Ezrin and osteonectin, two proteins associated with cell shape and growth, are enriched in the locus coeruleus

In an attempt to characterize proteins which are enriched or specifically expressed in the locus coeruleus (LC), a region of the brain which plays a critical role in opiate dependence and withdrawal, we have screened a bovine LC cDNA library with an LC minus cerebellum subtracted cDNA probe and isolated several (38) positively hybridizing clones. DNA sequence analysis revealed that two of the clones encoded ezrin and osteonectin, proteins normally associated with cell growth and morphology in peripheral tissues. Regional northern blots from bovine brain and in situ hybridization studies in rat show that ezrin is expressed at high levels in the LC with only low levels detectable in other brain regions. Osteonectin is also abundant in the LC, but in contrast to ezrin, is expressed at high levels in the dorsal raphe and substantia nigra. The results indicate that two proteins, ezrin and osteonectin, are highly enriched in the LC. This raises the possibility that these polypeptides, which play a role in the morphological response of some non-neuronal cell types to growth factors and to other intracellular signals, may also regulate these properties in noradrenergic and other selected neurons in the brain.

Receptor crosstalk protein, calcyon, regulates affinity state of dopamine D1 receptors

The recently cloned protein, calcyon, potentiates crosstalk between G(s)-coupled dopamine D1 receptors and heterologous G(q/11)-coupled receptors allowing dopamine D1 receptors to stimulate intracellular Ca(2+) release, in addition to cAMP production. This crosstalk also requires the participating G(q/11)-coupled receptors to be primed by their agonists. We examined the ability of calcyon and priming to regulate the affinity of dopamine D1 receptors for its ligands. Receptor binding assays were performed on HEK293 cell membrane preparations expressing dopamine D1 receptors either alone or in combination with calcyon. Co-expression of dopamine D1 receptor and calcyon affected neither the affinity of this receptor for antagonists nor the affinity of agonist binding to this receptor high and low-affinity states. However, the presence of calcyon dramatically decreased the proportion of the high-affinity dopamine D1 receptor agonist binding sites. This decrease was reversed by carbachol, which primes the receptor crosstalk by stimulating endogenous G(q/11)-coupled muscarinic receptors. Our findings suggest that calcyon regulates the ability of dopamine D1 receptors to achieve the high-affinity state for agonists, in a manner that depends on priming of receptor crosstalk.

Dual signaling regulated by calcyon, a D1 dopamine receptor interacting protein

The synergistic response of cells to the stimulation of multiple receptors has been ascribed to receptor cross talk; however, the specific molecules that mediate the resultant signal amplification have not been defined. Here a 24-kilodalton single transmembrane protein, designated calcyon, we functionally characterize that interacts with the D1 dopamine receptor. Calcyon localizes to dendritic spines of D1 receptor-expressing pyramidal cells in prefrontal cortex. These studies delineate a mechanism of Gq- and Gs-coupled heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein-coupled receptor cross talk by which D1 receptors can shift effector coupling to stimulate robust intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) release as a result of interaction with calcyon. The role of calcyon in potentiating Ca2+-dependent signaling should provide insight into the D1 receptor-modulated cognitive functions of prefrontal cortex.

N-linked glycosylation is required for plasma membrane localization of D5, but not D1, dopamine receptors in transfected mammalian cells

We have analyzed the role of N-linked glycosylation in functional cell surface expression of the D1 and D5 dopamine receptor subtypes. Treatment of transfected HEK 293 cells with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-linked oligosaccharide addition, was found to prevent localization of D5 receptors in the plasma membrane. In contrast, tunicamycin treatment had no effect on the plasma membrane localization of the D1 receptor. Polymerase chain reaction mutagenesis was used to generate a panel of D5 receptors containing mutations in the three predicted sites of N-linked glycosylation. Expression of mutant receptors indicated that glycosylation of residue N7 was the major determinant of D5 receptor plasma membrane localization. Mutation of a comparable site in the D1 receptor at position N5 had no effect on the delivery of the D1 receptor to the cell surface. Tunicamycin treatment during receptor biosynthesis, but not N-glycosidase F digestion of mature receptors, abrogated binding of the D5 receptor antagonist [(3)H]SCH23390, suggesting that while oligosaccharide moieties play a key role in the cell surface expression of D5 receptors, they do not appear to contribute to the receptor's ligand binding properties. Together, our data indicate a differential requirement for N-linked glycosylation in functional cell surface expression of D1 and D5 dopamine receptors.

