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Wei Y, Yu Z, Wang L, Li X, Li N, Bai Q, Wang Y, Li R, Meng Y, Xu H, Wang X, Dong Y, Huang Z, Zhang XC, Zhao Y. Structural bases of inhibitory mechanism of Ca V1.2 channel inhibitors. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2772. [PMID: 38555290 PMCID: PMC10981686 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47116-8] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The voltage-gated calcium channel CaV1.2 is essential for cardiac and vessel smooth muscle contractility and brain function. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that malfunctions of CaV1.2 are involved in brain and heart diseases. Pharmacological inhibition of CaV1.2 is therefore of therapeutic value. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of CaV1.2 in the absence or presence of the antirheumatic drug tetrandrine or antihypertensive drug benidipine. Tetrandrine acts as a pore blocker in a pocket composed of S6II, S6III, and S6IV helices and forms extensive hydrophobic interactions with CaV1.2. Our structure elucidates that benidipine is located in the DIII-DIV fenestration site. Its hydrophobic sidechain, phenylpiperidine, is positioned at the exterior of the pore domain and cradled within a hydrophobic pocket formed by S5DIII, S6DIII, and S6DIV helices, providing additional interactions to exert inhibitory effects on both L-type and T-type voltage gated calcium channels. These findings provide the structural foundation for the rational design and optimization of therapeutic inhibitors of voltage-gated calcium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhuoya Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lili Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Na Li
- Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Qinru Bai
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuhang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Renjie Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yufei Meng
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Xianping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanli Dong
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhuo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Xuejun Cai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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2
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Mackiewicz J, Lisek M, Boczek T. Targeting CaN/NFAT in Alzheimer's brain degeneration. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1281882. [PMID: 38077352 PMCID: PMC10701682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. While the exact causes of this debilitating disorder remain elusive, numerous investigations have characterized its two core pathologies: the presence of β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Additionally, multiple studies of postmortem brain tissue, as well as results from AD preclinical models, have consistently demonstrated the presence of a sustained inflammatory response. As the persistent immune response is associated with neurodegeneration, it became clear that it may also exacerbate other AD pathologies, providing a link between the initial deposition of β-amyloid plaques and the later development of neurofibrillary tangles. Initially discovered in T cells, the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is one of the main transcription factors driving the expression of inflammatory genes and thus regulating immune responses. NFAT-dependent production of inflammatory mediators is controlled by Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which dephosphorylates NFAT and promotes its transcriptional activity. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that aberrant CaN/NFAT signaling is linked to several pathologies observed in AD, including neuronal apoptosis, synaptic deficits, and glia activation. In view of this, the role of NFAT isoforms in AD has been linked to disease progression at different stages, some of which are paralleled to diminished cognitive status. The use of classical inhibitors of CaN/NFAT signaling, such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine, or adeno-associated viruses to specifically inhibit astrocytic NFAT activation, has alleviated some symptoms of AD by diminishing β-amyloid neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. In this article, we discuss the recent findings related to the contribution of CaN/NFAT signaling to the progression of AD and highlight the possible benefits of targeting this pathway in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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3
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Medina E, Peterson S, Ford K, Singletary K, Peixoto L. Critical periods and Autism Spectrum Disorders, a role for sleep. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2023; 14:100088. [PMID: 36632570 PMCID: PMC9826922 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2022.100088] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain development relies on both experience and genetically defined programs. Time windows where certain brain circuits are particularly receptive to external stimuli, resulting in heightened plasticity, are referred to as "critical periods". Sleep is thought to be essential for normal brain development. Importantly, studies have shown that sleep enhances critical period plasticity and promotes experience-dependent synaptic pruning in the developing mammalian brain. Therefore, normal plasticity during critical periods depends on sleep. Problems falling and staying asleep occur at a higher rate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) relative to typical development. In this review, we explore the potential link between sleep, critical period plasticity, and ASD. First, we review the importance of critical period plasticity in typical development and the role of sleep in this process. Next, we summarize the evidence linking ASD with deficits in synaptic plasticity in rodent models of high-confidence ASD gene candidates. We then show that the high-confidence rodent models of ASD that show sleep deficits also display plasticity deficits. Given how important sleep is for critical period plasticity, it is essential to understand the connections between synaptic plasticity, sleep, and brain development in ASD. However, studies investigating sleep or plasticity during critical periods in ASD mouse models are lacking. Therefore, we highlight an urgent need to consider developmental trajectory in studies of sleep and plasticity in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Medina
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Sarah Peterson
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Ford
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Kristan Singletary
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Lucia Peixoto
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
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4
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Klomp AJ, Plumb A, Mehr JB, Madencioglu DA, Wen H, Williams AJ. Neuronal deletion of Ca V1.2 is associated with sex-specific behavioral phenotypes in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22152. [PMID: 36550186 PMCID: PMC9780340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26504-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene CACNA1C, which encodes the pore forming subunit of the L-type calcium channel CaV1.2, is associated with increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, major depression, and bipolar disorder. Previous rodent work identified that loss or reduction of CaV1.2 results in cognitive, affective, and motor deficits. Most previous work has either included non-neuronal cell populations (haploinsufficient and Nestin-Cre) or investigated a discrete neuronal cell population (e.g. CaMKII-Cre, Drd1-Cre), but few studies have examined the effects of more broad neuron-specific deletion of CaV1.2. Additionally, most of these studies did not evaluate for sex-specific effects or used only male animals. Here, we sought to clarify whether there are sex-specific behavioral consequences of neuron-specific deletion of CaV1.2 (neuronal CaV1.2 cKO) using Syn1-Cre-mediated conditional deletion. We found that neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice have normal baseline locomotor function but female cKO mice display impaired motor performance learning. Male neuronal CaV1.2 cKO display impaired startle response with intact pre-pulse inhibition. Male neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice did not display normal social preference, whereas female neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice did. Neuronal CaV1.2 cKO mice displayed impaired associative learning in both sexes, as well as normal anxiety-like behavior and hedonic capacity. We conclude that deletion of neuronal CaV1.2 alters motor performance, acoustic startle reflex, and social behaviors in a sex-specific manner, while associative learning deficits generalize across sexes. Our data provide evidence for both sex-specific and sex-independent phenotypes related to neuronal expression of CaV1.2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette J Klomp
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ashley Plumb
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jacqueline B Mehr
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Deniz A Madencioglu
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Hsiang Wen
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Aislinn J Williams
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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5
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Sanderson JL, Freund RK, Castano AM, Benke TA, Dell'Acqua ML. The Ca V1.2 G406R mutation decreases synaptic inhibition and alters L-type Ca 2+ channel-dependent LTP at hippocampal synapses in a mouse model of Timothy Syndrome. Neuropharmacology 2022; 220:109271. [PMID: 36162529 PMCID: PMC9644825 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic alterations in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently disrupt balance between synaptic excitation and inhibition and alter plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region. Individuals with Timothy Syndrome (TS), a genetic disorder caused by CaV1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) gain-of function mutations, such as G406R, exhibit social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments characteristic of ASD that are phenocopied in TS2-neo mice expressing G406R. Here, we characterized hippocampal CA1 synaptic function in male TS2-neo mice and found basal excitatory transmission was slightly increased and inhibitory transmission strongly decreased. We also found distinct impacts on two LTCC-dependent forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) synaptic plasticity that were not readily consistent with LTCC gain-of-function. LTP induced by high-frequency stimulation (HFS) was strongly impaired in TS2-neo mice, suggesting decreased LTCC function. Yet, CaV1.2 expression, basal phosphorylation, and current density were similar for WT and TS2-neo. However, this HFS-LTP also required GABAA receptor activity, and thus may be impaired in TS2-neo due to decreased inhibitory transmission. In contrast, LTP induced in WT mice by prolonged theta-train (PTT) stimulation in the presence of a β-adrenergic receptor agonist to increase CaV1.2 phosphorylation was partially induced in TS2-neo mice by PTT stimulation alone, consistent with increased LTCC function. Overall, our findings provide insights regarding how altered CaV1.2 channel function disrupts basal transmission and plasticity that could be relevant for neurobehavioral alterations in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Sanderson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8303, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Ronald K Freund
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8303, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Anna M Castano
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8303, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8303, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8303, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Mark L Dell'Acqua
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave, Mail Stop 8303, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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6
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Li Y, Chen W, Deng H, Li T, Liu Z, Liu X, Zhang Z, Chen X, Sheng J, Li K. TGF-β1 Protects Trauma-injured Murine Cortical Neurons by Upregulating L-type Calcium Channel Ca v1.2 via the p38 Pathway. Neuroscience 2022; 492:47-57. [PMID: 35460836 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability and death in adolescents, and there is a lack of effective methods of treatment. The neuroprotective effects exerted by TGF-β1 can ameliorate a range of neuronal lesions in multiple central nervous system diseases. In this study, we used an in-vitro TBI model of mechanical injury on murine primary cortical neurons and the neuro-2a cell line to investigate the neuroprotective role played by TGF-β1 in cortical neurons in TBI. Our results showed that TGF-β1 significantly increased neuronal viability and inhibited apoptosis for 24 h after trauma. The expression of Cav1.2, an L-type calcium channel (LTCC) isoform, decreased significantly after trauma injury, and this change was reversed by TGF-β1. Nimodipine, a classic LTCC blocker, abolished the protective effect of TGF-β1 on trauma-induced neuronal apoptosis. The knockdown of Cav1.2 in differentiated neuro-2a cells significantly inhibited the anti-apoptosis effect of TGF-β1 exerted on injured neuro-2a cells. Moreover, TGF-β1 rescued and enhanced the trauma-suppressed neuro-2a intracellular Ca2+ concentration, while the effect of TGF-β1 was partially inhibited by nimodipine. TGF-β1 significantly upregulated the expression of Cav1.2 by activating the p38 MAPK pathway and by inhibiting trauma-induced neuronal apoptosis. In conclusion, TGF-β1 increased trauma-injured murine cortical neuronal activity and inhibited apoptosis by upregulating Cav1.2 channels via activating the p38 MAPK pathway. Therefore, the TGF-β1/p38 MAPK/Cav 1.2 pathway has the potential to be used as a novel therapeutic target for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlei Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huixiong Deng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zhenning Liu
