12-lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid mediate metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term depression at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses

Is depression the missing link between inflammatory mediators and cancer?

Patients with cancer are at greater risk of developing depression in comparison to the general population and this is associated with serious adverse effects, such as poorer quality of life, worse prognosis and higher mortality. Although the relationship between depression and cancer is now well established, a common underlying pathophysiological mechanism between the two conditions is yet to be elucidated. Existing theories of depression, based on monoamine neurotransmitter system dysfunction, are insufficient as explanations of the disorder. Recent advances have implicated neuroinflammatory mechanisms in the etiology of depression and it has been demonstrated that inflammation at a peripheral level may be mirrored centrally in astrocytes and microglia serving to promote chronic levels of inflammation in the brain. Three major routes to depression in cancer in which proinflammatory mediators are implicated, seem likely. Activation of the kynurenine pathway involving cytokines, increases tryptophan catabolism, resulting in diminished levels of serotonin which is widely acknowledged as being the hallmark of depression. It also results in neurotoxic effects on brain regions thought to be involved in the evolution of major depression. Proinflammatory mediators also play a crucial role in impairing regulatory glucocorticoid mediated feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is activated by stress and considered to be involved in both depression and cancer. The third route is via the glutamatergic pathway, whereby glutamate excitotoxicity may lead to depression associated with cancer. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these dysregulated and other newly emerging pathways may provide a rationale for therapeutic targeting, serving to improve the care of cancer patients.

Phospholipase D1 Ablation Disrupts Mouse Longitudinal Hippocampal Axis Organization and Functioning

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a signaling lipid involved in the modulation of synaptic structure and functioning. Based on previous work showing a decreasing PA gradient along the longitudinal axis of the rodent hippocampus, we asked whether the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and the ventral hippocampus (VH) are differentially affected by PA modulation. Here, we show that phospholipase D1 (PLD1) is a major hippocampal PA source, compared to PLD2, and that PLD1 ablation affects predominantly the lipidome of the DH. Moreover, Pld1 knockout (KO) mice show specific deficits in novel object recognition and social interaction and disruption in the DH-VH dendritic arborization differentiation in CA1/CA3 pyramidal neurons. Also, Pld1 KO animals present reduced long-term depression (LTD) induction and reduced GluN2A and SNAP-25 protein levels in the DH. Overall, we observe that PLD1-derived PA reduction leads to differential lipid signatures along the longitudinal hippocampal axis, predominantly affecting DH organization and functioning.

Neurotoxic and convulsant effects induced by jack bean ureases on the mammalian nervous system

Ureases are microbial virulence factors either because of the enzymatic release of ammonia or due to many other non-enzymatic effects. Here we studied two neurotoxic urease isoforms, Canatoxin (CNTX) and Jack Bean Urease (JBU), produced by the plant Canavalia ensiformis, whose mechanisms of action remain elusive. The neurotoxins provoke convulsions in rodents (LD₅₀ ∼2 mg/kg) and stimulate exocytosis in cell models, affecting intracellular calcium levels. Here, electrophysiological and brain imaging techniques were applied to elucidate their mode of action. While systemic administration of the toxins causes tonic-clonic seizures in rodents, JBU injected into rat hippocampus induced spike-wave discharges similar to absence-like seizures. JBU reduced the amplitude of compound action potential from mouse sciatic nerve in a tetrodotoxin-insensitive manner. Hippocampal slices from CNTX-injected animals or slices treated in vitro with JBU failed to induce long term potentiation upon tetanic stimulation. Rat cortical synaptosomes treated with JBU released L-glutamate. JBU increased the intracellular calcium levels and spontaneous firing rate in rat hippocampus neurons. MicroPET scans of CNTX-injected rats revealed increased ^[18]Fluoro-deoxyglucose uptake in epileptogenesis-related areas like hippocampus and thalamus. Curiously, CNTX did not affect voltage-gated sodium, calcium or potassium channels currents, neither did it interfere on cholinergic receptors, suggesting an indirect mode of action that could be related to the ureases' membrane-disturbing properties. Understanding the neurotoxic mode of action of C. ensiformis ureases could help to unveil the so far underappreciated relevance of these toxins in diseases caused by urease-producing microorganisms, in which the human central nervous system is affected.

Relationship between the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on brain plasticity and the improvement on cognition and behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Objective: This work aimed to compile information about the neuronal processes in which polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could modulate brain plasticity, in order to analyze the role of nutritional intervention with the ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids as a therapeutic strategy for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-related signs and symptoms.Methods: We reviewed different articles reporting the effect of PUFAS on neurite elongation, membrane expansion, cytoskeleton rearrangement and neurotransmission, considering the ASD-related abnormalities in these processes.Results: In accordance to the reviewed studies, it is clear that ASD is one of the neurological conditions associated with an impairment in neuronal plasticity; therefore, PUFAs-rich diet improvements on cognition and behavioral deficits in individuals with autism, could be involved with the regulation of neuronal processes implicated in the atypical brain plasticity related with this neurodevelopmental disorder.Discussion: The behavioral and cognitive improvement observed in individuals with ASD after PUFAs treatment might underlie, at least in part, in the ability of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids to induce neurite outgrowth, probably, through the dynamic regulation of the neuronal cytoskeleton along with the expansion of neuronal membranes. Furthermore, it might also be associated with an enhancement of the efficacy of synaptic transmission and the modulation of neurotransmitters release.

Illuminating Relationships Between the Pre- and Post-synapse

Excitatory synapses in the mammalian cortex are highly diverse, both in terms of their structure and function. However, relationships between synaptic features indicate they are highly coordinated entities. Imaging techniques, that enable physiology at the resolution of individual synapses to be investigated, have allowed the presynaptic activity level of the synapse to be related to postsynaptic function. This approach has revealed that neuronal activity induces the pre- and post-synapse to be functionally correlated and that subsets of synapses are more susceptible to certain forms of synaptic plasticity. As presynaptic function is often examined in isolation from postsynaptic properties, the effect it has on the post-synapse is not fully understood. However, since postsynaptic receptors at excitatory synapses respond to release of glutamate, it follows that they may be differentially regulated depending on the frequency of its release. Therefore, examining postsynaptic properties in the context of presynaptic function may be a useful way to approach a broad range of questions on synaptic physiology. In this review, we focus on how optophysiology tools have been utilized to study relationships between the pre- and the post-synapse. Multiple imaging techniques have revealed correlations in synaptic properties from the submicron to the dendritic level. Optical tools together with advanced imaging techniques are ideally suited to illuminate this area further, due to the spatial resolution and control they allow.

