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Tsuzuki A, Yamasaki M, Konno K, Miyazaki T, Takei N, Tomita S, Yuzaki M, Watanabe M. Abundant extrasynaptic expression of α3β4-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the medial habenula-interpeduncular nucleus pathway in mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14193. [PMID: 38902419 PMCID: PMC11189931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65076-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the medial habenula (MHb)-interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) pathway play critical roles in nicotine-related behaviors. This pathway is particularly enriched in nAChR α3 and β4 subunits, both of which are genetically linked to nicotine dependence. However, the cellular and subcellular expression of endogenous α3β4-containing nAChRs remains largely unknown because specific antibodies and appropriate detection methods were unavailable. Here, we successfully uncovered the expression of endogenous nAChRs containing α3 and β4 subunits in the MHb-IPN pathway using novel specific antibodies and a fixative glyoxal that enables simultaneous detection of synaptic and extrasynaptic molecules. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that both subunits were predominantly localized to the extrasynaptic cell surface of somatodendritic and axonal compartments of MHb neurons but not at their synaptic junctions. Immunolabeling for α3 and β4 subunits disappeared in α5β4-knockout brains, which we used as negative controls. The enriched and diffuse extrasynaptic expression along the MHb-IPN pathway suggests that α3β4-containing nAChRs may enhance the excitability of MHb neurons and neurotransmitter release from their presynaptic terminals in the IPN. The revealed distribution pattern provides a molecular and anatomical basis for understanding the functional role of α3β4-containing nAChRs in the crucial pathway of nicotine dependence.
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Grants
- 17KK0160 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 21K06746 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 22K06784 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 20H05628 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- 20H05628 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
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Affiliation(s)
- Asuka Tsuzuki
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Miwako Yamasaki
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Kohtarou Konno
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Taisuke Miyazaki
- Department of Functioning and Disability, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Norio Takei
- Institute for Animal Experimentation, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Susumu Tomita
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Neuroscience, and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Michisuke Yuzaki
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
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2
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Olszewski NA, Tetteh-Quarshie S, Henderson BJ. Neuronal Excitability in the Medial Habenula and Ventral Tegmental Area Is Differentially Modulated by Nicotine Dosage and Menthol in a Sex-Specific Manner. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0380-23.2024. [PMID: 38233142 PMCID: PMC10863631 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0380-23.2024] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The medial habenula (MHb) has been identified as the limiting factor for nicotine intake and facilitating nicotine withdrawal. However, few studies have assessed MHb neuronal excitability in response to nicotine, and, currently, a gap in knowledge is present for finding behavioral correlates to neuronal excitability in the region. Moreover, no study to date has evaluated sex or nicotine dosage as factors of excitability in the MHb. Here, we utilized an e-vape self-administration (EVSA) model to determine differences between sexes with different nicotine dosages ± menthol. Following this paradigm, we employed patch-clamp electrophysiology to assess key metrics of MHb neuronal excitability in relation to behavioral endpoints. We observed female mice self-administered significantly more than males, regardless of dosage. We also observed a direct correlation between self-administration behavior and MHb excitability with low-dose nicotine + menthol in males. Conversely, a high dose of nicotine ± menthol yields an inverse correlation between excitability and self-administration behavior in males only. In addition, intrinsic excitability in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) does not track with the amount of nicotine self-administered. Rather, they correlate to the active/inactive discrimination of mice. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, we also observed that dopamine release dynamics are linked to reinforcement-related behavior in males and motivation-related behaviors in females. These results point to a sex-specific difference in the activity of the MHb and VTA leading to distinct differences in self-administration behavior. His could lend evidence to clinical observations of smoking and nicotine-use behavior differing between males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Olszewski
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington 25703-1104, West Virginia
| | - Samuel Tetteh-Quarshie
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington 25703-1104, West Virginia
| | - Brandon J Henderson
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington 25703-1104, West Virginia
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3
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Papke RL. The many enigmas of nicotine. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 99:327-354. [PMID: 38467485 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
This review discusses the diverse effects of nicotine on the various nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the central and peripheral nervous system and how those effects may promote the usage and addiction to tobacco products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger L Papke
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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4
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Vallés AS, Barrantes FJ. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Dysfunction in Addiction and in Some Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2051. [PMID: 37626860 PMCID: PMC10453526 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system plays an essential role in brain development, physiology, and pathophysiology. Herein, we review how specific alterations in this system, through genetic mutations or abnormal receptor function, can lead to aberrant neural circuitry that triggers disease. The review focuses on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and its role in addiction and in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases and epilepsy. Cholinergic dysfunction is associated with inflammatory processes mainly through the involvement of α7 nAChRs expressed in brain and in peripheral immune cells. Evidence suggests that these neuroinflammatory processes trigger and aggravate pathological states. We discuss the preclinical evidence demonstrating the therapeutic potential of nAChR ligands in Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and in autosomal dominant sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy. PubMed and Google Scholar bibliographic databases were searched with the keywords indicated below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofía Vallés
- Bahía Blanca Institute of Biochemical Research (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina;
| | - Francisco J. Barrantes
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina—National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina
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Dong J, Zhang P, Xie J, Xie T, Zhu X, Zhangsun D, Yu J, Luo S. Loop2 Size Modification Reveals Significant Impacts on the Potency of α-Conotoxin TxID. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21050286. [PMID: 37233480 DOI: 10.3390/md21050286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
α4/6-conotoxin TxID, which was identified from Conus textile, simultaneously blocks rat (r) α3β4 and rα6/α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with IC50 values of 3.6 nM and 33.9 nM, respectively. In order to identify the effects of loop2 size on the potency of TxID, alanine (Ala) insertion and truncation mutants were designed and synthesized in this study. An electrophysiological assay was used to evaluate the activity of TxID and its loop2-modified mutants. The results showed that the inhibition of 4/7-subfamily mutants [+9A]TxID, [+10A]TxID, [+14A]TxID, and all the 4/5-subfamily mutants against rα3β4 and rα6/α3β4 nAChRs decreased. Overall, ala-insertion or truncation of the 9th, 10th, and 11th amino acid results in a loss of inhibition and the truncation of loop2 has more obvious impacts on its functions. Our findings have strengthened the understanding of α-conotoxin, provided guidance for further modifications, and offered a perspective for future studies on the molecular mechanism of the interaction between α-conotoxins and nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianying Dong
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Panpan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Junjie Xie
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ting Xie
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhu
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Dongting Zhangsun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Jinpeng Yu
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Sulan Luo
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Marine Drugs of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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Barrantes FJ. Structure and function meet at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-lipid interface. Pharmacol Res 2023; 190:106729. [PMID: 36931540 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a transmembrane protein that mediates fast intercellular communication in response to the endogenous neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is the best characterized and archetypal molecule in the superfamily of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). As a typical transmembrane macromolecule, it interacts extensively with its vicinal lipid microenvironment. Experimental evidence provides a wealth of information on receptor-lipid crosstalk: the nAChR exerts influence on its immediate membrane environment and conversely, the lipid moiety modulates ligand binding, affinity state transitions and gating of ion translocation functions of the receptor protein. Recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies have unveiled the occurrence of sites for phospholipids and cholesterol on the lipid-exposed regions of neuronal and electroplax nAChRs, confirming early spectroscopic and affinity labeling studies demonstrating the close contact of lipid molecules with the receptor transmembrane segments. This new data provides structural support to the postulated "lipid sensor" ability displayed by the outer ring of M4 transmembrane domains and their modulatory role on nAChR function, as we postulated a decade ago. Borrowing from the best characterized nAChR, the electroplax (muscle-type) receptor, and exploiting new structural information on the neuronal nAChR, it is now possible to achieve an improved depiction of these sites. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis, single-channel electrophysiology, and molecular dynamics studies, the new structural information delivers a more comprehensive portrayal of these lipid-sensitive loci, providing mechanistic explanations for their ability to modulate nAChR properties and raising the possibility of targetting them in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) - Argentine Scientific & Technol. Research Council (CONICET), Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, C1107AAZ Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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7
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Tae HS, Adams DJ. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype expression, function, and pharmacology: Therapeutic potential of α-conotoxins. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106747. [PMID: 37001708 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The pentameric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are typically classed as muscle- or neuronal-type, however, the latter has also been reported in non-neuronal cells. Given their broad distribution, nAChRs mediate numerous physiological and pathological processes including synaptic transmission, presynaptic modulation of transmitter release, neuropathic pain, inflammation, and cancer. There are 17 different nAChR subunits and combinations of these subunits produce subtypes with diverse pharmacological properties. The expression and role of some nAChR subtypes have been extensively deciphered with the aid of knock-out models. Many nAChR subtypes expressed in heterologous systems are selectively targeted by the disulfide-rich α-conotoxins. α-Conotoxins are small peptides isolated from the venom of cone snails, and a number of them have potential pharmaceutical value.
