苍白球γ-氨基丁酸能神经传递及其与神经系统疾病的关系

苍白球是基底神经节间接环路的重要核团,在机体运动功能调节中发挥重要作用。近年来,苍白球在基底神经节正常及异常功能调节中的重要性已日渐受到重视。然而,目前对苍白球内各种神经递质系统的功能活动了解较少。GABA是苍白球主要的神经递质。采用电生理记录、免疫组织化学及行为测试等实验方法,人们对大鼠苍白球GABA能神经传递系统的受体分布及功能活动有了新的认识。形态学研究揭示,苍白球存在GABAA受体及其苯二氮卓结合位点和GABAB受体。在亚细胞水平,GABAA受体主要位于对称性突触(GABA能突触)的突触后膜,而GABAB受体则位于对称性突触和非对称性突触(兴奋性突触)的突触前膜及突触后膜。功能学研究进一步揭示,激活苍白球突触前膜GABAB自身和异源性受体可分别减少GABA和谷氨酸释放;激活突触后膜GABAB受体,可引起苍白球神经元超极化。除GABAB受体外,激活苍白球GABAA受体苯二氮卓结合位点及阻断GABA重摄取可延长GABA电流持续时间,从而改变苍白球神经元兴奋性。与离体实验结果相一致,激活苍向球GABAB受体和苯二氮卓结合位点及阻断GABA重摄取可引起整体动物旋转行为。苍白球GABA神经递质系统与帕金森病病因学及癫痫发病有关。已证实,苍白球神经元放电频率的降低及簇状放电的产生与帕金森病运动减少及静止性震颤等症状直接相关。此外,电牛理及行为学实验发现,新型抗癫痫药物替加平可调节苍白球神经元功能活动．这为进一步了解苍白球与癫痫发病的关系提供了新的理论及实验依据。     

KCNQ钾通道及其小分子调节剂研究进展

KCNQ钾通道是一类电压门控钾离子通道,具有慢激活和不失活的特点,参与调控细胞的正常代谢。KCNQ钾通道包括KCNQ1~KCNQ5五个亚型,在心脏、神经元和平滑肌等组织广泛分布,并在调节细胞兴奋性和离子平衡中发挥着重要的生理功能。KCNQ功能失调导致多种人类疾病,因此被认为是治疗癫痫、心律失常、疼痛、耳聋和认知功能障碍等疾病的重要药物靶点。2011年,FDa批准KCNQ激动剂Retigabine上市,进一步促进了以KCNQ为靶点的小分子调节剂的研究。在综述中主要介绍了KCNQ钾通道小分子调节剂的研究进展。     

HCN2阳离子通道:缓解疼痛的新靶点

疼痛长期困扰人类健康,其发病机制纷繁复杂,究竟谁在其中扮演了重要的作用是目前亟待解决的重大问题。随着对疼痛研究的不断深入,超极化激活的环核苷酸门控通道逐渐引起广泛关注。在炎性痛和神经病理性痛过程中,它都扮演了至关重要的作用,其数目改变和开放频率增加都参与介导了疼痛部位的异常放电,成为诱发疼痛的开关。在给与阻断剂或敲除通道2亚型后,能明显缓解炎性痛和神经病理性痛的不良反应,成为可以缓解疼痛发生的新靶点。超极化激活的环核苷酸门控通道在机体分布广泛,参与多种重要生理功能的调节,但目前还没有针对该门控通道某种亚型的特异性阻断剂。在今后,也许超极化激活的环核苷酸门控通道会成为临床治疗疼痛的新靶点,该通道的特异性药物也将为广大患者带来新的福音。     

酸感受性离子通道生物学特性及其调控

酸感受离子通道(ASICs)为H -门控的阳离子通道,是一类新的配体门控性离子通道,属于钠通道超家族的新成员.作为近来研究的热点,ASICs具有许多重要的生物学功能,并很有可能成为抗癫痫、镇痛、提高学习记忆能力和保护神经元缺血损伤作用药理学新靶点.近来,ASICs各个亚基已被克隆,它们在生物体内分布、表达、功能和相关调节因素的研究正受到广泛重视.     

