A Brain-Specific Protein p25 Is Localized and Associated with Oligodendrocytes, Neuropil, and Fiber-Like Structures of the CA3 Hippocampal Region in the Rat Brain

Abstract: Developmental expression and cellular localization of a novel brain-specific 25-kDa protein (p25), a substrate of tau protein kinase II, were investigated in the rat brain using polyclonal antibodies raised against peptides synthesized based on the p25 amino acid sequence. By western immunoblotting, p25 was found to be expressed only slightly in the embryonic period; the expression increased from 11 days up to 5 weeks of age, and continued to increase gradually until 1–2 years of age. Immunohistochemistry revealed distinct staining of glial cells in most regions of the central nervous system in the adult rat brain. These positively immunostained cells were especially abundant in the white matter, such as the corpus callosum, cingulum, external capsule, and internal capsule. The glial cells were identified as oligodendrocytes, and the nuclei of the cells remained unstained. Whereas the neuropil in most parts of the brain was immunostained less intensely than glias, the neuropil in the first and second layers of the cerebral cortex and the dentate gyrus was relatively strongly stained. Fiber-like structures were also stained in the CA3 region of hippocampus.     

Nicotinylalanine Increases the Formation of Kynurenic Acid in the Brain and Antagonizes Convulsions

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) was quantified in the extracellular spaces of the rat hippocampus using microdialysis and HPLC (fluorimetric detection) to study the possible role of this tryptophan metabolite in the modulation of the function of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Addition of probenecid (1 mM), which is an inhibitor of the organic acid transport system, to the Ringer's solution perfusing the dialysis probe increased the KYNA concentration in the dialysate from 10.4 +/- 0.9 to 48 +/- 6 nM. Addition of 2 mM aminooxyacetic acid, a nonspecific inhibitor of KYNA synthesis, reduced this concentration by 50%. These data suggest that KYNA is continuously synthesized in the rat hippocampus. Nicotinylalanine (NAL), 200-400 mg/kg i.p., an analogue of kynurenine that is able to direct the flow of tryptophan metabolites toward the synthesis of KYNA, significantly increased the KYNA concentration in the hippocampal dialysate and significantly potentiated the effect of tryptophan on the accumulation of KYNA in the brain and other organs. This increase resulted in pharmacological actions compatible with an antagonism of the NMDA receptors. In fact, NAL antagonized sound-induced seizures and prevented death in DBA/2 mice. Pretreatment of the mice with D-serine (100 micrograms intracerebroventricularly), a glycine agonist and a competitive antagonist of KYNA, completely prevented the anticonvulsive action of NAL. These data suggest that changes in the extracellular concentration of KYNA in the brain are associated with a modulation of NMDA receptor function.     

p-Chlorophenylalanine Changes Serotonin Transporter mRNA Levels and Expression of the Gene Product

Abstract: After a single intraperitoneal injection of the irreversible tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p -chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 300 mg/kg), there was a rapid down-regulation of serotonin (5-HT) transporter mRNA levels in cell bodies. This change was significant at 1 and 2 days after PCPA administration within the ventromedial but not the dorsomedial portion of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Seven days after PCPA treatment, 5-HT transporter mRNA levels were significantly elevated compared with controls in both regions of the dorsal raphe nucleus. PCPA administration produced no change in the [³H]-citalopram binding and synaptosomal [³H]5-HT uptake in terminal regions at 2 and 7 days after treatment but significantly reduced both these parameters by ∼20% in the hippocampus and in cerebral cortex 14 days after PCPA administration. The striatum showed a lower sensitivity to this effect. No significant changes were observed in the levels of [³H]citalopram binding to 5-HT cell bodies in the dorsal raphe nucleus. In the same animals used for 5-HT transporter mRNA level measurements, levels of tryptophan hydroxylase mRNA in neurons of the ventromedial and dorsomedial portions of the dorsal raphe nucleus were increased 2 days after PCPA administration and fell to control levels 7 days after injection in the ventromedial region but not in the dorsomedial portion of the dorsal raphe nucleus, where they remained significantly higher than controls. Altogether, these results show that changes in 5-HT transporter mRNA are not temporally related to changes in 5-HT transporter protein levels. In addition, our results suggest that the 5-HT transporter and tryptophan hydroxylase genes are regulated by different mechanisms. We also provide further evidence that dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons are differentially regulated by drugs, depending on their location.     