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Kanasuwan A, Deuther-Conrad W, Chongruchiroj S, Sarasamkan J, Chotipanich C, Vajragupta O, Arunrungvichian K. Selective α 3β 4 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligand as a Potential Tracer for Drug Addiction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043614. [PMID: 36835028 PMCID: PMC9959096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
α3β4 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) has been recognized as an emerging biomarker for the early detection of drug addiction. Herein, α3β4 nAChR ligands were designed and synthesized to improve the binding affinity and selectivity of two lead compounds, (S)-QND8 and (S)-T2, for the development of an α3β4 nAChR tracer. The structural modification was achieved by retaining the key features and expanding the molecular structure with a benzyloxy group to increase the lipophilicity for blood-brain barrier penetration and to extend the ligand-receptor interaction. The preserved key features are a fluorine atom for radiotracer development and a p-hydroxyl motif for ligand-receptor binding affinity. Four (R)- and (S)-quinuclidine-triazole (AK1-AK4) were synthesized and the binding affinity, together with selectivity to α3β4 nAChR subtype, were determined by competitive radioligand binding assay using [3H]epibatidine as a radioligand. Among all modified compounds, AK3 showed the highest binding affinity and selectivity to α3β4 nAChR with a Ki value of 3.18 nM, comparable to (S)-QND8 and (S)-T2 and 3069-fold higher affinity to α3β4 nAChR in comparison to α7 nAChR. The α3β4 nAChR selectivity of AK3 was considerably higher than those of (S)-QND8 (11.8-fold) and (S)-T2 (294-fold). AK3 was shown to be a promising α3β4 nAChR tracer for further development as a radiotracer for drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apinan Kanasuwan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- National Cyclotron and PET Centre, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaengphet 6 Rd., Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Winnie Deuther-Conrad
- Department of Neuroradiopharmaceuticals, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sumet Chongruchiroj
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Jiradanai Sarasamkan
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mittraphap Rd., Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Chanisa Chotipanich
- National Cyclotron and PET Centre, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906 Kamphaengphet 6 Rd., Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Opa Vajragupta
- Molecular Probes for Imaging Research Network, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Rd., Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kuntarat Arunrungvichian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayutthaya Rd., Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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Colombo SF, Galli C, Crespi A, Renzi M, Gotti C. Rare Missense Variants of the Human β4 Subunit Alter Nicotinic α3β4 Receptor Plasma Membrane Localisation. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031247. [PMID: 36770914 PMCID: PMC9919425 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nARs) are pentameric ligand-gated cation channels that function in peripheral tissue and in the peripheral and central nervous systems, where they are critical mediators of ganglionic synaptic transmission and modulators of reward-related behaviours. In the pentamer, two α3β4 subunit couples provide ligand-binding sites, and the fifth single (accessory) subunit (α3 or β4) regulates receptor trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. A number of rare missense variants of the human β4 subunit have recently been linked to nicotine dependence and/or sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and altered responses to nicotine have been reported for these variants; however, it is unknown whether the effects of mutations depend on the subunit within the ligand-binding couples and/or on the fifth subunit. Here, by expressing single populations of pentameric receptors with fixed stoichiometry in cultured cells, we investigated the effect of β4 variants in the fifth position on the assembly and surface exposure of α3β4 nAChRs. The results demonstrate that the missense mutations in the accessory subunit alone, despite not affecting the assembly of α3β4 receptors, alter their trafficking and surface localisation. Thus, altered trafficking of an otherwise functional nAChR may underlie the pathogenic effects of these mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Francesca Colombo
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Cecilia Galli
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Crespi
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Renzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, “Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Gotti
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
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10
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Li RQ, Zhao XH, Zhu Q, Liu T, Hondermarck H, Thorne RF, Zhang XD, Gao JN. Exploring neurotransmitters and their receptors for breast cancer prevention and treatment. Theranostics 2023; 13:1109-1129. [PMID: 36793869 PMCID: PMC9925324 DOI: 10.7150/thno.81403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
While psychological factors have long been linked to breast cancer pathogenesis and outcomes, accumulating evidence is revealing how the nervous system contributes to breast cancer development, progression, and treatment resistance. Central to the psychological-neurological nexus are interactions between neurotransmitters and their receptors expressed on breast cancer cells and other types of cells in the tumor microenvironment, which activate various intracellular signaling pathways. Importantly, the manipulation of these interactions is emerging as a potential avenue for breast cancer prevention and treatment. However, an important caveat is that the same neurotransmitter can exert multiple and sometimes opposing effects. In addition, certain neurotransmitters can be produced and secreted by non-neuronal cells including breast cancer cells that similarly activate intracellular signaling upon binding to their receptors. In this review we dissect the evidence for the emerging paradigm linking neurotransmitters and their receptors with breast cancer. Foremost, we explore the intricacies of such neurotransmitter-receptor interactions, including those that impinge on other cellular components of the tumor microenvironment, such as endothelial cells and immune cells. Moreover, we discuss findings where clinical agents used to treat neurological and/or psychological disorders have exhibited preventive/therapeutic effects against breast cancer in either associative or pre-clinical studies. Further, we elaborate on the current progress to identify druggable components of the psychological-neurological nexus that can be exploited for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer as well as other tumor types. We also provide our perspectives regarding future challenges in this field where multidisciplinary cooperation is a paramount requirement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo Qi Li
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Xiao Hong Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Qin Zhu
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rick F Thorne
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial and Zhengzhou City Key laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Cancer Metabolism, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital and Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Henan, China
| | - Xu Dong Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial and Zhengzhou City Key laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Cancer Metabolism, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Non-coding RNA and Metabolism in Cancer, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital and Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Henan, China
| | - Jin Nan Gao
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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11
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Quijano Cardé NA, Shaw J, Carter C, Kim S, Stitzel JA, Venkatesh SK, Ramchandani VA, De Biasi M. Mutation of the α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit increases ethanol and nicotine consumption in adolescence and impacts adult drug consumption. Neuropharmacology 2022; 216:109170. [PMID: 35752273 PMCID: PMC9308728 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109170] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are commonly used during adolescence, establishing long-lasting neuroplastic alterations that influence subsequent drug use and abuse. Drinking- and smoking-related traits have been extensively associated with variation in CHRNA5 - the gene that encodes the α5 subunit of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs16969968 in CHRNA5 encodes an amino acid substitution (D398N) that alters the function and pharmacokinetics of α5-containing nAChR. When expressed in rodents, this variant results in increased ethanol and nicotine operant self-administration. How disruption of α5-containing nAChRs influences adolescent ethanol and nicotine intake, and how it modulates interactions between these drugs has not been previously explored. In the present study, we examined volitional ethanol and nicotine consumption in adolescent mice (post-natal day 30-43) of both sexes with mutated (SNP) or lacking (KO) the α5 nAChR subunit. The effect of adolescent alcohol or nicotine exposure on home cage consumption of the opposite drug in adulthood and its modulation by Chrna5 mutation and sex were examined. During adolescence, we found that α5 nAChR disruption increases nicotine intake in mice of both sexes, but the effect on alcohol intake was only observed in females. The sex-specific increase in alcohol consumption in α5 SNP and KO was replicated in adulthood. The effect of adolescent alcohol or nicotine exposure on subsequent intake of the opposite drug in adulthood is modulated by sex and Chrna5 mutation. These observations suggest sex differences in the genetic architecture of alcohol dependence, and modulators of alcohol and nicotine interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Quijano Cardé
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Shaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christina Carter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Seung Kim
- Neuroscience Program, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Shyamala K Venkatesh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Laboratory of Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Laboratory of Human Psychopharmacology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mariella De Biasi
- Pharmacology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Katsube M, Watanabe H, Suzuki K, Ishimoto T, Tatebayashi Y, Kato Y, Murayama N. Food-derived antioxidant ergothioneine improves sleep difficulties in humans. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.105165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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13
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Breum AW, Falk S, Svendsen CSA, Nicolaisen TS, Mathiesen CV, Maskos U, Clemmensen C. Divergent Roles of α5 and β4 Nicotinic Receptor Subunits in Food Reward and Nicotine-induced Weight Loss in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6590007. [PMID: 35595472 PMCID: PMC9217964 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A major obstacle to successful smoking cessation is the prospect of weight gain. Despite a clear relationship between cigarette smoking and body weight, surprisingly little is known about the physiological and molecular mechanism by which nicotine affects energy homeostasis and food-motivated behaviors. Here we use loss-of-function mouse models to demonstrate that 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits encoded by the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster, α5 and β4, exhibit divergent roles in food reward. We also reveal that β4-containing nAChRs are essential for the weight-lowering effects of nicotine in diet-induced obese mice. Finally, our data support the notion of crosstalk between incretin biology and nAChR signaling, as we demonstrate that the glycemic benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation partially relies on β4-containing nAChRs. Together, these data encourage further research into the role of cholinergic neurotransmission in regulating food reward and the translational pursuit of site-directed targeting of β4-containing nAChRs for treatment of metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Charlotte Sashi Aier Svendsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine Sand Nicolaisen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The August Krogh Section for Molecular Physiology, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Vad Mathiesen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic Systems, CNRS UMR 3571, Paris, France
| | - Christoffer Clemmensen
- Correspondence: Christoffer Clemmensen, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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14
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Archie SR, Sharma S, Burks E, Abbruscato T. Biological determinants impact the neurovascular toxicity of nicotine and tobacco smoke: A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics perspective. Neurotoxicology 2022; 89:140-160. [PMID: 35150755 PMCID: PMC8958572 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the detrimental effect of nicotine and tobacco smoke on the central nervous system (CNS) is caused by the neurotoxic role of nicotine on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression, and the dopaminergic system. The ultimate consequence of these nicotine associated neurotoxicities can lead to cerebrovascular dysfunction, altered behavioral outcomes (hyperactivity and cognitive dysfunction) as well as future drug abuse and addiction. The severity of these detrimental effects can be associated with several biological determinants. Sex and age are two important biological determinants which can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of several systemically available substances, including nicotine. With regard to sex, the availability of gonadal hormone is impacted by the pregnancy status and menstrual cycle resulting in altered metabolism rate of nicotine. Additionally, the observed lower smoking cessation rate in females compared to males is a consequence of differential effects of sex on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine. Similarly, age-dependent alterations in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine have also been observed. One such example is related to severe vulnerability of adolescence towards addiction and long-term behavioral changes which may continue through adulthood. Considering the possible neurotoxic effects of nicotine on the central nervous system and the deterministic role of sex as well as age on these neurotoxic effects of smoking, it has become important to consider sex and age to study nicotine induced neurotoxicity and development of treatment strategies for combating possible harmful effects of nicotine. In the future, understanding the role of sex and age on the neurotoxic actions of nicotine can facilitate the individualization and optimization of treatment(s) to mitigate nicotine induced neurotoxicity as well as smoking cessation therapy. Unfortunately, however, no such comprehensive study is available which has considered both the sex- and age-dependent neurotoxicity of nicotine, as of today. Hence, the overreaching goal of this review article is to analyze and summarize the impact of sex and age on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine and possible neurotoxic consequences associated with nicotine in order to emphasize the importance of including these biological factors for such studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Rahman Archie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Sejal Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth Burks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Abbruscato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), Amarillo, TX, USA.
