Expression, purification and application of a recombinant, membrane permeating version of the light chain of botulinum toxin B.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are valuable tools to unveil molecular mechanisms of exocytosis in neuronal and non-neuronal cells due to their peptidase activity on exocytic isoforms of SNARE proteins. They are produced by Clostridia as single-chain polypeptides that are proteolytically cleaved into light, catalytic domains covalently linked via disulfide bonds to heavy, targeting domains. This format of two subunits linked by disulfide bonds is required for the full neurotoxicity of BoNTs. We have generated a recombinant version of BoNT/B that consists of the light chain of the toxin fused to the protein transduction domain of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (TAT peptide) and a hexahistidine tag. His6-TAT-BoNT/B-LC, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography, penetrated membranes and exhibited strong enzymatic activity, as evidenced by cleavage of the SNARE synaptobrevin from rat brain synaptosomes and human sperm cells. Proteolytic attack of synaptobrevin hindered exocytosis triggered by a calcium ionophore in the latter. The novel tool reported herein disrupts the function of a SNARE protein within minutes in cells that may or may not express the receptors for the BoNT/B heavy chain, and without the need for transient transfection or permeabilization.

Thiazolium salt mimics the non-coenzyme effects of vitamin B1 in rat synaptosomes.

Long-term studies have confirmed a causal relationship between the development of neurodegenerative processes and vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. However, the biochemical mechanisms underlying the high neurotropic activity of thiamine are not fully understood. At the same time, there is increasing evidence that vitamin B1, in addition to its coenzyme functions, may have non-coenzyme activities that are particularly important for neurons. To elucidate which effects of vitamin B1 in neurons are due to its coenzyme function and which are due to its non-coenzyme activity, we conducted a comparative study of the effects of thiamine and its derivative, 3-decyloxycarbonylmethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazolium chloride (DMHT), on selected processes in synaptosomes. The ability of DMHT to effectively compete with thiamine for binding to thiamine-binding sites on the plasma membrane of synaptosomes and to participate as a substrate in the thiamine pyrophosphokinase reaction was demonstrated. In experiments with rat brain synaptosomes, unidirectional effects of DMHT and thiamine on the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and on the incorporation of radiolabeled [2-14C]pyruvate into acetylcholine were demonstrated. The observed effects of thiamine and DMHT on the modulation of acetylcholine synthesis can be explained by suggesting that both compounds, which interact in cells with enzymes of thiamine metabolism, are phosphorylated and exert an inhibitory/activating effect (concentration-dependent) on PDC activity by affecting the regulatory enzymes of the complex. Such effects were not observed in the presence of structural analogues of thiamine and DMHT without a 2-hydroxyethyl substituent at position 5 of the thiazolium cycle. The effect of DMHT on the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase was similar to that of thiamine. At the same time, DMHT showed high cytostatic activity against neuroblastoma cells.

Gypenoside XVII Reduces Synaptic Glutamate Release and Protects against Excitotoxic Injury in Rats.

Excitotoxicity is a common pathological process in neurological diseases caused by excess glutamate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gypenoside XVII (GP-17), a gypenoside monomer, on the glutamatergic system. In vitro, in rat cortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes), GP-17 dose-dependently decreased glutamate release with an IC50 value of 16 µM. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ or blockade of N-and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and protein kinase A (PKA) abolished the inhibitory effect of GP-17 on glutamate release from cortical synaptosomes. GP-17 also significantly reduced the phosphorylation of PKA, SNAP-25, and synapsin I in cortical synaptosomes. In an in vivo rat model of glutamate excitotoxicity induced by kainic acid (KA), GP-17 pretreatment significantly prevented seizures and rescued neuronal cell injury and glutamate elevation in the cortex. GP-17 pretreatment decreased the expression levels of sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1, glutamate synthesis enzyme glutaminase and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 but increased the expression level of glutamate metabolism enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase in the cortex of KA-treated rats. In addition, the KA-induced alterations in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits GluN2A and GluN2B in the cortex were prevented by GP-17 pretreatment. GP-17 also prevented the KA-induced decrease in cerebral blood flow and arginase II expression. These results suggest that (i) GP-17, through the suppression of N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and consequent PKA-mediated SNAP-25 and synapsin I phosphorylation, reduces glutamate exocytosis from cortical synaptosomes; and (ii) GP-17 has a neuroprotective effect on KA-induced glutamate excitotoxicity in rats through regulating synaptic glutamate release and cerebral blood flow.

