Prostaglandin E2 Regulates AMPA Receptor Phosphorylation and Promotes Membrane Insertion in Preoptic Area Neurons and Glia during Sexual Differentiation

Sexual differentiation of the rodent brain is dependent upon the organizing actions of the steroid hormone, estradiol. In the preoptic area, a brain region critical for the expression of adult reproductive behavior, there are twice as many dendritic spine synapses per unit length on newborn male neurons compared to female neurons and this sex difference correlates with the expression of adult male copulatory behavior. The sex difference in the POA is achieved via estradiol's upregulation of the membrane-derived lipid signaling molecule prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); PGE2 is necessary and sufficient to masculinize both dendritic spine density and adult sexual behavior in rats. We have previously shown that PGE2 activates EP2 and EP4 receptors which increases protein kinase A (PKA) activity and that masculinized dendritic spine density and sex behavior are both dependent upon PKA as well as activation of AMPA type glutamate receptors. In the current experiments, we build upon this signaling cascade by determining that PGE2 induces phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunit, GluR1, which leads to increased AMPA receptor insertion at the membrane. Treating female pups on the day of birth with PGE2 induced the phosphorylation of GluR1 at the PKA-sensitive site within 2 hours of treatment, an effect that was blocked by co-administration of the PKA/AKAP inhibitor, HT31 with PGE2. Brief treatment of mixed neuronal/glial POA cultures with PGE2 or the cAMP/PKA stimulator, forskolin, increased membrane associated GluR1 in both neurons and glia. We speculate that PGE2 induced increases in AMPA receptor associated with the membrane underlies our previously observed increase in dendritic spine density and is a critical component in the masculinization of rodent sex behavior

A-Kinase Anchoring in Dendritic Cells Is Required for Antigen Presentation

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen presenting cells (APC) of the immune system. Prostaglandin E(2), cyclic AMP, and protein kinase A (PKA) have all been shown to regulate DC maturation and activity. In other cells, the ability of these molecules to convey their signals has been shown to be dependent on A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Here we present evidence for the existence and functional importance of AKAPs in human DC. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using immunofluorescence and/or western analyses we identify AKAP79, AKAP149, AKAP95, AKAP LBC and Ezrin. We also demonstrate by western analysis that expression of AKAP79, AKAP149 and RII are upregulated with DC differentiation and maturation. We establish the functional importance of PKA anchoring in multiple aspects of DC biology using the anchoring inhibitor peptides Ht31 and AKAP-IS. Incubation of protein or peptide antigen loaded DC with Ht31 or AKAP-IS results in a 30-50% decrease in antigen presentation as measured by IFN-gamma production from antigen specific CD4(+) T cells. Incubation of LPS treated DC with Ht31 results in 80% inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-10 production. Ht31 slightly decreases the expression of CD18 and CD11a and CD11b, slightly increases the basal expression of CD83, dramatically decreases the LPS stimulated expression of CD40, CD80 and CD83, and significantly increases the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR7. CONCLUSIONS: These experiments represent the first evidence for the functional importance of PKA anchoring in multiple aspects of DC biology

Short-term exposure to waterborne free silver has acute effects on membrane current of Xenopus oocytes

AbstractWaterborne free silver can cause osmo- and ionoregulatory disturbances in freshwater organisms. The effects of a short-term exposure to extracellular Ag+ ions on membrane currents were investigated in voltage-clamped defolliculated Xenopus oocytes. At a holding potential of −60 mV, ionic silver (1 μM Ag+) increased inward currents (=IAg) from −8±2 nA to −665±41 nA (n=74; N=27). IAg activated within 2 min of silver exposure and then rose impetuously. This current was largely reversible by washout and repeatable. IAg reversed around −30 mV and rectified slightly at more positive potentials. Na+-free bath conditions reduced the silver-induced current to a smaller but sustained current. The response to silver was abolished by the Cl− channel blockers DIDS and SITS, whereas niflumic acid strongly potentiated IAg. Intraoocyte injection of AgNO3 to about 1 mM [Ag]i strongly potentiated IAg. Extracellular application of either dithiothreitol (DTT), a compound known to reduce disulfide bridges, or l-cysteine abolished Ag+-activated increase of membrane current. In contrast, n-ethylmaleimide (NEM) which oxidizes SH-groups potentiated IAg. Hypoosmotic bath solution significantly increased IAg whereas hyperosmolar conditions attenuated IAg. The activation of IAg was largely preserved after chelation of cytosolic Ca2+ ions with BAPTA/AM. Taken together, these data suggest that Xenopus oocytes are sensitive to short-term exposure to waterborne Ag+ ions and that the elicited membrane currents result from extra- and intracellular action of Ag+ ions on peptide moieties at the oocyte membrane but may also affect conductances after internalization