Lipidomic methodologies for biomarkers of chronic inflammation in nutritional research: ω-3 and ω-6 lipid mediators

The evolutionary history of hominins has been characterized by significant dietary changes, which include the introduction of meat eating, cooking, and the changes associated with plant and animal domestication. The Western pattern diet has been linked with the onset of chronic inflammation, and serious health problems including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Diets enriched with ω-3 marine PUFAs have revealed additional improvements in health status associated to a reduction of proinflammatory ω-3 and ω-6 lipid mediators. Lipid mediators are produced from enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidation of PUFAs. Interest in better understanding the occurrence of these metabolites has increased exponentially as a result of the growing evidence of their role on inflammatory processes, control of the immune system, cell signaling, onset of metabolic diseases, or even cancer. The scope of this review has been to highlight the recent findings on: a) the formation of lipid mediators and their role in different inflammatory and metabolic conditions, b) the direct use of lipid mediators as antiinflammatory drugs or the potential of new drugs as a new therapeutic option for the synthesis of antiinflammatory or resolving lipid mediators and c) the impact of nutritional interventions to modulate lipid mediators synthesis towards antiinflammatory conditions. In a second part, we have summarized methodological approaches (Lipidomics) for the accurate analysis of lipid mediators. Although several techniques have been used, most authors preferred the combination of SPE with LC-MS. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are herein addressed, as well as the main LC-MS difficulties and challenges for the establishment of new biomarkers and standardization of experimental designs, and finally to deepen the study of mechanisms involved on the inflammatory response.

Expression of type I mGluRs predicts plasticity in the hippocampal stratum radiatum interneurons

Changes in synaptic strength between hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell synapses are partly responsible for memory acquisition. This plasticity is modulated by feedforward inhibitory interneurons in the stratum radiatum. While radiatum interneurons experience either long-term depression (LTD), short-term depression (STD), or lack plasticity, it is unclear whether plasticity correlates to specific interneuron subtypes. Using whole-cell electrophysiology and real-time quantitative PCR, we characterized the plasticity expressed by different interneuron subtypes. We first analyzed calcium binding proteins and cholecystokinin mRNA expression patterns to determine cell subtype. We then assessed endocannabinoid (eCB) biosynthetic enzyme mRNA expression, including diacylglycerol lipase α, N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, and 12-lipoxygenase, and metabotropic glutamate receptors that often mediate plasticity. Neurons exhibiting LTD tended to co-express mRNA for at least one eCB biosynthetic enzyme and the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). Conversely, mGluR5 was not expressed by neurons exhibiting STD or no plasticity. Neurons that exhibited STD tended to express mRNA for at least one eCB biosynthetic enzyme and mGluR1, but not mGluR5. This suggests that plasticity of stratum radiatum interneurons could be predicted based on type I mGluR expression.

TRPV currents and their role in the nociception and neuroplasticity

Transient receptor potential channels sensitive to vanilloids (TRPVs) are group of ion channels which are sensitive to various tissue damaging signals and their activation is generally perceived as pain. Therefore, they are generally named as nociceptors. Understanding their activation and function as well as their interaction with intracellular pathways is crucial for the development of pharmacological interference in order to reduce pain perception. The current review summarizes basic facts in regard to TRPV and discusses their relevance in the sensing of (pain-) signals and their intracellular processing, focussing on their modulation of the intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) signal. Furthermore we discuss the basic mechanisms how the modification of [Ca(2+)]i through TRPV might induce long-term-potentiation (LTP) or long-term- depression (LTD) and from "memories" of pain. Understanding of these mechanisms is needed to localize the best point of interference for pharmacological treatment. Therefore, high attention is given to highlight physiological and pathological processes and their interaction with significant modulators and their roles in neuroplasticity and pain modulation.

The flavonoid baicalein rescues synaptic plasticity and memory deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Increasing evidence suggests that disruptions of synaptic functions correlate with the severity of cognitive deficit in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous study demonstrated that baicalein enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) in acute rat hippocampal slices and improves hippocampus-dependent contextual fear conditioning in rats. Given that baicalein possess various biological activities, especially its effects on synaptic plasticity and cognitive function, we examined the effect of baicalein on synaptic function both in vitro and in vivo in AD model. The effect of baicalein on Aβ42 oligomer impaired LTP was investigated by electrophysiological methods. Baicalein was administered orally via drinking water to the APP/PS1 mice and sex- and age-matched wild-type mice. Treatment started at 5 months of age and mice were assessed for cognition and AD-like pathology at 7-month-old. Cognition was analyzed by Morris water maze test, fear conditioning test, and novel object recognition test. Changes in hippocampal 12/15 Lipoxygenase (12/15LO) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activity, Aβ production, tau phosphorylation, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic spine density were evaluated. Baicalein prevented Aβ-induced impairments in hippocampal LTP through activation of serine threonine Kinase (Akt) phosphorylation. Long-term oral administration of baicalein inhibited 12/15LO and GSK3β activity, reduced β-secretase enzyme (BACE1), decreased the concentration of total Aβ, and prevented phosphorylation of tau in APP/PS1 mice. Meanwhile, baicalein restored spine number, synaptic plasticity, and memory deficits. Our results strengthen the potential of the flavonoid baicalein as a novel and promising oral bioactive therapeutic agent that prevents memory deficits in AD.

Structural and functional biology of arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase-1 (ALOX15)

Lipoxygenases (LOX) form a family of lipid peroxidizing enzymes, which have been implicated in a number of physiological processes and in the pathogenesis of inflammatory, hyperproliferative and neurodegenerative diseases. They occur in two of the three domains of terrestrial life (bacteria, eucarya) and the human genome involves six functional LOX genes, which encode for six different LOX isoforms. One of these isoforms is ALOX15, which has first been described in rabbits in 1974 as enzyme capable of oxidizing membrane phospholipids during the maturational breakdown of mitochondria in immature red blood cells. During the following decades ALOX15 has extensively been characterized and its biological functions have been studied in a number of cellular in vitro systems as well as in various whole animal disease models. This review is aimed at summarizing the current knowledge on the protein-chemical, molecular biological and enzymatic properties of ALOX15 in various species (human, mouse, rabbit, rat) as well as its implication in cellular physiology and in the pathogenesis of various diseases.

