NR2C by NR2B subunit exchange in juvenile mice affects emotionality and 5-HT in the frontal cortex

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) has been inter alia implicated in synaptic plasticity, brain development and emotional processes. The NMDA-R is a multiprotein complex composed of NR1, NR2 and/or NR3 subunits. We generated NR2C-2B mutant mice in which an insertion of NR2B cDNA into the gene locus of the NR2C gene replaced NR2C by NR2B expression throughout the brain. This NR2C-2B mutant was used to examine whether an NMDA-R subunit exchange in juvenile mice would affect emotional behaviors and acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) content in the frontal cortex (FC) and brain structures, which are part of the brain defense system, such as the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG). Juvenile, 1-month-old NR2C-2B mice showed increased open arm avoidance in the elevated plus-maze and increased fear-induced immobility. In terms of brain neurochemistry, NR2C-2B mice showed an increase in 5-HT levels in the FC at the age of 2 months. A correlational analysis revealed that mice with low open arms avoidance had high levels of ACh in the PAG but reduced 5-HT levels in the FC. Animals which showed high levels of fear-induced immobility also had high levels of 5-HT in the FC. These results suggest that the replacement of subunit NR2C by NR2B in juvenile mice increases anxiety- and fear-related behaviors possibly due to changes in FC-5-HT and PAG-ACh levels.     

Protein kinase C activation induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptor

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor, which plays crucial roles in synaptic plasticity and development. We have recently shown that potentiation of NMDA receptor function by protein kinase C (PKC) appears to be mediated via activation of non-receptor tyrosine kinases. The aim of this study was to test whether this effect could be mediated by direct tyrosine phosphorylation of the NR2A or NR2B subunits of the receptor. Following treatment of rat hippocampal CA1 mini-slices with 500 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 15 min, samples were homogenized, immunoprecipitated with anti-NR2A or NR2B antibodies and the resulting pellets subjected to Western blotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody. An increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of both NR2A (76 +/- 11% above control) and NR2B (41 +/- 11%) was observed. This increase was blocked by pretreatment with the selective PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Lavendustin A or with the Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. PMA treatment also produced an increase in the phosphorylation of serine 890 on the NR1 subunit, a known PKC site, at 5 min with phosphorylation returning to near basal levels by 10 min while tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B was sustained for up to 15 min. These results suggest that the modulation of NMDA receptor function seen with PKC activation may be the result of tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and/or NR2B.     

NMDA受体亚单位NR2B的结构、功能特性及其表达与调控

NMDA受体是兴奋性氨基酸谷氨酸(Glu)的特异性受体,属配体门控离子通道,是由不同的亚单位组成.现已发现,NMDA受体至少存在7个亚单位(NR1,NR2A-D,NR3A-B),其中NR2B在7个亚单位中扮演非常重要的角色.近年来对NR2B研究表明,其在调控神经元突触的可塑性、学习与记忆以及治疗精神紊乱方面具有重要的意义.对近期有关NR2B亚单位的结构、功能特性及其表达与调控的研究进展做一综述.     

Transient expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR2B in the developing rat heart

NMDA receptors represent a subtype of the ionotropic glutamate receptor family, comprising three classes of subunits (NR1, NR2A-D, NR3), which exhibit distinct patterns of regional and developmental expression in the CNS. Recently, some NMDA receptor subunits have also been described in adult extraneuronal tissues and keratinocytes. However, their developmental expression patterns are currently unknown. With use of RT-PCR and western blot analysis, the expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR2B was investigated in the developing rat heart. NR2B mRNA and protein were detected in heart tissue of rats from embryonic day 14 until postnatal day 21 but disappeared 10 weeks after birth. In contrast, no NMDA receptor subunit NR1, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor subunit GluR2, or anchoring postsynaptic density protein-95 could be detected in rat heart at any developmental stage. Confocal microscopy of cultured cardiac myocytes (CMs) from neonatal rats revealed distinct NR2B staining mainly of intracellular structures. However, no functional NMDA receptor could be detected on CMs by whole-cell recordings. In conclusion, high concentrations of NR2B protein can be detected in early rat heart development, but its function still remains elusive.     