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15
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Jin XT, Drenan RM. Functional α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in GABAergic neurons of the interpeduncular nucleus. Neuropharmacology 2022; 208:108987. [PMID: 35167902 PMCID: PMC8885883 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.108987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) plays a key role in nicotine dependence and is involved in regulation of fear responses, affective states, and novelty processing. IPN neurons express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and receive strong cholinergic innervation from the ventral medial habenula. Dorsal medial habenula neurons are primarily peptidergic, releasing substance P (SP) mainly onto IPN neurons in the lateral subnucleus (IPL). IPL neurons are sensitive to SP, but it is not known if they are involved in cholinergic transmission like other IPN neurons. We examined nAChR subunit gene expression in IPL neurons, revealing that Chrna7 (α7 nAChR subunit) is expressed in a subset of GABAergic IPL neurons. In patch-clamp recordings from IPL neurons, ACh-evoked inward currents were attenuated by methyllycaconitine (α7 nAChR antagonist) and potentiated by NS1738 (α7 Type I positive allosteric modulator). We confirmed α7 functional expression in IPL neurons by also showing that ACh-evoked currents were potentiated by PNU-120596 (Type II positive allosteric modulator). Additional pharmacological experiments show that IPN neurons expressing α7 nAChRs also express α3β4 nAChRs. Finally, we used 2-photon laser scanning microscopy and nicotine uncaging to directly examine the morphology of IPL neurons that express α7 nAChRs. These results highlight a novel aspect of α7 nAChR neurobiology, adding to the complexity of cholinergic modulation by nAChRs in the IPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Tao Jin
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ryan M Drenan
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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16
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Wills L, Ables JL, Braunscheidel KM, Caligiuri SPB, Elayouby KS, Fillinger C, Ishikawa M, Moen JK, Kenny PJ. Neurobiological Mechanisms of Nicotine Reward and Aversion. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:271-310. [PMID: 35017179 PMCID: PMC11060337 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate the rewarding actions of nicotine contained in tobacco that establish and maintain the smoking habit. nAChRs also regulate the aversive properties of nicotine, sensitivity to which decreases tobacco use and protects against tobacco use disorder. These opposing behavioral actions of nicotine reflect nAChR expression in brain reward and aversion circuits. nAChRs containing α4 and β2 subunits are responsible for the high-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain and are densely expressed by reward-relevant neurons, most notably dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area. High-affinity nAChRs can incorporate additional subunits, including β3, α6, or α5 subunits, with the resulting nAChR subtypes playing discrete and dissociable roles in the stimulatory actions of nicotine on brain dopamine transmission. nAChRs in brain dopamine circuits also participate in aversive reactions to nicotine and the negative affective state experienced during nicotine withdrawal. nAChRs containing α3 and β4 subunits are responsible for the low-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain and are enriched in brain sites involved in aversion, including the medial habenula, interpeduncular nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract, brain sites in which α5 nAChR subunits are also expressed. These aversion-related brain sites regulate nicotine avoidance behaviors, and genetic variation that modifies the function of nAChRs in these sites increases vulnerability to tobacco dependence and smoking-related diseases. Here, we review the molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms through which nicotine elicits reward and aversion and the adaptations in these processes that drive the development of nicotine dependence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Tobacco use disorder in the form of habitual cigarette smoking or regular use of other tobacco-related products is a major cause of death and disease worldwide. This article reviews the actions of nicotine in the brain that contribute to tobacco use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wills
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Jessica L Ables
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Kevin M Braunscheidel
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Stephanie P B Caligiuri
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Karim S Elayouby
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Clementine Fillinger
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Masago Ishikawa
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Janna K Moen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York
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17
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Abburi C, McDaid J. Ethanol interaction with α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neurons of the laterodorsal tegmentum. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:2495-2505. [PMID: 34625982 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a key role in the rewarding effects of ethanol (EtOH), and while several nAChR subtypes have been implicated, attention has recently shifted to a role for the α3β4 nAChR. The laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg), a brainstem cholinergic nucleus that sends excitatory projections to the ventral tegmental area, is an Integral part of the brain reward pathway. Here we investigate a potential role for LDTg α3β4 nAChRs in EtOH self-administration and reward. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were given ad libitum access to a 20% EtOH solution, as part of a two-bottle choice paradigm. Approximately 1 week after removal of EtOH access, we measured LDTg α3β4 nAChR current responses to focal application of acetylcholine (ACh), using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology recordings in acute brain slices. In addition, we used whole-cell electrophysiology to assess the acute effects of EtOH on the sensitivity of LDTg α3β4 nAChRs. RESULTS Focal application of ACh onto LDTg neurons resulted in large α3β4 nAChR-mediated inward currents, the magnitude of which showed a positive correlation with levels of EtOH self-administration. In addition, using brain slices taken from EtOH-naïve rats, bath application of EtOH resulted in a moderate potentiation of LDTg α3β4 nAChR sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Using a rat model, increased α3β4 nAChR function was associated with greater EtOH self-administration, with α3β4 nAChR function also acutely potentiated by EtOH. Assuming that similar findings apply to humans, the α3β4 nAChR could be a therapeutic target in the treatment of EtOH use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrika Abburi
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA
| | - John McDaid
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA
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18
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Natarajan K, Mukhtasimova N, Corradi J, Lasala M, Bouzat C, Sine SM. Mechanism of calcium potentiation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. J Gen Physiol 2021; 152:151971. [PMID: 32702089 PMCID: PMC7478872 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is among the most abundant types of nAChR in the brain, yet the ability of nerve-released ACh to activate α7 remains enigmatic. In particular, a major population of α7 resides in extra-synaptic regions where the ACh concentration is reduced, owing to dilution and enzymatic hydrolysis, yet ACh shows low potency in activating α7. Using high-resolution single-channel recording techniques, we show that extracellular calcium is a powerful potentiator of α7 activated by low concentrations of ACh. Potentiation manifests as robust increases in the frequency of channel opening and the average duration of the openings. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that calcium binds to the periphery of the five ligand binding sites and is framed by a pair of anionic residues from the principal and complementary faces of each site. Mutation of residues identified by simulation prevents calcium from potentiating ACh-elicited channel opening. An anionic residue is conserved at each of the identified positions in all vertebrate species of α7. Thus, calcium associates with a novel structural motif on α7 and is an obligate cofactor in regions of limited ACh concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathiresan Natarajan
- Receptor Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
| | - Nuriya Mukhtasimova
- Receptor Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
| | - Jeremías Corradi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas, Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Matías Lasala
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas, Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas, Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Steven M Sine
- Receptor Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN.,Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
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19
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Rivera-Perez LM, Kwapiszewski JT, Roberts MT. α 3β 4 ∗ Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Strongly Modulate the Excitability of VIP Neurons in the Mouse Inferior Colliculus. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:709387. [PMID: 34434092 PMCID: PMC8381226 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.709387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC), the midbrain hub of the central auditory system, receives extensive cholinergic input from the pontomesencephalic tegmentum. Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the IC can alter acoustic processing and enhance auditory task performance. However, how nAChRs affect the excitability of specific classes of IC neurons remains unknown. Recently, we identified vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons as a distinct class of glutamatergic principal neurons in the IC. Here, in experiments using male and female mice, we show that cholinergic terminals are routinely located adjacent to the somas and dendrites of VIP neurons. Using whole-cell electrophysiology in brain slices, we found that acetylcholine drives surprisingly strong and long-lasting excitation and inward currents in VIP neurons. This excitation was unaffected by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. Application of nAChR antagonists revealed that acetylcholine excites VIP neurons mainly via activation of α3β4∗ nAChRs, a nAChR subtype that is rare in the brain. Furthermore, we show that acetylcholine excites VIP neurons directly and does not require intermediate activation of presynaptic inputs that might express nAChRs. Lastly, we found that low frequency trains of acetylcholine puffs elicited temporal summation in VIP neurons, suggesting that in vivo-like patterns of cholinergic input can reshape activity for prolonged periods. These results reveal the first cellular mechanisms of nAChR regulation in the IC, identify a functional role for α3β4∗ nAChRs in the auditory system, and suggest that cholinergic input can potently influence auditory processing by increasing excitability in VIP neurons and their postsynaptic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Rivera-Perez
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Julia T Kwapiszewski
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Michael T Roberts
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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20
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Faillace MP, Bernabeu RO. Epigenetic Mechanisms Mediate Nicotine-Induced Reward and Behaviour in Zebrafish. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 20:510-523. [PMID: 34279203 PMCID: PMC9608226 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x19666210716112351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine induces long-term changes in the neural activity of the mesocorticolimbic reward pathway structures. The mechanisms involved in this process have not been fully characterized. The hypothesis discussed here proposed that epigenetic regulation participates in the installation of persistent adaptations and long-lasting synaptic plasticity generated by nicotine action on the mesolimbic dopamine neurons of zebrafish. The epigenetic mechanisms induced by nicotine entail histone and DNA chemical modifications, which have been described to lead to changes in gene expression. Among the enzymes that catalyze epigenetic chemical modifications, histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove acetyl groups from histones, thereby facilitating DNA relaxation and making DNA more accessible to gene transcription. DNA methylation, which is dependent on DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) activity, inhibits gene expression by recruiting several methyl binding proteins that prevent RNA polymerase binding to DNA. In zebrafish, phenylbutyrate (PhB), an HDAC inhibitor, abolishes nicotine rewarding properties together with a series of typical reward-associated behaviors. Furthermore, PhB and nicotine alter long- and short-term object recognition memory in zebrafish, respectively. Regarding DNA methylation effects, a methyl group donor L-methionine (L-met) was found to dramatically reduce nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in zebrafish. Simultaneous treatment with DNMT inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (AZA) was found to reverse the L-met effect on nicotine-induced CPP as well as nicotine reward-specific effects on genetic expression in zebrafish. Therefore, pharmacological interventions that modulate epigenetic regulation of gene expression should be considered as a potential therapeutic method to treat nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paula Faillace