- Department of Laboratory, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, China
| | - Xueer Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zelin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jiangtao Sheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Kangsheng Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
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Navakkode S, Zhai J, Wong YP, Li G, Soong TW. Enhanced long-term potentiation and impaired learning in mice lacking alternative exon 33 of Ca V1.2 calcium channel. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:1. [PMID: 35013113 PMCID: PMC8748671 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01683-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The CACNA1C (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha 1 C) gene that encodes the CaV1.2 channel is a prominent risk gene for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders with cognitive and social impairments like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). We have shown previously that mice with exon 33 deleted from CaV1.2 channel (CaV1.2-exon 33-/-) displayed increased CaV1.2 current density and single channel open probability in cardiomyocytes, and were prone to develop arrhythmia. As Ca2+ entry through CaV1.2 channels activates gene transcription in response to synaptic activity, we were intrigued to explore the possible role of Cav1.2Δ33 channels in synaptic plasticity and behaviour. Homozygous deletion of alternative exon 33 resulted in enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP), and lack of long- term depression (LTD), which did not correlate with enhanced learning. Exon 33 deletion also led to a decrease in social dominance, sociability and social novelty. Our findings shed light on the effect of gain-of-function of CaV1.2Δ33 signalling on synaptic plasticity and behaviour and provides evidence for a link between CaV1.2 and distinct cognitive and social behaviours associated with phenotypic features of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheeja Navakkode
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.59025.3b0000 0001 2224 0361Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Zhai
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuk Peng Wong
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Guang Li
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Present Address: Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan China
| | - Tuck Wah Soong
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Healthy Longevity Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Late-Onset Behavioral and Synaptic Consequences of L-Type Ca 2+ Channel Activation in the Basolateral Amygdala of Developing Rats. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0282-21.2022. [PMID: 35064022 PMCID: PMC8868026 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0282-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Postnatal CNS development is fine-tuned to drive the functional needs of succeeding life stages; accordingly, the emergence of sensory and motor functions, behavioral patterns and cognitive abilities relies on a complex interplay of signaling pathways. Strictly regulated Ca2+ signaling mediated by L-type channels (LTCCs) is crucial in neural circuit development and aberrant increases in neuronal LTCC activity are linked to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In the amygdala, a brain region that integrates signals associated with aversive and rewarding stimuli, LTCCs contribute to NMDA-independent long-term potentiation (LTP) and are required for the consolidation and extinction of fear memory. In vitro studies have elucidated distinct electrophysiological and synaptic properties characterizing the transition from immature to functionally mature basolateral subdivision of the amygdala (BLA) principal neurons. Further, acute increase of LTCC activity selectively regulates excitability and spontaneous synaptic activity in immature BLA neurons, suggesting an age-dependent regulation of BLA circuitry by LTCCs. This study aimed to elucidate whether early life alterations in LTCC activity subsequently affect synaptic strength and amygdala-dependent behaviors in early adulthood. In vivo intra-amygdala injection of an LTCC agonist at a critical period of postnatal neurodevelopment in male rat pups was used to examine synaptic plasticity of BLA excitatory inputs, expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) and glutamate receptors, as well as anxiety and social affiliation behaviors at a juvenile age. Results indicate that enhanced LTCC activity in immature BLA principal neurons trigger persistent changes in the developmental trajectory to modify membrane properties and synaptic LTP at later stages, concomitant with alterations in amygdala-related behavioral patterns.
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Lewis V, Laberge F, Heyland A. Transcriptomic signature of extinction learning in the brain of the fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 184:107502. [PMID: 34391934 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107502] [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: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of learning and memory from a diverse array of taxa contributes to our understanding of the evolution of these processes. The fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis, is a basal anuran amphibian model species who could help us describe shared and divergent characteristics of learning and memory mechanisms between amphibians and other vertebrates, and hence answer questions about the evolution of learning. Utilizing next generation sequencing techniques, we profiled gene expression patterns associated with the extinction of prey-catching conditioning in the brain of the fire-bellied toad. For this purpose, gene expression was at first compared between toads sacrificed after acquisition and extinction of the conditioned response. A second comparison was done between toads submitted to extinction following either short or long acquisition training, which results in toads displaying response extinction or resistance to extinction, respectively. We analyzed brain tissue transcription profiles common to both acquisition and extinction learning, or unique to extinction learning and resistance to extinction, and found significant overlap in gene expression related to molecular pathways involving neuronal plasticity (e.g. structural modification, transcription). However, extinction learning induced a unique GABAergic transcriptomic signal, which may be responsible for suppression of the original response memory. Further, when comparing extinction learning in short- and long-trained groups, short training engaged many pathways related to neuronal plasticity, as expected, but long training engaged molecular pathways related to the suppression of learning through epigenetic mediated transcriptional suppression and inhibitory neurotransmission. Overall, gene expression patterns associated with extinction learning in the fire-bellied toad were similar to those found in mammals submitted to extinction, although some divergent profiles highlighted potential differences in the mechanisms of learning and memory among tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vern Lewis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Frédéric Laberge
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Andreas Heyland
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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10
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Nakao A, Matsunaga Y, Hayashida K, Takahashi N. Role of Oxidative Stress and Ca 2+ Signaling in Psychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:615569. [PMID: 33644051 PMCID: PMC7905097 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.615569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are caused by complex and diverse factors, and numerous mechanisms have been proposed for the pathogenesis of these disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress is one of the general factors involved in the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. Indeed, some clinical trials have shown improvement of the symptoms of these disorders by antioxidant supplementation. However, the molecular basis for the relationship between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders remains largely unknown. In general, Ca2+ channels play central roles in neuronal functions, including neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and gene regulation, and genes that encode Ca2+ channels have been found to be associated with psychiatric disorders. Notably, a class of Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels is activated by changes in cellular redox status, whereby these TRP channels can link oxidative stress to Ca2+ signals. Given the unique characteristic of redox-sensitive TRP channels, these channels could be a target for delineating the pathogenesis or pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize the outcomes of clinical trials for antioxidant treatment in patients with psychiatric disorders and the current insights into the physiological/pathological significance of redox-sensitive TRP channels in the light of neural functions, including behavioral phenotypes, and discuss the potential role of TRP channels in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Investigation of redox-sensitive TRP channels may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Nakao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Matsunaga
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsumi Hayashida
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Takahashi
- The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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11
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Moon AL, Brydges NM, Wilkinson LS, Hall J, Thomas KL. Cacna1c Hemizygosity Results in Aberrant Fear Conditioning to Neutral Stimuli. Schizophr Bull 2020; 46:1231-1238. [PMID: 31910256 PMCID: PMC7505182 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
CACNA1C, a gene that encodes an alpha-1 subunit of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, has been strongly associated with psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. An important objective is to understand how variation in this gene can lead to an increased risk of psychopathology. Altered associative learning has also been implicated in the pathology of psychiatric disorders, particularly in the manifestation of psychotic symptoms. In this study, we utilize auditory-cued fear memory paradigms in order to investigate whether associative learning is altered in rats hemizygous for the Cacna1c gene. Cacna1c hemizygous (Cacna1c+/-) rats and their wild-type littermates were exposed to either delay, trace, or unpaired auditory fear conditioning. All rats received a Context Recall (24 h post-conditioning) and a Cue Recall (48 h post-conditioning) to test their fear responses. In the delay condition, which results in strong conditioning to the cue in wild-type animals, Cacna1c+/- rats showed increased fear responses to the context. In the trace condition, which results in strong conditioning to the context in wild-type animals, Cacna1c+/- rats showed increased fear responses to the cue. Finally, in the unpaired condition, Cacna1c+/- rats showed increased fear responses to both context and cue. These results indicate that Cacna1c heterozygous rats show aberrantly enhanced fear responses to inappropriate cues, consistent with key models of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Moon
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nichola M Brydges
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lawrence S Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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12
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Contribution of D1R-expressing neurons of the dorsal dentate gyrus and Ca v1.2 channels in extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1506-1517. [PMID: 31905369 PMCID: PMC7360569 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0597-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine-associated contextual cues can trigger relapse behavior by recruiting the hippocampus. Extinction of cocaine-associated contextual memories can reduce cocaine-seeking behavior, however the molecular mechanisms within the hippocampus that underlie contextual extinction behavior and subsequent reinstatement remain poorly understood. Here, we extend our previous findings for a role of Cav1.2 L-type Ca2+ channels in dopamine 1 receptor (D1R)-expressing cells in extinction of cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) in adult male mice. We report that attenuated cocaine CPP extinction in mice lacking Cav1.2 channels in D1R-expressing cells (D1cre, Cav1.2fl/fl) can be rescued through chemogenetic activation of D1R-expressing cells within the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG), but not the dorsal CA1 (dCA1). This is supported by the finding that Cav1.2 channels are required in excitatory cells of the dDG, but not in the dCA1, for cocaine CPP extinction. Examination of the role of S1928 phosphorylation of Cav1.2, a protein kinase A (PKA) site using S1928A Cav1.2 phosphomutant mice revealed no extinction deficit, likely due to homeostatic scaling up of extinction-dependent S845 GluA1 phosphorylation in the dDG. However, phosphomutant mice failed to show cocaine-primed reinstatement which can be reversed by chemogenetic manipulation of excitatory cells in the dDG during extinction training. These findings outline an essential role for the interaction between D1R, Cav1.2, and GluA1 signaling in the dDG for extinction of cocaine-associated contextual memories.