生后早期听觉剥夺、经验改变大鼠听皮层NMDA受体NR2B蛋白表达

应用蛋白质印迹检测技术,研究早期听觉剥夺、经验对大鼠听皮层NMDA受体NR2B蛋白表达的影响.结果表明,听觉剥夺使生后14天龄组和28天龄组动物听皮层NR2B蛋白表达水平明显下降(P<0.05,P<0.01),听觉剥夺7天后再给予纯音暴露则又使NR2B表达水平明显提高(P<0.05),呈现双向调节趋势.听觉剥夺和纯音暴露对生后42天龄组大鼠听皮层NR2B表达不再产生明显调节作用(P>0.05).结果提示,在大鼠生后发育关键期,听觉剥夺、经验可改变听皮层NMDA受体NR2B蛋白表达水平.研究结果为研究感觉功能发育可塑性的机制提供了重要实验资料.     

2,6-Disubstituted pyrazines and related analogs as NR2B site antagonists of the NMDA receptor with anti-depressant activity

Herein we describe the discovery of compounds that are competitive antagonists of the CP101-606 binding site within the NR2B subtype of the NMDA receptor. The compounds identified do not possess phenolic functional groups such as those in ifenprodil and related analogs. Initial identification of hits in this series focused on a basic, secondary amine side chain which led to good potency, but also presented a hERG liability. Further modifications led to examples of non-basic replacements which demonstrated much less liability in this regard. Finally, one compound in the series, 6a, was tested in the mouse forced swim depression assay and found to show activity (sc 60 mg/kg).     

Comparative analysis of different competitive antagonists interaction with NR2A and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ionotropic glutamate receptor

The antagonist-bound conformation of the NR2A and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ionotropic glutamate receptor are modeled using the crystal structure of the DCKA (5,7-dichloro-kynurenic acid)-bound form of the NR1 subunit ligand-binding core (S1S2). Five different competitive NMDA receptor antagonists [(1) DL-AP5; (2) DL-AP7; (3) CGP-37847; (4) CGP 39551; (5) (RS)-CPP] have been docked into both NR2A and NR2B subunits. Experimental studies report NR2A and NR2B subunits having dissimilar interactions and affinities towards the antagonists. However, the molecular mechanism of this difference remains unexplored. The distinctive features in the antagonist's interaction with these two different but closely related (approximately 80% sequence identity at this region) subunits are analyzed from the patterns of their hydrogen bonding. The regions directly involved in the antagonist binding have been classified into seven different interaction sites. Two conserved hydrophilic pockets located at both the S1 and S2 domains are found to be crucial for antagonist binding. The positively charged (Lys) residues present at the second interaction site and the invariant residue (Arg) located at the fourth interaction site are seen to influence ligand binding. The geometry of the binding pockets of NR2A and NR2B subunits have been determined from the distance between the C-alpha atoms in the residues interacting with the ligands. The binding pockets are found to be different for NR2A and NR2B. There are gross dissimilarities in competitive antagonist binding between these two subunits. The binding pocket geometry identified in this study may have the potential for future development of selective antagonists for the NR2A or NR2B subunit.     

NR2A-containing NMDA receptors depress glutamatergic synaptic transmission and evoked-dopamine release in the mouse striatum

NMDA receptors play essential roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of the striatum, a brain nucleus involved in motor control and reward-motivated behaviors. NMDA receptors are composed of NR1 and NR2A–D subunits. Functional properties of NMDA receptors are determined by the type of NR2 subunit they contain. In this study, we have examined the involvement of NR2B and NR2A in the modulatory effect of NMDA on glutamatergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission in the striatum. We found that bath application of NMDA decreased the amplitude of the field excitatory post-synaptic potential/population spike (fEPSP/PS) measured in corticostriatal mouse brain slices. This depression was not affected by the NR2B-selective antagonists Ifenprodil and Ro 25-6981, but was abolished by the NR2A antagonist NVP-AAM077. Activation of corticostriatal neurons by NMDA did not contribute to synaptic depression because similar results were obtained in decorticated striatal slices. Synaptic depression was not dependent on GABA release because the GABA_A receptor antagonist bicuculline did not affect NMDA-induced decrease of the fEPSP/PS. NMDA also depressed evoked-dopamine release through NR2A- but not NR2B-containing NMDA receptors. Our results identify an important role for NR2A-containing NMDA receptors intrinsic to the striatum in regulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and evoked-dopamine release.     