Pharmacologic blockade of 12/15-lipoxygenase ameliorates memory deficits, Aβ and tau neuropathology in the triple-transgenic mice

The 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15LO) enzyme is widely distributed within the central nervous system. Previous work showed that this protein is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and plays an active role in the development of brain amyloidosis in amyloid beta (Aβ)-precursor protein transgenic mice (Tg2576). In the present paper, we studied the effect of its pharmacologic inhibition on the AD-like phenotype of a mouse model with plaques and tangles, the triple-transgenic mice. Compared with mice receiving placebo, the group treated with PD146176, a specific 12/15LO inhibitor, manifested a significant improvement of their memory deficits. The same animals had a significant reduction in Aβ levels and deposition, which was secondary to a decrease in the β-secretase pathway. In addition, while total tau-soluble levels were unchanged for both groups, PD146176-treated mice had a significant reduction in its phosphorylation state and insoluble fraction, which specifically associated with decrease in stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity. In vitro study showed that the effect on tau and Aβ were independent from each other. These data establish a functional role for 12/15LO in the pathogenesis of the full spectrum of the AD-like phenotype and represent the successful completion of the initial step for the preclinical development of 12/15LO inhibitors as novel therapeutic agents for AD.

The 12/15-lipoxygenase as an emerging therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive memory loss. Mutations in genes involved in the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) are linked to the early-onset variant of AD. However, the most common form, sporadic AD, is considered to be the result of an interaction between environmental risk factors and various genes. Among them, recent work has highlighted the potential role that the 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15LO) pathway may play in AD pathogenesis. 12/15LO is widely distributed in the central nervous system, and its levels are upregulated in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairments. Studies using animal models have implicated 12/15LO in the molecular pathology of AD, including the metabolism of Aβ and tau, synaptic integrity, and cognitive functions. We provide an overview of this pathway and its relevance to AD pathogenesis, discuss the mechanism(s) involved, and provide an assessment of how targeting 12/15LO could lead to novel AD therapeutics.

Mammalian lipoxygenases and their biological relevance

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) form a heterogeneous class of lipid peroxidizing enzymes, which have been implicated not only in cell proliferation and differentiation but also in the pathogenesis of various diseases with major public health relevance. As other fatty acid dioxygenases LOXs oxidize polyunsaturated fatty acids to their corresponding hydroperoxy derivatives, which are further transformed to bioactive lipid mediators (eicosanoids and related substances). On the other hand, lipoxygenases are key players in the regulation of the cellular redox homeostasis, which is an important element in gene expression regulation. Although the first mammalian lipoxygenases were discovered 40 years ago and although the enzymes have been well characterized with respect to their structural and functional properties the biological roles of the different lipoxygenase isoforms are not completely understood. This review is aimed at summarizing the current knowledge on the physiological roles of different mammalian LOX-isoforms and their patho-physiological function in inflammatory, metabolic, hyperproliferative, neurodegenerative and infectious disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Oxygenated metabolism of PUFA: analysis and biological relevance".

Oxidative-stress induced increase in circulating fatty acids does not contribute to phospholipase A2-dependent appetitive long-term memory failure in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal physiological functioning of the brain. However, uncompensated increase in ROS levels may results in oxidative stress. Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) is one of the key players activated by elevated ROS levels resulting in the hydrolysis of various products from the plasmamembrane such as peroxidized fatty acids. Free fatty acids (FFAs) and fatty acid metabolites are often implicated to the genesis of cognitive impairment. Previously we have shown that age-, and experimentally induced oxidative stress causes PLA₂-dependent long-term memory (LTM) failure in an aversive operant conditioning model in Lymnaea stagnalis. In the present study, we investigate the effects of experimentally induced oxidative stress and the role of elevated levels of circulating FFAs on LTM function using a non-aversive appetitive classical conditioning paradigm.

Results

We show that intracoelomic injection of exogenous PLA₂ or pro-oxidant induced PLA₂ activation negatively affects LTM performance in our learning paradigm. In addition, we show that experimental induction of oxidative stress causes significant temporal changes in circulating FFA levels. Importantly, the time of training coincides with the peak of this change in lipid metabolism. However, intracoelomic injection with exogenous arachidonic acid, one of the main FFAs released by PLA₂, does not affect LTM function. Moreover, sequestrating circulating FFAs with the aid of bovine serum albumin does not rescue pro-oxidant induced appetitive LTM failure.

Conclusions

Our data substantiates previous evidence linking lipid peroxidation and PLA₂ activation to age- and oxidative stress-related cognitive impairment, neuronal dysfunction and disease. In addition however, our data indicate that lipid peroxidation induced increased levels of circulating (per)oxidized FFAs are not a factor in oxidative stress induced LTM impairment.

TRPV1 in the central nervous system: synaptic plasticity, function, and pharmacological implications

The function of TRPV1 in the peripheral nervous system is increasingly being investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties in an effort to find a novel target to fight pain that is nonaddictive. However, in recent years, it was discovered that TRPV1 is also associated with a wide array of functions and behaviors in the central nervous system, such as fear, anxiety, stress, thermoregulation, pain, and, more recently, synaptic plasticity, the cellular mechanism that allows the brain to adapt to its environment. This suggests a new role for brain TRPV1 in areas such as learning and memory, reward and addiction, and development. This wide array of functional aspects of TRPV1 in the central nervous system (CNS) is in part due to its multimodal form of activation and highlights the potential pharmacological implications of TRPV1 in the brain. As humans also express a TRPV1 homologue, it is likely that animal research will be translational to humans and therefore worthy of exploration. This review outlines the basic expression patterns of TRPV1 in the CNS along with what is known regarding its signaling mechanisms and its role in the aforementioned brain functions. As TRPV1 involvement in synaptic plasticity has never been fully reviewed elsewhere, it will be a focus of this review. The chapter concludes with some of the potential pharmaceutical implications of further TRPV1 research.

Long-term potentiation in hippocampal oriens interneurons: postsynaptic induction, presynaptic expression and evaluation of candidate retrograde factors

Several types of hippocampal interneurons exhibit a form of long-term potentiation (LTP) that depends on Ca²⁺-permeable AMPA receptors and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors. Several sources of evidence point to a presynaptic locus of LTP maintenance. The retrograde factor that triggers the expression of LTP remains unidentified. Here, we show that trains of action potentials in putative oriens-lacunosum-moleculare interneurons of the mouse CA1 region can induce long-lasting potentiation of stimulus-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents that mimics LTP elicited by high-frequency afferent stimulation. We further report that blockers of nitric oxide production or TRPV1 receptors failed to prevent LTP induction. The present results add to the evidence that retrograde signalling underlies N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-independent LTP in oriens interneurons, mediated by an unidentified factor.