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13
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Wöhr M, Willadsen M, Kisko TM, Schwarting RKW, Fendt M. Sex-dependent effects of Cacna1c haploinsufficiency on behavioral inhibition evoked by conspecific alarm signals in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 99:109849. [PMID: 31862418 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in processing social signals leads to reduced social functioning and is typically associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. The cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is implicated in the etiology of all of these disorders and single-nucleotide polymorphisms within CACNA1C are ranked among the best replicated and most robust genetic findings from genome-wide association studies in psychiatry. Rats are highly social, live in large social groups, and communicate through ultrasonic vocalizations (USV), with low-frequency 22-kHz USV emitted in dangerous and often life-threating situations, such as predator exposure, serving an alarming function. In the present study, we applied an alarm 22-kHz USV playback paradigm to investigate the role of Cacna1c in socio-affective information processing in rats. Specifically, we assessed behavioral inhibition evoked by 22-kHz USV in constitutive heterozygous Cacna1c+/- females and males, as compared to wildtype Cacna1c+/+ littermate controls. To probe specificity, two sets of alarm 22-kHz USV were presented, i.e. 22-kHz USV elicited by predator urine exposure and 22-kHz USV emitted during a retention test on learned fear, together with acoustic control stimuli. Our results show that behavioral inhibition evoked by playback of alarm 22-kHz USV is robust and occurs in response to both sets, yet is modulated by Cacna1c in a sex-dependent manner. In male but not female rats, Cacna1c haploinsufficiency led to less pronounced and less specific behavioral inhibition, supporting the idea that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency results in a lower motivation and/or diminished capability to display appropriate responses to important socio-affective communication signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Maria Willadsen
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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14
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Michels S, Dolga AM, Braun MD, Kisko TM, Sungur AÖ, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Dempfle A, Wöhr M, Schwarting RKW, Culmsee C. Interaction of the Psychiatric Risk Gene Cacna1c With Post-weaning Social Isolation or Environmental Enrichment Does Not Affect Brain Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:483. [PMID: 31708752 PMCID: PMC6823196 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders involves complex interactions between genetic and environmental risk factors. Confirmed by several genome-wide association studies, Cacna1c represents one of the most robustly replicated psychiatric risk genes. Besides genetic predispositions, environmental stress such as childhood maltreatment also contributes to enhanced disease vulnerability. Both, Cacna1c gene variants and stressful life events are associated with morphological alterations in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Emerging evidence suggests impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics as a possible underlying mechanism of these regional brain abnormalities. In the present study, we simulated the interaction of psychiatric disease-relevant genetic and environmental factors in rodents to investigate their potential effect on brain mitochondrial function using a constitutive heterozygous Cacna1c rat model in combination with a four-week exposure to either post-weaning social isolation, standard housing, or social and physical environmental enrichment. Mitochondria were isolated from the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus to evaluate their bioenergetics, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species production, and respiratory chain complex protein levels. None of these parameters were considerably affected in this particular gene-environment setting. These negative results were very robust in all tested conditions demonstrating that Cacna1c depletion did not significantly translate into altered bioenergetic characteristics. Thus, further investigations are required to determine the disease-related effects on brain mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Michels
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Amalia M Dolga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Moria D Braun
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Theresa M Kisko
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - A Özge Sungur
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Astrid Dempfle
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Experimental and Biological Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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15
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Plumbly W, Brandon N, Deeb TZ, Hall J, Harwood AJ. L-type voltage-gated calcium channel regulation of in vitro human cortical neuronal networks. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13810. [PMID: 31554851 PMCID: PMC6761148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50226-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of in vitro multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) and the neuronal differentiation of stem cells offers the capability to study human neuronal networks from patient or engineered human cell lines. Here, we use MEA-based assays to probe synaptic function and network interactions of hiPSC-derived neurons. Neuronal network behaviour first emerges at approximately 30 days of culture and is driven by glutamate neurotransmission. Over a further 30 days, inhibitory GABAergic signalling shapes network behaviour into a synchronous regular pattern of burst firing activity and low activity periods. Gene mutations in L-type voltage gated calcium channel subunit genes are strongly implicated as genetic risk factors for the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We find that, although basal neuronal firing rate is unaffected, there is a dose-dependent effect of L-type voltage gated calcium channel inhibitors on synchronous firing patterns of our hiPSC-derived neural networks. This demonstrates that MEA assays have sufficient sensitivity to detect changes in patterns of neuronal interaction that may arise from hypo-function of psychiatric risk genes. Our study highlights the utility of in vitro MEA based platforms for the study of hiPSC neural network activity and their potential use in novel compound screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Plumbly
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Nick Brandon
- Neuroscience, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Dr, Waltham, MA, 02451, USA
| | - Tarek Z Deeb
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Adrian J Harwood
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
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16
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Andrade A, Brennecke A, Mallat S, Brown J, Gomez-Rivadeneira J, Czepiel N, Londrigan L. Genetic Associations between Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3537. [PMID: 31331039 PMCID: PMC6679227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are mental, behavioral or emotional disorders. These conditions are prevalent, one in four adults suffer from any type of psychiatric disorders world-wide. It has always been observed that psychiatric disorders have a genetic component, however, new methods to sequence full genomes of large cohorts have identified with high precision genetic risk loci for these conditions. Psychiatric disorders include, but are not limited to, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Several risk loci for psychiatric disorders fall within genes that encode for voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs). Calcium entering through CaVs is crucial for multiple neuronal processes. In this review, we will summarize recent findings that link CaVs and their auxiliary subunits to psychiatric disorders. First, we will provide a general overview of CaVs structure, classification, function, expression and pharmacology. Next, we will summarize tools to study risk loci associated with psychiatric disorders. We will examine functional studies of risk variations in CaV genes when available. Finally, we will review pharmacological evidence of the use of CaV modulators to treat psychiatric disorders. Our review will be of interest for those studying pathophysiological aspects of CaVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Andrade
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
| | - Ashton Brennecke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Shayna Mallat
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Julian Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | | | - Natalie Czepiel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Laura Londrigan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
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17
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Bartels P, Yu D, Huang H, Hu Z, Herzig S, Soong TW. Alternative Splicing at N Terminus and Domain I Modulates Ca V1.2 Inactivation and Surface Expression. Biophys J 2019; 114:2095-2106. [PMID: 29742403 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The CaV1.2 L-type calcium channel is a key conduit for Ca2+ influx to initiate excitation-contraction coupling for contraction of the heart and vasoconstriction of the arteries and for altering membrane excitability in neurons. Its α1C pore-forming subunit is known to undergo extensive alternative splicing to produce many CaV1.2 isoforms that differ in their electrophysiological and pharmacological properties. Here, we examined the structure-function relationship of human CaV1.2 with respect to the inclusion or exclusion of mutually exclusive exons of the N-terminus exons 1/1a and IS6 segment exons 8/8a. These exons showed tissue selectivity in their expression patterns: heart variant 1a/8a, one smooth-muscle variant 1/8, and a brain isoform 1/8a. Overall, the 1/8a, when coexpressed with CaVβ2a, displayed a significant and distinct shift in voltage-dependent activation and inactivation and inactivation kinetics as compared to the other three splice variants. Further analysis showed a clear additive effect of the hyperpolarization shift in V1/2inact of CaV1.2 channels containing exon 1 in combination with 8a. However, this additive effect was less distinct for V1/2act. However, the measured effects were β-subunit-dependent when comparing CaVβ2a with CaVβ3 coexpression. Notably, calcium-dependent inactivation mediated by local Ca2+-sensing via the N-lobe of calmodulin was significantly enhanced in exon-1-containing CaV1.2 as compared to exon-1a-containing CaV1.2 channels. At the cellular level, the current densities of the 1/8a or 1/8 variants were significantly larger than the 1a/8a and 1a/8 variants when coexpressed either with CaVβ2a or CaVβ3 subunit. This finding correlated well with a higher channel surface expression for the exon 1-CaV1.2 isoform that we quantified by protein surface-expression levels or by gating currents. Our data also provided a deeper molecular understanding of the altered biophysical properties of alternatively spliced human CaV1.2 channels by directly comparing unitary single-channel events with macroscopic whole-cell currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bartels
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dejie Yu
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhenyu Hu
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stefan Herzig
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tuck Wah Soong
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Neurobiology/Ageing Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
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18
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Sykes L, Clifton NE, Hall J, Thomas KL. Regulation of the Expression of the Psychiatric Risk Gene Cacna1c during Associative Learning. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2018; 4:149-157. [PMID: 30643788 DOI: 10.1159/000493917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