Developmental and Regional Expression of NMDA Receptor Subtypes Containing the NR2D Subunit in Rat Brain

Abstract: The regional and developmental expression of NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit was analyzed on the level of the subunit mRNA and protein in rat brain. RNase protection experiments indicated that among two proposed splice variants of the NR2D subunit, only the NR2D-2 subunit is expressed. The regional distribution of the NR2D subunit protein was visualized with a newly developed NR2D-2 subunit-specific antiserum on brain sections using the histoblot technique. In adult brain, NR2D immunoreactivity was mainly restricted to diencephalic, mesencephalic, and brainstem structures. During postnatal development, the NR2D subunit was detected transiently in certain regions, such as the ventro-basal complex of the thalamus, hippocampus, inferior colliculus, and brainstem reticular formation, suggesting that NR2D subunit-containing receptors play a role in these brain areas only during development. The level of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein decreased during late postnatal development. However, significant levels of NR2D subunit mRNA and protein were present in adulthood, in particular, in the globus pallidus, thalamus, subthalamic nuclei, and superior colliculus. These results indicate a functional relevance for NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit in the developing and adult brain, although its expression in the adult brain is less prominent and restricted to a few brain areas.     

肝组织特异表达人核受体nr5a2转基因小鼠的构建

人乙肝病毒增强子ⅡB1结合因子（hB1F）系Ftz—F1（NR5A）亚家族的新成员。经基因重组法将人hb1 fcDNA置于小鼠白蛋白增慢子／启动子序列下游构建成肝特异重组载体,通过原核显微注射将该载体导入小鼠受精卵原核,经注射且状态良好的卯回输至假孕母鼠输卯管。产下仔鼠经PCR和Southern blotting鉴定,同时RT—PCR和Western blotting分析转基因的表达。阳性Founder鼠与正常C57鼠交配以建立转基因纯系小鼠,F1代以PCR法鉴定。结果共获得4只PCR鉴定转基因阳性Founder鼠,其中一只同时经Southern blotting鉴定为阳性。RT—PCR和Western blotting结果显示,外源基因在转基因小鼠的肝组织成功表达。遗传学分析表明,转基因已整合入小鼠基因组并可稳定溃传。     

Effect of rhynchophylline on conditioned place preference on expression of NR2B in methamphetamine-dependent mice

Objective

To study the effect of rhynchophylline on N-methyl d-aspartate receptor subtype 2B subunit in hippocampus of Methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) mice.

Methods

Place preference mice models were established by methamphetamine; the expression of NR2B was observed by immunohistochemistry technique and Western blot.

Results

Methamphetamine (4 mg/kg)-induced place preference mice model was successfully established; ketamine (15 mg/kg), rhynchophylline (40 mg/kg) and rhynchophylline (80 mg/kg) can eliminate place preference; Immunohistochemistry showed that the number of NR2B-positive neurons in hippocampus was increased in the methamphetamine model group, whereas less NR2B-positive neurons were found in the ketamine group, low and high dosage rhynchophylline group. Western blot showed that the expression of NR2B protein was significantly increased in the model group, whereas less expression was found in the ketamine group, low and high dosage rhynchophylline group.

Conclusions

NR2B plays an important role in the formation of methamphetamine-induced place preference in mice. Rhynchophylline reversed the expression of NR2B in the hippocampus demonstrates the potential effect of mediates methamphetamine induced rewarding effect.     

白藜芦醇甙对慢性酒精中毒大鼠学习记忆及前额叶皮质NR2B受体表达的影响

目的：研究白藜芦醇甙对慢性酒精中毒大鼠学习记忆及大脑前额叶皮质N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体2B亚基（NR2B）表达的影响。方法：建立大鼠慢性酒精中毒模型,Y-型迷宫测试空间学习与记忆成绩,免疫组织化学方法检测前额叶皮质NR2B表达,聚合酶链式反应（PCR）分析前额叶皮质NR2B mRNA的改变。结果：学习记忆测试显示模型组大鼠学习记忆成绩比正常组明显下降（P〈0.01）,各剂量组与模型组相比,学习记忆成绩明显上升（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;免疫组化结果表明模型组大鼠前额叶皮质区NR2B阳性表达较正常组明显增多,各剂量组与模型组相比,NR2B mRNA阳性表达明显减少;PCR结果表明模型组大鼠前额叶皮质区NR2B mRNA表达较正常组明显上升（P〈0.01）,各剂量组与模型组相比,NR2B mRNA表达明显下降,差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。结论：白藜芦醇甙可能通过对NMDA受体4F53亚基NR2B蛋白表达的调节而发挥抗酒精中毒作用。     

