Regulation and functional significance of phospholipase D in myocardium

There is now clear evidence that receptor-dependent phospholipase D is present in myocardium. This novel signal transduction pathway provides an alternative source of 1,2-diacylglycerol, which activates isoforms of protein kinase C. The members of the protein kinase C family respond differently to various combinations of Ca²⁺, phosphatidylserine, molecular species of 1,2-diacylglycerol and other membrane phospholipid metabolites including free fatty acids. Protein kinase C isozymes are responsible for phosphorylation of specific cardiac substrate proteins that may be involved in regulation of cardiac contractility, hypertrophic growth, gene expression, ischemic preconditioning and electrophysiological changes. The initial product of phospholipase D, phosphatidic acid, may also have a second messenger role. As in other tissues, the question how the activity of phospholipase D is controlled by agonists in myocardium is controversial. Agonists, such as endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic factor and angiotensin 11 that are shown to activate phospholipase D, also potently stimulate phospholipase C- in myocardium. PMA stimulation of protein kinase C inactivates phospholipase C and strongly activates phospholipase D and this is probably a major mechanism by which agonists that promote phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis secondary activate phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysis. On the other hand, one group has postulated that formation of phosphatidic acid secondary activates phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis in cardiomyocytes. Whether GTP-binding proteins directly control phospholipase D is not clearly established in myocardium. Phospholipase D activation may also be mediated by an increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ or by tyrosine-phosphorylation.     

高氧预适应对大鼠心肌缺血─再灌注时自由基的影响

为了解决高氧预适应（ＨｙｐｅｒｏｘｉｃｐｒｅｃｏｎｄｉｔｉｏｎｉｎｇＨＯＰ）对大鼠心肌缺血再灌注时自由基的影响,本实验将实验组大鼠放入高压氧舱内,每日吸８０－８５％氧气（１ａｔｍ）６ｈ,连续７ｄ。利用Ｌａｎｇｅｎｄｏｒｆ装置做成心肌缺血再灌注模型,采用电子自旋共振技术测定自由基含量。实验动物随机分为二组,第一组为对照组：缺血１０ｍｉｎ,再灌注６０ｍｉｎ。第二组为ＨＯＰ组：缺血１０ｍｉｎ,再灌注６０ｍｉｎ。实验观察冠脉回流液中自由基ＰＢＮ加合物含量。结果表明：在再灌注过程中,１、５、１０ｍｉｎ３个时间点,ＨＯＰ组ＰＢＮ加合物含量较对照组明显减少。提示：ＨＯＰ能减少缺血再灌注时自由基的产生。     

Cellular Adaptation Relies on Regulatory Proteins Having Episodic Memory

The ability to memorize changes in the environment is present at all biological levels, from social groups and individuals, down to single cells. Trans-generational memory is embedded subcellularly through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Evidence that cells process and remember features of the immediate environment using protein sensors is reviewed. It is argued that this mnemonic ability is encapsulated within the protein conformational space and lasts throughout its lifetime, which can overlap with the lifespan of the organism. Means to determine diachronic changes in protein activity are presented.     

Cardiac and neuroprotection regulated by α1-adrenergic receptor subtypes

Sympathetic nervous system regulation by the α₁-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes (α_1A, α_1B, α_1D) is complex, whereby chronic activity can be either detrimental or protective for both heart and brain function. This review will summarize the evidence that this dual regulation can be mediated through the different α₁-AR subtypes in the context of cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, apoptosis, ischemic preconditioning, neurogenesis, locomotion, neurodegeneration, cognition, neuroplasticity, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and mental illness.     