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina e Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Profesor Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO-Houssay, CONICET-UBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ramón O Bernabeu
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina e Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Profesor Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO-Houssay, CONICET-UBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Stone TW. Relationships and Interactions between Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors and Nicotinic Receptors in the CNS. Neuroscience 2021; 468:321-365. [PMID: 34111447 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although ionotropic glutamate receptors and nicotinic receptors for acetylcholine (ACh) have usually been studied separately, they are often co-localized and functionally inter-dependent. The objective of this review is to survey the evidence for interactions between the two receptor families and the mechanisms underlying them. These include the mutual regulation of subunit expression, which change the NMDA:AMPA response balance, and the existence of multi-functional receptor complexes which make it difficult to distinguish between individual receptor sites, especially in vivo. This is followed by analysis of the functional relationships between the receptors from work on transmitter release, cellular electrophysiology and aspects of behavior where these can contribute to understanding receptor interactions. It is clear that nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) on axonal terminals directly regulate the release of glutamate and other neurotransmitters, α7-nAChRs generally promoting release. Hence, α7-nAChR responses will be prevented not only by a nicotinic antagonist, but also by compounds blocking the indirectly activated glutamate receptors. This accounts for the apparent anticholinergic activity of some glutamate antagonists, including the endogenous antagonist kynurenic acid. The activation of presynaptic nAChRs is by the ambient levels of ACh released from pre-terminal synapses, varicosities and glial cells, acting as a 'volume neurotransmitter' on synaptic and extrasynaptic sites. In addition, ACh and glutamate are released as CNS co-transmitters, including 'cholinergic' synapses onto spinal Renshaw cells. It is concluded that ACh should be viewed primarily as a modulator of glutamatergic neurotransmission by regulating the release of glutamate presynaptically, and the location, subunit composition, subtype balance and sensitivity of glutamate receptors, and not primarily as a classical fast neurotransmitter. These conclusions and caveats should aid clarification of the sites of action of glutamate and nicotinic receptor ligands in the search for new centrally-acting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor W Stone
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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22
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Wills L, Kenny PJ. Addiction-related neuroadaptations following chronic nicotine exposure. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1652-1673. [PMID: 33742685 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The addiction-relevant molecular, cellular, and behavioral actions of nicotine are derived from its stimulatory effects on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system. nAChRs expressed by dopamine-containing neurons in the ventral midbrain, most notably in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), contribute to the reward-enhancing properties of nicotine that motivate the use of tobacco products. nAChRs are also expressed by neurons in brain circuits that regulate aversion. In particular, nAChRs expressed by neurons in the medial habenula (mHb) and the interpeduncular nucleus (IPn) to which the mHb almost exclusively projects regulate the "set-point" for nicotine aversion and control nicotine intake. Different nAChR subtypes are expressed in brain reward and aversion circuits and nicotine intake is titrated to maximally engage reward-enhancing nAChRs while minimizing the recruitment of aversion-promoting nAChRs. With repeated exposure to nicotine, reward- and aversion-related nAChRs and the brain circuits in which they are expressed undergo adaptations that influence whether tobacco use will transition from occasional to habitual. Genetic variation that influences the sensitivity of addiction-relevant brain circuits to the actions of nicotine also influence the propensity to develop habitual tobacco use. Here, we review some of the key advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which nicotine acts on brain reward and aversion circuits and the adaptations that occur in these circuits that may drive addiction to nicotine-containing tobacco products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wills
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Shibao CA, Joos K, Phillips JA, Cogan J, Newman JH, Hamid R, Meiler J, Capra J, Sheehan J, Vetrini F, Yang Y, Black B, Diedrich A, Roberston D, Biaggioni I. Familial Autonomic Ganglionopathy Caused by Rare CHRNA3 Genetic Variants. Neurology 2021; 97:e145-e155. [PMID: 33947782 PMCID: PMC8279568 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the molecular basis of a new monogenetic recessive disorder that results in familial autonomic ganglionopathy with diffuse autonomic failure. METHODS Two adult siblings from one family (I-4 and I-5) and another participant from a second family (II-3) presented with severe neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH), small nonreactive pupils, and constipation. All 3 affected members had low norepinephrine levels and diffuse panautonomic failure. RESULTS Whole exome sequencing of DNA from I-4 and I-5 showed compound heterozygosity for c.907_908delCT (p.L303Dfs*115)/c.688 G>A (p.D230N) pathologic variants in the acetylcholine receptor, neuronal nicotinic, α3 subunit gene (CHRNA3). II-3 from the second family was homozygous for the same frameshift (fs) variant (p.L303Dfs*115//p.L303Dfs*115). CHRNA3 encodes a critical subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) responsible for fast synaptic transmission in the autonomic ganglia. The fs variant is clearly pathogenic and the p.D230N variant is predicted to be damaging (SIFT)/probably damaging (PolyPhen2). The p.D230N variant lies on the interface between CHRNA3 and other nAChR subunits based on structural modeling and is predicted to destabilize the nAChR pentameric complex. CONCLUSIONS We report a novel genetic disease that affected 3 individuals from 2 unrelated families who presented with severe nOH, miosis, and constipation. These patients had rare pathologic variants in the CHRNA3 gene that cosegregate with and are predicted to be the likely cause of their diffuse panautonomic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyndya A Shibao
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
| | - Karen Joos
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - John A Phillips
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Joy Cogan
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - John H Newman
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Rizwan Hamid
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jens Meiler
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - John Capra
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jonathan Sheehan
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Francesco Vetrini
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Yaping Yang
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Bonnie Black
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - André Diedrich
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - David Roberston
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Italo Biaggioni
- From the Department of Medicine (C.S., J.H.N., B.B., A.D., D.R., I.B.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biomedical Engineering (K.J.), Department of Pediatrics (J.A.P., J.C., R.H.), and Department of Biochemistry (J.M., J.C.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Internal Medicine (J.S.), Washington University in St. Louis, MO; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (F.V.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; and Baylor Genetics and Baylor College of Medicine (Y.Y.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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24
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Abstract
Tobacco smoking results in more than five million deaths each year and accounts for ∼90% of all deaths from lung cancer.3 Nicotine, the major reinforcing component of tobacco smoke, acts in the brain through the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The nAChRs are allosterically regulated, ligand-gated ion channels consisting of five membrane-spanning subunits. Twelve mammalian α subunits (α2-α10) and three β subunits (β2-β4) have been cloned. The predominant nAChR subtypes in mammalian brain are those containing α4 and β2 subunits (denoted as α4β2* nAChRs). The α4β2* nAChRs mediate many behaviors related to nicotine addiction and are the primary targets for currently approved smoking cessation agents. Considering the large number of nAChR subunits in the brain, it is likely that nAChRs containing subunits in addition to α4 and β2 also play a role in tobacco smoking. Indeed, genetic variation in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster, encoding the α5, α3, and β4 nAChR subunits, respectively, has been shown to increase vulnerability to tobacco dependence and smoking-associated diseases including lung cancer. Moreover, mice, in which expression of α5 or β4 subunits has been genetically modified, have profoundly altered patterns of nicotine consumption. In addition to the reinforcing properties of nicotine, the effects of nicotine on appetite, attention, and mood are also thought to contribute to establishment and maintenance of the tobacco smoking habit. Here, we review recent insights into the behavioral actions of nicotine, and the nAChR subtypes involved, which likely contribute to the development of tobacco dependence in smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina R Picciotto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06508, USA
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
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25
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Carcoba LM, Uribe KP, Ortegon S, Mendez IA, DeBiasi M, O'Dell LE. Amino acid systems in the interpeduncular nucleus are altered in a sex-dependent manner during nicotine withdrawal. J Neurosci Res 2021; 100:1573-1584. [PMID: 33751631 PMCID: PMC8455708 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Prior work in male rodents established that the medial habenula-interpeduncular nucleus (MHb-IPN) pathway modulates nicotine withdrawal. Specifically, withdrawal severity has been closely associated with inhibitory tone in the IPN via interneurons that release γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Inhibitory tone in the IPN is regulated by projections from the MHb that co-release glutamate and acetylcholine. Within the IPN, inhibitory tone is also regulated via corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 (CRF1) receptors that control GABA release from local interneurons. This study extends previous work by comparing sex differences in GABA, glutamate, as well serotonin levels in the IPN during precipitated nicotine withdrawal. Sex differences in withdrawal-induced neurochemical effects were also compared following systemic administration of a CRF1 receptor antagonist. The results revealed that there were no group differences in serotonin levels in the IPN. A major finding was that females displayed a larger withdrawal-induced increases in GABA levels in the IPN than males. Also, withdrawal increased IPN glutamate levels in a similar manner in females and males. Blockade of CRF1 receptors produced a larger suppression of the withdrawal-induced increases in GABA levels in the IPN of females versus males, an effect that was likely related to the robust increase in glutamate following administration of the CRF1 receptor antagonist in females. These data suggest that amino acid systems in the IPN modulate sex differences in the behavioral effects of nicotine withdrawal. Furthermore, our data imply that medications that target stress-induced activation of the IPN may reduce withdrawal severity, particularly in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Carcoba
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Kevin P Uribe
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Sebastian Ortegon
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Ian A Mendez
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Mariella DeBiasi
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura E O'Dell
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
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26