The 12-15-lipoxygenase is a modulator of Alzheimer's-related tau pathology in vivo

12/15-lipoxygenase (12-15LO) is a lipid-peroxidizing enzyme widely expressed in the central nervous system where it has been involved in the neurobiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) because it modulates amyloid beta (Aβ) and APP processing. However, its biological effect on tau protein is unknown. We investigated the effect of 12-15LO on tau levels and metabolism in vivo and in vitro and the mechanism involved by using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. While no significant differences were observed in the levels of total tau for both groups, compared with controls, Tg2576 mice overexpressing 12-15LO had elevated levels of phosphorylated tau at two specific epitopes, Ser 202/Thr 205 and Ser 396. In vitro and in vivo studies show that 12-15LO modulates tau metabolism specifically via the cdk5 kinase pathway. Associated with these changes were biochemical markers of synaptic pathology. Finally, 12-15LO-dependent alteration of tau metabolism was independent from an effect on Aβ. Our findings reveal a novel pathway by which 12-15LO modulates endogenous tau metabolism making this protein an appealing pharmacologic target for treatment of AD and related tauopathies.

Role of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors in the induction of long-term synaptic plasticity of vesicular release

While postsynaptic ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors have received the lions share of attention in studies of long-term activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, it is becoming clear that presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors play critical roles in both short-term and long-term plasticity of vesicular transmitter release, and that they act both at the level of voltage-dependent calcium channels and directly on proteins of the vesicular release machinery. Activation of G protein-coupled receptors can transiently inhibit vesicular release through the release of Gβγ which binds to both voltage-dependent calcium channels to reduce calcium influx, and directly to the C-terminus region of the SNARE protein SNAP-25. Our recent work has revealed that the binding of Gβγ to SNAP-25 is necessary, but not sufficient, to elicit long-term depression (LTD) of vesicular glutamate release, and that the concomitant release of Gα(i) and the second messenger nitric oxide are also necessary steps in the presynaptic LTD cascade. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of the molecular steps mediating short-term and long-term plasticity of vesicular release at glutamatergic synapses, and the many gaps that remain to be addressed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.

Identification of mRNA for endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes within hippocampal pyramidal cells and CA1 stratum radiatum interneuron subtypes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

The hippocampus is required for short-term memory and contains both excitatory pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons. These cells exhibit various forms of synaptic plasticity, the mechanism underlying learning and memory. More recently, endocannabinoids were identified to be involved in synaptic plasticity. Our goal was to describe the distribution of endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes within CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons and CA3/CA1 pyramidal cells. We extracted mRNA from single interneurons and pyramidal cells and used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the presence of 12-lipoxygenase, N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D, diacylglycerol lipase α, and type I metabotropic glutamate receptors, all known to be involved in endocannabinoid production and plasticity. We observed that the expression of endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzyme mRNA does occur within interneurons and that it is coexpressed with type I metabotropic glutamate receptors, suggesting interneurons have the potential to produce endocannabinoids. We also identified that CA3 and CA1 pyramidal cells express endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzyme mRNA. Our data provide the first molecular biological evidence for putative endocannabinoid production in interneurons, suggesting their potential ability to regulate endocannabinoid-mediated processes, such as synaptic plasticity.

Phospholipase A₂: the key to reversing long-term memory impairment in a gastropod model of aging

Memory failure associated with changes in neuronal circuit functions rather than cell death is a common feature of normal aging in diverse animal species. The (neuro)biological foundations of this phenomenon are not well understood although oxidative stress, particularly in the guise of lipid peroxidation, is suspected to play a key role. Using an invertebrate model system of age-associated memory impairment that supports direct correlation between behavioral deficits and changes in the underlying neural substrate, we show that inhibition of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) abolishes both long-term memory (LTM) and neural defects observed in senescent subjects and subjects exposed to experimental oxidative stress. Using a combination of behavioral assessments and electrophysiological techniques, we provide evidence for a close link between lipid peroxidation, provocation of phospholipase A(2)-dependent free fatty acid release, decline of neuronal excitability, and age-related long-term memory impairments. This supports the view that these processes suspend rather than irreversibly extinguish the aging nervous system's intrinsic capacity for plasticity.

Transcriptional regulation of β-secretase-1 by 12/15-lipoxygenase results in enhanced amyloidogenesis and cognitive impairments

OBJECTIVE

12/15-Lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) is an enzyme widely distributed in the central nervous system, and it has been involved in the neurobiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the mechanism involved remains elusive.

METHODS

We investigated the molecular mechanism by which 12/15-LO regulates amyloid β (Aβ)/Aβ precursor protein (APP) metabolism in vivo and in vitro by genetic and pharmacologic approaches.

RESULTS

Here we show that overexpression of 12/15-LO leads to increased levels of β-secretase-1 (BACE1) mRNA and protein, a significant elevation in Aβ levels and deposition, and a worsening of memory deficits in AD transgenic mice. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that 12/15-LO regulates BACE1 mRNA expression levels via the activation of the transcription factor Sp1. Thus, 12/15-LO-overexpressing mice had elevated levels of Sp1 and BACE1, whereas 12/15-LO-deficient mice had reduced levels of both. Preventing Sp1 activation by pharmacologic inhibition or dominant-negative mutant blocks the 12/15-LO-dependent elevation of Aβ and BACE1 levels.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings demonstrate a novel pathway by which 12/15-LO increases the amyloidogenic processing of APP through a Sp1-mediated transcriptional control of BACE1 levels that could have implications for AD pathogenesis and therapy.