CACNA1C encodes the Cav1.2 L-type voltage-gated calcium channel. Generic variation in CACNA1C has been consistently identified as associated with risk for psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and autism. Psychiatric risk loci are also enriched for genes involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. Here, we show that the expression of Cacna1c is regulated in the rat hippocampus after context exposure, contextual fear conditioning and fear memory retrieval in a manner that correlates to specific memory processes. Using quantitative in situ hybridisation, the expression was down-regulated in CA1 by brief exposure to a novel context and to a conditioned context, and up-regulated in the dentate gyrus after contextual fear conditioning. No changes were measured after prolonged context exposure followed by conditioning, a procedure that retards fear conditioning (latent inhibition), nor with fear memory recall leading to extinction. These results are consistent with a selective role for Cav1.2 in the consolidation of context memory and contextual fear memory, and with processes associated with the maintenance of the fear memory after recall. The dysregulation of CACNA1C may thus be related to associative memory dysfunction in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Sykes
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas E Clifton
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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19
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Moon AL, Haan N, Wilkinson LS, Thomas KL, Hall J. CACNA1C: Association With Psychiatric Disorders, Behavior, and Neurogenesis. Schizophr Bull 2018; 44:958-965. [PMID: 29982775 PMCID: PMC6101623 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale genome-wide association studies have consistently shown that genetic variation in CACNA1C, a gene that encodes calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1C, increases risk for psychiatric disorders. CACNA1C encodes the Cav1.2 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, which themselves have been functionally implicated in a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric syndromes. Research has concentrated on uncovering the underlying biological mechanisms that could be responsible for this increased risk. This review presents an overview of recent findings regarding Cacna1c variation in animal models, particularly focusing on behavioral phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as cognition, anxiety and depressive phenotypes, and fear conditioning. The impact of reduced gene dosage of Cacna1c on adult hippocampal neurogenesis is also assessed, including new data from a novel Cacna1c+/- rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Moon
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Niels Haan
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lawrence S Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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20
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Dedic N, Pöhlmann ML, Richter JS, Mehta D, Czamara D, Metzger MW, Dine J, Bedenk BT, Hartmann J, Wagner KV, Jurik A, Almli LM, Lori A, Moosmang S, Hofmann F, Wotjak CT, Rammes G, Eder M, Chen A, Ressler KJ, Wurst W, Schmidt MV, Binder EB, Deussing JM. Cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C differentially modulates susceptibility to psychiatric disorders during development and adulthood. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:533-543. [PMID: 28696432 PMCID: PMC5822460 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CACNA1C, the α1C subunit of the voltage-gated L-type calcium channel Cav1.2, rank among the most consistent and replicable genetics findings in psychiatry and have been associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. However, genetic variants of complex diseases often only confer a marginal increase in disease risk, which is additionally influenced by the environment. Here we show that embryonic deletion of Cacna1c in forebrain glutamatergic neurons promotes the manifestation of endophenotypes related to psychiatric disorders including cognitive decline, impaired synaptic plasticity, reduced sociability, hyperactivity and increased anxiety. Additional analyses revealed that depletion of Cacna1c during embryonic development also increases the susceptibility to chronic stress, which suggest that Cav1.2 interacts with the environment to shape disease vulnerability. Remarkably, this was not observed when Cacna1c was deleted in glutamatergic neurons during adulthood, where the later deletion even improved cognitive flexibility, strengthened synaptic plasticity and induced stress resilience. In a parallel gene × environment design in humans, we additionally demonstrate that SNPs in CACNA1C significantly interact with adverse life events to alter the risk to develop symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overall, our results further validate Cacna1c as a cross-disorder risk gene in mice and humans, and additionally suggest a differential role for Cav1.2 during development and adulthood in shaping cognition, sociability, emotional behavior and stress susceptibility. This may prompt the consideration for pharmacological manipulation of Cav1.2 in neuropsychiatric disorders with developmental and/or stress-related origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Dedic
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M L Pöhlmann
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - J S Richter
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - D Mehta
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - D Czamara
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - M W Metzger
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - J Dine
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - B T Bedenk
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - J Hartmann
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - K V Wagner
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Jurik
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - L M Almli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - A Lori
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - S Moosmang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - F Hofmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - C T Wotjak
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - G Rammes
- Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - M Eder
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Chen
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- The Ruhman Family Laboratory for Research on the Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - K J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - W Wurst
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - M V Schmidt
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - E B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J M Deussing
- Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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21
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Altered function of neuronal L-type calcium channels in ageing and neuroinflammation: Implications in age-related synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 42:86-99. [PMID: 29339150 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The rapid developments in science have led to an increase in human life expectancy and thus, ageing and age-related disorders/diseases have become one of the greatest concerns in the 21st century. Cognitive abilities tend to decline as we get older. This age-related cognitive decline is mainly attributed to aberrant changes in synaptic plasticity and neuronal connections. Recent studies show that alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis underlie the increased vulnerability of neurons to age-related processes like cognitive decline and synaptic dysfunctions. Dysregulation of Ca2+ can lead to dramatic changes in neuronal functions. We discuss in this review, the recent advances on the potential role of dysregulated Ca2+ homeostasis through altered function of L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels (LTCC) in ageing, with an emphasis on cognitive decline. This review therefore focuses on age-related changes mainly in the hippocampus, and with mention of other brain areas, that are important for learning and memory. This review also highlights age-related memory deficits via synaptic alterations and neuroinflammation. An understanding of these mechanisms will help us formulate strategies to reverse or ameliorate age-related disorders like cognitive decline.
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22
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Bedenk BT, Almeida-Corrêa S, Jurik A, Dedic N, Grünecker B, Genewsky AJ, Kaltwasser SF, Riebe CJ, Deussing JM, Czisch M, Wotjak CT. Mn 2+ dynamics in manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI): Ca v1.2 channel-mediated uptake and preferential accumulation in projection terminals. Neuroimage 2017; 169:374-382. [PMID: 29277401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) exploits the biophysical similarity of Ca2+ and Mn2+ to map the brain's activity in vivo. However, to what extent different Ca2+ channels contribute to the enhanced signal that MEMRI provides and how Mn2+ dynamics influence Mn2+ brain accumulation after systemic administration of MnCl2 are not yet fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that mice lacking the L-type Ca2+ channel 1.2 (Cav1.2) in the CNS show approximately 50% less increase in MEMRI contrast after repeated systemic MnCl2 injections, as compared to control mice. In contrast, genetic deletion of L-type Ca2+ channel 1.3 (Cav1.3) did not reduce signal. Brain structure- or cell type-specific deletion of Cav1.2 in combination with voxel-wise MEMRI analysis revealed a preferential accumulation of Mn2+ in projection terminals, which was confirmed by local MnCl2 administration to defined brain areas. Taken together, we provide unequivocal evidence that Cav1.2 represents an important channel for neuronal Mn2+ influx after systemic injections. We also show that after neuronal uptake, Mn2+ preferentially accumulates in projection terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt T Bedenk
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Core Unit Neuroimaging, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Suellen Almeida-Corrêa
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Jurik
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Dedic
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Grünecker
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Core Unit Neuroimaging, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas J Genewsky
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian F Kaltwasser
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Caitlin J Riebe
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Jan M Deussing
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Czisch
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Core Unit Neuroimaging, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Dept. Stress Neurobiology & Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany.
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23
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Calcineurin/P-ERK/Egr-1 Pathway is Involved in Fear Memory Impairment after Isoflurane Exposure in Mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13947. [PMID: 29066839 PMCID: PMC5654981 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13975-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Isoflurane exposure adversely influences subsequent fear memory formation in mice. Calcineurin (CaN), a phosphatase, prevents the establishment of emotional memory by dephosphorylating substrates and inhibiting the expression of learning and memory related genes. We investigated whether isoflurane impairment of fear memory formation was associated with altered CaN activity and downstream phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK) and early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) expression in hippocampus and amygdala. We also tested whether memory performance can be rescued by the CaN inhibitor FK506. Adult C57BL/6 mice were injected FK506 or vehicle after being exposed to 1.3% isoflurane or air for 1 h. After a 1 h- recovery, mice underwent classical fear conditioning (FC) training. Fear memory were tested 30 min, 48 h and 7 days after training. The activity of CaN, and expression of p-ERK and Egr-1 in hippocampus and amygdala were analyzed. Isoflurane exposure reduced mice freezing time in contextual and tone FC tests 30 min and 48 h after training. Hippocampus and amygdala from isoflurane-exposed mice had enhanced CaN activity, reduced p-ERK/ERK and Egr-1 expression. All these changes in isoflurane-exposed mice were attenuated by FK506 treatment. These results indicate calcineurin/p-ERK/Egr-1 Pathway is involved in fear memory impairment after isoflurane exposure in mice.
