Effects of amphetamine on dopamine release in the rat nucleus accumbens shell region depend on cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation

The psychostimulant drug amphetamine is often prescribed to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The behavioral effects of the psychostimulant drug amphetamine depend on its ability to increase monoamine neurotransmission in brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens (NAC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Recent behavioral data suggest that the endocannabinoid system also plays a role in this respect. Here we investigated the role of cannabinoid CB1 receptor activity in amphetamine-induced monoamine release in the NAC and/or mPFC of rats using in vivo microdialysis. Results show that systemic administration of a low, clinically relevant dose of amphetamine (0.5mg/kg) robustly increased dopamine and norepinephrine release (to ～175-350% of baseline values) in the NAC shell and core subregions as well as the ventral and dorsal parts of the mPFC, while moderately enhancing extracellular serotonin levels (to ～135% of baseline value) in the NAC core only. Although systemic administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A (0-3mg/kg) alone did not affect monoamine release, it dose-dependently abolished amphetamine-induced dopamine release specifically in the NAC shell. SR141716A did not affect amphetamine-induced norepinephrine or serotonin release in any of the brain regions investigated. Thus, the effects of acute CB1 receptor blockade on amphetamine-induced monoamine transmission were restricted to dopamine, and more specifically to mesolimbic dopamine projections into the NAC shell. This brain region- and monoamine-selective role of CB1 receptors is suggested to subserve the behavioral effects of amphetamine.     

Subunit-specific modulation of [(3)H]MK-801 binding to NMDA receptors mediated by dopamine receptor ligands in rodent brain

Dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) ligands may directly interact with the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), but detailed knowledge about this effect is lacking. Here we identify D1R ligands that directly modulate NMDARs and examine the contributions of NR2A and NR2B subunits to these interactions. Binding of the open channel blocker [(3)H]MK-801 in membrane preparations from rat- and mouse brain was used as a biochemical measure of the functional state of the NMDAR channel. We show that both D1R agonist A-68930 and dopamine receptor D2 antagonist haloperidol can decrease [(3)H]MK-801 binding with increased potency in membranes from the NR2A(-/-) mice (i.e. in membranes containing NR2B only), as compared to the inhibition obtained in wild-type membranes. Further, a wide range of D1R agonists such as A-68930, SKF-83959, SKF-83822, SKF-38393 and dihydrexidine were able to decrease [(3)H]MK-801 binding, all showing half maximal inhibitory concentrations ~20 μM, and with significant effects occurring at or above 1 μM. With membranes from D1R(-/-) mice, we demonstrate that these effects occurred through a D1R-independent mechanism. Our results demonstrate that dopamine receptor ligands can selectively influence NR2B containing NMDARs, and we characterize direct inhibitory NMDAR effects by different D1R ligands.     

Ebselen inhibits iron-induced tau phosphorylation by attenuating DMT1 up-regulation and cellular iron uptake

Dysregulation of iron homeostasis is involved in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have recently reported that divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) is upregulated in an AD transgenic mouse brain, and that silencing of DMT1, which reduces cellular iron influx, results in inhibition of amyloidogenesis in vitro, suggesting a potential target of DMT1 for AD therapy. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of DMT1 with ebselen, a DMT1 transport inhibitor, could affect tau phosphorylation. Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were pre-treated with ebselen and then treated with ferrous sulfate (dissolved in ascorbic acid), and the effects of ebselen on tau phosphorylation and the relative signaling pathways were examined. Our results showed that ebselen decreased iron influx, reduced iron-induced ROS production, inhibited the activities of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and glycogen synthase kinase 3β, and ultimately attenuated the levels of tau phosphorylation at the sites of Thr205, Ser396 and Thr231. The present study indicates that the neuroprotective effect of ebselen on AD is not only related to its antioxidant activity as reported previously, but is also associated with a reduction in tau phosphorylation by inhibition of DMT1.     

Exenatide prevents high-glucose-induced damage of retinal ganglion cells through a mitochondrial mechanism