Selective expression of an aP2/Fatty Acid Binding Protein4-Cre transgene in non-adipogenic tissues during embryonic development

Mouse strains expressing the site-specific Cre recombinase facilitate conditional ablation or activation of genomic sequences when one or several exons of a gene of interest are flanked by loxP sites. Recently, several strains targeting Cre expression to adipocytes have been developed using promoter sequences from the aP2 (Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4, FABP4) gene for adipose tissue-specific gene expression studies. aP2/FABP4 is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue, and while this promoter provides adipocyte-restricted expression postnatally, its expression throughout embryonic development had not been previously characterized. In this report, we demonstrate that the aP2-Cre transgene is expressed and consistently localized within the embryo from mid-gestation stage 9.5 dpc. By 15.5 dpc, β-gal activity was detected primarily in the brown adipose tissue, trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, cartilage primordia and vertebrae. Immunofluorescence staining for Cre recombinase and FABP4 protein showed a corresponding staining pattern similar to that of β-gal, confirming that Cre recombinase was produced in the transgenic line at late stages of development, and overlapped with endogenous aP2/FABP4 production. Further, fat-specific oil red O staining of tissue sections validated the presence of lipids in the stained tissues indicating that adipocytes and/or adipocyte-like cells were indeed present in these tissues. This is the first report to our knowledge to describe and confirm aP2/FABP4 promoter expression in this transgenic line during development in the mouse embryo and indicates that aP2/FABP4 expression occurs not only in mature adipocytes, but has a wider embryonic expression pattern than previously appreciated.Lucy Liaw and Deena Small contributed equally to this work     

Cloning,co-expression with an amidating enzyme,and activity of the scorpion toxin BmK ITa1 cDNA in insect cells

BmK ITa1 is an insect-specific neurotoxin from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (Bmk). We succeeded in obtaining biologically active recombinant BmK ITa1 protein by simultaneous expression in insect cells of BmK ITa1 cDNA with an amidating enzyme expressed by the rat peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) gene. We investigated the insecticidal efficacy of recombinant BmK ITa1/W (without coexpression of PAM), and of BmK ITa1/A (with coexpression of PAM) in 5th instar Bombyx mori, by injecting these recombinant toxins into larvae. The lethal time for 50% of larvae (LT₅₀) was 9 h for BmK ITa1/A and 17 h for BmK ITa1/W. At 19 h after injection all of the larvae exposed to BmK ITa1/A had been killed, whereas only half of the larvae exposed to BmK ITa1/W had been killed. These results show that the simultaneous expression of an amidating enzyme can result in apparently higher insecticidal activity of BmK ITa1.     

