in vertebrates. Functionally, HirFAAH has serine hydrolase activity based on activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) studies using the fluorophosphonate probe TAMRA-FP. HirFAAH also hydrolyzes arachidonyl 7-amino, 4-methyl coumarin amide (AAMCA), a substrate specific to FAAH. Hydrolase activity during both the ABPP and AAMCA assays was eliminated by a mutation at a conserved catalytic serine. Activity was also blocked by the known FAAH inhibitor, URB597. Treatment of Hirudo ganglia with URB597 potentiated synapses made by the pressure-sensitive mechanosensory neuron (P cell), mimicking the effects of exogenously applied AEA. The Hirudo CNS has been a useful system in which to study properties of endocannabinoid modulation of nociception relevant to vertebrates. Therefore, this characterization of HirFAAH is an important contribution to comparative studies of the endocannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Kabeiseman
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
| | - Riley T Paulsen
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
| | - Brian D Burrell
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavior Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA.
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Kabeiseman E, Paulsen RT, Burrell BD. Characterization of a Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) in Hirudo verbana. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4271305. [PMID: 38699363 PMCID: PMC11065068 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4271305/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in modulating both peripheral and central nervous system function. Despite being present throughout the animal kingdom, there has been relatively little investigation of the endocannabinoid system beyond the traditional animal model systems. In this study, we report on the identification and characterization of a fatty acid aminohydrolase (FAAH) in the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana. FAAH is the primary enzyme responsible for metabolizing the endocannabinoid signaling molecule arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide or AEA) and therefore plays a critical role in regulating AEA levels in the nervous system. This Hirudo FAAH (HirFAAH) is expressed in the leech central nervous system (CNS) and is an orthologue of FAAH-2 observed in vertebrates. Functionally, HirFAAH has serine hydrolase activity based on activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) studies using the fluorophosphonate probe TAMRA-FP. HirFAAH also hydrolyzes arachidonyl 7-amino, 4-methyl coumarin amide (AAMCA), a substrate specific to FAAH. Hydrolase activity during both the ABPP and AAMCA assays was eliminated by mutation at a conserved activity-binding site. Activity was also blocked by the known FAAH inhibitor, URB597. Treatment of Hirudo ganglia with URB597 potentiated synapses made by the pressure-sensitive mechanosensory neuron (P cell), mimicking the effects of exogenously applied AEA. The Hirudo CNS has been a useful system in which to study properties of endocannabinoid modulation of nociception relevant to vertebrates. Therefore, this characterization of HirFAAH is an important contribution to comparative studies of the endocannabinoid system.
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Acharya M, Singh N, Gupta G, Tambuwala MM, Aljabali AAA, Chellappan DK, Dua K, Goyal R. Vitamin D, Calbindin, and calcium signaling: Unraveling the Alzheimer's connection. Cell Signal 2024; 116:111043. [PMID: 38211841 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111043] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger that is indispensable in regulating neurotransmission and memory formation. A precise intracellular calcium level is achieved through the concerted action of calcium channels, and calcium exerts its effect by binding to an array of calcium-binding proteins, including calmodulin (CAM), calcium-calmodulin complex-dependent protein kinase-II (CAMK-II), calbindin (CAL), and calcineurin (CAN). Calbindin orchestrates a plethora of signaling events that regulate synaptic transmission and depolarizing signals. Vitamin D, an endogenous fat-soluble metabolite, is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B radiation. It modulates calcium signaling by increasing the expression of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), stimulating phospholipase C activity, and regulating the expression of calcium channels such as TRPV6. Vitamin D also modulates the activity of calcium-binding proteins, including CAM and calbindin, and increases their expression. Calbindin, a high-affinity calcium-binding protein, is involved in calcium buffering and transport in neurons. It has been shown to inhibit apoptosis and caspase-3 activity stimulated by presenilin 1 and 2 in AD. Whereas CAM, another calcium-binding protein, is implicated in regulating neurotransmitter release and memory formation by phosphorylating CAN, CAMK-II, and other calcium-regulated proteins. CAMK-II and CAN regulate actin-induced spine shape changes, which are further modulated by CAM. Low levels of both calbindin and vitamin D are attributed to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Further research on vitamin D via calbindin-CAMK-II signaling may provide newer insights, revealing novel therapeutic targets and strategies for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Acharya
- Department of Neuropharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Nicky Singh
- Department of Neuropharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jagatpura, Jaipur 302017, India
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln College of Science, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan.
| | - Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia.