Molecular changes associated with hippocampal long-lasting depression induced by the serine protease subtilisin-A

The serine protease subtilisin-A (SubA) induces a form of long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission in the rat hippocampus, and molecular changes associated with SubA-induced LTD (SubA-LTD) were explored by using recordings of evoked postsynaptic potentials and immunoblotting. SubA-LTD was prevented by a selective inhibitor of SubA proteolysis, but the same inhibitor did not affect LTD induced by electrical stimulation or activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. SubA-LTD was reduced by the protein kinase inhibitors genistein and lavendustin A, although not by inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, glycogen synthase kinase-3, or protein phosphatases. It was also reduced by (RS)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine, a broad-spectrum antagonist at metabotropic glutamate receptors. Inhibition of the Rho kinase enzyme Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase reduced SubA-LTD, although inhibitors of the RhoGTPase-activating enzymes farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase did not. In addition, a late phase of SubA-LTD was dependent on new protein synthesis. There was a small, non-significant difference in SubA-LTD between wild-type and RhoB(-/-) mice. Marked decreases were seen in the levels of Unc-5H3, a protein that is intimately involved in the development and plasticity of glutamatergic synapses. Smaller changes were noted, at higher concentrations of SubA, in Unc-5H1, vesicle-associated membrane protein-1 (synaptobrevin), and actin, with no changes in the levels of synaptophysin, synaptotagmin, RhoA, or RhoB. None of these changes was associated with LTD induced electrically or by the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine. These results indicate that SubA induces molecular changes that overlap with other forms of LTD, but that the overall molecular profile of SubA-LTD is quite different.

The flavonoid baicalein promotes NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation and enhances memory

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is growing interest in the physiological functions of flavonoids, especially in their effects on cognitive function and on neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the role of the flavonoid baicalein in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region and cognitive behavioural performance.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Effects of baicalein on LTP in rat hippocampal slices were investigated by electrophysiological methods. Phosphorylation of Akt (at Ser(473)), the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) (at Ser(133)) were analysed by Western blot. Fear conditioning was used to determine whether baicalein could improve learning and memory in rats.

KEY RESULTS

Baicalein enhanced the N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor-dependent LTP in a bell-shaped concentration-dependent manner. Addition of the lipoxygenase metabolites 12(S)-HETE and 12(S)-HPETE did not reverse these effects of baicalein. Baicalein treatment enhanced phosphorylation of Akt during induction of LTP with the same bell-shaped dose-response curve. LTP potentiation induced by baicalein was blocked by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. CREB phosphorylation was also increased in the CA1 region of baicalein-treated slices. Baicalein-treated rats performed significantly better than controls in a hippocampus-dependent contextual fear conditioning task. Furthermore, baicalein treatment selectively increased the phosphorylation of Akt and CREB in the CA1 region of hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex, after fear conditioning training.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our results demonstrate that the flavonoid baicalein can facilitate memory, and therefore it might be useful in the treatment of patients with memory disorders.

Distinct mechanisms contribute to agonist and synaptically induced metabotropic glutamate receptor long-term depression

Metabotropic glutamate receptor mediated long-term depression (mGlu receptor LTD) is evoked in hippocampal area CA1 chemically by the agonist 3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG, agonist LTD) and synaptically by paired-pulse low frequency stimulation (PP-LFS, synaptic LTD). We tested the hypothesis that different expression mechanisms regulate mGlu receptor LTD in 15-21 day old rats through neurophysiologic recordings in CA1. Several findings, in fact, suggest that agonist and synaptic mGlu receptor LTD are expressed through different mechanisms. First, neither LTD occluded the other. Second, a low calcium solution enhanced agonist LTD but did not alter synaptic LTD. Third, application of the mGlu receptor antagonist LY341495 (2S-2-amino-2-(1S,2S-2-carboxycyclopropyl-1-yl)-3-(xanth-9-yl)propanoic acid) reversed agonist LTD expression, but did not alter synaptic LTD. Finally, an N-type, voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist, ω-conotoxin GVIA (CTX), reduced agonist LTD expression by 35%, but did not alter synaptic LTD. CTX also blocked the increase in the paired-pulse ratio associated with agonist LTD. This study cautions against assuming that agonist and synaptic LTD are equivalent as several components underlying their expression appear to differ. Moreover, the data suggest that agonist LTD, but not synaptic LTD, has a presynaptic, N-channel mediated component.

Long-term depression in the CNS

Long-term depression (LTD) in the CNS has been the subject of intense investigation as a process that may be involved in learning and memory and in various pathological conditions. Several mechanistically distinct forms of this type of synaptic plasticity have been identified and their molecular mechanisms are starting to be unravelled. Most studies have focused on forms of LTD that are triggered by synaptic activation of either NMDARs (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors) or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Converging evidence supports a crucial role of LTD in some types of learning and memory and in situations in which cognitive demands require a flexible response. In addition, LTD may underlie the cognitive effects of acute stress, the addictive potential of some drugs of abuse and the elimination of synapses in neurodegenerative diseases.

Short- and long-term depression at glutamatergic synapses on hippocampal interneurons by group I mGluR activation

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are expressed by many interneurons of the hippocampus. Although they have been implicated in short- and long-term synaptic plasticity of glutamatergic transmission, their roles in modulating transmission to interneurons are incompletely understood. The selective group I mGluR agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) acutely depressed transmission at synapses in the feed-forward inhibitory pathway made by Schaffer collaterals on interneurons in the rat hippocampal CA1 sub-field. DHPG elicited a qualitatively similar depression at synapses made by pyramidal neuron axon collaterals on interneurons in the feedback circuit in stratum oriens. Selective blockers revealed a link from mGluR1 to reversible, and mGluR5 to long-lasting, depression. The acute DHPG-induced depression was consistently accompanied by an elevation in paired-pulse ratio, implying a presynaptic decrease in release probability. However, it was also attenuated by blocking G-protein and Ca(2+) signalling within the postsynaptic neuron, arguing for a retrograde signalling cascade. The DHPG-evoked depression was unaffected by antagonists of CB1 and GABA(B) receptors but was occluded when presynaptic P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels were blocked. Finally, high-frequency stimulation delivered to an independent conditioning pathway evoked a heterosynaptic reversible depression, which was sensitive to group I mGluR antagonists. Group I mGluRs thus powerfully modulate synaptic excitation of hippocampal interneurons and mediate inter-synaptic cross-talk. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Synaptic Plasticity & Interneurons'.