酸中毒和ASIC1a在复发性癫痫引起的树突棘重塑中的作用

复发性癫痫诱导慢性树突棘重塑对癫痫发生、终止和长期认知变化很关键,但是调控树突棘重塑的机制并不十分清楚。研究表明,癫痫发作时细胞外[H+]i增加导致组织酸中毒,激活酸敏感离子通道(acid-sensing ion channels,ASICs),引起慢性树突棘重塑。现总结酸中毒和酸敏感离子通道亚型ASIC1a在复发性癫痫引起的树突棘重塑中的作用,重点分析了酸中毒过程的时空变化对痫样放电和树突棘重塑可能的影响,以及酸中毒与ASIC1a在兴奋性和抑制性神经元的功能表达之间的关系,认为ASIC1a可能通过不同机制介导酸中毒在癫痫发生和持续阶段对树突棘的影响。未来研究需要进一步探索癫痫引起的慢性神经元结构和功能改变,阐明酸中毒和ASIC1a在癫痫及其引起的树突棘缺失中的作用。     

HCN通道在神经系统中的功能和作用

HCN通道(hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels)是一种超极化激活的,选择性通透K 、Na ,直接受cAMP调控的离子通道,其在神经系统中有多方面的功能并与癫痫等神经疾病有关系.对HCN通道正常生理功能以及与疾病的关系的深入认识,必将对今后的研究和临床有深远的意义.     

靶向神经小胶质细胞的戒毒治疗策略

鸦片用于镇痛治疗有千余年历史, 其滥用导致药物成瘾, 带来严重的社会和医学问题。关于鸦片等精神活性物质的研究主要围绕 神经元,当前的戒毒药物作用于神经元的阿片受体或离子通道受体,然而其戒毒效果非常有限。神经元不是中枢神经系统中调节神经信号 转导的唯一组分,神经小胶质细胞占中枢神经系统的 10%~15%,然而其作用和功能在很长一段时间被忽视。鸦片、可卡因、冰毒及其他 精神活性物质激活 Toll 样受体 4 (TLR4),活化小胶质细胞,产生大量炎症因子,从而调节奖赏信号通路,增加神经元的兴奋性,导致药物 依赖和成瘾,因而 TLR4 是开发新型戒毒药物的靶点。综述药物成瘾的小胶质细胞分子机制以及靶向小胶质细胞的治疗药物成瘾的药物发现。     

HCN通道:生物学特性及疼痛相关作用

脊椎动物的超极化激活环核苷酸门控通道(hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels,HCN通道)具有反向电压依赖性,其开放依赖细胞表面的超极化。HCN在机体各组织的分布和数量及开放状态存在差异。HCN通道的开放受到cAMP及其它物质或信号传导通路直接或者间接的调控。HCN及其介导的Ih/If电流可以影响细胞膜静息电位,控制神经元兴奋性、突触电位和突触传递并在调节心律等方面起到重要作用,并且参与了疼痛等生理或病理过程的调控。部分药物可以通过对HCN通道的作用治疗疼痛等相关疾病。本文将从HCN通道的结构、分布、调控、在疼痛及其它相关疾病中起到的作用等方面对近年来HCN通道研究的新发现进行回顾和综述。     

蝎毒对癫痫敏感性和海马GFAP释放的影响

目的和方法 :本工作用海人酸癫痫模型 ,通过对癫痫大鼠蝎毒治疗后行为变化及脑内胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)免疫反应活性的检测 ,对蝎毒抗癫痫反复发作的相关脑区及其机制做以初步探讨。结果 :癫痫大鼠蝎毒治疗三周后 ,能明显减少癫痫发作的例数 ,减轻癫痫发作的程度 ,使发作的潜伏期延长 (P <0 .0 5 )。免疫细胞化学的实验显示 ,蝎毒抗癫痫反复发作的相关脑区是海马。 8例蝎毒治疗的大鼠与实验对照组相比 ,有 6例背侧海马GFAP免疫染色明显减轻 ,未见星形胶质细胞增生 ;CA1区无明显神经元缺失 ;而且与空白对照组相比无显著差异。结论 :癫痫大鼠蝎毒治疗三周后 ,能明显减轻癫痫发作的行为 ,抑制海马星形胶质细胞的增生肥大 ,减轻海马神经元受损的程度。蝎毒抑制海马星形胶质细胞增生很可能是蝎毒抗癫痫反复发作的重要机制之一。     

