ESR spectra of vanadyl ion detected in branchial basket of an ascidian,ascidia ahodori

ESR spectra due to the vanadyl ion (VO²⁺, +4 oxidation state) was detected in the branchial basket of Ascidia ahodori, which is reported to contain vanadium in high amounts. The branchial basket, washed with a medium containing 1 mM EDTA, and the supernatant showed different types of vanadyl ESR spectra. On further treatment with 100 mM EDTA the branchial basket gave a characteristic ESR spectrum, indicating that the vanadyl ion binds to a high molecular weight matrix, such as proteins, which makes up the branchial basket. Judging from the relationship of the ESR parameters, g_∥ versus A_∥, the vanadyl ion is assumed to ligate with moieties such as deprotonated hydroxyl, or nitrogenous or thiolato groups from oxy- or thiolamino acid residues. The branchial basket was shown to have the ability to reduce added vanadate ion (+5 oxidation state) to the vanadyl form. On the basis of these observations, participation of the branchial basket in vanadium-accumulation by ascidians from seawater is suggested.     

The subcellular localization of noradrenaline and dopamine in bovine superior cervical ganglion

The distributions of noradrenaline and dopamine in subcellular fractions of bovine superior cervical ganglia were measured fluorimetrically and were compared with that of acetylcholine. Results indicate that the crude synaptosomal pellet ($\text{P}$₂), which contained the bulk of the bound acetylcholine, was not seriously contaminated with catecholamines. The microsomal fraction showed the highest concentration of noradrenaline relative to protein content, while dopamine was richest in $\text{P}$₂, possibly due to formation of synaptosomes from nerve endings of the dopaminergic interneurones which have been described in this tissue.     

Defensive behaviour and its inheritance in the anabantoid fish, Macropodus opercularis and Macropodus opercularis concolor

In this preliminary study defense behaviour patterns (fear responses) are described in two closely related, behaviourally different inbred labyrinth fish subspecies and in their F₁ generation. The subspecies M. opercularis (characterized briefly by “active escape”) and M. opercularis concolor (characterized by “passive escape”) showed specific differences in the manifestation of certain defense behaviour patterns. In the F₁ hybrid generation dominance and overdominance of M. opercularis was found in most defense behaviour patterns. Analysing the frequencies and sequences of movement patterns it could be shown that defensive behaviour is not a random or entirely “plastic” process but that there is sequential linkage between the patterns and they form characteristic clusters. Our results suggest that manifestations of different patterns are under genetic control and presumably, genetic determination of certain patterns is not very complex. Attempts were made to determine whole brain noradrenaline, serotonine and dopamine levels of the two subspecies and a significant difference was found in the noradrenaline content.     

Analysis of L-DOPA and droxidopa binding to human β2-adrenergic receptor

Over the last two decades, an increasing number of studies has been devoted to a deeper understanding of the molecular process involved in the binding of various agonists and antagonists to active and inactive conformations of β₂-adrenergic receptor (β₂AR). The 3.2 Å x-ray crystal structure of human β₂AR active state in combination with the endogenous low affinity agonist adrenaline offers an ideal starting structure for studying the binding of various catecholamines to adrenergic receptors. We show that molecular docking of levodopa (L-DOPA) and droxidopa into rigid and flexible β₂AR models leads for both ligands to binding anchor sites comparable to those experimentally reported for adrenaline, namely D113/N312 and S203/S204/S207 side chains. Both ligands have a hydrogen bond network that is extremely similar to those of noradrenaline and dopamine. Interestingly, redocking neutral and protonated versions of adrenaline to rigid and flexible β₂AR models results in binding poses that are more energetically stable and distinct from the x-ray crystal structure. Similarly, lowest energy conformations of noradrenaline and dopamine generated by docking into flexible β₂AR models had binding free energies lower than those of best poses in rigid receptor models. Furthermore, our findings show that L-DOPA and droxidopa molecules have binding affinities comparable to those predicted for adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine, which are consistent with previous experimental and computational findings and supported by the molecular dynamics simulations of β₂AR-ligand complexes performed here.     