Differential expression of D1 and D5 dopamine receptors in the fetal primate cerebral wall

Previous film autoradiographic studies demonstrated that, during corticogenesis, dopamine receptors of the D1 class are abundant in the embryonic primate cerebral wall. In the present study, we expand these findings by identifying the cellular elements of the fetal occipital cerebral wall expressing D1 and D5 subtypes of the D1 dopamine receptor class. We have examined tissue from monkey fetuses collected at 70, 90 and 120 days of gestation using antibodies directed against C-termini of the D1 and D5 dopamine receptors. At all three embryonic ages studied, we found D1 and D5 receptors expressed by multiple cell types of the embryonic cerebral wall. Both D1 and D5 receptor proteins are produced by pyramidal neurons of the cortical plate and by a variety of interstitial neurons of the subplate and intermediate zones. D1 and D5 receptors are also present in cells of the proliferative ventricular and subventricular zones, some of which were identified as dividing cells. In addition, D1 and D5 receptors are detectable in the protoplasmic astroglial and ependymal cells distinguishable in monkey fetuses collected at 120 days of gestation. Some cellular elements of the embryonic monkey cerebral wall express only one subtype of the D1 dopamine receptor class. For example, embryonic Cajal-Retzius neurons in the marginal zone and migrating neurons in the intermediate zone are immunoreactive only to D5 antisera. In contrast, radial glia can be labeled only with D1 receptor-specific antisera. Finally, only D1 receptors are detectable in the blood vessels penetrating the embryonic monkey cerebral wall. Based on these observations, we propose that dopamine receptors of the D1 class play an important role in regulating cerebral cortical formation and that D1 and D5 receptor subtypes may participate in regulation of different aspects of this process.

Co-localization of the D1 dopamine receptor in a subset of DARPP-32-containing neurons in rat caudate-putamen

DARPP-32 (dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein, apparent molecular weight of 32,000) is part of the D1 dopamine receptor signal transduction cascade. Both the D1 receptor and DARPP-32 are found in the caudate putamen, but it is not known if they co-localize in the medium-sized spiny neurons. In the present study, double-labelling immunocytochemistry was used to simultaneously localize the D1 receptor and DARPP-32 in the rat caudate-putamen. The neuropil was heavily and uniformly immunoreactive for both the D1 receptor and DARPP-32. All cell bodies immunopositive for the D1 receptor were immunopositive for DARPP-32. The D1 receptor was not detectable, however, in nearly half of the DARPP-32-containing cell bodies. DARPP-32 is present in striatopallidal and striatonigral projections. The D1 receptor co-localized with DARPP-32 in fibres of the entopeduncular nucleus and the pars reticulata of the substantia nigra. In the globus pallidus, however, D1 receptor immunoreactivity was barely detectable, while DARPP-32 immunolabelling of axons and axon terminals was intense. These data suggest that the striatal somata containing both the D1 receptor and DARPP-32 project to the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra, whereas somata containing only DARPP-32 immunoreactivity project to the globus pallidus. Thus, the differences in expression of the D1 receptor and of DARPP-32 within striatal cell bodies are likely reflected in their projections. The co-localization of the D1 receptor and DARPP-32 is consistent with the known regulation of DARPP-32 phosphorylation by D1 receptor activation. The demonstration of a large population of striatal neurons that contain DARPP-32 but apparently do not contain D1 receptors substantiates the premise that these cells have an alternative signal transduction pathway. Subsequent studies are needed to search for a signal transduction pathway for these neurons analogous to the dopamine D1 receptor pathway.

Overlooked physical diagnoses in chronic pain patients involved in litigation, Part 2. The addition of MRI, nerve blocks, 3-D CT, and qualitative flow meter

This study followed 120 chronic pain patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain center. The referral diagnosis for many patients, such as "chronic pain," "psychogenic pain," or "lumbar strain," was frequently found to be incomplete or inaccurate (40%) following a multidisciplinary evaluation that used appropriate diagnostic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, nerve blocks, and qualitative flowmeter. Significant abnormalities were discovered in 76% of the diagnostic tests. An organic origin for pain was found in 98% of these patients. The patients were discharged with objective verification of diagnoses including facet disease, nerve entrapment, temporomandibular joint disease, thoracic outlet syndrome, and herniated discs.