A presynaptic role for FMRP during protein synthesis-dependent long-term plasticity in Aplysia

Loss of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is associated with presumed postsynaptic deficits in mouse models of Fragile X syndrome. However, the possible presynaptic roles of FMRP in learning-related plasticity have received little attention. As a result, the mechanisms whereby FMRP influences synaptic function remain poorly understood. To investigate the cellular locus of the effects of FMRP on synaptic plasticity, we cloned the Aplysia homolog of FMRP and find it to be highly expressed in neurons. By selectively down-regulating FMRP in individual Aplysia neurons at the sensory-to-motor neuron synapse reconstituted in co-cultures, we demonstrate that FMRP functions both pre- and postsynaptically to constrain the expression of long-term synaptic depression induced by repeated pulses of FMRF-amide. In contrast, FMRP has little to no effect on long-term synaptic facilitation induced by repeated pulses of serotonin. Since other components of signaling pathways involved in plasticity appear to be conserved between Aplysia and mammalian neurons, our findings suggest that FMRP can participate in both pre- and postsynaptic regulation of enduring synaptic plasticity that underlies the storage of certain types of long-term memory.

DGKι regulates presynaptic release during mGluR-dependent LTD

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is an important lipid second messenger. DAG signalling is terminated by conversion of DAG to phosphatidic acid (PA) by diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs). The neuronal synapse is a major site of DAG production and action; however, how DGKs are targeted to subcellular sites of DAG generation is largely unknown. We report here that postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 family proteins interact with and promote synaptic localization of DGKι. In addition, we establish that DGKι acts presynaptically, a function that contrasts with the known postsynaptic function of DGKζ, a close relative of DGKι. Deficiency of DGKι in mice does not affect dendritic spines, but leads to a small increase in presynaptic release probability. In addition, DGKι-/- synapses show a reduction in metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) at neonatal (∼2 weeks) stages that involve suppression of a decrease in presynaptic release probability. Inhibition of protein kinase C normalizes presynaptic release probability and mGluR-LTD at DGKι-/- synapses. These results suggest that DGKι requires PSD-95 family proteins for synaptic localization and regulates presynaptic DAG signalling and neurotransmitter release during mGluR-LTD.

Developmental regulation of protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) function in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate the majority of fast excitatory neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system. Modulation of AMPAR trafficking supports several forms of synaptic plasticity thought to underlie learning and memory. Protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) is an AMPAR-binding protein shown to regulate both AMPAR trafficking and synaptic plasticity at many distinct synapses. However, studies examining the requirement for PICK1 in maintaining basal synaptic transmission and regulating synaptic plasticity at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-cornu ammonis 1 (SC-CA1) synapses have produced conflicting results. In addition, the effect of PICK1 manipulation on learning and memory has not been investigated. In the present study we analyzed the effect of genetic deletion of PICK1 on basal synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity at hippocampal Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in adult and juvenile mice. Surprisingly, we find that loss of PICK1 has no significant effect on synaptic plasticity in juvenile mice but impairs some forms of long-term potentiation and multiple distinct forms of long-term depression in adult mice. Moreover, inhibitory avoidance learning is impaired only in adult KO mice. These results suggest that PICK1 is selectively required for hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning in adult rodents.

Amelioration of the Alzheimer's disease phenotype by absence of 12/15-lipoxygenase

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder whose initiating events are not known. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress and inflammation play a role in its pathogenesis. 12/15 Lipoxygenase (12/15LO) by oxidizing polyunsaturated fatty acids forms hydroperoxyacids, which are potent pro-oxidants and inflammatory mediators. Previously, we reported that this metabolic pathway is increased in AD.

METHODS

Here we explore the effect of genetic deletion of 12/15LO on the AD-like phenotype of the tg2576 transgenic mice.

RESULTS

Genetic absence of this enzyme results in a significant reduction in amyloid-β (Aβ) production and deposition and an improvement of cognitive deficits. In vivo and in vitro studies show that the effect of this enzymatic pathway on amyloidosis is mediated by modulation of Aβ precursor protein processing via the β secretase (BACE) proteolytic cascade, which ultimately results in altered formation of Aβ peptides.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the novel hypothesis that blockade of 12/15LO in the central nervous system by modulating BACE proteolytic pathway could be an effective therapy for prevention or treatment of AD.

A novel non-CB1/TRPV1 endocannabinoid-mediated mechanism depresses excitatory synapses on hippocampal CA1 interneurons

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) mediate various forms of synaptic plasticity at excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the brain. The eCB anandamide binds to several receptors including the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). We recently identified that TRPV1 is required for long-term depression at excitatory synapses on CA1 hippocampal stratum radiatum interneurons. Here we performed whole-cell patch clamp recordings from CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons in rat brain slices to investigate the effect of the eCB anandamide on excitatory synapses as well as the involvement of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which have been reported to produce eCBs endogenously. Application of the nonhydrolysable anandamide analog R-methanandamide depressed excitatory transmission to CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons by ∼50%. The Group I mGluR agonist DHPG also depressed excitatory glutamatergic transmission onto interneurons to a similar degree, and this depression was blocked by the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP (10 μM) but not by the mGluR1 antagonist CPCCOEt (50 μM). Interestingly, however, neither DHPG-mediated nor R-methanandamide-mediated depression was blocked by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (10 μM), the CB1 antagonist AM-251 (2 μM) or a combination of both, suggesting the presence of a novel eCB receptor or anandamide target at excitatory hippocampal synapses. DHPG also occluded R-methanandamide depression, suggesting the possibility that the two drugs elicit synaptic depression via a shared signaling mechanism. Collectively, this study illustrates a novel CB1/TRPV1-independent eCB pathway present in the hippocampus that mediates depression at excitatory synapses on CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons.

Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates actin cytoskeleton via Tiam1-Rac1 cascade during spine formation

The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway has essential roles in several processes during development of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). Here, we report that Shh regulates dendritic spine formation in hippocampal pyramidal neurons via a novel pathway that directly regulates the actin cytoskeleton. Shh signaling molecules Patched (Ptc) and Smoothened (Smo) are expressed in several types of postmitotic neurons, including cerebellar Purkinje cells and hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Knockdown of Smo induces dendritic spine formation in cultured hippocampal neurons independently of Gli-mediated transcriptional activity. Smo interacts with Tiam1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1, via its cytoplasmic C-terminal region. Inhibition of Tiam1 or Rac1 activity suppresses spine induction by Smo knockdown. Shh induces remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton independently of transcriptional activation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These findings demonstrate a novel Shh pathway that regulates the actin cytoskeleton via Tiam1-Rac1 activation.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated long-term depression: molecular mechanisms

The ability to modify synaptic transmission between neurons is a fundamental process of the nervous system that is involved in development, learning, and disease. Thus, synaptic plasticity is the ability to bidirectionally modify transmission, where long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTD) represent the best characterized forms of plasticity. In the hippocampus, two main forms of LTD coexist that are mediated by activation of either N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors (NMDARs) or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Compared with NMDAR-LTD, mGluR-LTD is less well understood, but recent advances have started to delineate the underlying mechanisms. mGluR-LTD at CA3:CA1 synapses in the hippocampus can be induced either by synaptic stimulation or by bath application of the group I selective agonist (R,S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine. Multiple signaling mechanisms have been implicated in mGluR-LTD, illustrating the complexity of this form of plasticity. This review provides an overview of recent studies investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying hippocampal mGluR-LTD. It highlights the role of key molecular components and signaling pathways that are involved in the induction and expression of mGluR-LTD and considers how the different signaling pathways may work together to elicit a persistent reduction in synaptic transmission.