电压依赖性钾通道与人类神经性疾病

电压依赖性钾通道是钾通道超家族中成员最多,最为复杂的亚家族,主要包括Kvα亚单位和辅助亚单位两部分,其中快速失活A型通道和毒蕈碱敏感的M通道已被大量研究,它们广泛分布于神经系统,主要参与各种生理和病理作用,如膜兴奋性的产生,神经递质的释放,神经元细胞的增殖和退化,以及神经网络的信号传递等。目前发现Kv通道亚型或亚单位的突变与学习和记忆的损伤,共济失调,癫痫,神经性耳聋等一些神经性疾病的产生有关。     

超极化激活的环核苷酸门控通道（HCN 通道）抑制剂的研究进展

超极化激活的环核苷酸门控通道(HCN通道)有四个亚型,分别为HCN1-4。HCN通道各亚型之间的基本结构相似,在许多组织中均有表达,其中以大脑和心脏组织中表达最为丰富。HCN通道既参与所在组织的正常生理功能,也与所在组织的病理状态密切相关。如神经损伤引起的神经源性疼痛常检测到HCN1通道表达量的增加,肥厚性心肌病和终末期心力衰竭等病理状态下常检测到心室肌细胞HCN4 mRNA及HCN2 mRNA表达增加。鉴于HCN通道与许多疾病密切相关,因此,以其为靶点来治疗相关疾病成为可能,但是由于HCN通道分布广泛,而目前该通道阻滞剂均为非选择性亚型抑制剂,临床应用时不可避免的引起副反应,因此发展选择性HCN通道亚型抑制剂就显得刻不容缓。本文就HCN通道抑制剂的研究发展做进一步探讨。     

Voltage-gated sodium channels

Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by seizures and convulsions. The basis of epilepsy is an increase in neuronal excitability that, in some cases, may be caused by functional defects in neuronal voltage gated sodium channels, Nav1.1 and Nav1.2. The effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as effective therapies for epilepsy have been characterized by extensive research. Most of the classic AEDs targeting Nav share a common mechanism of action by stabilizing the channel’s fast-inactivated state. In contrast, novel AEDs, such as lacosamide, stabilize the slow-inactivated state in neuronal Nav1.1 and Nav1.7 isoforms. This paper reviews the different mechanisms by which this stabilization occurs to determine new methods for treatment.     

Flavonoid Regulation of HCN2 Channels

The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channels are pacemaker channels whose currents contribute to rhythmic activity in the heart and brain. HCN channels open in response to hyperpolarizing voltages, and the binding of cAMP to their cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (CNBD) facilitates channel opening. Here, we report that, like cAMP, the flavonoid fisetin potentiates HCN2 channel gating. Fisetin sped HCN2 activation and shifted the conductance-voltage relationship to more depolarizing potentials with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 1.8 μm. When applied together, fisetin and cAMP regulated HCN2 gating in a nonadditive fashion. Fisetin did not potentiate HCN2 channels lacking their CNBD, and two independent fluorescence-based binding assays reported that fisetin bound to the purified CNBD. These data suggest that the CNBD mediates the fisetin potentiation of HCN2 channels. Moreover, binding assays suggest that fisetin and cAMP partially compete for binding to the CNBD. NMR experiments demonstrated that fisetin binds within the cAMP-binding pocket, interacting with some of the same residues as cAMP. Together, these data indicate that fisetin is a partial agonist for HCN2 channels.     

