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Kim H, Choi S, Lee E, Koh W, Lee CJ. Tonic NMDA Receptor Currents in the Brain: Regulation and Cognitive Functions. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 96:164-175. [PMID: 38490367 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.03.009] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Synaptically localized NMDA receptors (NMDARs) play a crucial role in important cognitive functions by mediating synaptic transmission and plasticity. In contrast, a tonic NMDAR current, thought to be mediated by extrasynaptic NMDARs, has a less clear function. This review provides a comprehensive overview of tonic NMDAR currents, focusing on their roles in synaptic transmission/plasticity and their impact on cognitive functions and psychiatric disorders. We discuss the roles of 3 endogenous ligands (i.e., glutamate, glycine, and D-serine) and receptors in mediating tonic NMDAR currents and explore the diverse mechanisms that regulate tonic NMDAR currents. In light of recent controversies surrounding the source of D-serine, we highlight the recent findings suggesting that astrocytes release D-serine to modulate tonic NMDAR currents and control cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, we propose distinct roles of neuronal and astrocytic D-serine in different locations and their implications for synaptic regulation and cognitive functions. The potential roles of tonic NMDAR currents in various psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, are discussed in the context of the NMDAR hypofunction hypothesis. By presenting the mechanisms by which various cells, particularly astrocytes, regulate tonic NMDAR currents, we aim to stimulate future research in NMDAR hypofunction- or hyperfunction-related psychiatric disorders. This review not only provides a better understanding of the complex interplay between tonic NMDAR currents and cognitive functions but also sheds light on its potential therapeutic target for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayoung Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sunyeong Choi
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Euisun Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Wuhyun Koh
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea.
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea.
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2
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Juvenal G, Higa GSV, Bonfim Marques L, Tessari Zampieri T, Costa Viana FJ, Britto LR, Tang Y, Illes P, di Virgilio F, Ulrich H, de Pasquale R. Regulation of GABAergic neurotransmission by purinergic receptors in brain physiology and disease. Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-10034-x. [PMID: 39046648 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10034-x] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purinergic receptors regulate the processing of neural information in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, structures related to cognitive functions. These receptors are activated when astrocytic and neuronal populations release adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in an autocrine and paracrine manner, following sustained patterns of neuronal activity. The modulation by these receptors of GABAergic transmission has only recently been studied. Through their ramifications, astrocytes and GABAergic interneurons reach large groups of excitatory pyramidal neurons. Their inhibitory effect establishes different synchronization patterns that determine gamma frequency rhythms, which characterize neural activities related to cognitive processes. During early life, GABAergic-mediated synchronization of excitatory signals directs the experience-driven maturation of cognitive development, and dysfunctions concerning this process have been associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Purinergic receptors timely modulate GABAergic control over ongoing neural activity and deeply affect neural processing in the hippocampal and neocortical circuitry. Stimulation of A2 receptors increases GABA release from presynaptic terminals, leading to a considerable reduction in neuronal firing of pyramidal neurons. A1 receptors inhibit GABAergic activity but only act in the early postnatal period when GABA produces excitatory signals. P2X and P2Y receptors expressed in pyramidal neurons reduce the inhibitory tone by blocking GABAA receptors. Finally, P2Y receptor activation elicits depolarization of GABAergic neurons and increases GABA release, thus favoring the emergence of gamma oscillations. The present review provides an overall picture of purinergic influence on GABAergic transmission and its consequences on neural processing, extending the discussion to receptor subtypes and their involvement in the onset of brain disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Juvenal
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Shigueto Vilar Higa
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Bonfim Marques
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais Tessari Zampieri
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe José Costa Viana
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz R Britto
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Yong Tang
- International Joint Research Centre On Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Joint Research Centre On Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- School of Health and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
- Rudolf Boehm Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- International Joint Research Centre On Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
| | - Roberto de Pasquale
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Mishra N, Gutheil WG. Stereoselective Amine-omics Using Heavy Atom Isotope Labeled l- and d-Marfey's Reagents. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:1217-1226. [PMID: 38683793 PMCID: PMC11160435 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00036] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Biological amines and amino acids play essential roles in many biochemical processes. The chemical complexity of biological samples is challenging, and the selective identification and quantification of amines and amino acid stereoisomers would be very useful for amine-focused "amino-omics" studies. Many amines and amino acids are chiral, and their stereoisomers cannot be resolved on achiral media without chiral derivatization. In prior studies, we demonstrated the use of Marfey's reagent─a chiral derivatization reagent for amines and phenolic OH groups─for the LC-MS/MS resolution and quantification of amines and amino acid stereoisomers. In this study, a heavy atom isotope labeled Marfey's reagent approach for the stereoselective detection and quantification of amines and amino acids was developed. Heavy (13C2) l-Marfey's (Hl-Mar) and heavy (2H3) d-Marfey's (Hd-Mar) were synthesized from 13C2-l-Ala and 2H3-d-Ala, respectively. Both light and heavy Marfey's reagents were used to derivatize standard amine mixtures, which were analyzed by LC-QToF-HRMS. Aligned peak lists were comparatively analyzed by light vs heavy Mar mass differences to identify mono-, di-, and tri-Marfey's adducts and then by the retention time difference between l- and d-Mar derivatives to identify stereoisomers. This approach was then applied to identify achiral and chiral amine and amino acid components in a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) extract. This approach shows high analytical selectivity and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitish
R. Mishra
- Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
| | - William G. Gutheil
- Division of Pharmacology
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, United States
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Yamamoto K, Kosukegawa S, Kobayashi M. P2X receptor- and postsynaptic NMDA receptor-mediated long-lasting facilitation of inhibitory synapses in the rat insular cortex. Neuropharmacology 2024; 245:109817. [PMID: 38104767 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109817] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) changes the efficacy of synaptic transmission. Despite recent progress in terms of the roles of purinergic receptors in cerebrocortical excitatory synaptic transmission, their contribution to inhibitory synaptic transmission is unknown. To elucidate the effects of α,β-methylene ATP (αβ-mATP), a selective agonist of P2X receptors (P2XRs), on inhibitory synaptic transmission in the insular cortex (IC), we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recording from IC pyramidal neurons (PNs) and fast-spiking neurons (FSNs) in either sex of VGAT-Venus transgenic rats. αβ-mATP increased the amplitude of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) under conditions in which NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are recruitable. αβ-mATP-induced facilitation of mIPSCs was sustained even after the washout of αβ-mATP, which was blocked by preincubation with fluorocitrate. The preapplication of NF023 (a P2X1 receptor antagonist) or AF-353 (a P2X3 receptor antagonist) blocked αβ-mATP-induced mIPSC facilitation. Intracellular application of the NMDAR antagonist MK801 blocked the facilitation. d-serine, which is an intrinsic agonist of NMDARs, mimicked αβ-mATP-induced mIPSC facilitation. The intracellular application of BAPTA a Ca2+ chelator, or the bath application of KN-62, a CaMKII inhibitor, blocked αβ-mATP-induced mIPSC facilitation, thus indicating that mIPSC facilitation by αβ-mATP required postsynaptic [Ca2+]i elevation through NMDAR activation. Paired whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from FSNs and PNs demonstrated that αβ-mATP increased the amplitude of unitary IPSCs without changing the paired-pulse ratio. These results suggest that αβ-mATP-induced IPSC facilitation is mediated by postsynaptic NMDAR activations through d-serine released from astrocytes. Subsequent [Ca2+]i increase and postsynaptic CaMKII activation may release retrograde messengers that upregulate GABA release from presynaptic inhibitory neurons, including FSNs. (250/250 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyofumi Yamamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan; Division of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Research, Dental Research Center, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kosukegawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan; Department of Orthodontics, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kobayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan; Division of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Research, Dental Research Center, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan.
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Vestring S, Dorner A, Scholliers J, Ehrenberger K, Kiss A, Arenz L, Theiss A, Rossner P, Frase S, Du Vinage C, Wendler E, Serchov T, Domschke K, Bischofberger J, Normann C. D-Cycloserine enhances the bidirectional range of NMDAR-dependent hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:18. [PMID: 38195548 PMCID: PMC10776623 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02725-7] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The partial N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) agonist D-Cycloserine (DCS) has been evaluated for the treatment of a wide variety of psychiatric disorders, including dementia, schizophrenia, depression and for the augmentation of exposure-based psychotherapy. Most if not all of the potential psychiatric applications of DCS target an enhancement or restitution of cognitive functions, learning and memory. Their molecular correlate is long-term synaptic plasticity; and many forms of synaptic plasticity depend on the activation of NMDA receptors. Here, we comprehensively examined the modulation of different forms of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus by DCS and its mechanism. We found that DCS positively modulates NMDAR-dependent forms of long-term synaptic plasticity (long-term synaptic potentiation, LTP, and long-term synaptic depression, LTD) in hippocampal brain slices of juvenile rats without affecting basal synaptic transmission. DCS binds to the D-serine/glycine binding site of the NMDAR. Pharmacological inhibition of this site prevented the induction of LTP, whereas agonism at the D-serine/glycine binding site augmented LTP and could functionally substitute for weak LTP induction paradigms. The most probable origin of endogenous D-serine are astrocytes, and its exocytosis is regulated by astrocytic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1). Functional eradication of astrocytes, inhibition of mGluR1 receptors and G-protein signaling in astrocytes adjacent to postsynaptic neurons prevented the induction of NMDAR-dependent forms of LTP and LTD. Our results support the enhancement of a bidirectional range of NMDAR-dependent hippocampal synaptic plasticity by DCS and D-serine-mediated gliotransmission. Therefore, the D-serine/glycine-binding site in NMDAR is a major target for psychopharmacological interventions targeting plasticity-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Vestring
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Berta-Ottenstein-Programme for Clinician Scientists, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79110, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Alexandra Dorner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Scholliers
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Konstantin Ehrenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Kiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Luis Arenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alice Theiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Paul Rossner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Frase
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Du Vinage
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Wendler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tsvetan Serchov
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UPR3212, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), Strasbourg, France
- University of Strasbourg, Institute for Advanced Study (USIAS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation (NeuoModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Claus Normann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation (NeuoModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany
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Su C, Miao J, Guo J. The relationship between TGF-β1 and cognitive function in the brain. Brain Res Bull 2023; 205:110820. [PMID: 37979810 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110820] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a multifunctional cytokine, plays a pivotal role in synaptic formation, plasticity, and neurovascular unit regulation. This review highlights TGF-β1's potential impact on cognitive function, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disorders. However, despite the growing body of evidence, a comprehensive understanding of TGF-β1's precise role remains elusive. Further research is essential to unravel the complex mechanisms through which TGF-β1 influences cognitive function and to explore therapeutic avenues for targeting TGF-β1 in neurodegenerative conditions. This investigation sheds light on TGF-β1's contribution to cognitive function and offers prospects for innovative treatments and interventions. This review delves into the intricate relationship between TGF-β1 and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Su
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province 030000, China
| | - Jie Miao
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province 030000, China
| | - Junhong Guo
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province 030000, China.
