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Prokai-Tatrai K, Nguyen V, Prokai L. [β-Glu 2]TRH Is a Functional Antagonist of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) in the Rodent Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126230. [PMID: 34207724 PMCID: PMC8226542 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective antagonists of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; pGlu-His-Pro-NH2), in order to enable a better understanding of this peptide’s central functions, have not been identified. Using pGlu-Glu-Pro-NH2 ([Glu2]TRH) as a lead peptide and with modification at its central residue, our studies focused on some of its analogues synthesized as potential functional antagonists of TRH in the rodent brain. Among the peptides studied, the novel isomeric analogue [β-Glu2]TRH was found to suppress the analeptic and antidepressant-like pharmacological activities of TRH without eliciting intrinsic effects in these paradigms. [β-Glu2]TRH also completely reversed TRH’s stimulation of acetylcholine turnover in the rat hippocampus without a cholinergic activity of its own, which was demonstrated through in vivo microdialysis experiments. Altogether, [β-Glu2]TRH emerged as the first selective functional antagonist of TRH’s prominent cholinergic actions, by which this endogenous peptide elicits a vast array of central effects.
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Vrachnis N, Tsonis O, Vrachnis D, Antonakopoulos N, Paltoglou G, Barbounaki S, Mastorakos G, Paschopoulos M, Iliodromiti Z. The Effect of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Antithyroid Drugs on Fetal Thyroid Function. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:454. [PMID: 34071168 PMCID: PMC8228147 DOI: 10.3390/children8060454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A euthyroid pregnant woman will normally have a fetus that displays normal fetal development. However, studies have long demonstrated the role of T3 (Triiodothyronine), T4 (Thyroxine), and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and their degree of penetrability into the fetal circulation. Maternal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) crosses the placental site and, from mid-gestation onward, is able to promote fetal TSH secretion. Its origin is not only hypothalamic, as was believed until recently. The maternal pancreas, and other extraneural and extrahypothalamic organs, can produce TRH variants, which are transported through the placenta affecting, to a degree, fetal thyroid function. Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) also cross the placenta and, because of their therapeutic actions, can affect fetal thyroid development, leading in some cases to adverse outcomes. Furthermore, there are a number of TRH analogues that share the same properties as the endogenous hormone. Thus, in this narrative review, we highlight the interaction of all the above with fetal growth in uncomplicated pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Vrachnis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Attikon Hospital, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
- Vascular Biology, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Orestis Tsonis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ioannina Medical School, University Hospital of Ioannina, 455 00 Ioannina, Greece; (O.T.); (M.P.)
| | - Dionisios Vrachnis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
| | - Nikolaos Antonakopoulos
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Attikon Hospital, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Paltoglou
- Endocrinology Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Aretaieio Hospital, 157 72 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (G.M.)
| | | | - George Mastorakos
- Endocrinology Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Aretaieio Hospital, 157 72 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Minas Paschopoulos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ioannina Medical School, University Hospital of Ioannina, 455 00 Ioannina, Greece; (O.T.); (M.P.)
| | - Zoi Iliodromiti
- Department of Neonatology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Aretaieio Hospital, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
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Chen M, Talarovicova A, Zheng Y, Storey KB, Elphick MR. Neuropeptide precursors and neuropeptides in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: a genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8829. [PMID: 31222106 PMCID: PMC6586643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is a foodstuff with very high economic value in China, Japan and other countries in south-east Asia. It is at the heart of a multibillion-dollar industry and to meet demand for this product, aquaculture methods and facilities have been established. However, there are challenges associated with optimization of reproduction, feeding and growth in non-natural environments. Therefore, we need to learn more about the biology of A. japonicus, including processes such as aestivation, evisceration, regeneration and albinism. One of the major classes of molecules that regulate physiology and behaviour in animals are neuropeptides, and a few bioactive peptides have already been identified in A. japonicus. To facilitate more comprehensive investigations of neuropeptide function in A. japonicus, here we have analysed genomic and transcriptomic sequence data and proteomic data to identify neuropeptide precursors and neuropeptides in this species. We identified 44 transcripts encoding neuropeptide precursors or putative neuropeptide precursors, and in some instances neuropeptides derived from these precursors were confirmed by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, analysis of genomic sequence data enabled identification of the location of neuropeptide precursor genes on genomic scaffolds and linkage groups (chromosomes) and determination of gene structure. Many of the precursors identified contain homologs of neuropeptides that have been identified in other bilaterian animals. Precursors of neuropeptides that have thus far only been identified in echinoderms were identified, including L- and F-type SALMFamides, AN peptides and others. Precursors of several peptides that act as modulators of neuromuscular activity in A. japonicus were also identified. The discovery of a large repertoire of neuropeptide precursors and neuropeptides provides a basis for experimental studies that investigate the physiological roles of neuropeptide signaling systems in A. japonicus. Looking ahead, some of these neuropeptides may have effects that could be harnessed to enable improvements in the aquaculture of this economically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyan Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, PR, China.