Enhancement of Dorsal Hippocampal Activity by Knockdown of HCN1 Channels Leads to Anxiolytic- and Antidepressant-like Behaviors

The hippocampus is an integral brain region for affective disorders. TRIP8b knockout mice lacking functional HCN channels as well as both HCN1 and HCN2 knockout mice have been shown to display antidepressant-like behaviors. The mechanisms or?brain regions involved in these alterations in behavior, however, are not clear. We developed a lentiviral shRNA system to examine whether knockdown of HCN1 protein in the dorsal hippocampal CA1 region is sufficient to produce antidepressant-like effects. We found that knockdown of HCN1 channels increased cellular excitability and resulted in physiological changes consistent with a reduction of I(h). Rats infused with lentiviral shRNA-HCN1 in the dorsal hippocampal CA1 region displayed antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like behaviors associated with widespread enhancement of hippocampal activity and upregulation of BDNF-mTOR signaling pathways. Our results suggest that HCN1 protein could be a potential target for treatment of anxiety and depression disorders.     

Elementary Functional Properties of Single HCN2 Channels

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are tetramers that evoke rhythmic electrical activity in specialized neurons and cardiac cells. These channels are activated by hyperpolarizing voltage, and the second messenger cAMP can further enhance the activation. Despite the physiological importance of HCN channels, their elementary functional properties are still unclear. In this study, we expressed homotetrameric HCN2 channels in Xenopus oocytes and performed single-channel experiments in patches containing either one or multiple channels. We show that the single-channel conductance is as low as 1.67 pS and that channel activation is a one-step process. We also observed that the time between the hyperpolarizing stimulus and the first channel opening, the first latency, determines the activation process alone. Notably, at maximum hyperpolarization, saturating cAMP drives the channel to open for unusually long periods. In particular, at maximum activation by hyperpolarization and saturating cAMP, the open probability approaches unity. In contrast to other reports, no evidence of interchannel cooperativity was observed. In conclusion, single HCN2 channels operate only with an exceptionally low conductance, and both activating stimuli, voltage and cAMP, exclusively control the open probability.     

Elementary Functional Properties of Single HCN2 Channels

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are tetramers that evoke rhythmic electrical activity in specialized neurons and cardiac cells. These channels are activated by hyperpolarizing voltage, and the second messenger cAMP can further enhance the activation. Despite the physiological importance of HCN channels, their elementary functional properties are still unclear. In this study, we expressed homotetrameric HCN2 channels in Xenopus oocytes and performed single-channel experiments in patches containing either one or multiple channels. We show that the single-channel conductance is as low as 1.67 pS and that channel activation is a one-step process. We also observed that the time between the hyperpolarizing stimulus and the first channel opening, the first latency, determines the activation process alone. Notably, at maximum hyperpolarization, saturating cAMP drives the channel to open for unusually long periods. In particular, at maximum activation by hyperpolarization and saturating cAMP, the open probability approaches unity. In contrast to other reports, no evidence of interchannel cooperativity was observed. In conclusion, single HCN2 channels operate only with an exceptionally low conductance, and both activating stimuli, voltage and cAMP, exclusively control the open probability.     

儿科抗癫痫药物应用研究进展

儿童癫痫为小儿神经科的常见疾病,临床表现以抽搐为主。近年来,随着医疗技术的发展,以及人们对儿童癫痫的重视,国内外文献对儿科癫痫的治疗报道越来越多,目前,药物治疗仍然是抗癫痫的首选方法,除了运用新型抗癫痫药物外,也有采用中药治疗癫痫的报道,现就近年来儿童癫痫的药物治疗研究作一综述。     

