Detergent-resistant membranes should not be identified with membrane rafts

Three originally distinct concepts - lipid rafts, detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) and liquid-ordered (lo) lipid phases - are often confused in current literature; many researchers have assumed that all three names refer to the same chemico-biological entity. In fact, theoretical and experimental findings provide strong evidence against identifying DRMs with rafts and lo domains. Because much of what we think we know about lipid rafts is based on their unjustified identification as DRMs, functional domains in biological membranes might differ markedly from the generally accepted picture.     

Circadian and seasonal rhythms of 5-HT receptor subtypes, membrane anisotropy and 5-HT release in hippocampus and cortex of the rat.

Specific serotonin binding (5-HT1, 5-HT1A, and 5-HT2 subtypes) and membrane anisotropy were measured at 2 h intervals over a 24 h period in the hippocampus and cortex of Wistar WU rats, housed under a 12 h light-dark cycle, with lights on at 07.00. All experiments were performed both in March and December. In the hippocampus significant circadian rhythms could be ascertained for 5-HT1 binding sites in March and December while for 5-HT1A (subtype of 5-HT1) binding sites the circadian rhythm was only significant in March. The membrane anisotropy also showed significant variations only in March. Circadian rhythms were also found in the cortex for 5-HT1 (December) and 5-HT2 (March and December) binding sites as well as for the membrane anisotropy (December). A correlation was found between membrane anisotropy and 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 binding sites in hippocampus and cortex, respectively. A circadian rhythmicity was also observed for serotonin release as measured by in vivo voltammetry in both brain areas. The results obtained on the diurnal variations of serotonin receptor subtypes and serotonin release and the probable inverse relationship of these two parameters may be relevant in understanding the coupling of pre- and postsynaptic activity.     

Sphingosine 1-phosphate formation and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets: evaluation with sphingosine kinase inhibitors.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) is considered to play a dual role in cellular signaling, acting intercellularly as well as intracellularly. In this study, we examined the role of Sph-1-P as a signaling molecule in human platelets, using DL-threo-dihydrosphingosine (DHS) and N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS), inhibitors of Sph kinase and protein kinase C. Both DMS and DL-threo-DHS were confirmed to be competitive inhibitors of Sph kinase obtained from platelet cytoplasmic fractions. In intact platelets labeled with [3H]Sph, stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or thrombin did not affect [3H]-Sph-1-P formation. While both DMS and DL-threo-DHS inhibited not only [3H]Sph-1-P formation but also protein kinase C-dependent platelet aggregation, staurosporine, a potent protein kinase inhibitor, only inhibited the protein kinase C-dependent reaction. Hence, it is unlikely that Sph kinase activation and the resultant Sph-1-P formation are mediated by protein kinase C in platelets. Furthermore, Ca2+ mobilization induced by platelet agonists that act on G protein-coupled receptor was not affected by DMS or DL-threo-DHS. Our results suggest that Sph-1-P does not mediate intracellular signaling, including Ca2+ mobilization, in platelets.     

K+ channel openers and insulin release.

Recent in vivo and in vitro experiments suggested that the smooth muscle relaxation mediated by diverse pharmacologic agents resulted from K+ channel opening. Pinacidil, cromakalim, nicorandil, RP 49356, minoxidil sulfate and diazoxide belong to this new group of smooth muscle relaxants: the "K+ channel openers". Because modifications in the K+ permeability are known to represent a critical event in the insulin-releasing process, numerous studies have been performed in order to examine the putative effects of K+ channel openers on B-cell function. The aim of the present review is to summarize these experimental data which are sometimes divergent.     

Serotonin (5-HT) transport in human platelets is modulated by Src-catalysed Tyr-phosphorylation of the plasma membrane transporter SERT.

BACKGROUND/AIM: platelets possess tightly regulated systems for serotonin (5-HT) transport. This study analysed whether the 5-HT transport mediated by the plasma-membrane transporter SERT is regulated by its Tyr-phosphorylation. METHODS: 5-HT transport was determined by filtration techniques, while immunoblotting procedures were adopted for detecting the Tyr-phosphorylation of SERT in human platelet fractions. RESULTS: 5-HT accumulation in platelets pre-treated with reserpine, which prevents the neurotransmitter transport into the dense granules, decreased upon cellular exposure to PP2 and SU6656, two structurally unrelated inhibitors of Src-kinases. By contrast, the protein Tyr-phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate increased the 5-HT accumulation. Anti-SERT immunostaining of the platelet fractions showed a major band displaying an apparent molecular mass of 50 kappaDa, indicating that, during the analytical procedure, SERT underwent proteolysis, which was counteracted by addition of 4 M urea in the cellular disrupting medium. The Tyr-phosphorylation degree of SERT immunoprecipitated from membrane extracts decreased by platelet treatment with SU6656 or PP2, and enhanced upon pervanadate treatment. The anti-SERT immunoprecipitates displayed anti-Src immunostaining and in vitro kinase activity towards a Src-specific peptide-substrate. Platelet treatment with PP2 or SU6656 also caused a decrease in the imipramine binding to platelets. It was concluded that the Src-mediated SERT Tyr-phosphorylation regulates the 5-HT transport by affecting the neurotransmitter binding sites.     