Cystatin C loaded in brain-derived extracellular vesicles rescues synapses after ischemic insult in vitro and in vivo.

Synaptic loss is an early event in the penumbra area after an ischemic stroke. Promoting synaptic preservation in this area would likely improve functional neurological recovery. We aimed to detect proteins involved in endogenous protection mechanisms of synapses in the penumbra after stroke and to analyse potential beneficial effects of these candidates for a prospective stroke treatment. For this, we performed Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)-based proteomics of synaptosomes isolated from the ipsilateral hemispheres of mice subjected to experimental stroke at different time points (24 h, 4 and 7 days) and compared them to sham-operated mice. Proteomic analyses indicated that, among the differentially expressed proteins between the two groups, cystatin C (CysC) was significantly increased at 24 h and 4 days following stroke, before returning to steady-state levels at 7 days, thus indicating a potential transient and intrinsic rescue mechanism attempt of neurons. When CysC was applied to primary neuronal cultures subjected to an in vitro model of ischemic damage, this treatment significantly improved the preservation of synaptic structures. Notably, similar effects were observed when CysC was loaded into brain-derived extracellular vesicles (BDEVs). Finally, when CysC contained in BDEVs was administered intracerebroventricularly to stroked mice, it significantly increased the expression of synaptic markers such as SNAP25, Homer-1, and NCAM in the penumbra area compared to the group supplied with empty BDEVs. Thus, we show that CysC-loaded BDEVs promote synaptic protection after ischemic damage in vitro and in vivo, opening the possibility of a therapeutic use in stroke patients.

Ex vivo investigation of betaine and boric acid function as preprotective agents on rat synaptosomes to be treated with Aß (1-42).

Recent evidence suggests that ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death process, may be involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. The study evaluated the therapeutic potential of betaine and boric acid (BA) pretreatment administered to rats for 21 days in AD. Then, the rats were sacrificed, and morphological and biochemical analyses were performed in brain tissues. Next, an ex vivo AD model was created by applying amyloid-ß (Aß1-42) to synaptosomes isolated from the brain tissues. Synaptosomes were analyzed with micrograph images, and protein and mRNA levels of ferroptotic markers were determined. Betaine and BA pretreatments did not cause any morphological and biochemical differences in the brain tissue. However, Aß (1-42) administration in synaptosomes increased the levels of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member-4 (ACSL4), transferrin receptor-1 protein (TfR1), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and decreased the levels glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx4) and glutathione (GSH). Moreover, ACSL4, GPx4, and TfR1 mRNA and protein levels were similar to the ELISA results. In contrast, betaine and BA pretreatments decreased the levels of ACSL4, TfR1, MDA, and 8-OHdG in synaptosomes incubated with Aß1-42, while promoting increased levels of GPx4 and GSH. In addition, betaine and BA pretreatments completely reversed ACSL4, GPx4, and TfR1 mRNA and protein levels. Therefore, betaine and BA pretreatments may contribute to the prevention of neurodegenerative damage by supporting antiferroptotic activities.

Assessment of neuropharmacological potential of low molecular weight components extracted from Rhinella schneideri toad poison