裸鼠肿瘤动物模型VEGF受体表达及其意义

目的　通过免疫组织化学染色了解flt 1与flk 1 KDR(VEGF的两个高亲和受体 )在人肿瘤细胞皮下接种肿瘤动物模型的血管内皮细胞与肿瘤细胞中的表达。方法　取荷瘤裸鼠皮下接种瘤块 ,漂洗、固定、石蜡连续切片 ,进行两种受体相应免疫组化检测。结果　在 13种荷瘤裸鼠血管内皮细胞及肿瘤细胞中flt 1的阳性率大部分为强阳性或中阳性 ,而只有在荷人胃腺癌MKN 4 5裸鼠的肿瘤细胞中flt 1的阳性率为弱阳性 ,在荷人卵巢癌SKOv3裸鼠的肿瘤细胞中flt 1的表达为阴性。相比较而言 ,在 13种荷瘤裸鼠血管内皮细胞及肿瘤细胞中KDR的阳性率大部分为中阳性或弱阳性 ,并且在荷人肝癌SMMC 772 1裸鼠 ,荷人胃腺癌SPC A1裸鼠 ,荷人高转移肝癌移植瘤裸鼠 ,荷人卵巢癌SKOv3裸鼠的肿瘤细胞中 ,荷人宫颈癌移植瘤裸鼠和荷人胃腺癌MKN 4 5裸鼠的肿瘤细胞中 ,KDR表达为阴性。结论　VEGF受体共同表达于肿瘤血管内皮细胞与肿瘤细胞 ,提示了VEGF与VEGF受体结合作用在肿瘤演化中的重要性 ,为靶向于VEGF受体的基因治疗策略选择裸鼠动物模型提供了参考依据     

Convergent Regulation of Neuronal Differentiation and Erk and Akt Kinases in Human Neural Progenitor Cells by Lysophosphatidic Acid,Sphingosine 1-Phosphate,and LIF: Specific Roles for the LPA1 Receptor

The bioactive lysophospholipids lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have diverse effects on the developing nervous system and neural progenitors, but the molecular basis for their pleiotropic effects is poorly understood. We previously defined LPA and S1P signaling in proliferating human neural progenitor (hNP) cells, and the current study investigates their role in neuronal differentiation of these cells. Differentiation in the presence of LPA or S1P significantly enhanced cell survival and decreased expression of neuronal markers. Further, the LPA receptor antagonist Ki16425 fully blocked the effects of LPA, and differentiation in the presence of Ki16425 dramatically enhanced neurite length. LPA and S1P robustly activated Erk, but surprisingly both strongly suppressed Akt activation. Ki16425 and pertussis toxin blocked LPA activation of Erk but not LPA inhibition of Akt, suggesting distinct receptor and G-protein subtypes mediate these effects. Finally, we explored cross talk between lysophospholipid signaling and the cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). LPA/S1P effects on neuronal differentiation were amplified in the presence of LIF. Similarly, the ability of LPA/S1P to regulate Erk and Akt was impacted by the presence of LIF; LIF enhanced the inhibitory effect of LPA/S1P on Akt phosphorylation, while LIF blunted the activation of Erk by LPA/S1P. Taken together, our results suggest that LPA and S1P enhance survival and inhibit neuronal differentiation of hNP cells, and LPA1 is critical for the effect of LPA. The pleiotropic effects of LPA may reflect differences in receptor subtype expression or cross talk with LIF receptor signaling.     

Similar Time Course Changes in Striatal Levels of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase and Proenkephalin mRNA Following Dopaminergic Deafferentation in the Rat

An immunoblot procedure was developed to quantify the amount of tyrosine hydroxylase protein in homogenate of small brain regions. With the use of this method we have studied the variations in tyrosine hydroxylase activity and protein levels in some catecholaminergic neurons at different times following a single reserpine injection (10 mg/kg s.c.) and reevaluated the anatomical specificity of tyrosine hydroxylase induction by this drug. Reserpine administration provoked a long-lasting increase in both tyrosine hydroxylase activity and protein levels within locus ceruleus neurons. This effect culminated at day 4 after injection. At this time, the enzyme activity and protein levels in treated animals were respectively 2.7 and 2.6 times that measured in vehicle-treated animals. Both parameters varied in parallel so that tyrosine hydroxylase specific activity did not change over time. In contrast, reserpine did not cause any changes in tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, but provoked a moderate increase in tyrosine hydroxylase protein level. This latter effect was maximal (1.5 times) 4 days after treatment. In the adjacent dopaminergic area, i.e., the ventral tegmental area, a small decrease in the enzyme activity was recorded at day 2 without any significant change in the level of the protein. In conclusion, first, our data show the capacity of our method to assay tyrosine hydroxylase protein amounts in small brain catecholaminergic nuclei. Second, our results confirm and extend previous studies on the effect of reserpine on the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase level within brain noradrenergic neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Isoform-Specific Function and Distribution of Na/K Pumps in the Frog Lens Epithelium