Localization of dopamine D4 receptors in GABAergic neurons of the primate brain

Dopamine receptors are the principal targets of drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Among the five mammalian dopamine-receptor subtypes, the D4 subtype is of particular interest because of its high affinity for the atypical neuroleptic clozapine. Interest in clozapine stems from its effectiveness in reducing positive and negative symptoms in acutely psychotic and treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients without eliciting extrapyramidal side effects. We have produced a subtype-specific antibody against the D4 receptor and localized it within specific cellular elements and synaptic circuits of the central nervous system. The D4-receptor antibody labelled GABAergic neurons in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamic reticular nucleus, globus pallidus and the substantia nigra (pars reticulata). Labelling was also observed in a subset of cortical pyramidal cells. Our findings suggest that clozapine's beneficial effects in schizophrenia may be achieved, in part, through D4-mediated GABA modulation, possibly implicating disinhibition of excitatory transmission in intrinsic cortical, thalamocortical and extrapyramidal pathways.

Regional, cellular, and subcellular variations in the distribution of D1 and D5 dopamine receptors in primate brain

The pathways governing signal transduction in the mesocortical and nigrostriatal dopamine systems of the brain are of central importance in a variety of drug actions and neurological diseases. We have analyzed the regional, cellular, and subcellular distribution of the closely related D1 and D5 subtypes of dopamine receptors in the cerebral cortex and selected subcortical structures of rhesus monkey using subtype specific antibodies. The distribution of D1 and D5 receptors was highly differentiated in subcortical structures. In the neostriatum, both D1 and to a lesser extent D5 antibodies labeled medium spiny neurons, while only D5 antibodies labeled the large aspiny neurons typical of cholinergic interneurons. In the caudate nucleus, D1 labeling was concentrated in the spines and shafts of projection neurons, whereas D5 antibodies predominantly labeled the shafts, and less commonly, the spines of these cells. The D1 receptor was abundantly expressed in the neuropil of the substantia nigra pars reticulata while the D5 antibodies labeled only a few scattered cell bodies in this structure. Conversely, D5 antibodies labeled cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain more intensely than D1 antibodies. Within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, D1 and D5 antibody labeling was prominent in pyramidal cells. Double-label experiments revealed that the two receptors were frequently coexpressed in neurons of both structures. Ultrastructurally, D1 receptors were especially prominent in dendritic spines whereas dendritic shafts were more prominently labeled by the D5 receptor. The anatomical segregation of the D1 and D5 receptors at the subcellular level in cerebral cortex and at the cellular level in subcortical areas suggest that these closely related receptors may be preferentially associated with different circuit elements and may play distinct regulatory roles in synaptic transmission.

Deformed expression in the Drosophila central nervous system is controlled by an autoactivated intronic enhancer

Deformed (Dfd) is a Drosophila homeotic selector gene required for normal development of maxillary segment morphology in the larval and adult head. Consistent with this function, Dfd transcripts are restricted to epidermal, mesodermal and neural cells in the embryonic mandibular and maxillary primordia. Previous studies have identified a far upstream element in Dfd sequences which functions as an epidermal-specific autoregulatory enhancer. In a search through 35 kb of Dfd sequences for additional transcriptional control elements, we have identified a 3.2 kb DNA fragment containing an enhancer that mimics the expression of Dfd in the subesophageal ganglion of the embryonic central nervous system. This Neural autoregulatory enhancer (NAE) maps in the large Dfd intron just upstream of the homeobox exon and requires Dfd protein function for its full activity. A 608 bp NAE subfragment retains regulatory function that is principally localized in the subesophageal ganglion. This small region of the Drosophila melanogaster genome contains numerous blocks of sequence conservation with a comparable region from the Dfd locus of D.hydei. A pair of conserved blocks of NAE sequence match a Dfd protein binding site in the epidermal autoregulatory element, while another conserved sequence motif is repeated multiple times within the 608 bp subelement.