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7
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Arizanovska D, Emodogo JA, Lally AP, Palavicino-Maggio CB, Liebl DJ, Folorunso OO. Cross species review of the physiological role of D-serine in translationally relevant behaviors. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1501-1517. [PMID: 37833512 PMCID: PMC10689556 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03338-6] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Bridging the gap between preclinical models of neurological and psychiatric disorders with their human manifestations is necessary to understand their underlying mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop novel therapeutics. Cognitive and social impairments underlie multiple neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders and are often comorbid with sleep disturbances, which can exacerbate poor outcomes. Importantly, many symptoms are conserved between vertebrates and invertebrates, although they may have subtle differences. Therefore, it is essential to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying these behaviors across different species and their translatability to humans. Genome-wide association studies have indicated an association between glutamatergic gene variants and both the risk and frequency of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. For example, changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission, such as glutamate receptor subtype N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction, have been shown to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Furthermore, in neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease, hyperactivation of NMDARs leads to synaptic damage. In addition to glutamate binding, NMDARs require the binding of a co-agonist D-serine or glycine to the GluN1 subunit to open. D-serine, which is racemized from L-serine by the neuronal enzyme serine racemase (SRR), and both SRR and D-serine are enriched in cortico-limbic brain regions. D-serine is critical for complex behaviors, such as cognition and social behavior, where dysregulation of its synthesis and release has been implicated in many pathological conditions. In this review, we explore the role of D-serine in behaviors that are translationally relevant to multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders in different models across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dena Arizanovska
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jada A Emodogo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Anna P Lally
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Caroline B Palavicino-Maggio
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Neurobiological Mechanisms of Aggression Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Liebl
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Oluwarotimi O Folorunso
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
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Readel ER, Dhaubhadel U, Patel A, Armstrong DW. Variable fragmentation and ionization of amyloid-beta epimers and isomers. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:6799-6807. [PMID: 37787853 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04958-3] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
While the existence of D-amino acids in peptides and proteins has recently been accepted in higher forms of life, their roles and importance are yet to be understood. The lack of analytical methods present for such epimeric and/or isomeric analyses often limits developments in the field. Studies have shown the elevated presence of epimeric and isomeric modifications to amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides extracted from Alzheimer's disease patients. These modifications most frequently occur through aspartic acid and serine residues. Because such peptides are indistinguishable by mass alone, selective liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis is required to differentiate such peptides. Herein, we examine MS/MS of tryptic fragments of Aβ peptides containing D-Asp, L-iso-Asp, D-iso-Asp, and/or D-Ser modifications. Peptide ionizability and fragmentation are explored through selected reaction monitoring, selected ion monitoring, and product ion scan. The results show the variability of ionization and fragmentation for many "identical mass peptides" and how these differences can affect the analysis of isomeric and epimeric peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Readel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Umang Dhaubhadel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Arzoo Patel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA
| | - Daniel W Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA.
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9
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Babaei P, Javer S, Abedinzade M. Therapeutic Effects Of Combined and Chronic Treatment of Tat-GluA23y and D-Serine on Cognitive Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Rats. Exp Aging Res 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37660354 DOI: 10.1080/0361073x.2023.2254660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in female gender compared with male has been addressed as a health concern, particularly in menopausal age. We here hypothesized that co-administration of NMDARs agonist (D-serine) and AMPARs endocytosis inhibitor (Tat-GluA23y) might be a potential target for alleviating memory impairment in sporadic Alzheimer model of rats. METHODS Forty-eight female Wistar rats weighing 200-220 randomly divided into six groups. One month later, ovariectomized rats underwent stereotaxic surgery and were cannulated into the brain lateral ventricles. Streptozotocin was injected (3 mg/kg), then animals received the related treatments until the day 51, which experienced acquisition of spatial memory in Morris Water Maze test. Finally, the level of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS Co-administration of D-serine and GluA23y significantly enhanced the acquisition and retrieval of impaired spatial memory in ovariectomized rats with AD (p < .001). Compared to Glu-A 23, D-serine caused more improvement in the mentioned parameters above, however, these values for both groups were still significantly different from the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION Simultaneous treatment with D-serine and GluA23y synergistically improved STZ induced spatial memory impairment in OVX rat, probably partly via increase in phosphorylated CREB protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Babaei
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Cellular &Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan university of medical science, Rasht, Iran
| | - Shirin Javer
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Cellular &Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan university of medical science, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mahmood Abedinzade
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan university of medical science, Rasht, Iran
- medical biotechnology research center, School of Paramedicine, Guilan university of medical sciences, Rasht, Iran
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10
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Chorghay Z, Li VJ, Schohl A, Ghosh A, Ruthazer ES. The effects of the NMDAR co-agonist D-serine on the structure and function of optic tectal neurons in the developing visual system. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13383. [PMID: 37591903 PMCID: PMC10435543 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39951-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) is a molecular coincidence detector which converts correlated patterns of neuronal activity into cues for the structural and functional refinement of developing circuits in the brain. D-serine is an endogenous co-agonist of the NMDAR. We investigated the effects of potent enhancement of NMDAR-mediated currents by chronic administration of saturating levels of D-serine on the developing Xenopus retinotectal circuit. Chronic exposure to the NMDAR co-agonist D-serine resulted in structural and functional changes in the optic tectum. In immature tectal neurons, D-serine administration led to more compact and less dynamic tectal dendritic arbors, and increased synapse density. Calcium imaging to examine retinotopy of tectal neurons revealed that animals raised in D-serine had more compact visual receptive fields. These findings provide insight into how the availability of endogenous NMDAR co-agonists like D-serine at glutamatergic synapses can regulate the refinement of circuits in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahraa Chorghay
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Vanessa J Li
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Anne Schohl
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Arna Ghosh
- MILA, 6666 Rue St Urbain, Montréal, QC, H2S 3H1, Canada
| | - Edward S Ruthazer
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 Rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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11
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Inoue K, Fujihara A. D-Amino acid recognition of tripeptides studied by ultraviolet photodissociation spectroscopy of hydrogen-bonded clusters. Amino Acids 2023:10.1007/s00726-023-03284-3. [PMID: 37310535 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03284-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To understand the roles of D-amino acids, evaluating their chemical properties in living organisms is essential. Herein, D-amino acid recognition of peptides was investigated using a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source and a cold ion trap. Ultraviolet (UV) photodissociation spectroscopy and water adsorption of hydrogen-bonded protonated clusters of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers and tripeptides (SAA, ASA, and AAS, where S and A denote L-serine and L-alanine, respectively) were carried out at 8 K in the gas phase. In the UV photodissociation spectrum of H+(D-Trp)ASA, the bandwidth of the S1-S0 transition, which corresponds to the ππ* state of the Trp indole ring, was narrower than those of the other five clusters, H+(D-Trp)SAA, H+(D-Trp)AAS, H+(L-Trp)SAA, H+(L-Trp)ASA, and H+(L-Trp)AAS. In the UV photoexcitation of H+(D-Trp)ASA(H2O)n, which were formed via water adsorption on gas-phase H+(D-Trp)ASA, the evaporation of water molecules was the main photodissociation pathway. An NH2CHCOOH-eliminated ion and H+ASA were observed in the product ion spectrum. By contrast, water molecules adsorbed on the other five clusters remained on the product ions for NH2CHCOOH elimination and Trp detachment after the UV photoexcitation. The results indicated that the indole ring of Trp was located on the surface of H+(D-Trp)ASA, and the amino and carboxyl groups of Trp formed hydrogen bonds in H+(D-Trp)ASA. For the other five clusters, the indole rings of Trp were hydrogen bonded in the clusters, and the amino and carboxyl groups of Trp were present on the cluster surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Inoue
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan
| | - Akimasa Fujihara
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan.