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Sherafat Y, Bautista M, Fowler CD. Multidimensional Intersection of Nicotine, Gene Expression, and Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:649129. [PMID: 33828466 PMCID: PMC8019722 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.649129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in nervous system function with important effects on developmental processes, cognition, attention, motivation, reward, learning, and memory. Nicotine, the reinforcing component of tobacco and e-cigarettes, directly acts on the cholinergic system by targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain. Activation of nAChRs leads to a multitude of immediate and long-lasting effects in specific cellular populations, thereby affecting the addictive properties of the drug. In addition to the direct actions of nicotine in binding to and opening nAChRs, the subsequent activation of circuits and downstream signaling cascades leads to a wide range of changes in gene expression, which can subsequently alter further behavioral expression. In this review, we provide an overview of the actions of nicotine that lead to changes in gene expression and further highlight evidence supporting how these changes can often be bidirectional, thereby inducing subsequent changes in behaviors associated with further drug intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Sherafat
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, Unites States
| | - Malia Bautista
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, Unites States
| | - Christie D Fowler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, Unites States
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27
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Brynildsen JK, Blendy JA. Linking the CHRNA5 SNP to drug abuse liability: From circuitry to cellular mechanisms. Neuropharmacology 2021; 186:108480. [PMID: 33539855 PMCID: PMC7958463 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetics are known to be a significant risk factor for drug abuse. In human populations, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) D398N in the gene CHRNA5 has been associated with addiction to nicotine, opioids, cocaine, and alcohol. In this paper, we review findings from studies in humans, rodent models, and cell lines and provide evidence that collectively suggests that the Chrna5 SNP broadly influences the response to drugs of abuse in a manner that is not substance-specific. This finding has important implications for our understanding of the role of the cholinergic system in reward and addiction vulnerability. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia K Brynildsen
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Julie A Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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28
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Cano M, Reynaga DD, Belluzzi JD, Loughlin SE, Leslie F. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke extract upregulates nicotinic receptor binding in adult and adolescent rats. Neuropharmacology 2020; 181:108308. [PMID: 32950561 PMCID: PMC7655523 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Heavy smokers display increased radioligand binding of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This "upregulation" is thought to be a contributing factor to tobacco dependence. Although cigarette smoke contains thousands of constituents that can contribute to nicotine dependence, it is not well understood whether non-nicotine constituents contribute to nAChR upregulation. In this study, we used an aqueous cigarette smoke extract (CSE), which contains nicotine and soluble constituents of cigarette smoke, to induce nAChR upregulation in adult and adolescent rats. To do this, male rats were exposed to nicotine or CSE (1.5 mg/kg/day nicotine equivalent, intravenously) daily for ten days. This experimental procedure produces equivalent levels of brain and plasma nicotine in nicotine- and CSE-treated animals. We then assessed nAChR upregulation using quantitative autoradiography to measure changes in three nAChR types. Adolescents were found to have consistently greater α4β2 nAChR binding than adults in many brain regions. Chronic nicotine exposure did not significantly increase nAChR binding in any brain region at either age. Chronic CSE exposure selectively increased α4β2 nAChR binding in adolescent medial amygdala and α7 binding in adolescent central amygdala and lateral hypothalamus. CSE also increased α3β4 nAChR binding in the medial habenula and interpeduncular nucleus, and α7 binding in the medial amygdala, independent of age. Overall, this work provides evidence that cigarette smoke constituents influence nAChR upregulation in an age-, nAChR type- and region-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Cano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Daisy D Reynaga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - James D Belluzzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sandra E Loughlin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Frances Leslie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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29
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Scholze P, Huck S. The α5 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Differentially Modulates α4β2 * and α3β4 * Receptors. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:607959. [PMID: 33343327 PMCID: PMC7744819 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.607959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine, the principal reinforcing compound in tobacco, acts in the brain by activating neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding how the α5 accessory nAChR subunit, encoded by the CHRNA5 gene, differentially modulates α4β2* and α3β4* receptors at the cellular level. Genome-wide association studies have linked a gene cluster in chromosomal region 15q25 to increased susceptibility to nicotine addiction, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Interestingly, this gene cluster contains a non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the human CHRNA5 gene, causing an aspartic acid (D) to asparagine (N) substitution at amino acid position 398 in the α5 nAChR subunit. Although other SNPs have been associated with tobacco smoking behavior, efforts have focused predominantly on the D398 and N398 variants in the α5 subunit. In recent years, significant progress has been made toward understanding the role that the α5 nAChR subunit—and the role of the D398 and N398 variants—plays on nAChR function at the cellular level. These insights stem primarily from a wide range of experimental models, including receptors expressed heterologously in Xenopus oocytes, various cell lines, and neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), as well as endogenous receptors in genetically engineered mice and—more recently—rats. Despite providing a wealth of available data, however, these studies have yielded conflicting results, and our understanding of the modulatory role that the α5 subunit plays remains incomplete. Here, we review these reports and the various techniques used for expression and analysis in order to examine how the α5 subunit modulates key functions in α4β2* and α3β4* receptors, including receptor trafficking, sensitivity, efficacy, and desensitization. In addition, we highlight the strikingly different role that the α5 subunit plays in Ca2+ signaling between α4β2* and α3β4* receptors, and we discuss whether the N398 α5 subunit variant can partially replace the D398 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Scholze
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sigismund Huck
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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30
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Icick R, Forget B, Cloëz-Tayarani I, Pons S, Maskos U, Besson M. Genetic susceptibility to nicotine addiction: Advances and shortcomings in our understanding of the CHRNA5/A3/B4 gene cluster contribution. Neuropharmacology 2020; 177:108234. [PMID: 32738310 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, robust human genetic findings have been instrumental in elucidating the heritable basis of nicotine addiction (NA). They highlight coding and synonymous polymorphisms in a cluster on chromosome 15, encompassing the CHRNA5, CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 genes, coding for three subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). They have inspired an important number of preclinical studies, and will hopefully lead to the definition of novel drug targets for treating NA. Here, we review these candidate gene and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and their direct implication in human brain function and NA-related phenotypes. We continue with a description of preclinical work in transgenic rodents that has led to a mechanistic understanding of several of the genetic hits. We also highlight important issues with regards to CHRNA3 and CHRNB4 where we are still lacking a dissection of their role in NA, including even in preclinical models. We further emphasize the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models for the analysis of synonymous and intronic variants on a human genomic background. Finally, we indicate potential avenues to further our understanding of the role of this human genetic variation. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Icick
- Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France; Département de Psychiatrie et de Médecine Addictologique, Groupe Hospitalier Saint-Louis, Lariboisière, Fernand Widal, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, F-75010, France; INSERM UMR-S1144, Paris, F-75006, France; FHU "NOR-SUD", Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, F-75001, France
| | - Benoît Forget
- Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France; Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Isabelle Cloëz-Tayarani
- Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France; FHU "NOR-SUD", Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, F-75001, France
| | - Stéphanie Pons
- Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France; FHU "NOR-SUD", Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, F-75001, France
| | - Uwe Maskos
- Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France; FHU "NOR-SUD", Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, F-75001, France
| | - Morgane Besson
- Neurobiologie Intégrative des Systèmes Cholinergiques, CNRS UMR3571, Institut Pasteur, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France; FHU "NOR-SUD", Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, F-75001, France.
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31
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Wittenberg RE, Wolfman SL, De Biasi M, Dani JA. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and nicotine addiction: A brief introduction. Neuropharmacology 2020; 177:108256. [PMID: 32738308 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug found in tobacco that drives its continued use despite the harmful consequences. The initiation of nicotine abuse involves the mesolimbic dopamine system, which contributes to the rewarding sensory stimuli and associative learning processes in the beginning stages of addiction. Nicotine binds to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which come in a diverse collection of subtypes. The nAChRs that contain the α4 and β2 subunits, often in combination with the α6 subunit, are particularly important for nicotine's ability to increase midbrain dopamine neuron firing rates and phasic burst firing. Chronic nicotine exposure results in numerous neuroadaptations, including the upregulation of particular nAChR subtypes associated with long-term desensitization of the receptors. When nicotine is no longer present, for example during attempts to quit smoking, a withdrawal syndrome develops. The expression of physical withdrawal symptoms depends mainly on the α2, α3, α5, and β4 nicotinic subunits in the epithalamic habenular complex and its target regions. Thus, nicotine affects diverse neural systems and an array of nAChR subtypes to mediate the overall addiction process. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthie E Wittenberg
- Departments of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shannon L Wolfman
- Departments of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mariella De Biasi
- Departments of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John A Dani
- Departments of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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32
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Miller CN, Kamens HM. The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in alcohol-related behaviors. Brain Res Bull 2020; 163:135-142. [PMID: 32707263 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes an alarming economic and health burden in the United States. Unfortunately, this disease does not exist in isolation; AUD is highly comorbid with nicotine use. Results from both human and animal models demonstrate a genetic correlation between alcohol and nicotine behaviors. These data support the idea of shared genetic and neural mechanisms underlying these behaviors. Nicotine acts directly at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) to have its pharmacological effect. Interestingly, alcohol also acts both directly and indirectly at these receptors. Research utilizing genetically engineered rodents and pharmacological manipulations suggest a role for nAChR in several ethanol behaviors. The current manuscript collates this literature and discusses findings that implicate specific nAChR subunits in ethanol phenotypes. These data suggest future directions for targeting nAChR as novel therapeutics for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Miller
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States
| | - H M Kamens
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, United States.