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24
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Temme SJ, Murphy GG. The L-type voltage-gated calcium channel Ca V1.2 mediates fear extinction and modulates synaptic tone in the lateral amygdala. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:580-588. [PMID: 29038219 PMCID: PMC5647931 DOI: 10.1101/lm.045773.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) have been implicated in both the formation and the reduction of fear through Pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction. Despite the implication of LVGCCs in fear learning and extinction, studies of the individual LVGCC subtypes, CaV1.2 and CaV1.3, using transgenic mice have failed to find a role of either subtype in fear extinction. This discontinuity between the pharmacological studies of LVGCCs and the studies investigating individual subtype contributions could be due to the limited neuronal deletion pattern of the CaV1.2 conditional knockout mice previously studied to excitatory neurons in the forebrain. To investigate the effects of deletion of CaV1.2 in all neuronal populations, we generated CaV1.2 conditional knockout mice using the synapsin1 promoter to drive Cre recombinase expression. Pan-neuronal deletion of CaV1.2 did not alter basal anxiety or fear learning. However, pan-neuronal deletion of CaV1.2 resulted in a significant deficit in extinction of contextual fear, implicating LVGCCs, specifically CaV1.2, in extinction learning. Further exploration on the effects of deletion of CaV1.2 on inhibitory and excitatory input onto the principle neurons of the lateral amygdala revealed a significant shift in inhibitory/excitatory balance. Together these data illustrate an important role of CaV1.2 in fear extinction and the synaptic regulation of activity within the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Temme
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA.,Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
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25
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Kabir ZD, Martínez-Rivera A, Rajadhyaksha AM. From Gene to Behavior: L-Type Calcium Channel Mechanisms Underlying Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:588-613. [PMID: 28497380 PMCID: PMC5509628 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0532-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, encoded by the CACNA1C and CACNA1D genes, respectively, are important regulators of calcium influx into cells and are critical for normal brain development and plasticity. In humans, CACNA1C has emerged as one of the most widely reproduced and prominent candidate risk genes for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Separately, CACNA1D has been found to be associated with BD and autism spectrum disorder, as well as cocaine dependence, a comorbid feature associated with psychiatric disorders. Despite growing evidence of a significant link between CACNA1C and CACNA1D and psychiatric disorders, our understanding of the biological mechanisms by which these LTCCs mediate neuropsychiatric-associated endophenotypes, many of which are shared across the different disorders, remains rudimentary. Clinical studies with LTCC blockers testing their efficacy to alleviate symptoms associated with BD, SCZ, and drug dependence have provided mixed results, underscoring the importance of further exploring the neurobiological consequences of dysregulated Cav1.2 and Cav1.3. Here, we provide a review of clinical studies that have evaluated LTCC blockers for BD, SCZ, and drug dependence-associated symptoms, as well as rodent studies that have identified Cav1.2- and Cav1.3-specific molecular and cellular cascades that underlie mood (anxiety, depression), social behavior, cognition, and addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeba D Kabir
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arlene Martínez-Rivera
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anjali M Rajadhyaksha
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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26
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Deletion of the Mouse Homolog of CACNA1C Disrupts Discrete Forms of Hippocampal-Dependent Memory and Neurogenesis within the Dentate Gyrus. eNeuro 2016; 3:eN-NWR-0118-16. [PMID: 27957527 PMCID: PMC5124786 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0118-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) have been implicated in various forms of learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Within the hippocampus, the LVGCC subtype, CaV1.2 is prominently expressed throughout the dentate gyrus. Despite the apparent high levels of CaV1.2 expression in the dentate gyrus, the role of CaV1.2 in hippocampal- and dentate gyrus-associated forms of learning remain unknown. To address this question, we examined alternate forms of hippocampal-dependent associative and spatial memory in mice lacking the mouse ortholog of CACNA1C (Cacna1c), which encodes CaV1.2, with dentate gyrus function implicated in difficult forms of each task. We found that while the deletion of CaV1.2 did not impair the acquisition of fear of a conditioned context, mice lacking CaV1.2 exhibited deficits in the ability to discriminate between two contexts, one in which the mice were conditioned and one in which they were not. Similarly, CaV1.2 knock-out mice exhibited normal acquisition and recall of the location of the hidden platform in a standard Morris water maze, but were unable to form a memory of the platform location when the task was made more difficult by restricting the number of available spatial cues. Within the dentate gyrus, pan-neuronal deletion of CaV1.2 resulted in decreased cell proliferation and the numbers of doublecortin-positive adult-born neurons, implicating CaV1.2 in adult neurogenesis. These results suggest that CaV1.2 is important for dentate gyrus-associated tasks and may mediate these forms of learning via a role in adult neurogenesis and cell proliferation within the dentate gyrus.
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27
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Kabir ZD, Lee AS, Rajadhyaksha AM. L-type Ca 2+ channels in mood, cognition and addiction: integrating human and rodent studies with a focus on behavioural endophenotypes. J Physiol 2016; 594:5823-5837. [PMID: 26913808 PMCID: PMC5063939 DOI: 10.1113/jp270673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain Cav 1.2 and Cav 1.3 L-type Ca2+ channels play key physiological roles in various neuronal processes that contribute to brain function. Genetic studies have recently identified CACNA1C as a candidate risk gene for bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and CACNA1D for BD and ASD, suggesting a contribution of Cav 1.2 and Cav 1.3 Ca2+ signalling to the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Once considered sole clinical entities, it is now clear that BD, SCZ, MDD and ASD share common phenotypic features, most likely due to overlapping neurocircuitry and common molecular mechanisms. A major future challenge lies in translating the human genetic findings to pathological mechanisms that are translatable back to the patient. One approach for tackling such a daunting scientific endeavour for complex behaviour-based neuropsychiatric disorders is to examine intermediate biological phenotypes in the context of endophenotypes within distinct behavioural domains. This will better allow us to integrate findings from genes to behaviour across species, and improve the chances of translating preclinical findings to clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z D Kabir
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - A S Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - A M Rajadhyaksha
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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28
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De Jesús-Cortés H, Rajadhyaksha AM, Pieper AA. Cacna1c: Protecting young hippocampal neurons in the adult brain. NEUROGENESIS 2016; 3:e1231160. [PMID: 27900342 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2016.1231160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disease is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and fourth worldwide.1,2 Not surprisingly, human genetic studies have revealed a common genetic predisposition for many forms of neuropsychiatric disease, potentially explaining why overlapping symptoms are commonly observed across multiple diagnostic categories. For example, the CACNA1C gene was recently identified in the largest human genome-wide association study to date as a risk loci held in common across 5 major forms of neuropsychiatric disease: bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.3 This gene encodes for the Cav1.2 subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (LTCC), accounting for 85% of LTCCs in the brain, while the Cav1.3 subunit comprises the remainder.4 In neurons, LTCCs mediate calcium influx in response to membrane depolarization,5 thereby regulating neurotransmission and gene expression. Here, we describe our recent finding that Cav1.2 also controls survival of young hippocampal neurons in the adult brain, which has been linked to the etiology and treatment of neuropsychiatric disease. We also describe the effective restoration of young hippocampal neuron survival in adult Cav1.2 forebrain-specific conditional knockout mice using the neuroprotective compound P7C3-A20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor De Jesús-Cortés
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anjali M Rajadhyaksha
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neurology, Department of Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Veteran Affairs, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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29
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Striessnig J, Ortner NJ, Pinggera A. Pharmacology of L-type Calcium Channels: Novel Drugs for Old Targets? Curr Mol Pharmacol 2016; 8:110-22. [PMID: 25966690 PMCID: PMC5384371 DOI: 10.2174/1874467208666150507105845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of voltage-gated L-type calcium channels by organic calcium channel blockers is a well-established pharmacodynamic concept for the treatment of hypertension and cardiac ischemia. Since decades these antihypertensives (such as the dihydropyridines amlodipine, felodipine or nifedipine) belong to the most widely prescribed drugs
world-wide. Their tolerability is excellent because at therapeutic doses their pharmacological effects in humans are limited to the cardiovascular system. During the last years substantial progress has been made to reveal the physiological role of different L-type calcium channel isoforms in many other tissues, including the brain, endocrine and sensory cells.