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12
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Roychaudhuri R, Atashi H, Snyder SH. Serine Racemase mediates subventricular zone neurogenesis via fatty acid metabolism. Stem Cell Reports 2023:S2213-6711(23)00194-7. [PMID: 37352848 PMCID: PMC10362503 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The adult subventricular zone (SVZ) is a neurogenic niche that continuously produces newborn neurons. Here we show that serine racemase (SR), an enzyme that catalyzes the racemization of L-serine to D-serine and vice versa, affects neurogenesis in the adult SVZ by controlling de novo fatty acid synthesis. Germline and conditional deletion of SR (nestin precursor cells) leads to diminished neurogenesis in the SVZ. Nestin-cre+ mice showed reduced expression of fatty acid synthase and its substrate malonyl-CoA, which are involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis. Global lipidomic analyses revealed significant alterations in different lipid subclasses in nestin-cre+ mice. Decrease in fatty acid synthesis was mediated by phospho Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase that was AMP-activated protein kinase independent. Both L- and D-serine supplementation rescued defects in SVZ neurogenesis, proliferation, and levels of malonyl-CoA in vitro. Our work shows that SR affects adult neurogenesis in the SVZ via lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Roychaudhuri
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Hasti Atashi
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Solomon H Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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13
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Krishnan KS, Billups B. ASC Transporters Mediate D-Serine Transport into Astrocytes Adjacent to Synapses in the Mouse Brain. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050819. [PMID: 37238689 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050819] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
D-serine is an important signalling molecule, which activates N-methyl D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in conjunction with its fellow co-agonist, the neurotransmitter glutamate. Despite its involvement in plasticity and memory related to excitatory synapses, its cellular source and sink remain a question. We hypothesise that astrocytes, a type of glial cell that surrounds synapses, are likely candidates to control the extracellular concentration of D-Serine by removing it from the synaptic space. Using in situ patch clamp recordings and pharmacological manipulation of astrocytes in the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampal brain slices, we investigated the transport of D-serine across the plasma membrane. We observed the D-serine-induced transport-associated currents upon puff-application of 10 mM D-serine on astrocytes. Further, O-benzyl-L-serine and trans-4-hydroxy-proline, known substrate inhibitors of the alanine serine cysteine transporters (ASCT), reduced D-serine uptake. These results indicate that ASCT is a central mediator of astrocytic D-serine transport and plays a role in regulating its synaptic concentration by sequestration into astrocytes. Similar results were observed in astrocytes of the somatosensory cortex and Bergmann glia in the cerebellum, indicative of a general mechanism expressed across a range of brain areas. This removal of synaptic D-serine and its subsequent metabolic degradation are expected to reduce its extracellular availability, influencing NMDAR activation and NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Subramanian Krishnan
- Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, 131 Garran Road, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Brian Billups
- Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, 131 Garran Road, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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14
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D-Amino Acids and Cancer: Friends or Foes? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043274. [PMID: 36834677 PMCID: PMC9962368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
α-amino acids exist in two configurations, named D-(dextro) and L-(levo) enantiomers. L-amino acids are used in protein synthesis and play a central role in cell metabolism. The effects of the L-amino acid composition of foods and the dietary modifications of this composition on the efficacy of cancer therapies have been widely investigated in relation to the growth and reproduction of cancerous cells. However, less is known about the involvement of D-amino acids. In recent decades, D-amino acids have been identified as natural biomolecules that play interesting and specific roles as common components of the human diet. Here, we focus on recent investigations showing altered D-amino acid levels in specific cancer types and on the various roles proposed for these biomolecules related to cancer cell proliferation, cell protection during therapy, and as putative, innovative biomarkers. Notwithstanding recent progress, the relationship between the presence of D-amino acids, their nutritional value, and cancer cell proliferation and survival represents an underrated scientific issue. Few studies on human samples have been reported to date, suggesting a need for routine analysis of D-amino acid content and an evaluation of the enzymes involved in regulating their levels in clinical samples in the near future.
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15
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Ramírez A, Monjaraz E, Manjarrez E, Moyaho A, Cebada J, Flores A. Pharmacological characterization and differential expression of NMDA receptor subunits in the chicken vestibular system during development. Synapse 2023; 77:e22252. [PMID: 36099479 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that in vitro preparations of the isolated vestibular system of diverse animal species still exhibit stable resting electrical activity and mechanically evoked synaptic transmission between hair cells and primary afferent endings. However, there are no reports related to their neurodevelopment. Therefore, this research aimed to examine whether NMDA receptors mediate these electrical signals in an isolated preparation of the chicken vestibular system at three developmental stages, E15, E18, and E21. We found that the spontaneous and mechanically evoked discharges from primary afferents of the posterior semicircular canal were modulated by agonists NMDA and glycine, but not by the agonist d-serine applied near the synapses. Moreover, the individually applied by bath perfusion of three NMDA receptor antagonists (MK-801, ifenprodil, and 2-naphthoic acid) or high Mg2+ decreased the resting discharge rate, the NMDA response, and the discharge rate of mechanically evoked activity from these primary afferents. Furthermore, we found that the vestibular ganglion shows a stage-dependent increase in the expression of NMDA receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2 (A-C), and GluN3 (A-B), being greater at E21, except for GluN2D, which was inversely related to the developmental stage. However, in the crista ampullaris, the expression pattern remained constant throughout development. This could suggest the possible existence of presynaptic NMDA receptors. Our results highlight that although the NMDA receptors are functionally active at the early embryonic stages of the vestibular system, NMDA and glycine reach their mature functionality to increase NMDA responses close to hatching (E21).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ramírez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México.,Facultad de Medicina, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Eduardo Monjaraz
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Elías Manjarrez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Alejandro Moyaho
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Jorge Cebada
- Facultad de Medicina, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Amira Flores
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
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16
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Park A, Croset V, Otto N, Agarwal D, Treiber CD, Meschi E, Sims D, Waddell S. Gliotransmission of D-serine promotes thirst-directed behaviors in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3952-3970.e8. [PMID: 35963239 PMCID: PMC9616736 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thirst emerges from a range of cellular changes that ultimately motivate an animal to consume water. Although thirst-responsive neuronal signals have been reported, the full complement of brain responses is unclear. Here, we identify molecular and cellular adaptations in the brain using single-cell sequencing of water-deprived Drosophila. Water deficiency primarily altered the glial transcriptome. Screening the regulated genes revealed astrocytic expression of the astray-encoded phosphoserine phosphatase to bi-directionally regulate water consumption. Astray synthesizes the gliotransmitter D-serine, and vesicular release from astrocytes is required for drinking. Moreover, dietary D-serine rescues aay-dependent drinking deficits while facilitating water consumption and expression of water-seeking memory. D-serine action requires binding to neuronal NMDA-type glutamate receptors. Fly astrocytes contribute processes to tripartite synapses, and the proportion of astrocytes that are themselves activated by glutamate increases with water deprivation. We propose that thirst elevates astrocytic D-serine release, which awakens quiescent glutamatergic circuits to enhance water procurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Park
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Vincent Croset
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
| | - Nils Otto
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Devika Agarwal
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; MRC Computational Genomics Analysis and Training Programme (CGAT), MRC Centre for Computational Biology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Christoph D Treiber
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Eleonora Meschi
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - David Sims
- MRC Computational Genomics Analysis and Training Programme (CGAT), MRC Centre for Computational Biology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Scott Waddell
- Centre for Neural Circuits & Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK.
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17
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Relevance of interactions between dopamine and glutamate neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3583-3591. [PMID: 35681081 PMCID: PMC9712151 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01649-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) and glutamate neurotransmission are strongly implicated in schizophrenia pathophysiology. While most studies focus on contributions of neurons that release only DA or glutamate, neither DA nor glutamate models alone recapitulate the full spectrum of schizophrenia pathophysiology. Similarly, therapeutic strategies limited to either system cannot effectively treat all three major symptom domains of schizophrenia: positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests extensive interactions between the DA and glutamate systems and more effective treatments may therefore require the targeting of both DA and glutamate signaling. This offers the possibility that disrupting DA-glutamate circuitry between these two systems, particularly in the striatum and forebrain, culminate in schizophrenia pathophysiology. Yet, the mechanisms behind these interactions and their contributions to schizophrenia remain unclear. In addition to circuit- or system-level interactions between neurons that solely release either DA or glutamate, here we posit that functional alterations involving a subpopulation of neurons that co-release both DA and glutamate provide a novel point of integration between DA and glutamate systems, offering a key missing link in our understanding of schizophrenia pathophysiology. Better understanding of mechanisms underlying DA/glutamate co-release from these neurons may therefore shed new light on schizophrenia pathophysiology and lead to more effective therapeutics.