Identification of the Molecular Site of Ivabradine Binding to HCN4 Channels

Ivabradine is a specific heart rate-reducing agent approved as a treatment of chronic stable angina. Its mode of action involves a selective and specific block of HCN channels, the molecular components of sinoatrial "funny" (f)-channels. Different studies suggest that the binding site of ivabradine is located in the inner vestibule of HCN channels, but the molecular details of ivabradine binding are unknown. We thus sought to investigate by mutagenesis and in silico analysis which residues of the HCN4 channel, the HCN isoform expressed in the sinoatrial node, are involved in the binding of ivabradine. Using homology modeling, we verified the presence of an inner cavity below the channel pore and identified residues lining the cavity; these residues were replaced with alanine (or valine) either alone or in combination, and WT and mutant channels were expressed in HEK293 cells. Comparison of the block efficiency of mutant vs WT channels, measured by patch-clamp, revealed that residues Y506, F509 and I510 are involved in ivabradine binding. For each mutant channel, docking simulations correctly explain the reduced block efficiency in terms of proportionally reduced affinity for ivabradine binding. In summary our study shows that ivabradine occupies a cavity below the channel pore, and identifies specific residues facing this cavity that interact and stabilize the ivabradine molecule. This study provides an interpretation of known properties of f/HCN4 channel block by ivabradine such as the “open channel block”, the current-dependence of block and the property of "trapping" of drug molecules in the closed configuration.     

P-Loop Residues Critical for Selectivity in K+ Channels Fail to Confer Selectivity to Rabbit HCN4 Channels

HCN channels are thought to be structurally similar to K_v channels, but show much lower selectivity for K⁺. The ∼3.3 Å selectivity filter of K⁺ channels is formed by the pore-lining sequence XT(V/I)GYG, with X usually T, and is held stable by key residues in the P-loop. Differences in the P-loop sequence of HCN channels (eg. the pore-lining sequence L₄₇₈C₄₇₉IGYG) suggest these residues could account for differences in selectivity between these channel families. Despite being expressed, L478T/C479T HCN4 channels did not produce current. Since threonine in the second position is highly conserved in K⁺ channels, we also studied C479T channels. Based on permeability ratios (P_X/P_K), C479T HCN4 channels (K⁺(1)>Rb⁺(0.85)>Cs⁺(0.59)>Li⁺(0.50)≥Na⁺(0.49)) were less selective than WT rabbit HCN4 (K⁺(1)>Rb⁺(0.48)>Cs⁺(0.31)≥Na⁺(0.29)>Li⁺(0.03)), indicating that the TIGYG sequence is insufficient to confer K⁺ selectivity to HCN channels. C479T HCN4 channels had an increased permeability to large organic cations than WT HCN4 channels, as well as increased unitary K⁺ conductance, and altered channel gating. Collectively, these results suggest that HCN4 channels have larger pores than K⁺ channels and replacement of the cysteine at position 479 with threonine further increases pore size. Furthermore, selected mutations in other regions linked previously to pore stability in K⁺ channels (ie. S475D, S475E and F471W/K472W) were also unable to confer K⁺ selectivity to C479T HCN4 channels. Our findings establish the presence of the TIGYG pore-lining sequence does not confer K⁺ selectivity to rabbit HCN4 channels, and suggests that differences in selectivity of HCN4 versus K⁺ channels originate from differences outside the P-loop region.     

Pannexin 1 channels and ATP release in epilepsy: two sides of the same coin: The contribution of pannexin-1, connexins,and CALHM ATP-release channels to purinergic signaling

Purinergic signaling mediated by ATP and its metabolites contributes to various brain physiological processes as well as to several pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. Among the different ATP release pathways, pannexin 1 channels represent one of the major conduits being primarily activated in pathological contexts. Investigations on in vitro and in vivo models of epileptiform activity and seizures in mice and human tissues revealed pannexin 1 involvement in aberrant network activity and epilepsy, and highlighted that pannexin 1 exerts a complex role. Pannexin 1 can indeed either sustain seizures through release of ATP that can directly activate purinergic receptors, or tune down epileptic activity via ATP-derived adenosine that decreases neuronal excitability. Interestingly, in-depth analysis of the literature unveils that this dichotomy is only apparent, as it depends on the model of seizure induction and the type of evoked epileptiform activity, two factors that can differentially activate pannexin 1 channels and trigger distinct intracellular signaling cascades. Here, we review the general properties and ATP permeability of pannexin 1 channels, and discuss their impact on acute epileptiform activity and chronic epilepsy according to the regime of activity and disease state. These data pave the way for the development of new antiepileptic strategies selectively targeting pannexin 1 channels in a context-dependent manner.