Exenatide (exendin-4 analogue) is widely used in clinics and shows a neuroprotective effect. The main objectives of the present study were to prove that retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5) express GLP-1R, to ascertain whether exenatide prevents a high-glucose-induced RGC-5 impairment, to determine the appropriate concentration of exenatide to protect RGC-5 cells, and to explore the neuroprotective mechanisms of exenatide. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses demonstrated that RGC-5 cells express GLP-1R. We incubated RGC-5 cells with 25 mM glucose prior to incubation with either 25 mM glucose, 55 mM glucose (high), high glucose plus exenatide or high glucose plus a GLP-1R antagonist. The survival rates of the cells were measured by CCK-8, and cellular injury was detected by electron microscopy. There were statistical differences between the high-glucose group and the control group (P<0.05). Exenatide improved the survival rate of the cells and suppressed changes in the mitochondrial morphology. The optimum concentration of exenatide to protect the RGC-5 cells from high-glucose-induced RGC injury was 0.5 μg/ml, and this protective effect could be inhibited by exendin (9-39). To further study the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of exenatide, the expression levels of cytochrome c, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 were analysed by Western blot. The present study showed that treatment with exenatide significantly inhibited cytochrome c release and decreased the intracellular expression levels of Bax and caspase-3, whereas Bcl-2 was increased (P<0.05). These results suggested that GLP-1R activation can inhibit the cellular damage that is induced by high glucose. A mitochondrial mechanism might play a key role in the protective effect of exenatide on the RGC-5 cells, and exenatide might be beneficial for patients with diabetic retinopathy.     

中度嗜盐菌Martelella sp. AD-3 降解菲过程中水杨酸-5-羟化酶的酶学性质

[目的]研究中度嗜盐菌Martelella sp.AD-3在降解菲过程中水杨酸-5-羟化酶的活性与菲降解效率的关系及其酶学性质.[方法]通过HPLC分析菲的降解效率和AD-3菌粗酶液催化水杨酸的产物,根据NADH在340 nm处的吸光度变化计算水杨酸-5-羟化酶的活性.[结果]水杨酸-5-羟化酶是一种诱导酶,在AD-3菌的对数生长期和稳定初期时活性较高,酶活力大小与该菌对菲的降解速率基本一致.在菲浓度为200 mg/L、生长盐度为3％、pH为9.0的培养条件下,AD-3菌株表达的水杨酸-5-羟化酶的活力最高,为132.8 nmol/(min·mg).水杨酸-5-羟化酶催化水杨酸降解时的最适温度、pH和盐度分别为30℃、7.5和3％,酶的最大反应速率为200 nmol/(min· mg)、米氏常数Km为8.7μmol/L.[结论]AD-3菌在降解菲的过程中表达水杨酸-5-羟化酶,该酶的活性与菲降解速率具有相关性.     

Chronological and environmental context of the Middle Pleistocene human tooth from Mollet Cave (Serinyà, NE Iberian Peninsula)

Mollet Cave is a small cave situated in Serinyà (north-east Iberian Peninsula). It was excavated in 1947-48, 1958 and 1972 by Josep M. Corominas. An archaic human molar comes from its base layer (Layer 5). Up till now, this layer has only been dated based on a relative and imprecise chronology of macromammals and the archaeostratigraphic evidence from the early excavations. Recent excavations, conducted between 2001 and 2005, have made it possible to ascertain more precisely the archaeological and palaeontological contents of Mollet Cave, gather microvertebrates, and collect samples for radiometric dating. The aim of this paper is to present the absolute dating of Layer 5, as well as its palaeo environmental and climatic characterisation. The macromammal assemblage seems to have been the result of accumulations produced by the most abundant carnivore, the hyena, which would have used the cave as a den. The results obtained using uranium-series disequilibrium dating ascribe to Layer 5 an age of ca. 215 ka (thousands of years ago), which would correspond to MIS 7. The faunal association suggests a landscape formed by an open and humid woodland characteristic of an interstadial phase, which would have been an environment well suited to sustaining both hyenas and human groups.     

Discovery and synthesis of 2-amino-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4(5H)-ones as GPCR ligands; an approach to develop breast cancer drugs via GPCR associated PAR1 and PI3Kinase inhibition mechanism

Efforts were taken to synthesis and characterize 2-amino-1-methyl-1H-imidazole-4(5H)-one derivatives (4a-u) through a four-step reaction. The achieved compounds in remarkable yield have characterized through standard analytical techniques such as FTIR, LC-MS, NMR, HRMS, and elemental analysis. Present study mainly aimed to evaluate 4a-u as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). In the mechanism, stimulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt (protein kinase B) is a general reaction activated by a series of membrane-bound receptors such as GPCR. Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) is a subfamily of related GPCR, which triggered by the division of fragment of its extracellular domain. Therefore, molecular docking is done to ensure the inhibition of PAR1 and PI3Kinase. PI3Kinase is a chief enzyme in the development of breast cancer via the Akt/mTOR pathway. Thus, in vitro PI3Kinase inhibition and anti-breast cancer studies has also done to screen medicinally important compounds among (4a-u). Based on the best binding affinity, in vitro relative % activity and IC₅₀ values, compounds 4a, 4g, 4i, 4n, and 4u were screened for further preclinical studies in animal model evaluations.