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18
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de Bartolomeis A, Vellucci L, Austin MC, De Simone G, Barone A. Rational and Translational Implications of D-Amino Acids for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: From Neurobiology to the Clinics. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070909. [PMID: 35883465 PMCID: PMC9312470 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia has been conceptualized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with synaptic alterations and aberrant cortical–subcortical connections. Antipsychotics are the mainstay of schizophrenia treatment and nearly all share the common feature of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy, whereas glutamatergic abnormalities are not targeted by the presently available therapies. D-amino acids, acting as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulators, have emerged in the last few years as a potential augmentation strategy in those cases of schizophrenia that do not respond well to antipsychotics, a condition defined as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), affecting almost 30–40% of patients, and characterized by serious cognitive deficits and functional impairment. In the present systematic review, we address with a direct and reverse translational perspective the efficacy of D-amino acids, including D-serine, D-aspartate, and D-alanine, in poor responders. The impact of these molecules on the synaptic architecture is also considered in the light of dendritic spine changes reported in schizophrenia and antipsychotics’ effect on postsynaptic density proteins. Moreover, we describe compounds targeting D-amino acid oxidase and D-aspartate oxidase enzymes. Finally, other drugs acting at NMDAR and proxy of D-amino acids function, such as D-cycloserine, sarcosine, and glycine, are considered in the light of the clinical burden of TRS, together with other emerging molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-7463673 or +39-081-7463884 or +39-3662745592; Fax: +39-081-7462644
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Mark C. Austin
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Program, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA;
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Annarita Barone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
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19
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Wu S, Zhou J, Zhang H, Barger SW. Serine Racemase Expression Differentiates Aging from Alzheimer's Brain. Curr Alzheimer Res 2022; 19:494-502. [PMID: 35929621 DOI: 10.2174/1567205019666220805105106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable process characterized by progressive loss of physiological integrity and increased susceptibility to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases; aging is the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. AD is characterized by brain pathology, including extracellular deposition of amyloid aggregation and intracellular accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. In addition, losses of synapses and a wide range of neurons are pivotal pathologies in the AD brain. Accumulating evidence demonstrates hypoactivation of hippocampal neural networks in the aging brain, whereas AD-related mild cognitive impairment (AD-MCI) begins with hyperactivation, followed by a diminution of hippocampal activity as AD develops. The biphasic trends of the activity of the hippocampal neural network are consistent with the alteration of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) activity from aging to prodromal (AD-MCI) to mid-/late stage AD. D-serine, a product of racemization catalyzed by serine racemase (SR), is an important co-agonist of the NMDA-R which is involved in synaptic events including neurotransmission, synaptogenesis, long-term potentiation (LTP), development, and excitotoxicity. SR and D-serine are decreased in the hippocampus of the aging brain, correlating with impairment of cognitive function. By contrast, SR is increased in AD brain, which is associated with a greater degree of cognitive dysfunction. Emerging studies suggest that D-serine levels in the brain or in cerebral spinal fluid from AD patients are higher than in age-matched controls, but the results are inconsistent. Very recently, serum D-serine levels in AD were reported to correlate with sex and clinical dementia rating (CDR) stage. This review will discuss alterations of NMDA-R and SR in aging and AD brain, and the mechanisms underlying the differential regulation of SR will be probed. Collectively, we propose that SR may be a molecular switch that distinguishes the effects of aging from those of AD on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhou Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhou
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, P.R. China
| | - He Zhang
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, P.R. China.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Steven W Barger
- Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock AR, USA
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20
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Nava-Gómez L, Calero-Vargas I, Higinio-Rodríguez F, Vázquez-Prieto B, Olivares-Moreno R, Ortiz-Retana J, Aranda P, Hernández-Chan N, Rojas-Piloni G, Alcauter S, López-Hidalgo M. AGING-ASSOCIATED COGNITIVE DECLINE IS REVERSED BY D-SERINE SUPPLEMENTATION. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0176-22.2022. [PMID: 35584913 PMCID: PMC9186414 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0176-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain aging is a natural process that involves structural and functional changes that lead to cognitive decline, even in healthy subjects. This detriment has been associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction due to a reduction in the brain levels of D-serine, the endogenous NMDAR co-agonist. However, it is not clear if D-serine supplementation could be used as an intervention to reduce or reverse age-related brain alterations. In the present work, we aimed to analyze the D-serine effect on aging-associated alterations in cellular and large-scale brain systems that could support cognitive flexibility in rats. We found that D-serine supplementation reverts the age-related decline in cognitive flexibility, frontal dendritic spine density, and partially restored large-scale functional connectivity without inducing nephrotoxicity; instead, D-serine restored the thickness of the renal epithelial cells that were affected by age. Our results suggest that D-serine could be used as a therapeutic target to reverse age-related brain alterations.SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTAge-related behavioral changes in cognitive performance occur as a physiological process of aging. Then, it is important to explore possible therapeutics to decrease, retard or reverse aging effects on the brain. NMDA receptor hypofunction contributes to the aging-associated cognitive decline. In the aged brain, there is a reduction in the brain levels of the NMDAR co-agonist, D-Serine. However, it is unclear if chronic D-serine supplementation could revert the age-detriment in brain functions. Our results show that D-serine supplementation reverts the age-associated decrease in cognitive flexibility, functional brain connectivity, and neuronal morphology. Our findings raise the possibility that restoring the brain levels of D-serine could be used as a therapeutic target to recover brain alterations associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Nava-Gómez
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla. UNAM
- Facultad de Medicina. UAQ
| | - I Calero-Vargas
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla. UNAM
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - F Higinio-Rodríguez
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla. UNAM
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - B Vázquez-Prieto
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla. UNAM
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - R Olivares-Moreno
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - J Ortiz-Retana
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - P Aranda
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UAQ
| | | | - G Rojas-Piloni
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - S Alcauter
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - M López-Hidalgo
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Juriquilla. UNAM
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21
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Koulouris CR, Gardiner SE, Harris TK, Elvers KT, Mark Roe S, Gillespie JA, Ward SE, Grubisha O, Nicholls RA, Atack JR, Bax BD. Tyrosine 121 moves revealing a ligandable pocket that couples catalysis to ATP-binding in serine racemase. Commun Biol 2022; 5:346. [PMID: 35410329 PMCID: PMC9001717 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03264-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human serine racemase (hSR) catalyses racemisation of L-serine to D-serine, the latter of which is a co-agonist of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors that are important in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. In a 'closed' hSR structure containing the allosteric activator ATP, the inhibitor malonate is enclosed between the large and small domains while ATP is distal to the active site, residing at the dimer interface with the Tyr121 hydroxyl group contacting the α-phosphate of ATP. In contrast, in 'open' hSR structures, Tyr121 sits in the core of the small domain with its hydroxyl contacting the key catalytic residue Ser84. The ability to regulate SR activity by flipping Tyr121 from the core of the small domain to the dimer interface appears to have evolved in animals with a CNS. Multiple X-ray crystallographic enzyme-fragment structures show Tyr121 flipped out of its pocket in the core of the small domain. Data suggest that this ligandable pocket could be targeted by molecules that inhibit enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe R Koulouris
- Sussex Drug Discovery Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Sian E Gardiner
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Tessa K Harris
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Karen T Elvers
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - S Mark Roe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK
| | - Jason A Gillespie
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Simon E Ward
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Olivera Grubisha
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Robert A Nicholls
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Ave, CB2 0QH, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R Atack
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Benjamin D Bax
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
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22
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Tworig JM, Feller MB. Müller Glia in Retinal Development: From Specification to Circuit Integration. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 15:815923. [PMID: 35185477 PMCID: PMC8856507 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.815923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Müller glia of the retina share many features with astroglia located throughout the brain including maintenance of homeostasis, modulation of neurotransmitter spillover, and robust response to injury. Here we present the molecular factors and signaling events that govern Müller glial specification, patterning, and differentiation. Next, we discuss the various roles of Müller glia in retinal development, which include maintaining retinal organization and integrity as well as promoting neuronal survival, synaptogenesis, and phagocytosis of debris. Finally, we review the mechanisms by which Müller glia integrate into retinal circuits and actively participate in neuronal signaling during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Tworig
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Joshua M. Tworig,
| | - Marla B. Feller
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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23
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d-Amino Acids and pLG72 in Alzheimer's Disease and Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010917. [PMID: 34681579 PMCID: PMC8535920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies over the last several years have shown that d-amino acids, especially d-serine, have been related to brain and neurological disorders. Acknowledged neurological functions of d-amino acids include neurotransmission and learning and memory functions through modulating N-methyl-d-aspartate type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). Aberrant d-amino acids level and polymorphisms of genes related to d-amino acids metabolism are associated with neurodegenerative brain conditions. This review summarizes the roles of d-amino acids and pLG72, also known as d-amino acid oxidase activator, on two neurodegenerative disorders, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The scope includes the changes in d-amino acids levels, gene polymorphisms of G72 genomics, and the role of pLG72 on NMDARs and mitochondria in schizophrenia and AD. The clinical diagnostic value of d-amino acids and pLG72 and the therapeutic importance are also reviewed.
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24
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Oliveira RV, Simionato AVC, Cass QB. Enantioselectivity Effects in Clinical Metabolomics and Lipidomics. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175231. [PMID: 34500665 PMCID: PMC8433918 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics and lipidomics have demonstrated increasing importance in underlying biochemical mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of diseases to identify novel drug targets and/or biomarkers for establishing therapeutic approaches for human health. Particularly, bioactive metabolites and lipids have biological activity and have been implicated in various biological processes in physiological conditions. Thus, comprehensive metabolites, and lipids profiling are required to obtain further advances in understanding pathophysiological changes that occur in cells and tissues. Chirality is one of the most important phenomena in living organisms and has attracted long-term interest in medical and natural science. Enantioselective separation plays a pivotal role in understanding the distribution and physiological function of a diversity of chiral bioactive molecules. In this context, it has been the goal of method development for targeted and untargeted metabolomics and lipidomic assays. Herein we will highlight the benefits and challenges involved in these stereoselective analyses for clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina V. Oliveira
- SEPARARE-Núcleo de Pesquisa em Cromatografia, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ana Valéria C. Simionato
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Bioanalytics, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil
| | - Quezia B. Cass
- SEPARARE-Núcleo de Pesquisa em Cromatografia, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz, Km 235, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3351-8087
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25
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Astrocytic contribution to glutamate-related central respiratory chemoreception in vertebrates. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2021; 294:103744. [PMID: 34302992 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2021.103744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Central respiratory chemoreceptors play a key role in the respiratory homeostasis by sensing CO2 and H+ in brain and activating the respiratory neural network. This ability of specific brain regions to respond to acidosis and hypercapnia is based on neuronal and glial mechanisms. Several decades ago, glutamatergic transmission was proposed to be involved as a main mechanism in central chemoreception. However, a complete identification of mechanism has been elusive. At the rostral medulla, chemosensitive neurons of the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) are glutamatergic and they are stimulated by ATP released by RTN astrocytes in response to hypercapnia. In addition, recent findings show that caudal medullary astrocytes in brainstem can also contribute as CO2 and H+ sensors that release D-serine and glutamate, both gliotransmitters able to activate the respiratory neural network. In this review, we describe the mammalian astrocytic glutamatergic contribution to the central respiratory chemoreception trying to trace in vertebrates the emergence of several components involved in this process.