Moreover, there is accumulating evidence about their involvement in various human diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, neuropsychiatric disorders and hyperaldosteronism. In this review we discuss the pathogenetic role of L-type calcium channels, potential new indications for existing or isoform-selective compounds and strategies to minimize potential side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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30
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Degoulet M, Stelly CE, Ahn KC, Morikawa H. L-type Ca²⁺ channel blockade with antihypertensive medication disrupts VTA synaptic plasticity and drug-associated contextual memory. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:394-402. [PMID: 26100537 PMCID: PMC4689680 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction is driven, in part, by powerful and enduring memories of sensory cues associated with drug intake. As such, relapse to drug use during abstinence is frequently triggered by an encounter with drug-associated cues, including the drug itself. L-type Ca(2+) channels (LTCCs) are known to regulate different forms of synaptic plasticity, the major neural substrate for learning and memory, in various brain areas. Long-term potentiation (LTP) of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated glutamatergic transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) may contribute to the increased motivational valence of drug-associated cues triggering relapse. In this study, using rat brain slices, we found that isradipine, a general LTCC antagonist used as antihypertensive medication, not only blocks the induction of NMDAR LTP but also promotes the reversal of previously induced LTP in the VTA. In behaving rats, isradipine injected into the VTA suppressed the acquisition of cocaine-paired contextual cue memory assessed using a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Furthermore, administration of isradipine or a CaV1.3 subtype-selective LTCC antagonist (systemic or intra-VTA) before a single extinction or reinstatement session, while having no immediate effect at the time of administration, abolished previously acquired cocaine and alcohol (ethanol) CPP on subsequent days. Notably, CPP thus extinguished cannot be reinstated by drug re-exposure, even after 2 weeks of withdrawal. These results suggest that LTCC blockade during exposure to drug-associated cues may cause unlearning of the increased valence of those cues, presumably via reversal of glutamatergic synaptic plasticity in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Degoulet
- Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Claire E. Stelly
- Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Kee-Chan Ahn
- Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Hitoshi Morikawa
- Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA,Corresponding author: Hitoshi Morikawa, Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, 2400 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712, USA., Tel: 1-512-232-9299, Fax: 1-512-471-3878,
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31
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Lee AS, De Jesús-Cortés H, Kabir ZD, Knobbe W, Orr M, Burgdorf C, Huntington P, McDaniel L, Britt JK, Hoffmann F, Brat DJ, Rajadhyaksha AM, Pieper AA. The Neuropsychiatric Disease-Associated Gene cacna1c Mediates Survival of Young Hippocampal Neurons. eNeuro 2016; 3:ENEURO.0006-16.2016. [PMID: 27066530 PMCID: PMC4819284 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0006-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variations in CACNA1C, which encodes the Cav1.2 subunit of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), are associated with multiple forms of neuropsychiatric disease that manifest high anxiety in patients. In parallel, mice harboring forebrain-specific conditional knockout of cacna1c (forebrain-Cav1.2 cKO) display unusually high anxiety-like behavior. LTCCs in general, including the Cav1.3 subunit, have been shown to mediate differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs). However, it has not previously been determined whether Cav1.2 affects postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. Here, we show that forebrain-Cav1.2 cKO mice exhibit enhanced cell death of young hippocampal neurons, with no change in NPC proliferation, hippocampal size, dentate gyrus thickness, or corticosterone levels compared with wild-type littermates. These mice also exhibit deficits in brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and Cre recombinase-mediated knockdown of adult hippocampal Cav1.2 recapitulates the deficit in young hippocampal neurons survival. Treatment of forebrain-Cav1.2 cKO mice with the neuroprotective agent P7C3-A20 restored the net magnitude of postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis to wild-type levels without ameliorating their deficit in BDNF expression. The role of Cav1.2 in young hippocampal neurons survival may provide new approaches for understanding and treating neuropsychiatric disease associated with aberrations in CACNA1C. Visual Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni S. Lee
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Héctor De Jesús-Cortés
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Zeeba D. Kabir
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Whitney Knobbe
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Madeline Orr
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Caitlin Burgdorf
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Paula Huntington
- Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| | - Latisha McDaniel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Jeremiah K. Britt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
| | - Franz Hoffmann
- Institute of Pharmacology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Research Group 923, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel J. Brat
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Anjali M. Rajadhyaksha
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
| | - Andrew A. Pieper
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Department of Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
- Department of Veteran Affairs, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
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32
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Zamponi GW, Striessnig J, Koschak A, Dolphin AC. The Physiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Their Future Therapeutic Potential. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:821-70. [PMID: 26362469 PMCID: PMC4630564 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 704] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channels are required for many key functions in the body. In this review, the different subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channels are described and their physiologic roles and pharmacology are outlined. We describe the current uses of drugs interacting with the different calcium channel subtypes and subunits, as well as specific areas in which there is strong potential for future drug development. Current therapeutic agents include drugs targeting L-type Ca(V)1.2 calcium channels, particularly 1,4-dihydropyridines, which are widely used in the treatment of hypertension. T-type (Ca(V)3) channels are a target of ethosuximide, widely used in absence epilepsy. The auxiliary subunit α2δ-1 is the therapeutic target of the gabapentinoid drugs, which are of value in certain epilepsies and chronic neuropathic pain. The limited use of intrathecal ziconotide, a peptide blocker of N-type (Ca(V)2.2) calcium channels, as a treatment of intractable pain, gives an indication that these channels represent excellent drug targets for various pain conditions. We describe how selectivity for different subtypes of calcium channels (e.g., Ca(V)1.2 and Ca(V)1.3 L-type channels) may be achieved in the future by exploiting differences between channel isoforms in terms of sequence and biophysical properties, variation in splicing in different target tissues, and differences in the properties of the target tissues themselves in terms of membrane potential or firing frequency. Thus, use-dependent blockers of the different isoforms could selectively block calcium channels in particular pathologies, such as nociceptive neurons in pain states or in epileptic brain circuits. Of important future potential are selective Ca(V)1.3 blockers for neuropsychiatric diseases, neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease, and resistant hypertension. In addition, selective or nonselective T-type channel blockers are considered potential therapeutic targets in epilepsy, pain, obesity, sleep, and anxiety. Use-dependent N-type calcium channel blockers are likely to be of therapeutic use in chronic pain conditions. Thus, more selective calcium channel blockers hold promise for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (G.W.Z.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (J.S., A.K.); and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom (A.C.D.)
| | - Joerg Striessnig
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (G.W.Z.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (J.S., A.K.); and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom (A.C.D.)
| | - Alexandra Koschak
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (G.W.Z.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (J.S., A.K.); and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom (A.C.D.)
| | - Annette C Dolphin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (G.W.Z.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (J.S., A.K.); and Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom (A.C.D.)
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Nakao A, Miki T, Shoji H, Nishi M, Takeshima H, Miyakawa T, Mori Y. Comprehensive behavioral analysis of voltage-gated calcium channel beta-anchoring and -regulatory protein knockout mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:141. [PMID: 26136667 PMCID: PMC4468383 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) induces numerous intracellular events such as neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and gene regulation. It has been shown that genes related to Ca2+ signaling, such as the CACNA1C, CACNB2, and CACNA1I genes that encode VGCC subunits, are associated with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Recently, VGCC beta-anchoring and -regulatory protein (BARP) was identified as a novel regulator of VGCC activity via the interaction of VGCC β subunits. To examine the role of the BARP in higher brain functions, we generated BARP knockout (KO) mice and conducted a comprehensive battery of behavioral tests. BARP KO mice exhibited greatly reduced locomotor activity, as evidenced by decreased vertical activity, stereotypic counts in the open field test, and activity level in the home cage, and longer latency to complete a session in spontaneous T-maze alteration test, which reached “study-wide significance.” Acoustic startle response was also reduced in the mutants. Interestingly, they showed multiple behavioral phenotypes that are seemingly opposite to those seen in the mouse models of schizophrenia and its related disorders, including increased working memory, flexibility, prepulse inhibition, and social interaction, and decreased locomotor activity, though many of these phenotypes are statistically weak and require further replications. These results demonstrate that BARP is involved in the regulation of locomotor activity and, possibly, emotionality. The possibility was also suggested that BARP KO mice may serve as a unique tool for investigating the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of schizophrenia and related disorders. Further evaluation of the molecular and physiological phenotypes of the mutant mice would provide new insights into the role of BARP in higher brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Nakao
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University Toyoake, Japan
| | - Takafumi Miki
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Shoji
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University Toyoake, Japan ; Japan Science and Technology Agency, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Miyuki Nishi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takeshima
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University Toyoake, Japan ; Japan Science and Technology Agency, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology Kawaguchi, Japan ; Section of Behavior Patterns, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yasuo Mori
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan
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Schmutz I, Chavan R, Ripperger JA, Maywood ES, Langwieser N, Jurik A, Stauffer A, Delorme JE, Moosmang S, Hastings MH, Hofmann F, Albrecht U. A specific role for the REV-ERBα-controlled L-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel CaV1.2 in resetting the circadian clock in the late night. J Biol Rhythms 2015; 29:288-98. [PMID: 25238857 DOI: 10.1177/0748730414540453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, circadian timekeeping and resetting have been shown to be largely dependent on both membrane depolarization and intracellular second-messenger signaling. In both of these processes, voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) mediate voltage-dependent calcium influx, which propagates neural impulses by stimulating vesicle fusion and instigates intracellular pathways resulting in clock gene expression. Through the cumulative actions of these processes, the phase of the internal clock is modified to match the light cycle of the external environment. To parse out the distinct roles of the L-type VGCCs, we analyzed mice deficient in Cav1.2 (Cacna1c) in brain tissue. We found that mice deficient in the Cav1.2 channel exhibited a significant reduction in their ability to phase-advance circadian behavior when subjected to a light pulse in the late night. Furthermore, the study revealed that the expression of Cav1.2 mRNA was rhythmic (peaking during the late night) and was regulated by the circadian clock component REV-ERBα. Finally, the induction of clock genes in both the early and late subjective night was affected by the loss of Cav1.2, with reductions in Per2 and Per1 in the early and late night, respectively. In sum, these results reveal a role of the L-type VGCC Cav1.2 in mediating both clock gene expression and phase advances in response to a light pulse in the late night.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Schmutz
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Rohit Chavan
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen A Ripperger
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicole Langwieser
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Jurik
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Stauffer
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - James E Delorme
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Sven Moosmang
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Franz Hofmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, TU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Urs Albrecht
- Department of Biology, Unit of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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The role of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 in normal and pathological brain function. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 357:463-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-1936-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Simms BA, Zamponi GW. Neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels: structure, function, and dysfunction. Neuron 2014; 82:24-45. [PMID: 24698266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channels are the primary mediators of depolarization-induced calcium entry into neurons. There is great diversity of calcium channel subtypes due to multiple genes that encode calcium channel α1 subunits, coassembly with a variety of ancillary calcium channel subunits, and alternative splicing. This allows these channels to fulfill highly specialized roles in specific neuronal subtypes and at particular subcellular loci. While calcium channels are of critical importance to brain function, their inappropriate expression or dysfunction gives rise to a variety of neurological disorders, including, pain, epilepsy, migraine, and ataxia. This Review discusses salient aspects of voltage-gated calcium channel function, physiology, and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett A Simms
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Simms BA, Souza IA, Rehak R, Zamponi GW. The Cav1.2 N terminus contains a CaM kinase site that modulates channel trafficking and function. Pflugers Arch 2014; 467:677-86. [PMID: 24862738 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-014-1538-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The L-type voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.2 and the calcium-activated CaM kinase cascade both regulate excitation transcription coupling in the brain. CaM kinase is known to associate with the C terminus of Cav1.2 in a region called the PreIQ-IQ domain, which also binds multiple calmodulin molecules. Here we identify and characterize a second CaMKII binding site in the N terminus of Cav1.2 that is formed by a stretch of four amino residues (cysteine-isoleucine-serine-isoleucine) and which regulates channel expression and function. By using live cell imaging of tsA-201 cells we show that GFP fusion constructs of the CaMKII binding region, termed N2B-II co-localize with mCherry-CaMKII. Mutating CISI to AAAA ablates binding to and colocalization with CaMKII. Cav1.2-AAAA channels show reduced cell surface expression in tsA-201 cells, but interestingly, display an increase in channel function that offsets the trafficking deficit. Altogether our data reveal that the proximal N terminus of Cav1.2 contains a CaMKII binding region which contributes to channel surface expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett A Simms
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
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AKAP-anchored PKA maintains neuronal L-type calcium channel activity and NFAT transcriptional signaling. Cell Rep 2014; 7:1577-1588. [PMID: 24835999 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (LTCC) couple neuronal excitation to gene transcription. LTCC activity is elevated by the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and depressed by the Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), and both enzymes are localized to the channel by A-kinase anchoring protein 79/150 (AKAP79/150). AKAP79/150 anchoring of CaN also promotes LTCC activation of transcription through dephosphorylation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). We report here that the basal activity of AKAP79/150-anchored PKA maintains neuronal LTCC coupling to CaN-NFAT signaling by preserving LTCC phosphorylation in opposition to anchored CaN. Genetic disruption of AKAP-PKA anchoring promoted redistribution of the kinase out of postsynaptic dendritic spines, profound decreases in LTCC phosphorylation and Ca2+ influx, and impaired NFAT movement to the nucleus and activation of transcription. Thus, LTCC-NFAT transcriptional signaling in neurons requires precise organization and balancing of PKA and CaN activities in the channel nanoenvironment, which is only made possible by AKAP79/150 scaffolding.