丁苯酞对酒精依赖大鼠海马谷氨酸含量及NR2B表达的影响

目的:研究丁苯酞(NBP)对酒精依赖大鼠海马谷氨酸(Glu)含量和NNMDA受体2B亚基(NR2B)表达的影响。方法:建立酒精成瘾大鼠模型,观察戒断症状,SYBR Green I荧光实时定量PCR技术检测海马区NR2BmRNA表达,高效液相色谱法检测海马组织中谷氨酸含量。结果:模型组大鼠戒断评分比正常组明显上升(P<0.01),NBP中、高剂量组与模型组相比,戒断评分明显下降(P<0.05),差异均有显著性;模型组大鼠海马区谷氨酸含量较正常组显著降低(P<0.01),差异有显著性,而各用药组与模型组相比,海马区谷氨酸含量差异无显著性(P>0.05);实时定量PCR结果表明模型组大鼠海马区NR2BmRNA表达较正常组明显增加(P<0.05),而NBP中、高剂量组与模型组相比,海马区NR2BmRNA表达明显减少,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:NBP能够减轻酒精依赖大鼠的戒断症状,可能与NBP抑制NR2BmRNA表达有关。     

Leptin reverses corticosterone-induced inhibition of neural stem cell proliferation through activating the NR2B subunits of NMDA receptors

Corticosterone inhibits the proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs). The removal of corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation has been reported to contribute to neural regeneration. Leptin has been shown to regulate brain development, improve angiogenesis, and promote neural regeneration; however, its effects on corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation remain unclear. Here we reported that leptin significantly promoted the proliferation of hippocampal NSCs in a concentration-dependent pattern. Also, leptin efficiently reversed the inhibition of NSCs proliferation induced by corticosterone. Interestingly, pre-treatment with non-specific NMDA antagonist MK-801, specific NR2B antagonist Ro 25-6981, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NR2B, significantly blocked the effect of leptin on corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation. Furthermore, corticosterone significantly reduced the protein expression of NR2B, whereas pre-treatment with leptin greatly reversed the attenuation of NR2B expression caused by corticosterone in cultured hippocampal NSCs. Our findings demonstrate that leptin reverses the corticosterone-induced inhibition of NSCs proliferation. This process is, at least partially mediated by increased expression of NR2B subunits of NMDA receptors.     

心脑佳配方对慢性酒精中毒大鼠学习记忆及海马NMDA受体亚基NR2B表达的影响

目的：研究心脑佳配方对慢性酒精中毒大鼠学习记忆及海马N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸（NMDA）受体2B亚基（NR2B）表达的影响。方法：建立大鼠慢性酒精中毒模型,分别检测学习与记忆成绩、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和海马区NR2B mRNA表达。结果：学习记忆测试显示模型组大鼠学习记忆成绩比正常组明显下降（P〈0.01）,各用药组与模型组相比,学习记忆成绩明显上升（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;模型组大鼠脑组织中SOD活性较正常组显著降低（P〈0.01）,而各用药组与模型组相比,脑组织中SOD活性显著升高（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;PCR结果表明模型组大鼠海马区NR2B mRNA表达较正常组明显上升（P〈0.01）,各用药组与模型组相比,NR2B mRNA表达明显下降,差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。结论：心脑佳配方可能通过对NMDA受体亚基NR2B蛋白表达的调节而发挥抗酒精中毒作用。     

Changes in function of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit in spinal cord of rats with neuropathy following chronic ethanol consumption