Characterization of subtype-specific antibodies to the human D5 dopamine receptor: studies in primate brain and transfected mammalian cells

To achieve a better understanding of how D5 dopamine receptors mediate the actions of dopamine in brain, we have developed antibodies specific for the D5 receptor. D5 antibodies reacted with recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells expressing the D5 receptor but not with the D1 receptor or a variety of other catecholaminergic and muscarinic receptors. Epitope-tagged D5 receptors expressed in mammalian cells were reactive with both D5 antibodies and an epitope-specific probe. A mixture of N-linked glycosylated polypeptides and higher molecular-mass species was detected on immunoblots of membrane fractions of D5-transfected cells and also of primate brain. D5 receptor antibodies intensely labeled pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex, whereas spiny medium-sized neurons and aspiny large interneurons of the caudate nucleus were relatively lightly labeled. Antibodies to the D5 dopamine receptor should prove important in experimentally determining specific roles for the D5 and D1 receptors in cortical processes and diseases.

On the origin of mRNA encoding the truncated dopamine D3-type receptor D3nf and detection of D3nf-like immunoreactivity in human brain

A truncated dopamine D3-receptor-like mRNA, named D3nf, predicts a protein that differs from the D3-receptor only in the carboxyl terminus. However, such a protein has lost the predicted membrane topology typically found for G protein-coupled receptors. Results presented here show that D3nf mRNA arises from the D3-encoded primary transcript via alternative splicing. This splicing, however, appears to involve cleavage of an unusual 3' splice site. Therefore, we tested the possibility that D3nf mRNA results from a splicing error. If this were the case, D3nf mRNA would be expected to be present in the cytoplasm only at very low amounts, and it would not be expected to be translated into protein. However, the relative abundance of cytoplasmic D3/D3nf mRNA in human cortical tissues was found to be similar. Furthermore, we raised polyclonal antisera against the predicted carboxyl-terminal peptide sequence of D3nf that reacts specifically with a protein expressed in stably D3nf mRNA-expressing COS 7 cells. The use of this antiserum also revealed the presence of a approximately 68 kDa D3nf-like immunoreactive protein in human brain, suggesting that the atypically processed D3nf mRNA is translated.

An autoregulatory enhancer element of the Drosophila homeotic gene Deformed

The stable determination of different anterior-posterior regions of the Drosophila embryo is controlled by the persistent expression of homeotic selector genes. One mechanism that has been proposed to explain the persistent expression of the homeotic gene Deformed is an autoactivation circuit that would be used once Deformed expression had been established by earlier acting patterning genes. Here we show that a large cis-regulatory element mapping approximately 5 kb upstream of the Deformed transcription start has the properties predicted for a Deformed autoregulatory enhancer. This element provides late, spatially localized expression in the epidermal cells of the maxillary and mandibular segments which is wholly dependent upon endogenous Deformed function. In addition, the autoregulatory enhancer can be activated ectopically in embryos and in imaginal disc cells by ectopic expression of Deformed protein. Deletion analysis of the autoregulatory element indicates that it contains compartment specific sub-elements similar to those of other homeotic loci.

Effect of nucleotide analogs on the cleavage of DNA by the restriction enzymes AluI, DdeI, HinfI, RsaI, and TaqI

The cleavage of specific DNA sequences by the restriction endonucleases AluI, DdeI, HinfI, RsaI, and TaqI has been studied by monitoring the effect of various nucleotide modifications on the rate of DNA digestion. Bacteriophage fd DNA was completely substituted in one strand with a single nucleotide analog, using an in vitro primed DNA synthesis reaction on a single-stranded viral DNA template. Twelve deoxynucleotide analogs were incorporated into these DNA substrates: 2-aminopurine, 2,6-diaminopurine, deoxytubercidin, deoxyuridine, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, 5-allylamine deoxyuridine, 5-biotinyl deoxyuridine, deoxypseudouridine, deoxyinosine, 8-azadeoxyguanosine, 5-iododeoxycytidine, and 5-bromodeoxycytidine. The restriction enzymes tested varied considerably in their ability to digest hemi-substituted DNAs containing these modified nucleotides. Structural alterations in the base pairs immediately adjacent to the phosphodiester bonds cleaved by the enzyme reduced the rate of enzyme activity most dramatically, and in most cases more than a single determinant on each base pair altered activity. Interactions with nucleotides outside the recognition site seem to have little importance in the binding or catalytic activity of these enzymes.