5-脂氧合酶（5-LOX）及代谢产物在异氟醚预处理脑保护作用中的研究进展

缺血性脑血管疾病（Ischemia Cerebral Vascular Disease,ICVD）可造成不同程度的神经功能障碍,以其高发病率、高致残率、高复发率、高死亡率严重威胁着人们的身体健康。而脑组织缺血后再灌注损伤即脑缺血再灌注损伤（ischemia-reperfusion injury）是脑缺血性疾病的最主要的损伤原因之一,因此阐明脑缺血再灌注损伤发生发展的病理生理机制、探寻有效的预防保护措施成为当今研究的重点问题。本文回顾、归纳脑缺血再灌注损伤的相关分子机制及异氟醚预处理对脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用,分析5-脂氧合酶及其代谢产物在脑缺血再灌注损伤中的作用及其与其他分子的相互关系,旨在探讨5-脂氧合酶及其代谢产物在异氟醚预处理保护脑缺血再灌注损伤中可能起到的作用。为脑缺血再灌注损伤的防治提供更多的理论依据。     

PKC independent inhibition of voltage gated calcium channels by volatile anesthetics in freshly isolated vascular myocytes from the aorta

In this study we used barium currents through voltage gated L-type calcium channels (recorded in freshly isolated cells with a conventional patch-clamp technique) to elucidate the cellular action mechanism for volatile anesthetics. It was found that halothane and isoflurane inhibited (dose-dependently and voltage independently) Ba²⁺ currents through voltage gated Ca²⁺ channels. Half maximal inhibitions occurred at 0.64 ± 0.07 mM and 0.86 ± 0.1 mM. The Hill slope value was 2 for both volatile anesthetics, suggesting the presence of more than one interaction site. Current inhibition by volatile anesthetics was prominent over the whole voltage range without changes in the peak of the current voltage relationship. Intracellular infusion of the GDPβS (100 μM) together with staurosporine (200 nM) did not prevent the inhibitory effect of volatile anesthetics. Unlike pharmacological Ca²⁺ channel blockers, volatile anesthetics blocked Ca²⁺ channel currents at resting membrane potentials. In other words, halothane and isoflurane induced an ‘initial block’. After the first 4–7 control pulses, the cells were left unstimulated and anesthetics were applied. The first depolarization after the pause evoked a Ca²⁺ channel current whose amplitude was reduced to 41 ± 3.4% and to 57 ± 4.2% of control values. In an analysis of the steady-state inactivation curve for voltage dependence, volatile anesthetics induced a negative shift of the 50% inactivation of the calcium channels. By contrast, the steepness factor characterizing the voltage sensitivity of the channels was unaffected. Unitary L-type Ca²⁺ channels blockade occurred under cell-attached configuration, suggesting a possible action of volatile anesthetics from within the intracellular space or from the part of the channel inside the lipid bilayer.     

Insights into Distinct Modulation of α7 and α7β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by the Volatile Anesthetic Isoflurane

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are targets of general anesthetics, but functional sensitivity to anesthetic inhibition varies dramatically among different subtypes of nAChRs. Potential causes underlying different functional responses to anesthetics remain elusive. Here we show that in contrast to the α7 nAChR, the α7β2 nAChR is highly susceptible to inhibition by the volatile anesthetic isoflurane in electrophysiology measurements. Isoflurane-binding sites in β2 and α7 were found at the extracellular and intracellular end of their respective transmembrane domains using NMR. Functional relevance of the identified β2 site was validated via point mutations and subsequent functional measurements. Consistent with their functional responses to isoflurane, β2 but not α7 showed pronounced dynamics changes, particularly for the channel gate residue Leu-249(9′). These results suggest that anesthetic binding alone is not sufficient to generate functional impact; only those sites that can modulate channel dynamics upon anesthetic binding will produce functional effects.     

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) mediates ischemic preconditioning-induced ischemic tolerance via attenuating apoptosis in rat brain

A mild cerebral ischemic insult, also known as ischemic preconditioning (IPC), confers transient tolerance to a subsequent ischemic challenge in the brain. This study was conducted to investigate whether bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) is involved in neuroprotection elicited by IPC in a rat model of ischemia. Ischemic tolerance was induced in rats by IPC (15 min middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAO) at 48 h before lethal ischemia (2 h MCAO). The present data showed that IPC increased BMP-7 mRNA and protein expression after 24 h reperfusion following ischemia in the brain. In rats of ischemia, IPC-induced reduction of cerebral infarct volume and improvement of neuronal morphology were attenuated when BMP-7 was inhibited either by antagonist noggin or short interfering RNA (siRNA) pre-treatment. Besides, cerebral IPC-induced up-regulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and down-regulation of cleaved caspase-3 at 24 h after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury were reversed via inhibition of BMP-7. These findings indicate that BMP-7 mediates IPC-induced tolerance to cerebral I/R, probably through inhibition of apoptosis.     