THE UPTAKE OF BIOGENIC MONOAMINES BY THE ISOLATED AURICLE OF THE SNAIL (HELIX POMATIA)

—The uptake of [³H]5HT, [³H]dopamine, [³H]noradrenaline and [³H]octopamine into the auricle of Helix pomatia was studied. When tissues were incubated at 25°C in media containing radioactive amines, tissue:medium ratios of about 49:1, 14:1 and 5:1 for 5-HT, dopamine, noradrenaline, and octopamine respectively were obtained after a 20–30 min incubation time. Tissues incubated at 25°C in media containing radioactive amines for 20–30 mins showed that almost all (96%) the radioactivity was present as unchanged [³H]5-HT, [³H]dopamine, [³H]octopamine or [³H]noradrenaline. The high tissue:medium ratios for 5-HT and dopamine, but not for noradrenaline and octopamine, showed saturation kinetics which were dependent upon temperature and sodium ions. From the Lineweaver–Burk plots, two uptake mechanisms for 5-HT at 25°C were resolved; the high affinity uptake process having a K_m1 value of 6.0 ± 10^?8m and a V_m1 value of 0.115 nmol/g/min while the lower affinity process had a K_m2 value of 1.04 ± 10^?6m and a V_m2 value of 0.66nmol/g/min. At 0°C a single uptake mechanism for 5-HT occurred which gave a K_m value of 5.02 ± 10^?8m and a V_m value of 0.0165 nmol/g/min. In the case of dopamine, the Lineweaver–Burk plot at 25°C showed a single uptake process with values for K_m and V_m of 1.55 ± 10^?7m and 0.086 nmol/g/min respectively. This process did not function at 0°C. The effect of various agents and ions upon the accumulation processes for all amines was also studied, and the data indicate that the same neurons probably accumulate more than one amine type. It is concluded that 5-HT and dopamine uptake in the auricle is a mechanism for inactivating these substances at 25°C and that an uptake mechanism for 5-HT also functions at 0°C. The results are discussed from the point of view of 5-HT's being the cardioexcitatory substance in the snail heart.     

Effect of noradrenaline and vanadate on sodium,potassium-activated ATPase of human brain cortical homogenate

Human brain cortical homogenate derived from surgical operations exhibited Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and K-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity values of 2.12 ± 0.08 μmol P_i/mg protein/15 min and 0.38 ± 0.01 μmol p-nitrophenol/mg protein/15 min, respectively which is in the range of those observed in rat brain cortical homogenates. Vanadate concentration dependently inhibited the activity of both enzymes. Noradrenaline, dopamine and isoprenaline reversed the inhibitory effect of vanadate in the presence of EDTA (0.2 mM). When Mg²⁺ concentration was enhanced from 4 to 24 mM, the inhibitory effect of vanadate (1 μM) was significantly potentiated. Evidence has been obtained that the effect of catecholamines is not a receptor mediated process; antagnoists such as phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, haloperidol failed to prevent the effect of adrenoceptor agonists. It is concluded that there is an interaction between vanadate and noradrenaline on human brain Na, K-ATPase.     

Vascular reactivity of the efferent branchial arteries of the lemon shark,Negaprion queenslandicus

1. Efferent branchial artery tissue rings from Negaprion queenslandicus were used to examine the effects of adrenergic and cholinergic drugs on the vasculature.2. The presence of α- and β-adrenoceptors were demonstrated.3. Adrenaline and noradrenaline produced variable, including biphasic, responses.4. Acetylcholine produced concentration-dependent contractions in the presence of a predominantly intact endothelium.     

Salinity-sensitive alkaline phosphatase activity in gills of the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus Rathbun

A levamisole-sensitive (K_i = 0.72 mM) alkaline phosphatase (pH optimum 9.1) and a levamisole-insensitive alkaline phosphatase (pH optimum 7.1) are present in gills of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus. Both enzymes are distinct from ouabain-sensitive ATPase. Specific activity for either phosphatase is greatest in the acinar tissue, which lines the branchial vessels. Histochemical localization of the enzymes confirmed this distribution. Activity of levamisole-sensitive alkaline phosphatase is affected by acclimation salinity. V_max of the levamisole-sensitive alkaline phosphatase is greater in high-salinity crabs than in low-salinity crabs; apparent K_m is not significantly different. The levamisole-sensitive alkaline phosphatase associated with the acinar tissue lining the branchial vessels may modulate the osmoregulatory response in blue crabs.     

Biomines-stimulated phosphorylation and (Na+, K+-ATPase in the gills of the chinese crab,Eriocheir sinensis

• 1.1. Subcellular distribution of (NA⁺, K⁺-ATPase and ouabain-insensitive ATPase (Mg²⁺-ATPase) are compared in branchial tissues of the euryhaline crab, Eriocheir sinensis, acclimated to fresh water.
• 2.2. Both the anterior and posterior gills contain cAMP-dependent protein kinase and endogenous protein substrate for phosphorylation.
• 3.3. Phosphorylation occurs in both “particulate” and “soluble” subcellular fractions but its stimulation by cAMP is restricted to the “soluble” fraction.
• 4.4. serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine receptors are present only in the “light particulate” fraction isolated from the posterior gills.