Chronic ethanol consumption produces painful neuropathy for which there is no reliably successful therapy, largely due to a lack of understanding of the central mechanisms that underlie the development of the neuropathic pain-like state induced by chronic ethanol treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate what mechanisms contribute to the neuropathic pain-like state induced by chronic ethanol treatment in rats. Mechanical hyperalgesia was clearly observed during ethanol consumption and even after ethanol withdrawal, and lasted for 14 weeks. This hyperalgesia was significantly attenuated by repeated i.p. injection of ifenprodil, a selective NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor antagonist. Under these conditions, mRNA and protein levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits did not change in the spinal cord of chronic ethanol-fed rats. Interestingly, phosphorylated-Ser-1303 NR2B (p-Ser1303-NR2B) subunit was significantly increased in the spinal cord of chronic ethanol-fed rats, whereas p-Tyr1472-NR2B was not affected in the superficial spinal dorsal horn of ethanol-fed rats. These findings suggest that spinal p-Ser1303-NR2B plays a significant role in the development of the ethanol-dependent neuropathic pain-like state in rats.     

Neurosteroids allosterically modulate the ion pore of the NMDA receptor consisting of NR1/NR2B but not NR1/NR2A

Neurosteroids are endogenously derived compounds, mediating rapid effects in the central nervous system. They participate in vital processes, including memory and learning, neuroplasticity, and neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s disease. However, the mechanisms behind those effects remain to be elucidated. The neurosteroids pregnenolone sulphate (PS) and pregnanolone sulphate (3α5βS) have recently been shown to allosterically alter the NMDA receptor in nanomolar concentrations. Those studies featured ifenprodil, which is a dirty drug, with affinity to many targets. In this study we compare the NMDA receptors in the hippocampus to recombinant NMDA receptors, using [³H]-MK-801 as radioligand. The results show that neurosteroids modulate the ifenprodil binding kinetics in a narrow concentration interval, addressing it to the NR2B subunit, since no effects were recorded at recombinant NR1/NR2A receptors. The effects were also seen as changes in the manner ifenprodil displaced or induced the dissociation of [³H]-MK-801. It indicates that the neurosteroidal effects indeed alter the ion pore of the NMDA receptor, why it is reasonable to believe that these findings have physiological relevance.     

Development of NMDA NR2 subunits and their roles in critical period maturation of neocortical GABAergic interneurons

The goals of this research are to (1) determine the changes in the composition of NMDA receptor (NMDAR) subunits in GABAergic interneurons during critical period (CP); and (2) test the effect of chronic blockage of specific NR2 subunits on the maturation of specific GABAergic interneurons. Our data demonstrate that: (1) The amplitude of NMDAR mediated EPSCs (EPSCs(NMDAR) ) was significantly larger in the postCP group. (2) The coefficient of variation (CV), τ(decay) and half-width of EPSCs(NMDAR) were significantly larger in the preCP group. (3) A leftward shift in the half-activation voltages in the postCP vs. preCP group. (4) Using subunit-specific antagonists, we found a postnatal shift in NR2 composition towards more NR2A mediated EPSCs(NMDAR) . These changes occurred within a two-day narrow window of CP and were similar between fast-spiking (FS) and regular spiking (RSNP) interneurons. (5) Chronic blockage of NR2A, but not NR2B, decreased the expression of parvalbumin (PV), but not other calcium binding proteins in layer 2/3 and 4 of barrel cortex. (6) Chronic blockage of NR2A selectively affected the maturation of IPSCs mediated by FS cells. In summary, we have reported, for the first time, developmental changes in the molecular composition of NMDA NR2 subunits in interneurons during CP, and the effects of chronic blockage of NR2A but not NR2B on PV expression and inhibitory synaptic transmission from FS cells. These results support an important role of NR2A subunits in developmental plasticity of fast-spiking GABAergic circuits during CP.     

5-Azacytidine increases the synthesis of embryonic hemoglobin (E2) in murine erythroleukemic cells

The addition of 5-azacytidine to erythroleukemic cells which were induced to differentiate with DMSO or BA altered the expression of the hemoglobins. After the addition of 5-azacytidine there was an increase in hemoglobin synthesis especially in the embryonic E2 band. The beta-globin increased in synthesis after 5-azacytidine treatment. The level of hemoglobin synthesis in DMSO-induced cells is less than BA-induced cells while the effect of the 5-azacytidine stimulation was greater with DMSO induction than with BA induction.