Ischemic and hypoxic preconditioning protect cardiac muscles via intracellular ROS signaling

Oxidative stress can cause extensive damage to cardiac tissue under reperfusion conditions. However, preconditioning the myocardium may diminish these negative effects and alleviate reperfusion injury. There are a variety of preconditioning therapies, such as ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and hypoxic preconditioning (HPC), each targeting specific channels, receptors, and/or intracellular molecules. Ischemic preconditioning involves brief periods of ischemia followed by brief periods of reperfusion, thus strengthening the cardiac resistance for a longer period of ischemia. IPC involves complex mechanisms, some of which are still not completely understood today. Nevertheless, many studies have already established models of IPC. In addition, similar to IPC, HPC has also been recognized as preventing reperfusion injury. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known mediators of IPC and HPC. Particularly, mitochondria-generated ROS initiate activity of several beneficial preconditioning pathways. The role of ROS is paradoxical; low levels of ROS are key factors in signaling IPC/HPC, but high levels of ROS can contribute to increased oxidative stress on cardiomyocytes. Therefore, it is important to determine the molecular mechanism of IPC and HPC to avoid excessive accumulation of ROS to prevent cardiac injury. In this review, we will outline IPC and HPC, explaining the putative role of ROS in both pathways. We will also discuss preconditioning efficacy in certain conditions such as exercise and how the aging myocardium responds to preconditioning therapies.     

不同剂量异氟醚对中年小鼠认知功能及海马MBP和pNF-H表达的影响

目的:探讨异氟醚对中年小鼠认知功能及海马髓磷脂碱性蛋白(MBP, myelin basic protein)和磷酸化神经丝重亚单位(pNF-H,phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain)表达的影响。方法:给予中年小鼠不同浓度的异氟醚处理,实验分为对照组和异氟醚处理组(0.5ISO,1.0ISO,1.5ISO),其中异氟醚组小鼠细胞分别给予0.5 MAC,1.0 MAC和1.5 MAC三个浓度的异氟醚处理4小时,对照组给予O_2处理4小时,随后通过水迷宫测试检测其学习记忆能力变化,通过免疫荧光检测海马形态结构及髓鞘相关蛋白MBP和pNF-H表达变化。结果:与对照组相比,(1)类临床浓度的异氟醚处理不影响中年小鼠的自发运动能力(总运动距离:sham:7275.17±1732.58; 0.5ISO:8057.58±1732.58; 1.0ISO:7540.98±1401.61; 1.5ISO:8243.79±1257.65;运动速度:sham:116.75±22.35; 0.5ISO:135.45±32.84; 1.0ISO:130.16±21.38; 1.5ISO:142.31±20.58),但1.0 MAC和1.5 MAC的异氟醚处理明显降低了中年小鼠在水迷宫目标象限的活动时间百分比(sham:58.62±13.70; 0.5ISO:48.92±7.22; 1.0ISO:31.23±13.16; 1.5ISO:30.29±15.76)(P 0.05),且高浓度异氟醚作用强于低浓度异氟醚;(2) 1.0 MAC和1.5 MAC的异氟醚处理明显下调了海马的MBP和p NF-H表达(MBP:sham:60.48±8.20; 0.5ISO:56.69±7.86; 1.0ISO:40.15±4.50; 1.5ISO:31.66±5.46; pNF-H:sham:62.23±9.45; 0.5ISO:55.47±6.98; 1.0ISO:40.16±6.97; 1.5ISO:30.94±5.89)(P 0.05),造成了小鼠海马髓鞘结构损伤,且高浓度损伤强于低浓度。结论:异氟醚可能通过下调中年小鼠海马MBP和pNF-H表达,破坏海马髓鞘完整性而损伤小鼠的学习认知能力。