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26
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Sakamoto T, Onozato M, Uekusa S, Ichiba H, Umino M, Shirao M, Fukushima T. Development of derivatization reagents bearing chiral 4-imidazolidinone for distinguishing primary amines from other amino acids and application to the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric analysis of miso. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1652:462341. [PMID: 34192611 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We designed and synthesized three novel derivatization reagents bearing chiral 4-imidazolidinone, namely succinimidyl 2-(3-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)-1-methyl, ethyl, and -phenyl-5-oxoimidazolidin-4-yl)acetates (CIMs), for use in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. The CIMs were able to discriminate primary amines from other compounds such as secondary amines and phenols, based on their unique m/z reduction of precursor ion to form product ion in MS/MS. As amino acid derivatization reagents, the CIMs were compared in terms of enantioseparation of amino acid and detection sensitivity. CIMa-OSu with 1-methyl-5-oxoimidazolidinone moiety gave the best optical resolution and detection sensitivity among the CIM reagents. Next, we applied (R)-CIMa-OSu to determine amino acids in miso by LC-triple-quadrupole MS. The proposed method achieved simultaneous determination of 20 l-amino acids and two d-amino acids (d-alanine and d-serine) in the sample with a high sensitivity (limits of detection 5-238 fmol, signal-to-noise ratio 3.3). After derivatization with CIMa-OSu, it was possible to determine whether each peak in the chromatogram was a component of primary amine or not, by using a high-resolution orbitrap MS instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Mayu Onozato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Shusuke Uekusa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ichiba
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Maho Umino
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Mika Shirao
- Department of Food and Health Sciences, Jissen Women's University, 4-1-1 Osakaue, Hino, Tokyo 191-8510, Japan
| | - Takeshi Fukushima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan.
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27
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Stroebel D, Mony L, Paoletti P. Glycine agonism in ionotropic glutamate receptors. Neuropharmacology 2021; 193:108631. [PMID: 34058193 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate the majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the vertebrate CNS. Classified as AMPA, kainate, delta and NMDA receptors, iGluRs are central drivers of synaptic plasticity widely considered as a major cellular substrate of learning and memory. Surprisingly however, five out of the eighteen vertebrate iGluR subunits do not bind glutamate but glycine, a neurotransmitter known to mediate inhibitory neurotransmission through its action on pentameric glycine receptors (GlyRs). This is the case of GluN1, GluN3A, GluN3B, GluD1 and GluD2 subunits, all also binding the D amino acid d-serine endogenously present in many brain regions. Glycine and d-serine action and affinities broadly differ between glycinergic iGluR subtypes. On 'conventional' GluN1/GluN2 NMDA receptors, glycine (or d-serine) acts in concert with glutamate as a mandatory co-agonist to set the level of receptor activity. It also regulates the receptor's trafficking and expression independently of glutamate. On 'unconventional' GluN1/GluN3 NMDARs, glycine acts as the sole agonist directly triggering opening of excitatory glycinergic channels recently shown to be physiologically relevant. On GluD receptors, d-serine on its own mediates non-ionotropic signaling involved in excitatory and inhibitory synaptogenesis, further reinforcing the concept of glutamate-insensitive iGluRs. Here we present an overview of our current knowledge on glycine and d-serine agonism in iGluRs emphasizing aspects related to molecular mechanisms, cellular function and pharmacological profile. The growing appreciation of the critical influence of glycine and d-serine on iGluR biology reshapes our understanding of iGluR signaling diversity and complexity, with important implications in neuropharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Stroebel
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, CNRS, INSERM, F-75005, Paris, France.
| | - Laetitia Mony
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, CNRS, INSERM, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Paoletti
- Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université PSL, CNRS, INSERM, F-75005, Paris, France.
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28
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Jami SA, Cameron S, Wong JM, Daly ER, McAllister AK, Gray JA. Increased excitation-inhibition balance and loss of GABAergic synapses in the serine racemase knockout model of NMDA receptor hypofunction. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:11-27. [PMID: 34038186 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00661.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
There is substantial evidence that both N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and dysfunction of GABAergic neurotransmission contribute to schizophrenia, though the relationship between these pathophysiological processes remains largely unknown. Although models using cell-type-specific genetic deletion of NMDARs have been informative, they display overly pronounced phenotypes extending beyond those of schizophrenia. Here, we used the serine racemase knockout (SRKO) mice, a model of reduced NMDAR activity rather than complete receptor elimination, to examine the link between NMDAR hypofunction and decreased GABAergic inhibition. The SRKO mice, in which there is a >90% reduction in the NMDAR coagonist d-serine, exhibit many of the neurochemical and behavioral abnormalities observed in schizophrenia. We found a significant reduction in inhibitory synapses onto CA1 pyramidal neurons in the SRKO mice. This reduction increases the excitation/inhibition balance resulting in enhanced synaptically driven neuronal excitability without changes in intrinsic excitability. Consistently, significant reductions in inhibitory synapse density in CA1 were observed by immunohistochemistry. We further show, using a single-neuron genetic deletion approach, that the loss of GABAergic synapses onto pyramidal neurons observed in the SRKO mice is driven in a cell-autonomous manner following the deletion of SR in individual CA1 pyramidal cells. These results support a model whereby NMDAR hypofunction in pyramidal cells disrupts GABAergic synapses leading to disrupted feedback inhibition and impaired neuronal synchrony.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Recently, disruption of excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance has become an area of considerable interest for psychiatric research. Here, we report a reduction in inhibition in the serine racemase knockout mouse model of schizophrenia that increases E/I balance and enhances synaptically driven neuronal excitability. This reduced inhibition was driven cell-autonomously in pyramidal cells lacking serine racemase, suggesting a novel mechanism for how chronic NMDA receptor hypofunction can disrupt information processing in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekib A Jami
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Scott Cameron
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Jonathan M Wong
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Emily R Daly
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California
| | - A Kimberley McAllister
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California.,Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California.,Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - John A Gray
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California.,Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, California
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29
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Li Z, Cai G, Fang F, Li W, Fan M, Lian J, Qiu Y, Xu X, Lv X, Li Y, Zheng R, Wang Y, Li Z, Zhang G, Liu Z, Huang Z, Zhang L. Discovery of Novel and Potent N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators with Antidepressant-like Activity in Rodent Models. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5551-5576. [PMID: 33934604 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are glutamate-gated Na+ and Ca2+-permeable ion channels involved in excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. NMDAR hypofunction has long been implicated in the pathophysiology including major depressive disorders (MDDs). Herein, we report a series of furan-2-carboxamide analogues as novel NMDAR-positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). Through structure-based virtual screen and electrophysiological tests, FS2921 was identified as a novel NMDAR PAM with potential antidepressant effects. Further structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of novel analogues with increased potentiation. Compound 32h caused a significant increase in NMDAR excitability in vitro and impressive activity in the forced swimming test. Moreover, compound 32h showed no significant inhibition of hERG or cell viability and possessed a favorable PK/PD profile. Our study presented a series of novel NMDAR PAMs and provided potential opportunities for discovering of new antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Guanxing Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Minghua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jingjing Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yinli Qiu
- Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 69 Democratic South Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Xiangqing Xu
- Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 69 Democratic South Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Xuehui Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yiyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ruqiu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhongjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Guisen Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Biological Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Zhenming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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30
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Zachar G, Kemecsei R, Papp SM, Wéber K, Kisparti T, Tyler T, Gáspár G, Balázsa T, Csillag A. D-Aspartate consumption selectively promotes intermediate-term spatial memory and the expression of hippocampal NMDA receptor subunits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6166. [PMID: 33731750 PMCID: PMC7969773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
d-Aspartate (d-Asp) and d-serine (d-Ser) have been proposed to promote early-phase LTP in vitro and to enhance spatial memory in vivo. Here, we investigated the behavioural effects of chronic consumption of d-Asp and d-Ser on spatial learning of mice together with the expression of NMDA receptors. We also studied the alterations of neurogenesis by morphometric analysis of bromo-deoxyuridine incorporating and doublecortin expressing cells in the hippocampus. Our results specify a time period (3–4 h post-training), within which the animals exposed to d-Asp (but not d-Ser) show a more stable memory during retrieval. The cognitive improvement is due to elimination of transient bouts of destabilization and reconsolidation of memory, rather than to enhanced acquisition. d-Asp also protracted reversal learning probably due to reduced plasticity. Expression of GluN1 and GluN2A subunits was elevated in the hippocampus of d-Asp (but not d-Ser) treated mice. d-Asp or d-Ser did not alter the proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells in the hippocampus. The observed learning-related changes evoked by d-Asp are unlikely to be due to enhanced proliferation and recruitment of new neurones. Rather, they are likely associated with an upregulation of NMDA receptors, as well as a reorganization of receptor subunit assemblies in existing hippocampal/dentate neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Zachar
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary.