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Rohit Goyal
- Department of Neuropharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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Gao X, Lin J, Sun L, Hu J, Gao W, Yu J. Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα signal in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex is involved in pain-related aversion in rats with peripheral nerve injury. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114560. [PMID: 37394125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) of rat brain is associated with pain-related emotions. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CaMKII)α signal on pain-related aversion in the rACC of a rat model of neuropathic pain (NP). Mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia were examined using von Frey and hot plate tests in a rat model of NP induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) of the unilateral sciatic nerve. Bilateral rACC pretreatment with the CaMKII inhibitor tat-CN21 (derived from the cell-penetrating tat sequence and CaM-KIIN amino acids 43-63) or tat-Ctrl (the tat sequence and the scrambled sequence of CN21) was performed on postoperative days 29-35 in Sham rats or rats with SNI. Spatial memory performance was tested using an eight-arm radial maze on postoperative days 34-35. Pain-related negative emotions (aversions) were evaluated using the place escape/avoidance paradigm on postoperative day 35 following the spatial memory performance test. The percentage of time spent in the light area was used to assess pain-related negative emotions (i.e., aversion). The expression levels of the NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit, CaMKIIα, and CaMKII-Threonine at position 286 (Thr286) phosphorylation in contralateral rACC specimens were detected by Western blot or real time PCR following the aversion test. Our data showed that pretreatment of the rACC with tat-CN21 increased determinate behavior but did not alter hyperalgesia or spatial memory performance in rats with SNI. In addition, tat-CN21 reversed the enhanced CaMKII-Thr286 phosphorylation and had no effect on the upregulated expression of GluN2B, CaMKIIα protein, and mRNA. Our data suggested that activation of the NMDA receptor-CaMKIIα signal in rACC is associated with pain-related aversion in rats with NP. These data may provide a new approach for the development of drugs that modulate cognitive and emotional pain aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Gao
- Experimental Center for Medical Research, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jinhai Lin
- Experimental Center for Medical Research, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Lin Sun
- School of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang 261044, China
| | - Wenjie Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang 261044, China
| | - Jianfeng Yu
- Experimental Center for Medical Research, School of Anesthesiology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.
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Hoynoski J, Dohn J, Franzen AD, Burrell BD. Repetitive nociceptive stimulation elicits complex behavioral changes in Hirudo: evidence of arousal and motivational adaptations. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245895. [PMID: 37497630 PMCID: PMC10445732 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate responses to real or potential damaging stimuli to the body (nociception) are critical to an animal's short- and long-term survival. The initial goal of this study was to examine habituation of withdrawal reflexes (whole-body and local shortening) to repeated mechanical nociceptive stimuli (needle pokes) in the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, and assess whether injury altered habituation to these nociceptive stimuli. While repeated needle pokes did reduce shortening in H. verbana, a second set of behavior changes was observed. Specifically, animals began to evade subsequent stimuli by either hiding their posterior sucker underneath adjacent body segments or engaging in locomotion (crawling). Animals differed in terms of how quickly they adopted evasion behaviors during repeated stimulation, exhibiting a multi-modal distribution for early, intermediate and late evaders. Prior injury had a profound effect on this transition, decreasing the time frame in which animals began to carry out evasion and increasing the magnitude of these evasion behaviors (more locomotory evasion). The data indicate the presence in Hirudo of a complex and adaptive defensive arousal process to avoid noxious stimuli that is influenced by differences in internal states, prior experience with injury of the stimulated areas, and possibly learning-based processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hoynoski
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavioral Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - John Dohn
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavioral Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Avery D. Franzen
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavioral Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Brian D. Burrell
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Center for Brain and Behavioral Research (CBBRe), Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
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