Hot flash: TRPV channels in the brain

TRPV1 (transient receptor potential, vanilloid) channels belong to a family of ligand-gated ion channels gated not only by the binding of certain lipophilic molecules but also by extracellular protons and physical stimuli such as heat or osmotic pressure changes. These nonselective cation channels are permeable to Na(+) and K(+) and are also very Ca(2+) permeable; in fact, TRPV1 is as Ca(2+) permeable as the NMDA receptor channel and can, thus, act as a trigger for Ca(2+)-mediated cell signaling. Although these channels are highly expressed in primary sensory afferents, accumulating evidence indicates that TRPV family channels are also present in the brain. Here, we review evidence that TRPV channels in the central nervous system might contribute to many basic neuronal functions including resting membrane potential, neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity.

Synapse formation is enhanced by oral administration of uridine and DHA, the circulating precursors of brain phosphatides

OBJECTIVE

The loss of cortical and hippocampal synapses is a universal hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and probably underlies its effects on cognition. Synapses are formed from the interaction of neurites projecting from "presynaptic" neurons with dendritic spines projecting from "postsynaptic" neurons. Both of these structures are vulnerable to the toxic effects of nearby amyloid plaques, and their loss contributes to the decreased number of synapses that characterize the disease. A treatment that increased the formation of neurites and dendritic spines might reverse this loss, thereby increasing the number of synapses and slowing the decline in cognition.

DESIGN SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTION, MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

We observe that giving normal rodents uridine and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) orally can enhance dendritic spine levels (3), and cognitive functions (32). Moreover this treatment also increases levels of biochemical markers for neurites (i.e., neurofilament-M and neurofilament-70) (2) in vivo, and uridine alone increases both these markers and the outgrowth of visible neurites by cultured PC-12 cells (9). A phase 2 clinical trial, performed in Europe, is described briefly.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Uridine and DHA are circulating precursors for the phosphatides in synaptic membranes, and act in part by increasing the substrate-saturation of enzymes that synthesize phosphatidylcholine from CTP (formed from the uridine, via UTP) and from diacylglycerol species that contain DHA: the enzymes have poor affinities for these substrates, and thus are unsaturated with them, and only partially active, under basal conditions. The enhancement by uridine of neurite outgrowth is also mediated in part by UTP serving as a ligand for neuronal P2Y receptors. Moreover administration of uridine with DHA activates many brain genes, among them the gene for the m-1 metabotropic glutamate receptor [Cansev, et al, submitted]. This activation, in turn, increases brain levels of that gene's protein product and of such other synaptic proteins as PSD-95, synapsin-1, syntaxin-3 and F-actin, but not levels of non-synaptic brain proteins like beta-tubulin. Hence it is possible that giving uridine plus DHA triggers a neuronal program that, by accelerating phosphatide and synaptic protein synthesis, controls synaptogenesis. If administering this mix of phosphatide precursors also increases synaptic elements in brains of patients with Alzheimer 's disease, as it does in normal rodents, then this treatment may ameliorate some of the manifestations of the disease.

The XLMR gene ACSL4 plays a role in dendritic spine architecture

ACSL4 is a gene involved in non-syndromic X-linked mental retardation. It encodes for a ubiquitous protein that adds coenzyme A to long-chain fatty acids, with a high substrate preference for arachidonic acid. It presents also a brain-specific isoform deriving from an alternative splicing and containing 41 additional N-terminal amino acids. To start to unravelling the link between ACSL4 and mental retardation, we have performed molecular and cell biological studies. By retro-transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses we identified a new transcript with a shorter 5'-UTR region. By immunofluorescence microscopy in embryonic rat hippocampal neurons we report that ACSL4 is associated preferentially to endoplasmic reticulum tubules. ACSL4 knockdown by siRNAs in hippocampal neurons indicated that this protein is largely dispensable for these cells' gross architectural features (i.e. axonal and dendritic formation and final length) yet it is required for the presence of normal spines. In fact, reduced levels of ACSL4 led to a significant reduction in dendritic spine density and an alteration in spine/filopodia distribution. The possible mechanisms behind this phenotype are discussed.

Tyrosine dephosphorylation regulates AMPAR internalisation in mGluR-LTD

Long-term depression (LTD) can be induced at hippocampal CA1 synapses by activation of either NMDA receptors (NMDARs) or group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), using their selective agonists NMDA and (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), respectively. Recent studies revealed that DHPG-LTD is dependent on activation of postsynaptic protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), which transiently dephosphorylate tyrosine residues in AMPA receptors (AMPARs). Here we show that while both endogenous GluR2 and GluR3 AMPAR subunits are tyrosine phosphorylated at basal activity, only GluR2 is dephosphorylated in DHPG-LTD. The tyrosine dephosphorylation of GluR2 does not occur in NMDA-LTD. Conversely, while NMDA-LTD is associated with the dephosphorylation of GluR1-serine-845, DHPG-LTD does not alter the phosphorylation of this site. The increased AMPAR endocytosis in DHPG-LTD is PTP-dependent and involves tyrosine dephosphorylation of cell surface AMPARs. Together, these results indicate that the subunit selective tyrosine dephosphorylation of surface GluR2 regulates AMPAR internalisation in DHPG-LTD but not in NMDA-LTD in the hippocampus.