The peristaltic reflex induced by short-chain fatty acids is mediated by sequential release of 5-HT and neuronal CGRP but not BDNF

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) accelerate colonic transit. This study examined whether this action was mediated by activation of the peristaltic reflex. SCFAs (acetate, butyrate, or propionate) were applied to the central compartment of a three-compartment flat-sheet preparation of the rat middle to distal colon. The release of serotonin (5-HT), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and CGRP was measured in all three compartments. Ascending contraction and descending relaxation were measured in the orad and caudad compartments. The addition of SCFAs at physiological to supraphysiological concentrations (0.5-100 mM) to the central compartment elicited concentration-dependent ascending contraction and descending relaxation (EC50 approximately 5 mM). At this concentration, SCFAs induced an 8- to 11-fold increase in 5-HT release and a 2- to 3-fold increase in CGRP release in the central compartment only. They had no effect on BDNF release. CGRP release was inhibited by a 5-HT4 but not a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. Ascending contraction and descending relaxation were also inhibited by 5-HT4 and by CGRP receptor antagonists added to the central compartment. 5-HT and CGRP release, as well as ascending contraction and descending relaxation induced by mechanical stimulation of the mucosa (2-8 strokes), were significantly augmented by 1 mM acetate. Acetate (1 mM) also doubled propulsive velocity in isolated whole segments of the guinea pig colon. In conclusion, chemical stimulation of the mucosa by SCFAs triggers a peristaltic reflex mediated by the release of 5-HT from mucosal cells and activation of 5-HT4 receptors on sensory CGRP-containing nerve terminals. This SCFA-induced peristaltic pathway augments the peristaltic reflex elicited by mechanical stimulation of the mucosa.     

Extracellular Na+, but not Na+/H+ exchange, is necessary for receptor-mediated arachidonate release in platelets.

The effect of extracellular Na+ removal and replacement with other cations on receptor-mediated arachidonate release in platelets was studied to investigate the role of Na+/H+ exchange in this process. Replacement with choline+, K+, N-methylglucamine+ (which abolished the thrombin-induced pHi rise) or Li+ (which allowed a normal thrombin-induced pHi rise) significantly decreased arachidonate release in response to all concentrations (threshold to supra-maximal) of thrombin and collagen. This inhibition was not reversed by NH4Cl (10 mM) addition, which raised the pHi in the absence of Na+, but, on the contrary, NH4Cl addition further decreased the extent of thrombin- and collagen-induced arachidonate release, as well as decreasing 'weak'-agonist (ADP, adrenaline)-induced release and granule secretion in platelet-rich plasma. No detectable pHi rises were seen with collagen (1-20 micrograms/ml) and ADP (10 microM) in bis-(carboxyethyl)carboxyfluorescein-loaded platelets. Inhibition of thrombin-induced pHi rises was seen with 0.5-5 microM-5-NN-ethylisopropylamiloride (EIPA), but at these concentrations EIPA had little effect on thrombin-induced arachidonate release. At higher concentrations such as those used in previous studies (20-50 microM), EIPA inhibited aggregation/release induced by collagen and ADP in Na+ buffer as well as in choline+ buffer (where there was no detectable exchanger activity), suggesting that these concentrations of EIPA exert 'non-specific' effects at the membrane level. The results suggest that (i) Na+/H+ exchange and pHi elevations are not only necessary, but are probably inhibitory, to receptor-mediated arachidonate release in platelets, (ii) inhibition of receptor-mediated release in the absence of Na+ is most likely due to the absent Na+ ion itself, and (iii) caution should be exercised in the use of compounds such as EIPA, which, apart from inhibiting the Na+/H+ exchanger, have other undesirable and misleading effects in platelets.     

Response suppression induced with selective 5-HT agonists can be differentially blocked with LY53857 in an animal model of depression

Studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that administration of the selective 5-HT_2/1C antagonist LY53857 can block 5-HTP-induced response suppression. To further investigate the serotonergic mechanisms involved in this effect, we decided to test the capacity of LY53857 to block response suppression induced with two selective 5-HT agonists. After a 15 minute baseline period, rats trained to press a lever for milk reinforcement on a VI 1 schedule were given IP injections of 1.0 mg/kg DOI, or 1.0 mg/kg 8-OH-DPAT to induce response suppression. Subsequently, rats were injected with 1.0 mg/kg LY53857 1 hour prior to DOI- or 8-OH-DPAT-induced response suppression. Preinjections with LY53857 resulted in a 100% blockade of DOI-induced response suppression whereas the same dose did not block response suppression induced with 8-OH-DPAT. These results indicate that the 5-HTP-induced response suppression shows some pharmacological similarity to DOI-induced response suppression and may be mediated through 5-HT₂ and/or 5-HT_1C receptors.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Morris H. Aprison     

Full-thickness grafting of acute eyelid burns should not be considered taboo.

Split-thickness skin grafts are commonly used for the treatment of acute eyelid burns; in fact, this is dogma for the upper lid. Ectropion, corneal exposure, and repeated grafting are common sequelae, almost the rule. It was hypothesized that for acute eyelid burns, the use of full-thickness skin grafts, which contract less than split-thickness skin grafts, would result in a lower incidence of ectropion with less corneal exposure and fewer recurrences. The records of all patients (n = 18) who underwent primary skin grafting of acutely burned eyelids (n = 50) between 1985 and 1995 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 10 patients who received full-thickness skin grafts (12 upper lids, 8 lower lids) and 8 patients who received split-thickness skin grafts (15 upper lids, 15 lower lids). Three of 10 patients (30 percent) who received full-thickness skin grafts and 7 of 8 patients (88 percent) who received split-thickness skin grafts developed ectropion and required reconstruction of the lids (p = 0.02). No articles were found substantiating the concept that only split-thickness grafts be used for acute eyelid burns. The treatment of acute eyelid burns with full-thickness rather than split-thickness skin grafts results in less ectropion and fewer reconstructive procedures. It should no longer be considered taboo and should be carried out whenever possible and appropriate.