Dopamine D2 receptors in striatal output neurons enable the psychomotor effects of cocaine.

The psychomotor effects of cocaine are mediated by dopamine (DA) through stimulation of striatal circuits. Gabaergic striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are the only output of this pivotal structure in the control of movements. The majority of MSNs express either the DA D1 or D2 receptors (D1R, D2R). Studies have shown that the motor effect of cocaine depends on the DA-mediated stimulation of D1R-expressing MSNs (dMSNs), which is mirrored at the cellular level by stimulation of signaling pathways leading to phosphorylation of ERKs and induction of c-fos Nevertheless, activation of dMSNs by cocaine is necessary but not sufficient, and D2R signaling is required for the behavioral and cellular effects of cocaine. Indeed, cocaine motor effects and activation of signaling in dMSNs are blunted in mice with the constitutive knockout of D2R (D2RKO). Using mouse lines with a cell-specific knockout of D2R either in MSNs (MSN-D2RKO) or in dopaminergic neurons (DA-D2RKO), we show that D2R signaling in MSNs is required and permissive for the motor stimulant effects of cocaine and the activation of signaling in dMSNs. MSN-D2RKO mice show the same phenotype as constitutive D2RKO mice both at the behavioral and cellular levels. Importantly, activation of signaling in dMSNs by cocaine is rescued by intrastriatal injection of the GABA antagonist, bicuculline. These results are in support of intrastriatal connections of D2R+-MSNs (iMSNs) with dMSNs and indicate that D2R signaling in MSNs is critical for the function of intrastriatal circuits.

Epididymis-specific RNase A family genes regulate fertility and small RNA processing.

Sperm small RNAs are implicated in intergenerational transmission of paternal environmental effects. Small RNAs generated by cleavage of tRNAs, known as tRNA fragments (tRFs), are an abundant class of RNAs in mature sperm, and can be modulated by environmental conditions. The ribonuclease(s) responsible for the biogenesis of tRFs in the male reproductive tract remains unknown. Angiogenin, a member of the Ribonuclease A superfamily (RNase A), cleaves tRNAs to generate tRFs in response to cellular stress. Four paralogs of Angiogenin, namely Rnase9, Rnase10, Rnase11, and Rnase12, are specifically expressed in the epididymis-a long, convoluted tubule where sperm mature and acquire fertility and motility. The biological functions of these genes remain largely unknown. Here, by generating mice deleted for all four genes (Rnase9-12-/-, termed "KO" for Knock Out), we report that these genes regulate fertility and RNA processing. KO mice showed complete male sterility. KO sperm fertilized oocytes in vitro but failed to efficiently fertilize oocytes in vivo, likely due to an inability of sperm to pass through the utero-tubular junction. Intriguingly, there were decreased levels of fragments of tRNAs (tRFs) and rRNAs (rRNA-derived small RNAs or rsRNAs) in the KO epididymis and epididymal luminal fluid, implying that Rnase9-12 regulate the biogenesis and/or stability of tRFs and rsRNAs. Importantly, KO sperm showed a dramatic decrease in the levels of tRFs, demonstrating a role of Rnase9-12 in regulating sperm RNA composition. Together, our results reveal an unexpected role of four epididymis-specific non-canonical RNase A family genes in fertility and RNA processing.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3,4,6-triaryl-2-pyranones as a potential new class of anti-breast cancer agents.

A series of 3,4,6-triaryl-2-pyranones, new class of anti-breast cancer agents, have been synthesized as a structural variants of cyclic triphenylethylenes by replacing the fused benzene ring with pendant phenyl ring to mimic the phenolic A ring of estradiol. Nine of these newly synthesized pyranones exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity in both ER+ve and ER-ve breast cancer cell lines. Four active non-cytotoxic compounds 5c, 5d, 5g and 5h showed specific and selective cytotoxicity and two compounds 5d and 5h induced significant DNA fragmentation in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Based on RBA studies, the molecules probably act in an ER-independent mechanism. The involved pathway was observed as caspase-dependant apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. However, the particular caspases involved and the possible cellular target through which this series of compounds mediate cell death are not known.

Synthesis and structure guided evaluation of estrogen agonist and antagonist activities of some new tetrazolyl indole derivatives.

Several regioisomeric tetrazolyl indole derivatives with structurally modified alkyl substituents at the tetracyclic indole nitrogen containing N-ethyl amino tetrazole moiety have been synthesized and screened for their ER binding affinity, agonist (estrogenic), antagonist (antiestrogenic) and anti-implantation activities. N-2 regioisomers were found to be moderately antagonists and one compound showed 100% contraceptive efficacy at 10 mg/kg dose. Molecular docking studies carried out in comparison to estradiol and raloxifene showed different binding modes of the two regioisomers to the binding site.

Modulation of estrogen receptor transactivation and estrogen-induced gene expression by ormeloxifene-a triphenylethylene derivative.

The study was aimed to investigate the interaction of D,L-ormeloxifene (Orm), a triphenylethylene and its hydroxy derivative with estrogen receptor subtypes alpha and beta, its influence on ERE-driven transcriptional activation and progesterone receptor expression. In competitive binding experiments using human recombinant ERalpha and ERbeta, Orm showed interaction with both ER subtypes, with more selectivity and higher affinity towards ERalpha (8.8%) as compared to ERbeta (3%). In case of 7-hydroxy derivative, the relative binding affinity for both ERs was enhanced several folds. Orm showed lower Ki, i.e. higher affinity for ERalpha (250 nM) than for ERbeta (750 nM). It was observed that Orm promoted the formation of ER-ERE complexes in uterine tissue extract whereas its hydroxy derivative showed inhibitory effects. Transient co-transfection assay in COS-1 cells using ERE-luciferase reporter construct, revealed that Orm showed estrogenic response whereas its hydroxy-derivative was potent antiestrogen at ERalpha at transcription level. In immature rats, Orm (2 mg/kg) was associated with less increase in uterine weight and in luminal epithelial cell height than E2 or Tam. Orm also induced the expression of PR mRNA but the expression level was significantly less than estradiol treated group. These results suggest that ER-ERE complexes formed under the influence of 7-hydroxy Orm appear to be transcriptionally less effective hence antagonizing the E2-regulated gene expression in this target tissue.

Parkinsonism Driven by Antipsychotics Originates from Dopaminergic Control of Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons.

Typical antipsychotics can cause disabling side effects. Specifically, antagonism of D2R signaling by the typical antipsychotic haloperidol induces parkinsonism in humans and catalepsy in rodents. Striatal dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) are major regulators of motor activity through their signaling on striatal projection neurons and interneurons. We show that D2R signaling on cholinergic interneurons contributes to an in vitro pause in firing of these otherwise tonically active neurons and to the striatal dopamine/acetylcholine balance. The selective ablation of D2R from cholinergic neurons allows discrimination between the motor-reducing and cataleptic effects of antipsychotics. The cataleptic effect of antipsychotics is triggered by blockade of D2R on cholinergic interneurons and the consequent increase of acetylcholine signaling on striatal projection neurons. These studies illuminate the critical role of D2R-mediated signaling in regulating the activity of striatal cholinergic interneurons and the mechanisms of typical antipsychotic side effects.

Benzopyran derivative CDRI-85/287 induces G2-M arrest in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells via modulation of estrogen receptors α- and ß-mediated signaling, in parallel to EGFR signaling and suppresses the growth of tumor xenograft.

In an endeavor to develop novel and improved selective estrogen receptor modulators as anti-breast cancer agents, the benzopyran compounds have been synthesized and identified which act as potent anti-estrogen at uterine level. The present study evaluates the anti-tumor activity of 2-[piperidinoethoxyphenyl]-3-phenyl-2H-benzo(b)pyran (CDRI-85/287) and explores the mechanism of action with a view to describe its potential to inhibit proliferation in ER-positive breast cancer cells MCF-7 and T47D. The compound decreased the expression of ERα while increased the expression of ERß thereby altering ERα/ERß ratio in both cell lines. Although the compound showed low binding affinity to ERs, it acted as ERα antagonist and ERß agonist in decreasing ERE- or AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation in these cells. Transactivation studies in ERα/ß-transfected MDA-MB231 cells suggested that at cyclin D1 promoter, compound antagonized the action of ERα-mediated E2 response while acted as estrogen agonist via ERß. Further, the compound led to decreased expression of ERα-dependent proliferation markers and ERß-dependent cell cycle progression markers. The expression of cell cycle inhibitory protein p21 was increased leading to G2/M phase arrest. In parallel, compound also interfered with EGFR activation, caused inhibition of PI-3-K/Akt pathway and subsequent induction of apoptosis via intrinsic pathway. A significant reduction in tumor mass and volume was observed in 85/287-treated mice bearing MCF-7 xenograft. We conclude that compound 85/287 exhibits significant anti-tumor activity via modulation of genomic as well as non-genomic mechanisms involved in cellular growth and arrested the cells in G2 phase in both MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. Study suggests that CDRI-85/287 may have therapeutic potential in ER-positive breast cancer.

Ormeloxifene inhibits osteoclast differentiation in parallel to downregulating RANKL-induced ROS generation and suppressing the activation of ERK and JNK in murine RAW264.7 cells.

Ormeloxifene (Orm), a triphenylethylene compound, has been established as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that suppresses the ovariectomy-induced bone resorption in rats. However, the precise mechanism underlying the bone-preserving action of Orm remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Orm on osteoclast formation induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. We also explored the mechanism of action of Orm by studying the RANKL-induced signaling pathways required for osteoclast differentiation. We found that Orm inhibited osteoclast formation from murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells induced by RANKL in a dose-dependent manner. Orm was able to abolish RANKL-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation and inhibited the transcriptional activation of two key RANKL-induced transcription factors namely activator protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB through mechanisms involving MAPKs. Activation of two MAPKs, i.e. ERK (MAPK1) and JNK (MAPK8), was alleviated by Orm effectively, which subsequently affected the activation of c-Jun and c-Fos, which are the essential components of the AP-1 transcription complex. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Orm potentially inhibits osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting ROS generation and thereby suppressing the activation of ERK1/2 (MAPK3/MAPK1) and JNK (MAPK8) and transcription factors (NF-κB and AP-1), which subsequently affect the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. These results provide a possible mechanism of action of Orm in regulating osteoclastogenesis, thereby supporting the beneficial bone-protective effects of this compound.

Anti-implantation effect of 2-[piperidinoethoxyphenyl]-3-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzo(b)pyran, a potent antiestrogenic agent in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-implantation effect and hormonal profile of 2-[piperidinoethoxyphenyl]-3-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzo(b)pyran (K-1) in rats. DESIGN: In vivo assays for anti-implantation activity were performed in pregnant rats. Assays for estrogenicity/antiesrogenicity were performed in immature ovariectomized female rats. In vitro competitive binding of K-1 to human recombinant ERα, transient transfection assay using ERE-luciferase reporter, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as a measure of estrogenicity and/antiestrogenicity in human endometrial carcinoma cells were performed. SETTING: Research laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Adult female rats for anti-implantation activity, immature ovariectomized female rats, and immature castrated/intact male rats. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of implantations, uterine growth, luciferase reporter activity, ER binding affinity, and ALP activity. RESULT(S): Compound K-1 given orally for 1-7 days post coitum at the dose of 100 µg/kg body weight prevented pregnancy in 100% of rats. K-1 was a potent antiestrogenic, and at 50 µg/kg, it could inhibit the effect of 1 µg E(2) in immature rats. Compound was devoid of uterotrophic, androgenic, or antigonadotropic activity. A high affinity binding to ERα was displayed by K-1, with a relative binding affinity of 5% of E(2). In human endometrial carcinoma cells, K-1 did not induce ERα-mediated transcriptional activation that is measured as luciferase reporter activity. K-1 antagonized the E-induced transcriptional activation significantly. K-1 also antagonized E-induced ALP activity in human endometrial cells. CONCLUSION(S): K-1 appeared to exert its antifertility action by virtue of its strong antiestrogenic activity.