The Novel 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-7-[2-(methoxy)phenyl]-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide Improves Working and Recognition Memory in Rodents

The relative contribution of alpha 4 beta 2, alpha 7 and other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ( nAChR) subtypes to the memory enhancing versus the addictive effects of nicotine is the subject of ongoing debate. In the present study, we characterized the pharmacological and behavioral properties of the alpha 7 nAChR agonist N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-7-[2-(methoxy)phenyl]-1benzofuran- 2-carboxamide (ABBF). ABBF bound to alpha 7 nAChR in rat brain membranes (K-i = 62 nM) and to recombinant human 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(3) receptors (K-i = 60 nM). ABBF was a potent agonist at the recombinant rat and human alpha 7 nAChR expressed in Xenopus oocytes, but it did not show agonist activity at other nAChR subtypes. ABBF acted as an antagonist of the 5-HT3 receptor and alpha 3 beta 4, alpha 4 beta 2, and muscle nAChRs (at higher concentrations). ABBF improved social recognition memory in rats (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.). This improvement was blocked by intracerebroventricular administration of the alpha 7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine at 10 mu g, indicating that it is mediated by alpha 7 nAChR agonism. In addition, ABBF improved working memory of aged rats in a water maze repeated acquisition paradigm (1 mg/kg p.o.) and object recognition memory in mice (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.). Rats trained to discriminate nicotine (0.4 mg/kg s.c.) from vehicle did not generalize to ABBF (0.3-30 mg/kg p.o.), suggesting that the nicotine cue is not mediated by the alpha 7 nAChR and that selective alpha 7 nAChR agonists may not share the abuse liability of nicotine. Our results support the hypothesis that alpha 7 nAChR agonists may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cognitive deficits with low abuse potential

The Novel 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-7-[2-(methoxy)phenyl]-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide Improves Working and Recognition Memory in Rodents

The relative contribution of alpha 4 beta 2, alpha 7 and other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ( nAChR) subtypes to the memory enhancing versus the addictive effects of nicotine is the subject of ongoing debate. In the present study, we characterized the pharmacological and behavioral properties of the alpha 7 nAChR agonist N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-7-[2-(methoxy)phenyl]-1benzofuran- 2-carboxamide (ABBF). ABBF bound to alpha 7 nAChR in rat brain membranes (K-i = 62 nM) and to recombinant human 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(3) receptors (K-i = 60 nM). ABBF was a potent agonist at the recombinant rat and human alpha 7 nAChR expressed in Xenopus oocytes, but it did not show agonist activity at other nAChR subtypes. ABBF acted as an antagonist of the 5-HT3 receptor and alpha 3 beta 4, alpha 4 beta 2, and muscle nAChRs (at higher concentrations). ABBF improved social recognition memory in rats (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.). This improvement was blocked by intracerebroventricular administration of the alpha 7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine at 10 mu g, indicating that it is mediated by alpha 7 nAChR agonism. In addition, ABBF improved working memory of aged rats in a water maze repeated acquisition paradigm (1 mg/kg p.o.) and object recognition memory in mice (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.). Rats trained to discriminate nicotine (0.4 mg/kg s.c.) from vehicle did not generalize to ABBF (0.3-30 mg/kg p.o.), suggesting that the nicotine cue is not mediated by the alpha 7 nAChR and that selective alpha 7 nAChR agonists may not share the abuse liability of nicotine. Our results support the hypothesis that alpha 7 nAChR agonists may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cognitive deficits with low abuse potential

Functional expression of type 1 rat GABA transporter in microinjected Xenopus laevis oocytes

In this chapter we describe technical aspects and experimental potential of the two electrodes voltage clamp (TEVC) electrophysiological approach applied to the Xenopus oocyte-expression system. This technique is addressed to the study of a particular class of expressed proteins, those responsible to drive ion fluxes through the plasma membrane. In fact the voltage-clamp technique provides the most direct and sensitive measurement of the functional properties of ion channels and electrogenic transporters, allowing specific ion currents to be recorded under well-defined voltage conditions and temporal control. Besides the study of the physiological properties of specific ion channels as well as their pharmacological modulation, further applications of the TEVC on oocytes include the possibility to introduce single point mutations in the channel construct and to infer to possible structural aspects and functional involvements of single amino acidic residues. To achieve these results these technique should be strictly tied to basic molecular biology techniques. Recent advance of this technique in drug discovery procedures have been briefly enlightened