Epithelial cells from the anterior and equatorial surfaces of the frog lens were isolated and used the same day for studies of the Na/K ATPase. RNase protection assays showed that all cells express α₁- and α₂-isoforms of the Na/K pump but not the α₃-isoform, however the α₂-isoform dominates in anterior cells whereas the α₁-isoform dominates in equatorial cells. The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to record functional properties of the Na/K pump current (I _P ), defined as the current specifically inhibited by dihydro-ouabain (DHO). DHO-I _P blockade data indicate the α₁-isoform has a dissociation constant of 100 μm DHO whereas for the α₂-isoform it is 0.75 μm DHO. Both α₁- and α₂-isoforms are half maximally activated at an intracellular Na⁺-concentration of 9 mm. The α₁-isoform is half maximally activated at an extracellular K⁺-concentration of 3.9 mm whereas for the α₂-isoform, half maximal activation occurs at 0.4 mm. Lastly, transport by the α₁-isoform is inhibited by a drop in extracellular pH, which does not affect transport by the α₂-isoform. Under normal physiological conditions, I _P in equatorial cells is approximately 0.23 μA/μF, and in anterior cells it is about 0.14 μA/μF. These current densities refer to the area of cell membrane assuming a capacitance of around 1 μF/cm². Because cell size and geometry are different at the equatorial vs. anterior surface of the intact lens, we estimate Na/K pump current density per area of lens surface to be around 10 μA/cm² at the equator vs. 0.5 μA/cm² at the anterior pole. Received: 17 May 2000/Revised: 11 August 2000     

In vitro and in vivo characterization of MPEP,an allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5: review article

Summary.  There is a need to identify subtype-specific ligands for mGlu receptors to elucidate the potential of these receptors for the treatment of nervous system disorders. To date, most mGlu receptor antagonists are amino acid-like compounds acting as competitive antagonists at the glutamate binding site located in the large extracellular N-terminal domain. We have characterized novel subtype-selective mGlu₅ receptor antagonists which are structurally unrelated to competitive mGlu receptor ligands. Using a series of chimeric receptors and point mutations we demonstrate that these antagonists act as inverse agonists with a novel allosteric binding site in the seven-transmembrane domain. Recent studies in animal models implicate mGlu₅ receptors as a potentially important therapeutic target particularly for the treatment of pain and anxiety. Received July 2, 2001 Accepted August 6, 2001 Published online September 10, 2002     

Formation of the chordamesoderm in the amphioxus embryo: Analysis with Brachyury and fork head/HNF-3 genes

 The embryonic development of amphioxus (cephalochordates) has much in common with that of vertebrates, suggesting a close phylogenetic relationship between the two chordate groups. To gain insight into alterations in the genetic cascade that accompanied the evolution of vertebrate embryogenesis, we investigated the formation of the chordamesoderm in amphioxus embryos using the genes Brachyury and fork head/HNF-3 as probes. Am(Bb)Bra1 and Am(Bb)Bra2 are homologues of the mouse Brachyury gene isolated from Branchiostoma belcheri. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggests that the genes are independently duplicated in the amphioxus lineage. Both genes are initially expressed in the involuting mesoderm of the gastrula, then in the differentiating somites of neurulae, followed by the differentiating notochord and finally in the tail bud of ten-somite stage embryos. On the other hand, Am(Bb)fkh/HNF3-1, an amphioxus (B. belcheri) homologue of the fork head/HNF-3 gene, is initially expressed in the invaginating endoderm and mesoderm, then later in the differentiating notochord and in the tail bud. With respect to these two types of genes, the formation of the notochord and tail bud in amphioxus embryos shows similarity and dissimilarity with that of the notochord and tail bud in vertebrate embryos. Received: 21 November 1996 / Accepted: 24 January 1997