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Simms BA, Souza IA, Zamponi GW. Effect of the Brugada syndrome mutation A39V on calmodulin regulation of Cav1.2 channels. Mol Brain 2014; 7:34. [PMID: 24775099 PMCID: PMC4012176 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6606-7-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The L-type calcium channel Cav1.2 is important for brain and heart function. The ubiquitous calcium sensing protein calmodulin (CaM) regulates calcium dependent gating of Cav1.2 channels by reducing calcium influx, a process known as calcium-dependent inactivation (CDI). Dissecting the calcium-dependence of CaM in this process has benefited greatly from the use of mutant CaM molecules which are unable to bind calcium to their low affinity (N-lobe) and high affinity (C-lobe) binding sites. Unlike CDI, it is unknown whether CaM can modulate the activation gating of Cav1.2 channels. Results We examined a Cav1.2 point mutant in the N-terminus region of the channel (A39V) that has been previously linked to Brugada syndrome. Using mutant CaM constructs in which the N- and/or C-lobe calcium binding sites were ablated, we were able to show that this Brugada syndrome mutation disrupts N-lobe CDI of the channel. In the course of these experiments, we discovered that all mutant CaM molecules were able to alter the kinetics of channel activation even in the absence of calcium for WT-Cav1.2, but not A39V-Cav1.2 channels. Moreover, CaM mutants differentially shifted the voltage-dependence of activation for WT and A39V-Cav1.2 channels to hyperpolarized potentials. Our data therefore suggest that structural changes in CaM that arise directly from site directed mutagenesis of calcium binding domains alter activation gating of Cav1.2 channels independently of their effects on calcium binding, and that the N-terminus of the channel contributes to this CaM dependent process. Conclusions Our data indicate that caution must be exercised when interpreting the effects of CaM mutants on ion channel gating.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr, NW, Calgary T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Hasreiter J, Goldnagl L, Böhm S, Kubista H. Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channels operate in a similar voltage range but show different coupling to Ca(2+)-dependent conductances in hippocampal neurons. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2014; 306:C1200-13. [PMID: 24760982 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00329.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In the central nervous system, L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) come in two isoforms, namely Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels. It has been shown previously that these channels differ in biophysical properties, in subcellular localization, and in the coupling to the gene transcription machinery. In previous work on rat hippocampal neurons we have identified an excitatory cation conductance and an inhibitory potassium conductance as important LTCC coupling partners. Notably, a stimulus-dependent interplay of LTCC-mediated Ca(2+) influx and activation of these Ca(2+)-dependent conductances was found to give rise to characteristic voltage responses. However, the contribution of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 to these voltage responses remained unknown. Hence, the relative contribution of the LTCC isoforms therein was the focus of the current study on hippocampal neurons derived from genetically modified mice, which either lack a LTCC isoform (Cav1.3 knockout mice) or express a dihydropyridine-insensitive LTCC isoform (Cav1.2DHP(-)-knockin mice). We identified common and alternate ion channel couplings of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels. Whereas hyperpolarizing Ca(2+)-dependent conductances were coupled to both Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels, an afterdepolarizing potential was only induced by the activity of Cav1.2 channels. Unexpectedly, the activity of Cav1.2 channels was found at relatively hyperpolarized membrane voltages. Our data add important information about the differences between Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels that furthers our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological neuronal roles of these calcium channels. Moreover, our findings suggest that Cav1.3 knockout mice together with Cav1.2DHP(-)-knockin mice provide valuable models for future investigation of hippocampal LTCC-dependent afterdepolarizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hasreiter
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lena Goldnagl
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Böhm
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Kubista
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Neurophysiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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The need for a comprehensive molecular characterization of autism spectrum disorders. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 17:651-73. [PMID: 24229490 DOI: 10.1017/s146114571300117x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders which have complex behavioural phenotypes. Although ASD is a highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorder, genetic research alone has not provided a profound understanding of the underlying causes. Recent developments using biochemical tools such as transcriptomics, proteomics and cellular models, will pave the way to gain new insights into the underlying pathological pathways. This review addresses the state-of-the-art in the search for molecular biomarkers for ASD. In particular, the most important findings in the biochemical field are highlighted and the need for establishing streamlined interaction between behavioural studies, genetics and proteomics is stressed. Eventually, these approaches will lead to suitable translational ASD models and, therefore, a better disease understanding which may facilitate novel drug discovery efforts in this challenging field.
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Wolf C, Mohr H, Schneider-Axmann T, Reif A, Wobrock T, Scherk H, Kraft S, Schmitt A, Falkai P, Gruber O. CACNA1C genotype explains interindividual differences in amygdala volume among patients with schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2014; 264:93-102. [PMID: 23880959 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-013-0427-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Affective deficits are one common denominator of schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) with the amygdala indicated as one of the major structures involved in emotion regulation. Previous findings of differences in amygdala volume between healthy controls and patients with SZ, BD or OCD diverge with respect to the affected hemisphere, size and direction of the effect. Variability in the CACNA1C gene has been linked to BD, SZ as well as structural and functional variation in the amygdala in healthy people and patients with BD. We were interested to investigate whether amygdala volumes differ between hemispheres, diagnostic or genotype groups, and whether any interactive effects exist. We combined genotyping of SNP rs1006737 in CACNA1C with structural MRI measurements of relative gray matter (GM) amygdala volume in patients with SZ, BD or OCD as well as healthy controls (N Total = 72). The CACNA1C genotype showed a significant effect on relative GM amygdala volume in patients with SZ. There was a significant left versus right relative GM amygdala volume decrease in patients with SZ or BD. The effects of hemisphere and diagnosis (controls vs. patients with SZ) on relative GM amygdala volume were genotype specific. Our data suggest that the CACNA1C genotype may account for some heterogeneity in the effects of hemisphere and diagnosis on amygdala volume when comparing patients with SZ and controls and point to disturbed Ca(2+)-signaling as a plausible mechanism contributing to the pathology in patients with SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center for Translational Research in Systems Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany,
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Hofmann F, Flockerzi V, Kahl S, Wegener JW. L-type CaV1.2 calcium channels: from in vitro findings to in vivo function. Physiol Rev 2014; 94:303-26. [PMID: 24382889 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00016.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The L-type Cav1.2 calcium channel is present throughout the animal kingdom and is essential for some aspects of CNS function, cardiac and smooth muscle contractility, neuroendocrine regulation, and multiple other processes. The L-type CaV1.2 channel is built by up to four subunits; all subunits exist in various splice variants that potentially affect the biophysical and biological functions of the channel. Many of the CaV1.2 channel properties have been analyzed in heterologous expression systems including regulation of the L-type CaV1.2 channel by Ca(2+) itself and protein kinases. However, targeted mutations of the calcium channel genes confirmed only some of these in vitro findings. Substitution of the respective serines by alanine showed that β-adrenergic upregulation of the cardiac CaV1.2 channel did not depend on the phosphorylation of the in vitro specified amino acids. Moreover, well-established in vitro phosphorylation sites of the CaVβ2 subunit of the cardiac L-type CaV1.2 channel were found to be irrelevant for the in vivo regulation of the channel. However, the molecular basis of some kinetic properties, such as Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation and facilitation, has been approved by in vivo mutagenesis of the CaV1.2α1 gene. This article summarizes recent findings on the in vivo relevance of well-established in vitro results.