• 1.(a) Serotonin and dopamine have no effect on the phosphorylation observed in a subcellular fraction alone.
• 2.(b) Activation of the phosphorylation by serotonin and dopamine is found when the soluble fraction (source of cAMP-dependent protein kinase) is added to the fraction P₃ from the posterior gills.
• 3.(c) No activation occurs with the fractions P₃ as well as P₁ or P₂ (not shown) from anterior gills of fresh water crab.
• 4.(d) Cyproheptadine, a serotonin receptor antagonist, inhibits the 5-HT dependent increase in phosphorylation.
• 5.(e) The dopamine receptor antagonist, chlorpromazine, inhibits dopamine-stimulated phosphorylation.
• 6.5. Ouabain mimics the effect of cyproheptadine on the serotonin-stimulated phosphorylation found in the posterior gills.

     

Novel 5-HT7R antagonists,arylsulfonamide derivatives of (aryloxy)propyl piperidines: Add-on effect to the antidepressant activity of SSRI and DRI,and pro-cognitive profile

A novel series of arylsulfonamide derivatives of (aryloxy)propyl piperidines was designed to obtain potent 5-HT₇R antagonists. Among the compounds evaluated herein, 3-chloro-N-{1-[3-(1,1-biphenyl-2-yloxy)2-hydroxypropyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzenesulfonamide (25) exhibited antagonistic properties at 5-HT₇R and showed selectivity over selected serotoninergic and dopaminergic receptors, as well as over serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine transporters. Compound 25 demonstrated significant antidepressant-like activity in the forced swim test (0.625–2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and in the tail suspension test (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.), augmented the antidepressant effect of inactive doses of escitalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and bupropion (dopamine reuptake inhibitor) in the FST in mice, and similarly to SB-269970, exerted pro-cognitive properties in the novel object recognition task in cognitively unimpaired conditions in rats (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.). Such an extended pharmacological profile, especially the augmentation effect of the identified 5-HT₇R antagonist on SSRI activity, seems promising regarding the complexity of affective disorders and potentially improved outcomes, including mnemonic performance.     

Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine treatment: noradrenaline levels and in vitro 3Hcatecholamine synthesis in discrete brain regions of adult rats

Endogenous noradrenaline levels are elevated in medulla oblongata, mesencephalon, pons and thalamus of adult rats which had been treated with 6-hydroxydopamine on days 1, 2, 8 and 15 after birth. Levels in spinal cord, cerebellum, hippocampus/amygdala and cortex are depressed, whereas no significant changes are observed in striatum, hypothalamus and medulla spinalis. The rate at which medulla oblongata synthesizes tritiated noradrenaline and dopamine from tritiated tyrosine $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ is markedly enhanced. No effect was apparent on catecholamine synthesis in hypothalamus. Tritiated noradrenaline synthesis, but not tritiated dopamine synthesis, in the cortex is depressed. These results support the view that neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine treatment causes a degeneration of noradrenaline nerve terminals in the cortex and induces an increase in noradrenaline terminals in the medulla oblongata.     

Aerial respiration in the semaphore crab,Heloecius cordiformis,with or without branchial water

• 1.1. Semaphore crabs (Heloecius cordiformis) are active in air at low tide. Their branchial chambers are lined with a vascular epithelium and are expanded above the gills (five pairs) to form air cavities which could function as lungs. Water is continuously circulated over the gills.
• 2.2. The relative contribution made by the gills and lungs to gas exchange in semaphore crabs active in air and circulating branchial water, was determined by measuring oxygen consumption (at 25°C) in crabs with and without branchial water, and in crabs with their lungs subsequently occluded.
• 3.3. Activity levels and VO₂ were unaffected by the absence of branchial water.
• 4.4. With their lungs occluded, VO₂ dropped (on average) by 61% in crabs with branchial water (i.e. gills still functional) and by 81% in crabs without branchial water (gill function impaired).
• 5.5. It is concluded that semaphore crabs are obligate air breathers while active on land, despite carrying water within their branchial chambers. Lung development and gill reduction in land crabs is discussed briefly in relation to “terrestriality”.