| | - Róbert Kemecsei
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Márta Papp
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Katalin Wéber
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kisparti
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Teadora Tyler
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Gábor Gáspár
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Tamás Balázsa
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - András Csillag
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 58 Tűzoltó u, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
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31
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Dyakin VV, Wisniewski TM, Lajtha A. Racemization in Post-Translational Modifications Relevance to Protein Aging, Aggregation and Neurodegeneration: Tip of the Iceberg. Symmetry (Basel) 2021; 13:455. [PMID: 34350031 PMCID: PMC8330555 DOI: 10.3390/sym13030455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Homochirality of DNA and prevalent chirality of free and protein-bound amino acids in a living organism represents the challenge for modern biochemistry and neuroscience. The idea of an association between age-related disease, neurodegeneration, and racemization originated from the studies of fossils and cataract disease. Under the pressure of new results, this concept has a broader significance linking protein folding, aggregation, and disfunction to an organism's cognitive and behavioral functions. The integrity of cognitive function is provided by a delicate balance between the evolutionarily imposed molecular homo-chirality and the epigenetic/developmental impact of spontaneous and enzymatic racemization. The chirality of amino acids is the crucial player in the modulation the structure and function of proteins, lipids, and DNA. The collapse of homochirality by racemization is the result of the conformational phase transition. The racemization of protein-bound amino acids (spontaneous and enzymatic) occurs through thermal activation over the energy barrier or by the tunnel transfer effect under the energy barrier. The phase transition is achieved through the intermediate state, where the chirality of alpha carbon vanished. From a thermodynamic consideration, the system in the homo-chiral (single enantiomeric) state is characterized by a decreased level of entropy. The oscillating protein chirality is suggesting its distinct significance in the neurotransmission and flow of perceptual information, adaptive associative learning, and cognitive laterality. The common pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders include protein misfolding, aging, and the deposition of protease-resistant protein aggregates. Each of the landmarks is influenced by racemization. The brain region, cell type, and age-dependent racemization critically influence the functions of many intracellular, membrane-bound, and extracellular proteins including amyloid precursor protein (APP), TAU, PrP, Huntingtin, α-synuclein, myelin basic protein (MBP), and collagen. The amyloid cascade hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) coexists with the failure of amyloid beta (Aβ) targeting drug therapy. According to our view, racemization should be considered as a critical factor of protein conformation with the potential for inducing order, disorder, misfolding, aggregation, toxicity, and malfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor V. Dyakin
- Virtual Reality Perception Lab (VRPL), The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI), Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Thomas M. Wisniewski
- Departments of Neurology, Pathology and Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Abel Lajtha
- Center for Neurochemistry, The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI), Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
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32
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Chakraborty S, Karmakar A, Goswami T, Ghosh P, Mandal A. A combined spectroscopic and molecular dynamic analysis of the inclusion behaviour of l-serine and β-cyclodextrin. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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33
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Pei JC, Luo DZ, Gau SS, Chang CY, Lai WS. Directly and Indirectly Targeting the Glycine Modulatory Site to Modulate NMDA Receptor Function to Address Unmet Medical Needs of Patients With Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:742058. [PMID: 34658976 PMCID: PMC8517243 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.742058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that affects ~1% of the world's population. It is clinically characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Currently available antipsychotic medications are relatively ineffective in improving negative and cognitive deficits, which are related to a patient's functional outcomes and quality of life. Negative symptoms and cognitive deficits are unmet by the antipsychotic medications developed to date. In recent decades, compelling animal and clinical studies have supported the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia and have suggested some promising therapeutic agents. Notably, several NMDAR-enhancing agents, especially those that function through the glycine modulatory site (GMS) of NMDAR, cause significant reduction in psychotic and cognitive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Given that the NMDAR-mediated signaling pathway has been implicated in cognitive/social functions and that GMS is a potential therapeutic target for enhancing the activation of NMDARs, there is great interest in investigating the effects of direct and indirect GMS modulators and their therapeutic potential. In this review, we focus on describing preclinical and clinical studies of direct and indirect GMS modulators in the treatment of schizophrenia, including glycine, D-cycloserine, D-serine, glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitors, and D-amino acid oxidase (DAO or DAAO) inhibitors. We highlight some of the most promising recently developed pharmacological compounds designed to either directly or indirectly target GMS and thus augment NMDAR function to treat the cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Overall, the current findings suggest that indirectly targeting of GMS appears to be more beneficial and leads to less adverse effects than direct targeting of GMS to modulate NMDAR functions. Indirect GMS modulators, especially GlyT1 inhibitors and DAO inhibitors, open new avenues for the treatment of unmet medical needs for patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chun Pei
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiang-Shin Gau
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yuan Chang
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Orzylowski M, Fujiwara E, Mousseau DD, Baker GB. An Overview of the Involvement of D-Serine in Cognitive Impairment in Normal Aging and Dementia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:754032. [PMID: 34707525 PMCID: PMC8542907 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.754032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form, is characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, including profound memory loss, which affects functioning in many aspects of life. Although cognitive deterioration is relatively common in aging and aging is a risk factor for AD, the condition is not necessarily a part of the aging process. The N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) and its co-agonist D-serine are currently of great interest as potential important contributors to cognitive function in normal aging and dementia. D-Serine is necessary for activation of the NMDAR and in maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP) and is involved in brain development, neuronal connectivity, synaptic plasticity and regulation of learning and memory. In this paper, we review evidence, from both preclinical and human studies, on the involvement of D-serine (and the enzymes involved in its metabolism) in regulation of cognition. Potential mechanisms of action of D-serine are discussed in the context of normal aging and in dementia, as is the potential for using D-serine as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic agent in dementia. Although there is some controversy in the literature, it has been proposed that in normal aging there is decreased expression of serine racemase and decreased levels of D-serine and down-regulation of NMDARs, resulting in impaired synaptic plasticity and deficits in learning and memory. In contrast, in AD there appears to be activation of serine racemase, increased levels of D-serine and overstimulation of NMDARs, resulting in cytotoxicity, synaptic deficits, and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Orzylowski
- Villa Caritas Geriatric Psychiatry Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Esther Fujiwara
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Darrell D Mousseau
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Glen B Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Ploux E, Bouet V, Radzishevsky I, Wolosker H, Freret T, Billard JM. Serine Racemase Deletion Affects the Excitatory/Inhibitory Balance of the Hippocampal CA1 Network. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9447. [PMID: 33322577 PMCID: PMC7763099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
d-serine is the major co-agonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) at CA3/CA1 hippocampal synapses, the activation of which drives long-term potentiation (LTP). The use of mice with targeted deletion of the serine racemase (SR) enzyme has been an important tool to uncover the physiological and pathological roles of D-serine. To date, some uncertainties remain regarding the direction of LTP changes in SR-knockout (SR-KO) mice, possibly reflecting differences in inhibitory GABAergic tone in the experimental paradigms used in the different studies. On the one hand, our extracellular recordings in hippocampal slices show that neither isolated NMDAR synaptic potentials nor LTP were altered in SR-KO mice. This was associated with a compensatory increase in hippocampal levels of glycine, another physiologic NMDAR co-agonist. SR-KO mice displayed no deficits in spatial learning, reference memory and cognitive flexibility. On the other hand, SR-KO mice showed a weaker LTP and a lower increase in NMDAR potentials compared to controls when GABAA receptors were pharmacologically blocked. Our results indicate that depletion of endogenous D-serine caused a reduced inhibitory activity in CA1 hippocampal networks, altering the excitatory/inhibitory balance, which contributes to preserve functional plasticity at synapses and to maintain related cognitive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ploux
- UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, Cyceron, CHU Caen, Normandie University, 14000 Caen, France; (E.P.); (V.B.); (T.F.)
| | - Valentine Bouet
- UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, Cyceron, CHU Caen, Normandie University, 14000 Caen, France; (E.P.); (V.B.); (T.F.)
| | - Inna Radzishevsky
- Department of Biochemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa 31096, Israel; (I.R.); (H.W.)
| | - Herman Wolosker
- Department of Biochemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa 31096, Israel; (I.R.); (H.W.)
| | - Thomas Freret
- UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, Cyceron, CHU Caen, Normandie University, 14000 Caen, France; (E.P.); (V.B.); (T.F.)
| | - Jean-Marie Billard
- UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, Cyceron, CHU Caen, Normandie University, 14000 Caen, France; (E.P.); (V.B.); (T.F.)