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Striessnig J, Pinggera A, Kaur G, Bock G, Tuluc P. L-type Ca 2+ channels in heart and brain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 3:15-38. [PMID: 24683526 PMCID: PMC3968275 DOI: 10.1002/wmts.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
L-type calcium channels (Cav1) represent one of the three major classes (Cav1–3) of voltage-gated calcium channels. They were identified as the target of clinically used calcium channel blockers (CCBs; so-called calcium antagonists) and were the first class accessible to biochemical characterization. Four of the 10 known α1 subunits (Cav1.1–Cav1.4) form the pore of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) and contain the high-affinity drug-binding sites for dihydropyridines and other chemical classes of organic CCBs. In essentially all electrically excitable cells one or more of these LTCC isoforms is expressed, and therefore it is not surprising that many body functions including muscle, brain, endocrine, and sensory function depend on proper LTCC activity. Gene knockouts and inherited human diseases have allowed detailed insight into the physiological and pathophysiological role of these channels. Genome-wide association studies and analysis of human genomes are currently providing even more hints that even small changes of channel expression or activity may be associated with disease, such as psychiatric disease or cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, it is important to understand the structure–function relationship of LTCC isoforms, their differential contribution to physiological function, as well as their fine-tuning by modulatory cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Striessnig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Pinggera
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gurjot Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gabriella Bock
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Petronel Tuluc
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center of Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Baker KD, Edwards TM, Rickard NS. The role of intracellular calcium stores in synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:1211-39. [PMID: 23639769 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Memory processing requires tightly controlled signalling cascades, many of which are dependent upon intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)). Despite this, most work investigating calcium signalling in memory formation has focused on plasma membrane channels and extracellular sources of Ca(2+). The intracellular Ca(2+) release channels, ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) have a significant capacity to regulate intracellular Ca(2+) signalling. Evidence at both cellular and behavioural levels implicates both RyRs and IP3Rs in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Pharmacobehavioural experiments using young chicks trained on a single-trial discrimination avoidance task have been particularly useful by demonstrating that RyRs and IP3Rs have distinct roles in memory formation. RyR-dependent Ca(2+) release appears to aid the consolidation of labile memory into a persistent long-term memory trace. In contrast, IP3Rs are required during long-term memory. This review discusses various functions for RyRs and IP3Rs in memory processing, including neuro- and glio-transmitter release, dendritic spine remodelling, facilitating vasodilation, and the regulation of gene transcription and dendritic excitability. Altered Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores also has significant implications for neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn D Baker
- School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia.
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Bhat S, Dao DT, Terrillion CE, Arad M, Smith RJ, Soldatov NM, Gould TD. CACNA1C (Cav1.2) in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disease. Prog Neurobiol 2012; 99:1-14. [PMID: 22705413 PMCID: PMC3459072 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 05/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the most consistent genetic findings to have emerged from bipolar disorder genome wide association studies (GWAS) is with CACNA1C, a gene that codes for the α(1C) subunit of the Ca(v)1.2 voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel (LTCC). Genetic variation in CACNA1C have also been associated with depression, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, as well as changes in brain function and structure in control subjects who have no diagnosable psychiatric illness. These data are consistent with a continuum of shared neurobiological vulnerability between diverse-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) defined-neuropsychiatric diseases. While involved in numerous cellular functions, Ca(v)1.2 is most frequently implicated in coupling of cell membrane depolarization to transient increase of the membrane permeability for calcium, leading to activation and, potentially, changes in intracellular signaling pathway activity, gene transcription, and synaptic plasticity. Ca(v)1.2 is involved in the proper function of numerous neurological circuits including those involving the hippocampus, amygdala, and mesolimbic reward system, which are strongly implicated in psychiatric disease pathophysiology. A number of behavioral effects of LTCC inhibitors have been described including antidepressant-like behavioral actions in rodent models. Clinical studies suggest possible treatment effects in a subset of patients with mood disorders. We review the genetic structure and variation of CACNA1C, discussing relevant human genetic and clinical findings, as well as the biological actions of Ca(v)1.2 that are most relevant to psychiatric illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shambhu Bhat
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David T. Dao
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Michal Arad
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert J. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Todd D. Gould
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Biocompatibility of a genetically encoded calcium indicator in a transgenic mouse model. Nat Commun 2012; 3:1031. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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The role of metaplasticity mechanisms in regulating memory destabilization and reconsolidation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 36:1667-707. [PMID: 22484475 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Memory allows organisms to predict future events based on prior experiences. This requires encoded information to persist once important predictors are extracted, while also being modifiable in response to changes within the environment. Memory reconsolidation may allow stored information to be modified in response to related experience. However, there are many boundary conditions beyond which reconsolidation may not occur. One interpretation of these findings is that the event triggering memory retrieval must contain new information about a familiar stimulus in order to induce reconsolidation. Presently, the mechanisms that affect the likelihood of reconsolidation occurring under these conditions are not well understood. Here we speculate on a number of systems that may play a role in protecting memory from being destabilized during retrieval. We conclude that few memories may enter a state in which they cannot be modified. Rather, metaplasticity mechanisms may serve to alter the specific reactivation cues necessary to destabilize a memory. This might imply that destabilization mechanisms can differ depending on learning conditions.
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Goonasekera SA, Hammer K, Auger-Messier M, Bodi I, Chen X, Zhang H, Reiken S, Elrod JW, Correll RN, York AJ, Sargent MA, Hofmann F, Moosmang S, Marks AR, Houser SR, Bers DM, Molkentin JD. Decreased cardiac L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity induces hypertrophy and heart failure in mice. J Clin Invest 2011; 122:280-90. [PMID: 22133878 DOI: 10.1172/jci58227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antagonists of L-type Ca²⁺ channels (LTCCs) have been used to treat human cardiovascular diseases for decades. However, these inhibitors can have untoward effects in patients with heart failure, and their overall therapeutic profile remains nebulous given differential effects in the vasculature when compared with those in cardiomyocytes. To investigate this issue, we examined mice heterozygous for the gene encoding the pore-forming subunit of LTCC (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, α1C subunit [Cacna1c mice; referred to herein as α1C⁻/⁺ mice]) and mice in which this gene was loxP targeted to achieve graded heart-specific gene deletion (termed herein α1C-loxP mice). Adult cardiomyocytes from the hearts of α1C⁻/⁺ mice at 10 weeks of age showed a decrease in LTCC current and a modest decrease in cardiac function, which we initially hypothesized would be cardioprotective. However, α1C⁻/⁺ mice subjected to pressure overload stimulation, isoproterenol infusion, and swimming showed greater cardiac hypertrophy, greater reductions in ventricular performance, and greater ventricular dilation than α1C⁺/⁺ controls. The same detrimental effects were observed in α1C-loxP animals with a cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of one allele. More severe reductions in α1C protein levels with combinatorial deleted alleles produced spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy before 3 months of age, with early adulthood lethality. Mechanistically, our data suggest that a reduction in LTCC current leads to neuroendocrine stress, with sensitized and leaky sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release as a compensatory mechanism to preserve contractility. This state results in calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells signaling that promotes hypertrophy and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeewa A Goonasekera
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
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Calcium channel blocking as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease: the case for isradipine. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2011; 1812:1584-90. [PMID: 21925266 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most devastating neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly, yet treatment options are severely limited. The drug development effort to modify Alzheimer's disease pathology by intervention at beta amyloid production sites has been largely ineffective or inconclusive. The greatest challenge has been to identify and define downstream mechanisms reliably predictive of clinical symptoms. Beta amyloid accumulation leads to dysregulation of intracellular calcium by plasma membrane L-type calcium channels located on neuronal somatodendrites and axons in the hippocampus and cortex. Paradoxically, L-type calcium channel subtype Ca(v)1.2 also promotes synaptic plasticity and spatial memory. Increased intracellular calcium modulates amyloid precursor protein processing and affects multiple downstream pathways including increased hyperphosphorylated tau and suppression of autophagy. Isradipine is a Federal Drug Administration-approved dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that binds selectively to Ca(v)1.2 in the hippocampus. Our studies have shown that isradipine in vitro attenuates beta amyloid oligomer toxicity by suppressing calcium influx into cytoplasm and by suppressing Ca(v)1.2 expression. We have previously shown that administration of isradipine to triple transgenic animal model for Alzheimer's disease was well-tolerated. Our results further suggest that isradipine became bioavailable, lowered tau burden, and improved autophagy function in the brain. A better understanding of brain pharmacokinetics of calcium channel blockers will be critical for designing new experiments with appropriate drug doses in any future clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. This review highlights the importance of Ca(v)1.2 channel overexpression, the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and suppression of autophagy in Alzheimer's disease and modulation of this pathway by isradipine.
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