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Hashikawa Y, Hashikawa K, Rossi MA, Basiri ML, Liu Y, Johnston NL, Ahmad OR, Stuber GD. Transcriptional and Spatial Resolution of Cell Types in the Mammalian Habenula. Neuron 2020; 106:743-758.e5. [PMID: 32272058 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The habenula complex is appreciated as a critical regulator of motivated and pathological behavioral states via its output to midbrain nuclei. Despite this, transcriptional definition of cell populations that comprise both the medial habenular (MHb) and lateral habenular (LHb) subregions in mammals remain undefined. To resolve this, we performed single-cell transcriptional profiling and highly multiplexed in situ hybridization experiments of the mouse habenula complex in naive mice and those exposed to an acute aversive stimulus. Transcriptionally distinct neuronal cell types identified within the MHb and LHb, were spatially defined, differentially engaged by aversive stimuli, and had distinct electrophysiological properties. Cell types identified in mice also displayed a high degree of transcriptional similarity to those previously described in zebrafish, highlighting the well-conserved nature of habenular cell types across the phylum. These data identify key molecular targets within habenular cell types and provide a critical resource for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiko Hashikawa
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Koichi Hashikawa
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mark A Rossi
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Marcus L Basiri
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yuejia Liu
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nathan L Johnston
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Omar R Ahmad
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Progress in nicotinic receptor structural biology. Neuropharmacology 2020; 171:108086. [PMID: 32272141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Here we begin by briefly reviewing landmark structural studies on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We highlight challenges that had to be overcome to push through resolution barriers, then focus on what has been gleaned in the past few years from crystallographic and single particle cryo-EM studies of different nicotinic receptor subunit assemblies and ligand complexes. We discuss insights into ligand recognition, ion permeation, and allosteric gating. We then highlight some foundational aspects of nicotinic receptor structural biology that remain unresolved and are areas ripe for future exploration. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.
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Maskos U. The nicotinic receptor alpha5 coding polymorphism rs16969968 as a major target in disease: Functional dissection and remaining challenges. J Neurochem 2020; 154:241-250. [PMID: 32078158 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are major signalling molecules in the central and peripheral nervous system. Over the last decade, they have been linked to a number of major human psychiatric and neurological conditions, like smoking, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and many others. Human Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have robustly identified genetic alterations at a locus of chromosome 15q to several of these diseases. In this review, we discuss a major coding polymorphism in the alpha5 subunit, referred to as α5SNP, and its functional dissection in vitro and in vivo. Its presence at high frequency in many human populations lends itself to pharmaceutical intervention in the context of 'positive allosteric modulators' (PAMs). We will present the prospects of this novel treatment, and the remaining challenges to identify suitable molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Maskos
- Department of Neuroscience, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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β4-Nicotinic Receptors Are Critically Involved in Reward-Related Behaviors and Self-Regulation of Nicotine Reinforcement. J Neurosci 2020; 40:3465-3477. [PMID: 32184221 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0356-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine addiction, through smoking, is the principal cause of preventable mortality worldwide. Human genome-wide association studies have linked polymorphisms in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster, coding for the α5, α3, and β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits, to nicotine addiction. β4*nAChRs have been implicated in nicotine withdrawal, aversion, and reinforcement. Here we show that β4*nAChRs also are involved in non-nicotine-mediated responses that may predispose to addiction-related behaviors. β4 knock-out (KO) male mice show increased novelty-induced locomotor activity, lower baseline anxiety, and motivational deficits in operant conditioning for palatable food rewards and in reward-based Go/No-go tasks. To further explore reward deficits we used intracranial self-administration (ICSA) by directly injecting nicotine into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mice. We found that, at low nicotine doses, β4KO self-administer less than wild-type (WT) mice. Conversely, at high nicotine doses, this was reversed and β4KO self-administered more than WT mice, whereas β4-overexpressing mice avoided nicotine injections. Viral expression of β4 subunits in medial habenula (MHb), interpeduncular nucleus (IPN), and VTA of β4KO mice revealed dose- and region-dependent differences: β4*nAChRs in the VTA potentiated nicotine-mediated rewarding effects at all doses, whereas β4*nAChRs in the MHb-IPN pathway, limited VTA-ICSA at high nicotine doses. Together, our findings indicate that the lack of functional β4*nAChRs result in deficits in reward sensitivity including increased ICSA at high doses of nicotine that is restored by re-expression of β4*nAChRs in the MHb-IPN. These data indicate that β4 is a critical modulator of reward-related behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Human genetic studies have provided strong evidence for a relationship between variants in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster and nicotine addiction. Yet, little is known about the role of β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit encoded by this cluster. We investigated the implication of β4*nAChRs in anxiety-, food reward- and nicotine reward-related behaviors. Deletion of the β4 subunit gene resulted in an addiction-related phenotype characterized by low anxiety, high novelty-induced response, lack of sensitivity to palatable food rewards and increased intracranial nicotine self-administration at high doses. Lentiviral vector-induced re-expression of the β4 subunit into either the MHb or IPN restored a "stop" signal on nicotine self-administration. These results suggest that β4*nAChRs provide a promising novel drug target for smoking cessation.
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Cross SJ, Reynaga DD, Cano M, Belluzzi JD, Zaveri NT, Leslie FM. Differences in mechanisms underlying reinstatement of cigarette smoke extract- and nicotine-seeking behavior in rats. Neuropharmacology 2020; 162:107846. [PMID: 31704271 PMCID: PMC7034132 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite extensive research, current therapies for smoking cessation are largely ineffective at maintaining abstinence for more than a year. Whereas most preclinical studies use nicotine alone, the goal of the present study was to evaluate whether inclusion of non-nicotine tobacco constituents provides better face validity for the development of new pharmacological therapies for smoking cessation. Here, we trained adult male rats to self-administer nicotine alone or cigarette smoke extract (CSE), which contains nicotine and other aqueous constituents of cigarette smoke. After stable self-administration behavior was established, animals underwent extinction training followed by drug and cue primed reinstatement testing. We show that animals that self-administered CSE had significant reinstatement in all drug and drug + cue stimulus conditions whereas animals that self-administered nicotine only showed significant reinstatement in the drug + cue conditions. AT-1001, an α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) functional antagonist, attenuated drug + cue-primed reinstatement of both CSE- and nicotine-seeking behavior. However, AT-1001 was less potent in blocking drug-primed reinstatement in animals that had self-administered CSE than in those that had self-administered nicotine alone. This was the case even when nicotine was used to prime reinstatement in animals that had self-administered CSE, suggesting that prior CSE exposure had altered the functional role of α3β4-containing nAChRs in drug-seeking behavior. These findings confirm the importance of non-nicotine tobacco constituents and α3β4* nAChRs in cue- and nicotine-primed craving. They also suggest that tests using CSE may be more valid models to study tobacco dependence than use of nicotine alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Cross
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Daisy D Reynaga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Cano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - James D Belluzzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Frances M Leslie
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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Gharpure A, Teng J, Zhuang Y, Noviello CM, Walsh RM, Cabuco R, Howard RJ, Zaveri NT, Lindahl E, Hibbs RE. Agonist Selectivity and Ion Permeation in the α3β4 Ganglionic Nicotinic Receptor. Neuron 2019; 104:501-511.e6. [PMID: 31488329 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are pentameric ion channels that mediate fast chemical neurotransmission. The α3β4 nicotinic receptor subtype forms the principal relay between the central and peripheral nervous systems in the autonomic ganglia. This receptor is also expressed focally in brain areas that affect reward circuits and addiction. Here, we present structures of the α3β4 nicotinic receptor in lipidic and detergent environments, using functional reconstitution to define lipids appropriate for structural analysis. The structures of the receptor in complex with nicotine, as well as the α3β4-selective ligand AT-1001, complemented by molecular dynamics, suggest principles of agonist selectivity. The structures further reveal much of the architecture of the intracellular domain, where mutagenesis experiments and simulations define residues governing ion conductance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Gharpure
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jinfeng Teng
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Yuxuan Zhuang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 17121, Sweden
| | - Colleen M Noviello
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Richard M Walsh
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rico Cabuco
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rebecca J Howard
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 17121, Sweden
| | | | - Erik Lindahl
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 17121, Sweden; Department of Applied Physics, Swedish e-Science Research Center, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna 17121, Sweden
| | - Ryan E Hibbs
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Liu W, Su K. A Review on the Receptor-ligand Molecular Interactions in the Nicotinic Receptor Signaling Systems. Pak J Biol Sci 2019; 21:51-66. [PMID: 30221881 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2018.51.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine is regarded as the main active addictive ingredient in tobacco products driving continued tobacco abuse behavior (smoking) to the addiction behavior, whereas nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) is the crucial effective apparatus or molecular effector of nicotine and acetylcholine and other similar ligands. Many nAChR subunits have been revealed to bind to either neurotransmitters or exogenous ligands, such as nicotine and acetylcholine, being involved in the nicotinic receptor signal transduction. Therefore, the nicotinic receptor signalling molecules and the receptor-ligand molecular interactions between nAChRs and their ligands are universally regarded as crucial mediators of cellular functions and drug targets in medical treatment and clinical diagnosis. Given numerous endeavours have been made in defining the roles of nAChRs in response to nicotine and other addictive drugs, this review focuses on studies and reports in recent years on the receptor-ligand interactions between nAChR receptors and ligands, including lipid-nAChR and protein-nAChR molecular interactions, relevant signal transduction pathways and their molecular mechanisms in the nicotinic receptor signalling systems. All the references were carefully retrieved from the PubMed database by searching key words "nicotine", "acetylcholine", "nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(s)", "nAChR*", "protein and nAChR", "lipid and nAChR", "smok*" and "tobacco". All the relevant referred papers and reports retrieved were fully reviewed for manual inspection. This effort intend to get a quick insight and understanding of the nicotinic receptor signalling and their molecular interactions mechanisms. Understanding the cellular receptor-ligand interactions and molecular mechanisms between nAChRs and ligands will lead to a better translational and therapeutic operations and outcomes for the prevention and treatment of nicotine addiction and other chronic drug addictions in the brain's reward circuitry.