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36
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Verhoog QP, Holtman L, Aronica E, van Vliet EA. Astrocytes as Guardians of Neuronal Excitability: Mechanisms Underlying Epileptogenesis. Front Neurol 2020; 11:591690. [PMID: 33324329 PMCID: PMC7726323 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.591690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are key homeostatic regulators in the central nervous system and play important roles in physiology. After brain damage caused by e.g., status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury, or stroke, astrocytes may adopt a reactive phenotype. This process of reactive astrogliosis is important to restore brain homeostasis. However, persistent reactive astrogliosis can be detrimental for the brain and contributes to the development of epilepsy. In this review, we will focus on physiological functions of astrocytes in the normal brain as well as pathophysiological functions in the epileptogenic brain, with a focus on acquired epilepsy. We will discuss the role of astrocyte-related processes in epileptogenesis, including reactive astrogliosis, disturbances in energy supply and metabolism, gliotransmission, and extracellular ion concentrations, as well as blood-brain barrier dysfunction and dysregulation of blood flow. Since dysfunction of astrocytes can contribute to epilepsy, we will also discuss their role as potential targets for new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quirijn P. Verhoog
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Linda Holtman
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, Netherlands
| | - Erwin A. van Vliet
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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37
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Zhao J, Taylor CJ, Newcombe EA, Spanevello MD, O'Keeffe I, Cooper LT, Jhaveri DJ, Boyd AW, Bartlett PF. EphA4 Regulates Hippocampal Neural Precursor Proliferation in the Adult Mouse Brain by d-Serine Modulation of N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Signaling. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:4381-4397. [PMID: 30590507 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) is a major region of the adult rodent brain in which neurogenesis occurs throughout life. The EphA4 receptor, which regulates neurogenesis and boundary formation in the developing brain, is also expressed in the adult DG, but whether it regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis is not known. Here, we show that, in the adult mouse brain, EphA4 inhibits hippocampal precursor cell proliferation but does not affect precursor differentiation or survival. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of EphA4 significantly increased hippocampal precursor proliferation in vivo and in vitro, by blocking EphA4 forward signaling. EphA4 was expressed by mature hippocampal DG neurons but not neural precursor cells, and an EphA4 antagonist, EphA4-Fc, did not activate clonal cultures of precursors until they were co-cultured with non-precursor cells, indicating an indirect effect of EphA4 on the regulation of precursor activity. Supplementation with d-serine blocked the increased precursor proliferation induced by EphA4 inhibition, whereas blocking the interaction between d-serine and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) promoted precursor activity, even at the clonal level. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that EphA4 indirectly regulates adult hippocampal precursor proliferation and thus plays a role in neurogenesis via d-serine-regulated NMDAR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Chanel J Taylor
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Estella A Newcombe
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark D Spanevello
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Imogen O'Keeffe
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Leanne T Cooper
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Dhanisha J Jhaveri
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew W Boyd
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Perry F Bartlett
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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38
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Roles of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and D-amino acids in cancer cell viability. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:6749-6758. [PMID: 32892308 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05733-8] [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: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are widely present in the central nervous system, have also been found to be up-regulated in a variety of cancer cells and tumors and they can play active roles in cancer cell growth regulation. NMDA receptor antagonists have been found to affect cancer cell viability and interfere with tumor growth. Moreover, cancer cells also have been shown to have elevated levels of some D-amino acids. Two human skin cell lines: Hs 895.T skin cancer and Hs 895.Sk skin normal cells were investigated. They were derived from the same patient to provide tumor and normal counterparts for comparative studies. The expression of specific NMDA receptors was confirmed for the first time in both skin cell lines. Dizocilpine (MK-801) and memantine, NMDA receptor channel blockers, were found to inhibit the growth of human skin cells by reducing or stopping NMDA receptor activity. Addition of D-Ser, D-Ala, or D-Asp, however, significantly reversed the antiproliferative effect on the human skin cells triggered by MK-801 or memantine. Even more interesting was the finding that the specific intracellular composition of a few relatively uncommon amino acids was selectively elevated in skin cancer cells when exposed to MK-801. It appears that a few specific and upregulated D-amino acids can reverse the drug-induced antiproliferative effect in skin cancer cells via the reactivation of NMDA receptors. This study provides a possible innovative anticancer therapy by acting on the D-amino acid pathway in cancer cells either blocking or activating their regulatory enzymes.
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TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling mediates the formation of a stable serine racemase dimer in microglia. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140447. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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40
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Guercio GD, Anjos-Travassos Y, Rangel I, Costa S, Poleto A, Costa D, Chaiben R, de Villers-Sidani E, Panizzutti R. Auditory cognitive training improves prepulse inhibition in serine racemase mutant mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2499-2508. [PMID: 32483676 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05549-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that neuroplasticity-based cognitive training can improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia, but the individual response to training varies greatly between subjects. Hence, there is a need to understand the neurological underpinnings of cognitive training to reveal predictors of treatment response. D-serine is a crucial modulator of neuroplasticity, and decreased levels of D-serine may contribute to deficits in neuroplasticity in schizophrenia. Interestingly, we observed that training mice to identify auditory oddballs increased extracellular levels of D-serine in the hippocampus during training. Serine racemase (Srr) is the only source of brain D-serine; thus, it is possible that Srr may mediate the response to training. To test this hypothesis, we trained mice that have a mutated version of Srr (SrrY269*/SrrY269*) and reduced levels of D-serine in the same auditory training. SrrY269*/SrrY269* mice showed decreased performance during auditory training (defined as the capacity to discriminate an oddball during a sequence of tones). Importantly, auditory training improved prepulse inhibition (PPI) in SrrY269*/SrrY269* but not in wild-type mice. Finally, D-serine (100 mg/kg i.p.) given 30 min before training sessions to SrrY269*/SrrY269* mice improved training performance, but it did not enhance PPI. Taken together, our results show that D-serine is involved in the response to neuroplasticity-based auditory training and that PPI deficits can be improved by auditory oddball training even in the presence of neuroplasticity deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerson D Guercio
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. .,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, 2312 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Yuri Anjos-Travassos
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Igor Rangel
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Stella Costa
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - André Poleto
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Deborah Costa
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Chaiben
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Etienne de Villers-Sidani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rogério Panizzutti
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Shimizu Y, Ishii C, Yanobu-Takanashi R, Nakano K, Imaike A, Mita M, Hamase K, Okamura T. d-Amino acid oxidase deficiency is caused by a large deletion in the Dao gene in LEA rats. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140463. [PMID: 32512180 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
d-Amino acids, enantiomers of l-amino acids, are increasingly recognized as physiologically active molecules as well as potential biomarkers for diseases. d-Amino acid oxidase (DAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of d-amino acids and is present in a wide variety of organisms from yeasts to humans. Previous studies indicated that LEA rats lacked DAO activity, and levels of d-Ser and d-Ala were markedly increased in their tissues, suggesting a mutated locus responsible for the lack of Dao activity (ldao) existed in the LEA genome. Sequence analysis identified deletion breakpoints located in intron 4-5 of the Dao gene and intron 1-2 of the Svop gene, resulting in a 54.1-kb deletion which encompassed exons 5-12 of the Dao gene and exons 2-16 of the Svop gene. We developed a novel congenic rat strain, F344-Daoldao, harboring the Daoldao mutation from LEA rats delivered onto the F344 genetic background. Compared to the parental F344 strain, in F344-Daoldao rats d-Ala was markedly increased in both cerebrum and cerebellum, while d-Ser content was increased in cerebellum but not cerebrum. d-Ala, d-Ser, d-Pro and d-Leu levels were also elevated in F344-Daoldao plasma. F344-Daoldao rats represent a novel model system that will aid in elucidating the physiological functions of d-amino acids in vivo. (203 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Shimizu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Chiharu Ishii
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Rieko Yanobu-Takanashi
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakano
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Akio Imaike
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masashi Mita
- KAGAMI INC., 7-7-15 Saito-asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Kenji Hamase
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okamura
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan; Section of Animal Models, Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan.