| | - Alzbeta Talarovicova
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Yingqiu Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, PR, China
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Maurice R Elphick
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
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Fröhlich E, Wahl R. The forgotten effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone: Metabolic functions and medical applications. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 52:29-43. [PMID: 29935915 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) causes a variety of thyroidal and non-thyroidal effects, the best known being the feedback regulation of thyroid hormone levels. This was employed in the TRH stimulation test, which is currently little used. The role of TRH as a cancer biomarker is minor, but exaggerated responses to TSH and prolactin levels in breast cancer led to the hypothesis of a potential role for TRH in the pathogenesis of this disease. TRH is a rapidly degraded peptide with multiple targets, limiting its suitability as a biomarker and drug candidate. Although some studies reported efficacy in neural diseases (depression, spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc.), therapeutic use of TRH is presently restricted to spinocerebellar degenerative disease. Regulation of TRH production in the hypothalamus, patterns of expression of TRH and its receptor in the body, its role in energy metabolism and in prolactin secretion are addressed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore Fröhlich
- Internal Medicine (Dept. of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology and Clinical Chemistry), University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Muellerstrasse 10, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; Center for Medical Research, Medical University Graz, Stiftingtalstr. 24, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Richard Wahl
- Internal Medicine (Dept. of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Angiology, Nephrology and Clinical Chemistry), University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Muellerstrasse 10, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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Meena CL, Thakur A, Nandekar PP, Sangamwar AT, Sharma SS, Jain R. Synthesis of CNS active thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-like peptides: Biological evaluation and effect on cognitive impairment induced by cerebral ischemia in mice. Bioorg Med Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Meena CL, Ingole S, Rajpoot S, Thakur A, Nandeker PP, Sangamwar AT, Sharma SS, Jain R. Discovery of a low affinity thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-like peptide that exhibits potent inhibition of scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. RSC Adv 2015; 5:56872-56884. [PMID: 26191403 PMCID: PMC4501038 DOI: 10.1039/c5ra06935a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
TRH-like peptides were synthesized in which the critical N-terminus residue L-pGlu was replaced with various heteroaromatic rings, and the central residue histidine with 1-alkyl-L-histidines. All synthesized TRH-like peptides were evaluated in vitro as agonists in HEK mTRH-R1 and HEK mTRH-R2 cell lines, an expressing receptor binding assay (IC50), and cell signaling assay (EC50). The analeptic potential of the synthesized peptides was evaluated in vivo by using the antagonism of a pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. The peptides 6a, 6c and 6e were found to activate TRH-R2 with potencies (EC50) of 0.002 μM, 0.28 μM and 0.049 μM, respectively. In contrast, for signaling activation of TRH-R1, the same peptides required higher concentration of 0.414 μM, 50 μM and 19.1 μM, respectively in the FLIPR assay. The results showed that these peptides were 207, 178 and 389-fold selective towards TRH-R2 receptor subtype. In the antagonism of a pentobarbital-induced sleeping time assay, peptide 6c showed a 58.5% reduction in sleeping time. The peptide 6c exhibited high stability in rat blood plasma, a superior effect on the scopolamine-induced cognition impairment mice model, safe effects on the cardiovascular system, and general behavior using a functional observation battery (FOB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhuttan L. Meena
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Shubdha Ingole
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Satyendra Rajpoot
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Avinash Thakur
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Prajwal P. Nandeker
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Abhay T. Sangamwar
- Department of Pharmacoinformatics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Shyam S. Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
| | - Rahul Jain
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, 160 062, Punjab, India
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Quintanar JL, Guzmán-Soto I. Hypothalamic neurohormones and immune responses. Front Integr Neurosci 2013; 7:56. [PMID: 23964208 PMCID: PMC3741963 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2013.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive examination of the current literature describing the neural-immune interactions, with emphasis on the most recent findings of the effects of neurohormones on immune system. Particularly, the role of hypothalamic hormones such as Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In the past few years, interest has been raised in extrapituitary actions of these neurohormones due to their receptors have been found in many non-pituitary tissues. Also, the receptors are present in immune cells, suggesting an autocrine or paracrine role within the immune system. In general, these neurohormones have been reported to exert immunomodulatory effects on cell proliferation, immune mediators release and cell function. The implications of these findings in understanding the network of hypothalamic neuropeptides and immune system are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Luis Quintanar
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes Aguascalientes, México
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