Modulation of lipid and protein mediators of inflammation by cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha during experimental sepsis

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) is one of the key enzymes in lipid mediator generation. It preferentially hydrolyzes arachidonoyl-phospholipid in response to cellular stimuli, liberating arachidonic acid, the shared precursor of PGs and leukotrienes. Mice with disruption of the cPLA(2)alpha gene exhibit a more than 80% decrease in the generation of these lipid mediators, leading to dramatic phenotypes in various models of inflammatory and allergic disease. In this study, we use the cecal ligation and puncture model of sepsis along with multiplex quantitation systems to explore interactions between eicosanoids and protein mediators. cPLA(2)alpha-deficient mice exhibited significantly less weight loss accompanied by decreased generation of PGs, leukotriene B(4), IL-6, and CCL2. Despite these differences, genetic ablation of cPLA(2)alpha did not provide any survival advantage. Unexpectedly, abundant production of 12-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid, another arachidonic acid-derived lipid mediator, was found to be unaffected by disruption of the cPLA(2)alpha gene. Eicosanoid production preceded the production of cytokines. Eicosanoid modulation of IL-6 and CCL2 expression was suggested by scattergram analyses. These results provide in vivo evidence for the rapid generation of eicosanoids, regulatory role(s) for cPLA(2)alpha-derived lipid mediators on protein mediator production, and the existence of a robust cPLA(2)alpha-independent pathway(s) of eicosanoid generation.

Cytosolic PLA2(alpha) activation in Purkinje neurons and its role in AMPA-receptor trafficking

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) selectively releases arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids and has been proposed to be involved in the induction of long-term depression (LTD), a form of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum. This enzyme requires two events for its full activation: Ca(2+)-dependent translocation from the cytosol to organelle membranes in order to access phospholipids as substrates, and phosphorylation by several kinases. However, the subcellular distribution and activation of cPLA(2)alpha in Purkinje cells and the role of arachidonic acid in cerebellar LTD have not been fully elucidated. In cultured Purkinje cells, stimulation of AMPA receptors, but not metabotropic glutamate receptors, triggered translocation of cPLA(2)alpha to the somatic and dendritic Golgi compartments. This translocation required Ca(2+) influx through P-type Ca(2+) channels. AMPA plus PMA, a chemical method for inducing LTD, released arachidonic acid via phosphorylation of cPLA(2)alpha. AMPA plus PMA induced a decrease in surface GluR2 for more than 2 hours. Interestingly, this reduction was occluded by a cPLA(2)alpha-specific inhibitor. Furthermore, PMA plus arachidonic acid caused the prolonged internalization of GluR2 without activating AMPA receptors. These results suggest that cPLA(2)alpha regulates the persistent decrease in the expression of AMPA receptors, underscoring the role of cPLA(2)alpha in cerebellar LTD.

Ceramide elevates 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels and upregulates 12-lipoxygenase in rat primary hippocampal cell cultures containing predominantly astrocytes

We report, exogenous addition of ceramide significantly increases 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12-(S)-HETE] levels, in a dose-dependent manner. 12-(S)-HETE levels, in 20, 30 and 40microM ceramide exposed rat primary hippocampal cell cultures containing predominantly astrocytes and few neurons and other glial cells (the cultured hippocampal cells were predominantly astrocytes amounting to over 99% of total cells with few neurons and other glial cells) amounted to 207, 260 and 408% of the controls, respectively. However, dihydroceramide, an inactive analog of ceramide did not alter the levels of 12-(S)-HETE. Ceramide also increased the mRNA and protein expression, and activity of 12-lipoxygease (12-LOX) needed for the synthesis of 12(S)-HETE. These results indicate a possible link between ceramide and 12-LOX pathway. However, ceramide did not alter expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), another member of the lipoxygenase family. However, ceramide upregulated expression of cytosolic phospholipase-A(2) (cPLA(2)) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Further, ceramide caused a significant increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ceramide-mediated generation of ROS was inhibited by baicalien but not by indomethacin. In addition, ceramide treated cells exhibited increased mRNA expression of DNA damage induced transcript3 (Ddit3). This report which demonstrate induction of pro-carcinogenic 12-LOX pathway by an anticancer ceramide, may be relevant to cancer biologists studying drug resistant tumors and devising potent anticancer therapeutic strategies to treat drug resistant tumors. These results indicate possibility of 12-LOX involvement in ceramide-mediated generation of ROS and cellular oxidative stress. Induction of 12-LOX pathway by ceramide may have implications in understanding pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases involving ROS generation and inflammation.

Arachidonic acid and ion channels: an update

Arachidonic acid (AA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid with four double bonds, has multiple actions on living cells. Many of these effects are mediated by an action of AA or its metabolites on ion channels. During the last 10 years, new types of ion channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) channels and non-SOCE channels have been studied. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the effects of AA on TRP and non-SOCE channels as well as classical ion channels. It aims to distinguish between effects of AA itself and effects of AA metabolites. Lipid mediators are of clinical interest because some of them (for example, leukotrienes) play a role in various diseases, others (such as prostaglandins) are targets for pharmacological therapeutic intervention.

Expression of E-FABP in PC12 cells increases neurite extension during differentiation: involvement of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids

Epidermal fatty acid-binding protein (E-FABP), a member of the family of FABPs, exhibits a robust expression in neurons during axonal growth in development and in nerve regeneration following nerve injury. This study examines the impact of E-FABP expression in normal neurite extension in differentiating pheochromocytoma cell (PC12) cultures supplemented with selected long chain free fatty acids (LCFFA). We found that E-FABP binds to a broad range of saturated and unsaturated LCFFAs, including those with potential interest for neuronal differentiation and axonal growth such as C22:6n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and C20:4n-6 arachidonic acid (ARA). PC12 cells exposed to nerve growth factor (NGFDPC12) exhibit high E-FABP expression that is blocked by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126. Nerve growth factor-differentiated pheochromocytoma cells (NGFDPC12) antisense clones (NGFDPC12-AS) which exhibit low E-FABP expression have fewer/shorter neurites than cells transfected with vector only or NGFDPC12 sense cells (NGFDPC12-S). Replenishing NGFDPC12-AS cells with biotinylated recombinant E-FABP (biotin-E-FABP) protein restores normal neurite outgrowth. Cellular localization of biotin-E-FABP in NGFDPC12 was detected mostly in the cytoplasm and in the nuclear region. Treatment of NGFDPC12 with DHA, EPA, or ARA further enhances neurite length but it does not trigger further induction of TrkA or MEK phosphorylation or E-FABP mRNA observed in differentiating PC12 cells without LCFFA supplementation. Significantly, DHA and EPA neurite stimulating effects are higher in NGFDPC12-S than in NGFDPC12-AS cells. These findings are consistent with the scenario that neurite extension of differentiating PC12 cells, including further stimulation by DHA and EPA, requires sufficient cellular levels of E-FABP.