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de Bartolomeis A, Manchia M, Marmo F, Vellucci L, Iasevoli F, Barone A. Glycine Signaling in the Framework of Dopamine-Glutamate Interaction and Postsynaptic Density. Implications for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:369. [PMID: 32477178 PMCID: PMC7240307 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) or suboptimal response to antipsychotics affects almost 30% of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients, and it is a relevant clinical issue with significant impact on the functional outcome and on the global burden of disease. Among putative novel treatments, glycine-centered therapeutics (i.e. sarcosine, glycine itself, D-Serine, and bitopertin) have been proposed, based on a strong preclinical rationale with, however, mixed clinical results. Therefore, a better appraisal of glycine interaction with the other major players of SCZ pathophysiology and specifically in the framework of dopamine - glutamate interactions is warranted. New methodological approaches at cutting edge of technology and drug discovery have been applied to study the role of glycine in glutamate signaling, both at presynaptic and post-synaptic level and have been instrumental for unveiling the role of glycine in dopamine-glutamate interaction. Glycine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a critical role in both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. In caudal areas of central nervous system (CNS), such as spinal cord and brainstem, glycine acts as a powerful inhibitory neurotransmitter through binding to its receptor, i.e. the Glycine Receptor (GlyR). However, glycine also works as a co-agonist of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission. Glycine concentration in the synaptic cleft is finely tuned by glycine transporters, i.e. GlyT1 and GlyT2, that regulate the neurotransmitter's reuptake, with the first considered a highly potential target for psychosis therapy. Reciprocal regulation of dopamine and glycine in forebrain, glycine modulation of glutamate, glycine signaling interaction with postsynaptic density proteins at glutamatergic synapse, and human genetics of glycinergic pathways in SCZ are tackled in order to highlight the exploitation of this neurotransmitters and related molecules in SCZ and TRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Translational Psychiatry, Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University School of Medicine of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mirko Manchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Federica Marmo
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Translational Psychiatry, Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University School of Medicine of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Translational Psychiatry, Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University School of Medicine of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Iasevoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Translational Psychiatry, Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University School of Medicine of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Barone
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Translational Psychiatry, Unit of Treatment Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University School of Medicine of Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Verkhratsky A, Rose CR. Na +-dependent transporters: The backbone of astroglial homeostatic function. Cell Calcium 2019; 85:102136. [PMID: 31835178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2019.102136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the principal homeostatic cells of the central nerves system (CNS) that support the CNS function at all levels of organisation, from molecular to organ. Several fundamental homeostatic functions of astrocytes are mediated through plasmalemmal pumps and transporters; most of which are also regulated by the transplasmalemmal gradient of Na+ ions. Neuronal activity as well as mechanical or chemical stimulation of astrocytes trigger plasmalemmal Na+ fluxes, which in turn generate spatio-temporally organised transient changes in the cytosolic Na+ concentration, which represent the substrate of astroglial Na+ signalling. Astroglial Na+ signals link and coordinate neuronal activity and CNS homeostatic demands with the astroglial homeostatic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK; Achucarro Centre for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Christine R Rose
- Institute of Neurobiology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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44
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Destreel G, Seutin V, Engel D. Subsaturation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor glycine site allows the regulation of bursting activity in juvenile rat nigral dopamine neurons. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3454-3471. [PMID: 31206829 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine (DA) cells is central to generate the bursting activity, a phasic signal linked to DA-related behaviours via the change in postsynaptic DA release. NMDARs are recruited during excitatory synaptic transmission by glutamate release, but the glycine site level of occupancy of these receptors during basal action potential-dependent activity is not known for SNc DA neurons. We explored NMDAR-dependent signals during exogenous applications of co-agonists in midbrain slices from juvenile rats. We found that both glycine and D-serine strengthened the NMDAR-dependent component of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in a concentration-dependent manner. EPSCs were also increased by endogenous glycine via the blockade of the glycine transport. The glycine site of NMDARs contributing to synaptic transmission is therefore subsaturated. The behaviourally relevant burst firing was more sensitive to exogenous D-serine and endogenous glycine than to exogenous glycine. The mechanisms regulating the availability of the co-agonists exert consequently a critical influence on the excitability of DA neurons via NMDARs. The modulation of the phasic firing in DA neurons by ambient NMDAR co-agonists may be important for nigral information processing and downstream motor-related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Destreel
- GIGA-Neurosciences, Neurophysiology Group, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Vincent Seutin
- GIGA-Neurosciences, Neurophysiology Group, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Dominique Engel
- GIGA-Neurosciences, Neurophysiology Group, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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45
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The glycine site of NMDA receptors: A target for cognitive enhancement in psychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:387-404. [PMID: 30738126 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is a principal determinant of functional impairment in major depressive disorder (MDD) and often persists during periods of euthymia. Abnormalities in the glutamate system, particularly in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) activity, have been shown to contribute to both mood and cognitive symptoms in MDD. The current narrative review aims to evaluate the potential pro-cognitive effects of targeting the glycine site of NMDARs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, with a special focus on how these results may apply to MDD. Literature databases were searched from inception to May 2018 for relevant pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating antidepressant and pro-cognitive effects of NMDAR glycine site modulators in both MDD and non-MDD samples. Six glycine site modulators with pro-cognitive and antidepressant properties were identified: d-serine (co-agonist), d-cycloserine (partial agonist), d-alanine (co-agonist), glycine (agonist), sarcosine (co-agonist) and rapastinel (partial agonist). Preclinical animal studies demonstrated improved neuroplasticity and pro-cognitive effects with these agents. Numerous proof-of-concept clinical trials demonstrated pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects trans-diagnostically (e.g., in healthy participants, MDD, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, major neurocognitive disorders). The generalizability of these clinical studies was limited by the small sample sizes and the paucity of studies directly evaluating cognitive effects in MDD samples, as most clinical trials were in non-MDD samples. Taken together, preliminary results suggest that the glycine site of NMDARs is a promising target to ameliorate symptoms of depression and cognitive dysfunction. Additional rigorously designed clinical studies are required to determine the cognitive effects of these agents in MDD.
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D-Serine made by serine racemase in Drosophila intestine plays a physiological role in sleep. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1986. [PMID: 31064979 PMCID: PMC6504911 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural D-serine (D-Ser) has been detected in animals more than two decades ago, but little is known about the physiological functions of D-Ser. Here we reveal sleep regulation by endogenous D-Ser. Sleep was decreased in mutants defective in D-Ser synthesis or its receptor the N-methyl-D-aspartic receptor 1 (NMDAR1), but increased in mutants defective in D-Ser degradation. D-Ser but not L-Ser rescued the phenotype of mutants lacking serine racemase (SR), the key enzyme for D-Ser synthesis. Pharmacological and triple gene knockout experiments indicate that D-Ser functions upstream of NMDAR1. Expression of SR was detected in both the nervous system and the intestines. Strikingly, reintroduction of SR into specific intestinal epithelial cells rescued the sleep phenotype of sr mutants. Our results have established a novel physiological function for endogenous D-Ser and a surprising role for intestinal cells. The physiological function of endogenous D-serine remains a mystery. Here the authors show that endogenous D-serine plays an important role in regulating sleep and that, while the D-serine synthesizing enzyme serine racemase (SR) is expressed both in the nervous system and the intestines, the SR in the intestine is shown to be functionally sufficient for sleep regulation.
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Ayon NJ, Sharma AD, Gutheil WG. LC-MS/MS-Based Separation and Quantification of Marfey's Reagent Derivatized Proteinogenic Amino Acid DL-Stereoisomers. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2019; 30:448-458. [PMID: 30421361 PMCID: PMC6417927 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-018-2093-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
D-Amino acids are important biological molecules. Improved analytical methods for their resolution and quantification remain of keen interest. In this study, we investigated the use of Marfey's reagent (chiral) derivatization coupled with LC-MS/MS-based separation and detection of the resulting diastereomers for quantification of the 19 common L- and D-amino acids and glycine. Standard formic acid (pH 2)-based separations on reverse phase media were unable to separate all 19 amino acid DL pairs. In contrast, a water/acetonitrile/ammonium acetate (pH 6.5) solvent system allowed all 19 amino acid DL pairs to be chromatographically resolved on a 30 min gradient, with negative mode detection at pH 6.5 giving good sensitivity. Derivatization reaction rates between amino acids varied substantially, with overnight derivatization required for some amino acids. Chromatography at pH 6.5 combined with MS/MS quantification in negative mode demonstrated good linearity over a wide concentration range for all 20 amino acids. Matrix effects, assessed with an MRSA extract, were negligible. Marfey's derivatized analytes were stable for 24 h at room temperature. This method was demonstrated by determining the levels of these analytes in mid-log phase MRSA extracts. This approach provides for the chromatographic resolution and MS/MS-based quantification of all 20 common L- and D-amino acids in complex matrices. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid J Ayon
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Amar Deep Sharma
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - William G Gutheil
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2464 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
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MacKay MAB, Kravtsenyuk M, Thomas R, Mitchell ND, Dursun SM, Baker GB. D-Serine: Potential Therapeutic Agent and/or Biomarker in Schizophrenia and Depression? Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:25. [PMID: 30787885 PMCID: PMC6372501 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
D-Serine is a potent co-agonist at the NMDA glutamate receptor and has been the object of many preclinical studies to ascertain the nature of its metabolism, its regional and cellular distribution in the brain, its physiological functions and its possible clinical relevance. The enzymes involved in its formation and catabolism are serine racemase (SR) and D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO), respectively, and manipulations of the activity of those enzymes have been useful in developing animal models of schizophrenia and in providing clues to the development of potential new antipsychotic strategies. Clinical studies have been conducted in schizophrenia patients to evaluate body fluid levels of D-serine and/or to use D-serine alone or in combination with antipsychotics to determine its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent. D-serine has also been used in combination with DAAO inhibitors in preclinical investigations, and interesting results have been obtained. Genetic studies and postmortem brain studies have also been conducted on D-serine and the enzymes involved in its metabolism. It is also of considerable interest that in recent years clinical and preclinical investigations have suggested that D-serine may also have antidepressant properties. Clinical studies have also shown that D-serine may be a biomarker for antidepressant response to ketamine. Relevant to both schizophrenia and depression, preclinical and clinical studies with D-serine indicate that it may be effective in reducing cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Anne B MacKay
- Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Maryana Kravtsenyuk
- Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rejish Thomas
- Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Nicholas D Mitchell
- Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Serdar M Dursun
- Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Glen B Baker
- Neurochemical Research Unit and Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Succinimidyl (3-[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]-5-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-4-yl)acetate on a triazole-bonded phase for the separation of dl-amino-acid enantiomers and the mass-spectrometric determination of chiral amino acids in rat plasma. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1585:131-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.11.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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50
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Billard JM. Changes in Serine Racemase-Dependent Modulation of NMDA Receptor: Impact on Physiological and Pathological Brain Aging. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:106. [PMID: 30555832 PMCID: PMC6282039 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The N-methyl-D-Aspartate glutamate receptors (NMDARs) are pivotal for the functional and morphological plasticity that are required in neuronal networks for efficient brain activities and notably for cognitive-related abilities. Because NMDARs are heterogeneous in subunit composition and associated with multiple functional regulatory sites, their efficacy is under the tonic influence of numerous allosteric modulations, whose dysfunction generally represents the first step generating pathological states. Among the enzymatic candidates, serine racemase (SR) has recently gathered an increasing interest considering that it tightly regulates the production of d-serine, an amino acid now viewed as the main endogenous co-agonist necessary for NMDAR activation. Nowadays, SR deregulation is associated with a wide range of neurological and psychiatric diseases including schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and depression. This review aims at compelling the most recent experimental evidences indicating that changes in SR-related modulation of NMDARs also govern opposite functional dysfunctions in physiological and pathological (Alzheimer's disease) aging that finally results in memory disabilities in both cases. It also highlights SR as a relevant alternative target for new pharmacological strategies aimed at preventing functional alterations and cognitive impairments linked to the aging process.
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