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Correa VL, Flores RJ, Carcoba LM, Arreguin MC, O'Dell LE. Sex differences in cholinergic systems in the interpeduncular nucleus following nicotine exposure and withdrawal. Neuropharmacology 2019; 158:107714. [PMID: 31325431 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The medial habenula-interpeduncular nucleus (MHb-IPN) pathway modulates negative affective states produced by nicotine withdrawal. Sex differences in the contribution of acetylcholine (ACh) systems in this pathway have not been explored. Thus, this study assessed ACh levels and gene expression of α- and β-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in the IPN of female and male rats following nicotine treatment and withdrawal. Rats were prepared with a pump that delivered nicotine for 14 days, and naïve controls received a sham surgery. In Study 1, rats were prepared with a probe in the IPN, and ACh levels were measured following saline and then mecamylamine administration. In Study 2, separate groups of naïve control or nicotine-treated rats received saline or mecamylamine and physical signs and anxiety-like behavior were assessed using elevated plus maze (EPM) procedures. The IPN was then dissected and mRNA levels were assessed using RT-qPCR methods. Nicotine treatment increased ACh levels to a larger extent in females than males. Nicotine withdrawal produced a similar increase in physical signs; however, females displayed greater anxiety-like behavior than males. In females, gene expression of α5 increased following nicotine treatment and withdrawal. In males, α7 increased following nicotine treatment and α2 and α3 increased during nicotine withdrawal. Both females and males displayed an increase in β3 and β4 during nicotine withdrawal. In females, anxiety-like behavior was correlated with α4, α5, and β2 gene expression in the IPN. These results suggest that sex differences in withdrawal are modulated via cholinergic systems in the IPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor L Correa
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Rodolfo J Flores
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Luis M Carcoba
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Montserrat C Arreguin
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Laura E O'Dell
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, USA.
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Tian J, Zhang Q, An X, Liu H, Liu Y, Liu H. Molecular Dynamics Simulations Study on the Resistant Mechanism of Insects to Imidacloprid due to Y151-S and R81T Mutations in nAChRs. Mol Inform 2019; 38:e1800125. [PMID: 31294911 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201800125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Imidacloprid (IMI) is the first widely used neonicotinoid insecticide due to its high insecticidal activity and low toxicity. However, as its extensive use in crop protection, many insects are resistant to IMI. One of the main resistance mechanisms of insects to IMI is Y151-S and R81T mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). However, how these two mutations affect the interaction of IMI with nAChR is unknown. Here, to uncover the resistant mechanism of nAChR to IMI due to Y151-S and R81T mutations, molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) calculation, residue interaction network (RIN) analysis were performed. Due that the structure of nAChR is still unkonwn, the crystal structure of lymnaea stagnalis acetylcholine binding protein (Ls-AChBP) was used here to simulate nAChR. Y151 and R81 in nAChR correspond to H145 and Q55 in Ls-AChBP, respectively. The calculated binding free energy indicated that two mutations reduced the binding ability of IMI with Ls-AChBP. Q55T mutation reduced the contribution of several key residues, such as W53, T55, Y113, T144 and C187. As for H145-S mutation, the contribution of W53, Q55 and Y113 residues also decreased. RIN analysis showed that two mutants changed the binding pocket by changing the conformation of residues that interact directly with the mutated residues. The obtained resistance mechanism of IMI will be helpful for the design of potent insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Tian
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiaoli An
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yingqian Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Arvin MC, Jin XT, Yan Y, Wang Y, Ramsey MD, Kim VJ, Beckley NA, Henry BA, Drenan RM. Chronic Nicotine Exposure Alters the Neurophysiology of Habenulo-Interpeduncular Circuitry. J Neurosci 2019; 39:4268-4281. [PMID: 30867261 PMCID: PMC6538858 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2816-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antagonism of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the medial habenula (MHb) or interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) triggers withdrawal-like behaviors in mice chronically exposed to nicotine, implying that nicotine dependence involves the sensitization of nicotinic signaling. Identification of receptor and/or neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this sensitization is important, as it could promote novel therapeutic strategies to reduce tobacco use. Using an approach involving photoactivatable nicotine, we previously demonstrated that chronic nicotine (cNIC) potently enhances nAChR function in dendrites of MHb neurons. However, whether cNIC modulates downstream components of the habenulo-interpeduncular (Hb-IP) circuit is unknown. In this study, cNIC-mediated changes to Hb-IP nAChR function were examined in mouse (male and female) brain slices using molecular, electrophysiological, and optical techniques. cNIC enhanced action potential firing and modified spike waveform characteristics in MHb neurons. Nicotine uncaging revealed nAChR functional enhancement by cNIC on proximal axonal membranes. Similarly, nAChR-driven glutamate release from MHb axons was enhanced by cNIC. In IPN, the target structure of MHb axons, neuronal morphology, and nAChR expression is complex, with stronger nAChR function in the rostral subnucleus [rostral IPN (IPR)]. As in MHb, cNIC induced strong upregulation of nAChR function in IPN neurons. This, coupled with cNIC-enhanced nicotine-stimulated glutamate release, was associated with stronger depolarization responses to brief (1 ms) nicotine uncaging adjacent to IPR neurons. Together, these results indicate that chronic exposure to nicotine dramatically alters nicotinic cholinergic signaling and cell excitability in Hb-IP circuits, a key pathway involved in nicotine dependence.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study uncovers several neuropharmacological alterations following chronic exposure to nicotine in a key brain circuit involved in nicotine dependence. These results suggest that smokers or regular users of electronic nicotine delivery systems (i.e., "e-cigarettes") likely undergo sensitization of cholinergic circuitry in the Hb-IP system. Reducing the activity of Hb-IP nAChRs, either volitionally during smoking cessation or inadvertently via receptor desensitization during nicotine intake, may be a key trigger of withdrawal in nicotine dependence. Escalation of nicotine intake in smokers, or tolerance, may involve stimulation of these sensitized cholinergic pathways. Smoking cessation therapeutics are only marginally effective, and by identifying cellular/receptor mechanisms of nicotine dependence, our results take a step toward improved therapeutic approaches for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Arvin
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Xiao-Tao Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Yijin Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Matthew D Ramsey
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Veronica J Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Nicole A Beckley
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Brittany A Henry
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Ryan M Drenan
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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Jackson AB, Toma W, Contreras KM, Alkhlaif Y, Damaj MI. The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for nicotine withdrawal-induced affective but not physical signs or nicotine reward in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 183:1-5. [PMID: 31145916 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are the primary target for nicotine, the addictive component in tobacco products. These pentameric receptors are made up of various subunits which contribute to the diverse functions of nAChR subtypes. The β3 subunit of the nAChR has been understudied in nicotine dependence, even though it is expressed in brain regions important for drug reward. Therefore, we assessed nicotine dependence behaviors in β3 wildtype (WT) and knockout (KO) male and female mice. We evaluated nicotine reward in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test and then measured nicotine withdrawal signs after chronic exposure to the drug. For the withdrawal studies, mice were continuously infused with 24 mg/kg/day of nicotine using surgically implanted osmotic mini-pumps for 14 days. Mini-pumps were removed at day 15, and withdrawal signs (somatic signs, hyperalgesia, anhedonia-like measure using the sucrose preference test and anxiety-like behaviors using the light dark boxes) were collected at 24 h intervals for three days following spontaneous withdrawal of nicotine. Nicotine-induced CPP did not differ between β3 KO and WT mice. β3 KO mice displayed similar somatic symptoms and hyperalgesia compared to WT mice but showed significant absence in affective (anhedonia and anxiety-like behaviors) withdrawal signs in nicotine-dependent mice. These observations suggest that the β3 nicotinic subunits do not seem to influence nicotine reward but plays an important role in affective nicotine withdrawal signs. Given the health burden of tobacco use disorder and the modest effect of smoking cessation aids, it is important to understand underlying factor contributing to nicotine dependence. The results of this study will further our knowledge of the role of the β3 nAChR subunit in nicotine reward and withdrawal behaviors in hopes of finding new molecular targets for smoking cessation aids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asti B Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Wisam Toma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Katherine M Contreras
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yasmin Alkhlaif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Bavan S, Kim CH, Henderson BJ, Lester HA. Chronic Menthol Does Not Change Stoichiometry or Functional Plasma Membrane Levels of Mouse α3 β4-Containing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 95:398-407. [PMID: 30670481 PMCID: PMC6399576 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.114769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Heteromeric α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ligand-gated cation channels that include at least two α3 and two β4 subunits. They have functions in peripheral tissue and peripheral and central nervous systems. We examined the effects of chronic treatment with menthol, a major flavor additive in tobacco cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems, on mouse α3β4 nAChRs transiently transfected into neuroblastoma-2a cells. Chronic menthol treatment at 500 nM, near the estimated menthol concentration in the brain following cigarette smoking, altered neither the [ACh]-response relationship nor Zn2+ sensitivity of ACh-evoked currents, suggesting that menthol does not change α3β4 nAChR subunit stoichiometry. Chronic menthol treatment failed to change the current density (peak current amplitude/cell capacitance) of 100 μM ACh-evoked currents. Chronic menthol treatment accelerated desensitization of 100 and 200 μM ACh-evoked currents. Chronic nicotine treatment (250 μM) decreased ACh-induced currents, and we found no additional effect of including chronic menthol. These data contrast with previously reported, marked effects of chronic menthol on β2* nAChRs studied in the same expression system. Mechanistically, the data support the emerging interpretation that both chronic menthol and chronic nicotine act on nAChRs in the early exocytotic pathway, and that this pathway does not present a rate-limiting step to the export of α3β4 nAChRs; these nAChRs include endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export motifs but not ER retention motifs. Previous reports show that smoking mentholated cigarettes enhances tobacco addiction; but our results show that this effect is unlikely to arise via menthol actions on α3β4 nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvan Bavan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California (S.B., C.H.K., H.A.L.); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia (B.J.H.)
| | - Charlene H Kim
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California (S.B., C.H.K., H.A.L.); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia (B.J.H.)
| | - Brandon J Henderson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California (S.B., C.H.K., H.A.L.); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia (B.J.H.)
| | - Henry A Lester
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California (S.B., C.H.K., H.A.L.); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia (B.J.H.)
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45
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Simeone X, Karch R, Ciuraszkiewicz A, Orr‐Urtreger A, Lemmens‐Gruber R, Scholze P, Huck S. The role of the nAChR subunits α5, β2, and β4 on synaptic transmission in the mouse superior cervical ganglion. Physiol Rep 2019; 7:e14023. [PMID: 30891952 PMCID: PMC6424856 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous immunoprecipitation analysis of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the mouse superior cervical ganglion (SCG) revealed that approximately 55%, 24%, and 21% of receptors are comprised of α3β4, α3β4α5, and α3β4β2 subunits, respectively. Moreover, mice lacking β4 subunits do not express α5-containing receptors but still express a small number of α3β2 receptors. Here, we investigated how synaptic transmission is affected in the SCG of α5β4-KO and α5β2-KO mice. Using an ex vivo SCG preparation, we stimulated the preganglionic cervical sympathetic trunk and measured compound action potentials (CAPs) in the postganglionic internal carotid nerve. We found that CAP amplitude was unaffected in α5β4-KO and α5β2-KO ganglia, whereas the stimulation threshold for eliciting CAPs was significantly higher in α5β4-KO ganglia. Moreover, intracellular recordings in SCG neurons revealed no difference in EPSP amplitude. We also found that the ganglionic blocking agent hexamethonium was the most potent in α5β4-KO ganglia (IC50 : 22.1 μmol/L), followed by α5β2-KO (IC50 : 126.7 μmol/L) and WT ganglia (IC50 : 389.2 μmol/L). Based on these data, we estimated an IC50 of 568.6 μmol/L for a receptor population consisting solely of α3β4α5 receptors; and we estimated that α3β4α5 receptors comprise 72% of nAChRs expressed in the mouse SCG. Similarly, by measuring the effects of hexamethonium on ACh-induced currents in cultured SCG neurons, we found that α3β4α5 receptors comprise 63% of nAChRs. Thus, in contrast to our results obtained using immunoprecipitation, these data indicate that the majority of receptors at the cell surface of SCG neurons consist of α3β4α5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Simeone
- Division of Pathobiology of the Nervous SystemCenter for Brain ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Rudolf Karch
- Institute of Biosimulation and BioinformaticsCenter for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent SystemsMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Anna Ciuraszkiewicz
- Division of Pathobiology of the Nervous SystemCenter for Brain ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Present address:
Research Group Molecular PhysiologyLeibniz Institute for NeurobiologyBrenneckestraße 6D‐39118MagdeburgGermany
| | - Avi Orr‐Urtreger
- Genetic InstituteTel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler School of MedicineTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | | | - Petra Scholze
- Division of Pathobiology of the Nervous SystemCenter for Brain ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Sigismund Huck
- Division of Pathobiology of the Nervous SystemCenter for Brain ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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46
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Buck JM, Sanders KN, Wageman CR, Knopik VS, Stitzel JA, O'Neill HC. Developmental nicotine exposure precipitates multigenerational maternal transmission of nicotine preference and ADHD-like behavioral, rhythmometric, neuropharmacological, and epigenetic anomalies in adolescent mice. Neuropharmacology 2019; 149:66-82. [PMID: 30742847 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy, a form of developmental nicotine exposure (DNE), is associated with increased nicotine use and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD in children. Here, we characterize the behavioral, rhythmometric, neuropharmacological, and epigenetic consequences of DNE in the F1 (first) and F2 (second) generation adolescent offspring of mice exposed to nicotine prior to and throughout breeding. We assessed the effects of passive oral methylphenidate (MPH) administration and voluntary nicotine consumption on home cage activity rhythms and activity and risk-taking behaviors in the open field. Results imply a multigenerational predisposition to nicotine consumption in DNE mice and demonstrate ADHD-like diurnal and nocturnal hyperactivity and anomalies in the rhythmicity of home cage activity that are reversibly rescued by MPH and modulated by voluntary nicotine consumption. DNE mice are hyperactive in the open field and display increased risk-taking behaviors that are normalized by MPH. Pharmacological characterization of nicotinic and dopaminergic systems in striatum and frontal cortex reveals altered expression and dysfunction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), hypersensitivity to nicotine-induced nAChR-mediated dopamine release, and impaired dopamine transporter (DAT) function in DNE mice. Global DNA methylation assays indicate DNA methylome deficits in striatum and frontal cortex of DNE mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that DNE enhances nicotine preference, elicits hyperactivity and risk-taking behaviors, perturbs the rhythmicity of activity, alters nAChR expression and function, impairs DAT function, and causes DNA hypomethylation in striatum and frontal cortex of both first and second-generation adolescent offspring. These findings recapitulate multiple domains of ADHD symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States.
| | - Kelsey N Sanders
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Charles R Wageman
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Valerie S Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, United States
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Heidi C O'Neill
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
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47
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Bagdas D, AlSharari S, Roni MA, Campbell VC, Muldoon PP, Carroll FI, Damaj MI. Blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor enhances the responsiveness to bupropion in the mouse forced swim test. Behav Brain Res 2018; 360:262-269. [PMID: 30552947 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present study is to investigate the role of α4, α5, α6 or β2 nAChR subunits in the antidepressant-like effect of bupropion. Adult male mice were treated with subcutaneous acute doses of bupropion (3 and 10 mg/kg) 30 min before the forced swim test (FST) in α4, α5, α6, or β2 nAChR subunit knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, the effects of β2* antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE, 3 mg/kg) on antidepressant-like effects of bupropion in C57BL/6 J mice were assessed. Our results showed that baseline immobility and climbing time did not differ between KO and corresponding WT mice except for β2 KO. Bupropion significantly decreased immobility time and increased climbing time in the α4, α6 and β2 nAChR KO mice in comparison to WT littermates, indicating that lack of these nAChR subunits enhanced antidepressant effects of bupropion. On the contrary, the α5 nAChR subunit deletion did not alter the FST behavior in the bupropion-treated mice. Not only in the transgenic mice, bupropion also showed antidepressant-like effects in the WT mice. In addition, DHβE pretreatment before bupropion administration resulted in decreased immobility time and increased climbing time. Taken together, the present study provides evidence on the involvement of α4*, α6*, and β2* (* indicates possible presence of other subunits) nAChRs in the antidepressant-like effects of bupropion in the FST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Shakir AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Monzurul A Roni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Hampton, VA, 23668, USA
| | - Vera C Campbell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hampton University School of Pharmacy, Hampton, VA, 23668, USA
| | - Pretal P Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - F Ivy Carroll
- Center for Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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48
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Sharp BM, Chen H. Neurogenetic determinants and mechanisms of addiction to nicotine and smoked tobacco. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2164-2179. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Burt M. Sharp
- Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics College of Medicine University of Tennessee Health Science Center 19 S. Manassas, CRB #220 Memphis TN 38103 USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmacology University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis TN USA
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49
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Morel C, Montgomery S, Han MH. Nicotine and alcohol: the role of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in drug reinforcement. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 50:2180-2200. [PMID: 30251377 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine and alcohol addiction are leading causes of preventable death worldwide and continue to constitute a huge socio-economic burden. Both nicotine and alcohol perturb the brain's mesocorticolimbic system. Dopamine (DA) neurons projecting from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to multiple downstream structures, including the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, are highly involved in the maintenance of healthy brain function. VTA DA neurons play a crucial role in associative learning and reinforcement. Nicotine and alcohol usurp these functions, promoting reinforcement of drug taking behaviors. In this review, we will first describe how nicotine and alcohol individually affect VTA DA neurons by examining how drug exposure alters the heterogeneous VTA microcircuit and network-wide projections. We will also examine how coadministration or previous exposure to nicotine or alcohol may augment the reinforcing effects of the other. Additionally, this review briefly summarizes the role of VTA DA neurons in nicotine, alcohol, and their synergistic effects in reinforcement and also addresses the remaining questions related to the circuit-function specificity of the dopaminergic system in mediating nicotine/alcohol reinforcement and comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Morel
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Building Floor 12 Room 12-75B, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Montgomery
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Building Floor 12 Room 12-75B, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Building Floor 12 Room 12-75B, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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50
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Weiss T, Bernard R, Bernstein HG, Veh RW, Laube G. Agmatine modulates spontaneous activity in neurons of the rat medial habenular complex-a relevant mechanism in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression? Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:201. [PMID: 30250120 PMCID: PMC6155246 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0254-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal diencephalic conduction system connects limbic forebrain structures to monaminergic mesencephalic nuclei via a distinct relay station, the habenular complexes. Both habenular nuclei, the lateral as well as the medial nucleus, are considered to play a prominent role in mental disorders like major depression. Herein, we investigate the effect of the polyamine agmatine on the electrical activity of neurons within the medial habenula in rat. We present evidence that agmatine strongly decreases spontaneous action potential firing of medial habenular neurons by activating I1-type imidazoline receptors. Additionally, we compare the expression patterns of agmatinase, an enzyme capable of inactivating agmatine, in rat and human habenula. In the medial habenula of both species, agmatinase is similarly distributed and observed in neurons and, in particular, in distinct neuropil areas. The putative relevance of these findings in the context of depression is discussed. It is concluded that increased activity of the agmatinergic system in the medial habenula may strengthen midbrain dopaminergic activity. Consequently, the habenular-interpeduncular axis may be dysregulated in patients with major depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Weiss
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Vegetative Anatomy, Berlin, Germany.
| | - René Bernard
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Klinik für Neurologie, Department of Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Gert Bernstein
- 0000 0001 1018 4307grid.5807.aDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger W. Veh
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Vegetative Anatomy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gregor Laube
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Vegetative Anatomy, Berlin, Germany
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