     

Chlorpromazine increases sodium permeability across the isolated toad skin

The effects of Chlorpromazine (Cpz) on the potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (SCC), and total conductance (G_T) on Pleurodema thaul skin and on the skin response to dopamine were analysed. Cpz applied to the serosal surface in concentrations ranging from 1.25 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.25 × 10⁻⁴ M significantly increased the PD, the SCC and the GT. The effect of Cpz was abolished by BaCl₂ but not by alpha or beta adrenergic receptor antagonists. Cpz decreased the skin response to noradrenaline and to angiotensin 11. Dopamine (5 × 10⁻⁷ M to 5 × 10⁻⁶M) also induced a significant increase in the PD, SCC and G_T. This response was antagonized by propranolol but not by dibenamine. Additive effects of dopamine and Cpz were also found. The amiloride test showed that Cpz decreased E_Na., the driving force of sodium and increased g_na, which represents active sodium conductance. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Cpz increases transport across the isolated toad skin by increasing mucosal and serosal permeability. The results also suggest that Cpz decreases membrane cabnodulin availability.     

EVIDENCE FOR REVERSIBLE INHIBITION OF BRAIN DOPAMINE-β-HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY IN VIVO BY AMPHETAMINE ANALOGUES1

Rats treated with d -amphctamine have a decreased ability to convert intracisternally injected radioactive dopamine to noradrenaline. This effect is dose-related and reversible by increasing the dose of injected dopamine. L-Amphetamine is equipotent to the d -isomer, but para-hydroxyamphetamine reduces noradrenaline formation only slightly. Like the amphetamines, imipramine produces significant inhibition of noradrenaline from labelled dopamine; however, dopamine content after imipramine, but not after the amphetamines, was consistently decreased, suggesting that imipramine's effect on conversion of labelled dopamine to noradrenaline is mediated by interference with membranal transport systems. Conversion of labelled tyrosine to noradrenaline increases after imipramine. In contrast, noradrenaline accumulating from labelled tyrosine is decreased by d - or l -amphetamine. The divergent effects of the amphetamines and imipramine on noradrenaline accumulation from labelled tyrosine suggest that the amphetamines' effect on in vivo dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity are not solely attributable to interference with transport and, therefore, suggest a direct effect on the enzyme.     

Pharmacological experiments demonstrate that toad (Bufo marinus) atrial beta-adrenoceptors are not identical with mammalian beta2- or beta1-adrenoceptors

Chronotropic responses to symphathomimetic amines of isolated atrial preparations from toads ($\text{Bufo marinus}$) were mediated by β-adrenoceptors since isoprenaline was more potent than adrenaline and noradrenaline, and propranolol was a potent antagonist (pA₂, adrenaline as agonist = 9.33). The β-adrenoceptors had some of the characteristics of mammalian β₂-adrenoceptors in that (i) adrenaline was more potent than noradrenaline and (ii) the pA₂ values of two selective β-adrenoceptor antagonists, atenolol (pA₂ = 5.84) and α-methylpropranolol (pA₂ = 8.42), were close to the values reported on β₂-adrenoceptors in mammalian tissues. However, the relative potencies of adrenaline, isoprenaline, noradrenaline, rimiterol, salbutamol and fenoterol (1 : 45.8 : 0.07 : 3.3 : 1.05 : 0.32) did not correspond to the relative potencies reported for these agonist on mammalian tissues which contain predominantly β₂-adrenoceptors. Also the pA₂ value for the β₂-selective antagonist, ICI 118,551 (7.89, adrenaline as agonist) was lower than its reported pA₂ on β₂-adrenoceptors in mammalian tissues. There was no evidence that the response was mediated by both β₁-andβ₂-adrenoceptors since Schild plots for ICI 118,551 using three agonists of differing selectivity (adrenaline, rimiterol and noradrenaline) weer superimposed. It is concluded that, although toad atrial β-adrenoceptors have several characteristics in common with β₂-adrenoceptors in mammalian tissues, these amphibian β-adrenoceptors are not identical with mammalian β₂-adrenoceptors.     

Dose-related effect of the oxytocin fragment (prolyl-leucyl-glycinamide) on α-MPT-induced catecholamine disappearance and serotonin level in rat brain

Graded doses of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂ (3.5 × 10⁻¹², 3.5 × 10⁻¹¹, 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ or 3.5 × 10⁻⁹ mol) were administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle of rats. The noradrenaline level of the dorsal hippocampus was increased 30 min after a dose of 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂. The dopamine level was increased in the dorsal hippocampus and in the striatum. The serotonin level was increased in the hypothalamus, in the striatum and decreased in the dorsal hippocampus.The catecholamine disappearance following 350 mg/kg of α-methyl-p-tyrosine indicated an accelerated dopamine disappearance in the striatum for each dose studied, while the hypothalamic noradrenaline disappearance was inhibited by a dose of 3.5 × 10⁻¹¹ mol of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂.The data indicate that Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂ induces dose and region-dependent changes in the cerebral monoamine metabolism. The striatal dopamine and hypothalamic serotonin metabolism appeared to be the most sensitive for intraventricular Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂.