Quantal size increase induced by the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol requires activation of CGRP receptors in mouse motor synapses.

In mouse motor synapses, the exogenous application of the endocannabinoid (EC) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) increases acetylcholine (ACh) quantal size due to the activation of CB1 receptors and the stimulation of ACh vesicular uptake. In the present study, microelectrode recordings of miniature endplate potentials (MEPP) revealed that this effect of 2-AG is independent of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling but involves the activation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors along with CB1 receptors. Potentiation of MEPP amplitude in the presence of 2-AG was prevented by blockers of CGRP receptors and ryanodine receptors (RyR) and by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC) and Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Therefore, we suggest a hypothetical chain of events, which starts from the activation of presynaptic CB1 receptors, involves PLC, RyR, and CaMKII, and results in CGRP release with the subsequent activation of presynaptic CGRP receptors. Activation of CGRP receptors is probably a part of a complex molecular cascade leading to the 2-AG-induced increase in ACh quantal size and MEPP amplitude. We propose that the same chain of events may also take place if 2-AG is endogenously produced in mouse motor synapses, because the increase in MEPP amplitude that follows after prolonged tetanic muscle contractions (30 Hz, 2 min) was prevented by the blocking of CB1 receptors. This work may help to unveil the previously unknown aspects of the functional interaction between ECs and peptide modulators aimed at the regulation of quantal size and synaptic transmission.

Actinomycetes as Producers of Biologically Active Terpenoids: Current Trends and Patents.

Terpenes and their derivatives (terpenoids and meroterpenoids, in particular) constitute the largest class of natural compounds, which have valuable biological activities and are promising therapeutic agents. The present review assesses the biosynthetic capabilities of actinomycetes to produce various terpene derivatives; reports the main methodological approaches to searching for new terpenes and their derivatives; identifies the most active terpene producers among actinomycetes; and describes the chemical diversity and biological properties of the obtained compounds. Among terpene derivatives isolated from actinomycetes, compounds with pronounced antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and other effects were determined. Actinomycete-produced terpenoids and meroterpenoids with high antimicrobial activity are of interest as a source of novel antibiotics effective against drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Most of the discovered terpene derivatives are produced by the genus Streptomyces; however, recent publications have reported terpene biosynthesis by members of the genera Actinomadura, Allokutzneria, Amycolatopsis, Kitasatosporia, Micromonospora, Nocardiopsis, Salinispora, Verrucosispora, etc. It should be noted that the use of genetically modified actinomycetes is an effective tool for studying and regulating terpenes, as well as increasing productivity of terpene biosynthesis in comparison with native producers. The review includes research articles on terpene biosynthesis by Actinomycetes between 2000 and 2022, and a patent analysis in this area shows current trends and actual research directions in this field.

Landmark native breed of the Orenburg goats: progress in its breeding and genetics and future prospects.

This paper reviews information about a unique and iconic breed of the Orenburg Oblast, the homeland and the only place where the best herds of Orenburg down-hair goats in Russia are concentrated. Three types of these small ruminant animals are widespread on the territory of the region: Orenburg purebred gray goats, Orenburg purebred white goats, as well as crossbred white goats of F1 White Don × White Orenburg. Currently, at the farms of the Orenburg region, animals are selected according to their phenotype, with selected traits being color, weight and length of down hair. In recent years, the Orenburg goat breed has become an object of genetic research using various marker systems including immunogenetic, microsatellite, mtDNA and SNP markers. Overall, these studies evidence about the uniqueness of the allele pool in the landmark native breed of the Orenburg goats, which is a complex dynamic genetic system, prioritizing its further in-depth genome research and breeding applications.

Noncanonical Activity of Endocannabinoids and Their Receptors in Central and Peripheral Synapses.

This review focuses on new aspects of endocannabinoid functions and mechanisms of activity in central and peripheral synapses, different from the general viewpoint that endocannabinoids are retrograde signaling molecules, which inhibit neurotransmitter release by activating specific presynaptic endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Biased agonism of the endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids as well as ability of the CB-receptors to couple not only with classical Gi-proteins, but also with Gs- and Gq-proteins and, moreover, with ß-arrestins (thereby triggering additional signaling pathways in synapses) are described here in detail. Examples of noncanonical tonic activity of endocannabinoids and their receptors and their role in synaptic function are also presented. The role of endocannabinoids in short-term and long-term potentiation of neurotransmitter release in central synapses and their facilitating effect on quantal size and other parameters of acetylcholine release in mammalian neuromuscular junctions are highlighted in this review. In conclusion, it is stated that the endocannabinoid system has a wider range of various multidirectional modulating effects (both potentiating and inhibiting) on neurotransmitter release than initially recognized. Re-evaluation of the functions of endocannabinoid system with consideration of its noncanonical features will lead to better understanding of its role in the normal and pathological functioning of the nervous system and other systems of the body, which has an enormous practical value.

Microbial Conversion of Toxic Resin Acids.

Organic wood extractives-resin acids-significantly contribute to an increase in the toxicity level of pulp and paper industry effluents. Entering open ecosystems, resin acids accumulate and have toxic effects on living organisms, which can lead to the ecological imbalance. Among the most effective methods applied to neutralize these ecotoxicants is enzymatic detoxification using microorganisms. A fundamental interest in the in-depth study of the oxidation mechanisms of resin acids and the search for their key biodegraders is increasing every year. Compounds from this group receive attention because of the need to develop highly effective procedures of resin acid removal from pulp and paper effluents and also the possibility to obtain their derivatives with pronounced pharmacological effects. Over the past fifteen years, this is the first report analyzing the data on distribution, the impacts on living organisms, and the microbial transformation of resin acids. Using the example of dehydroabietic acid-the dominant compound of resin acids in effluents-the review discusses the features of interactions between microorganisms and this pollutant and also highlights the pathways and main products of resin acid bioconversion.

Regulation of Acetylcholine Quantal Release by Coupled Thrombin/BDNF Signaling in Mouse Motor Synapses.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of thrombin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on spontaneous miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) and multiquantal evoked endplate potentials (EPPs) in mouse neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of m. diaphragma and m. EDL. Intracellular microelectrode recordings of MEPPs and EPPs were used to evaluate the changes in acetylcholine (ACh) release in mature and newly-formed mouse NMJs. Thrombin (1 nM) increased the amplitude of MEPPs and EPPs by 25-30% in mature and newly-formed NMJs. This effect was due to an enhanced loading of synaptic vesicles with ACh and increase of ACh quantal size, since it was fully prevented by blocking of vesicular ACh transporter. It was also prevented by tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptors inhibitor ANA12. Exogenous BDNF (1 nM) mimicked thrombin effect and increased the amplitude of MEPPs and EPPs by 25-30%. It required involvement of protein kinase A (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1/2)-mediated pathway, but not phospholipase C (PLC). Blocking A2A adenosine receptors by ZM241385 abolished the effect of BDNF, whereas additional stimulation of A2A receptors by CGS21680 increased MEPP amplitudes, which was prevented by MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. At mature NMJs, BDNF enhanced MEPPs frequency by 30-40%. This effect was selectively prevented by inhibition of PLC, but not PKA or MEK1/2. It is suggested that interrelated effects of thrombin/BDNF in mature and newly-formed NMJs are realized via enhancement of vesicular ACh transport and quantal size increase. BDNF-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission involves the functional coupling between A2A receptor-dependent active PKA and neurotrophin-triggered MAPK pathway, as well as PLC-dependent increase in frequency of MEPPs.

Protonophoric action of triclosan causes calcium efflux from mitochondria, plasma membrane depolarization and bursts of miniature end-plate potentials.

The formerly widely used broad-spectrum biocide triclosan (TCS) has now become a subject of special concern due to its accumulation in the environment and emerging diverse toxicity. Despite the common opinion that TCS is an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, there have been so far no studies of protonophoric activity of this biocide on artificial bilayer lipid membranes (BLM). Yet only few works have indicated the relationship between TCS impacts on mitochondria and nerve cell functioning. Here, we for the first time report data on a high protonophoric activity of TCS on planar BLM. TCS proved to be a more effective protonophore on planar BLM, than classical uncouplers. Correlation between a strong depolarizing effect of TCS on bacterial membranes and its bactericidal action on Bacillus subtilis might imply substantial contribution of TCS protonophoric activity to its antimicrobial efficacy. Protonophoric activity of TCS, monitored by proton-dependent mitochondrial swelling, resulted in Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria. A comparison of TCS effects on molluscan neurons with those of conventional mitochondrial uncouplers allowed us to ascribe the TCS-induced neuronal depolarization and suppression of excitability to the consequences of mitochondrial deenergization. Also similar to the action of common uncouplers, TCS caused a pronounced increase in frequency of miniature end-plate potentials at neuromuscular junctions. Thus, the TCS-induced mitochondrial uncoupling could alter neuronal function through distortion of Ca2+ homeostasis.