Studies on toad poison are relevant since they are considered a good source of toxins that act on different biological systems. Among the molecules found in the toad poison, it can be highlighted the cardiotonic heterosides, which have a known mechanism that inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme. However, these poisons have many other molecules that may have important biological actions. Therefore, this work evaluated the action of the low molecular weight components from Rhinella schneideri toad poison on Na+/K+-ATPase and their anticonvulsive and / or neurotoxic effects, in order to detect molecules with actions of biotechnological interest. Methods: Rhinella schneideri toad (male and female) poison was collected by pressuring their parotoid glands and immediately dried and stored at -20 °C. The poison was dialysed and the water containing the low molecular mass molecules (< 8 kDa) that permeate the dialysis membrane was collected, frozen and lyophilized, resulting in the sample used in the assays, named low molecular weight fraction (LMWF). Na+/K+ ATPase was isolated from rabbit kidneys and enzyme activity assays performed by the quantification of phosphate released due to enzyme activity in the presence of LMWF (1.0; 10; 50 and 100 µg/mL) from Rhinella schneideri poison. Evaluation of the L-Glutamate (L-Glu) excitatory amino acid uptake in brain-cortical synaptosomes of Wistar rats was performed using [3H]L-glutamate and different concentration of LMWF (10-5 to 10 µg/µL). Anticonvulsant assays were performed using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) to induce seizures in Wistar rats (n= 6), which were cannulated in the lateral ventricle and treated with different concentration of LMWF (0.25; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 µg/µL) 15 min prior to the injection of the seizure agent. Results: LMWF induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase (IC50% = 107.5 μg/mL). The poison induces an increased uptake of the amino acid L-glutamate in brain-cortical synaptosomes of Wistar rats. This increase in the L-glutamate uptake was observed mainly at the lowest concentrations tested (10-5 to 10-2 µg/µL). In addition, this fraction showed a very relevant central neuroprotection on seizures induced by PTZ and NMDA. Conclusions: LMWF from Rhinella schneideri poison has low molecular weight compounds, which were able to inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase activity, increase the L-glutamate uptake and reduced seizures induced by PTZ and NMDA. These results showed that LMWF is a rich source of components with biological functions of high medical and scientific interest.(AU)

Age related interaction of dopamine and serotonin synthesis in striatal synaptosomes

Tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase are key rate limiting enzymes in the biosynthesis of dopamine and serotonin, respectively. Since both enzymes are active in striatum, and affected by age, this study was undertaken to investigate interaction between dopamine and serotonin synthesis in brain striatal synaptosomes of aging rat. Male Wistar rats (3 and 30 month old) were killed by decapitation and brain striatal synaptosomes were prepared by discontinuous Ficoll/sucrose gradient technique. Synaptosomes were incubated in the presence of added pargiline (monoamineoxidase inhibitor), dopamine or serotonin synthesized during 25 min was measured by HPLC, employing electrochemical detection. Dopamine synthesis in synaptosomes prepared from young animals was markedly inhibited by addition of 5 microM serotonin concentrations (30%) and increasing serotonin concentrations up to 50 microM caused only a smaller additional inhibition. Dopamine synthesis in synaptosomes obtained from old rats was significantly lower than that of youg animals and addition of serotonin concentrations up to 50 microM had little effect on these preparations. In case of serotonin synthesis, exogenously added 5 microM dopamine inhibited serotonin synthesis in the synaptosomes of both ages by about 40%, whereas with higher concentration of dopamine (10-50 microM) the rate of inhibition was highly pronounced in old rats as compared to that of young animals. It is concluded that dopamine and serotonin interaction may be significant, and that these should be considered in long-term treatments of Parkinson's disease with L-DOPA.

Colocalización de proteínas proepileptogénicas en sinapsis hipocampales después de convulsiones / Colocalization of proepileptogenic proteins on hippocampal sinapsis after seizure

INTRODUCCIÓN: La epilepsia del lóbulo temporal se desarrolla como consecuencia de insultos cerebrales como trauma, infartos, infección o convulsiones. Los circuitos neuronales del lóbulo temporal, incluyendo al hipocampo, se reorganizan generando redes hiperexcitables, el foco epiléptico, proceso denominado epileptogénesis; en cambio, la corteza cerebral es más resistente a la reorganización. La epileptogénesis en el hipocampo está mediada en parte por óxido nítrico, sintetizado por la óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal y por la neurotrofina BDNF, cuyo receptor es TrkB. Estas proteínas están localizadas en las sinapsis excitadoras y podrían estar implicadas en la sensibilidad diferencial entre el hipocampo y corteza cerebral a la epileptogénesis. OBJETIVO: Lograr un acercamiento a los mecanismos que participan en la sensibilidad diferencial a la epileptogénesis entre el hipocampo y la corteza, después de convulsiones. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se indujeron convulsiones en ratas mediante inyección de kainato. Se obtuvieron membranas sinápticas reselladas (sinaptosomas) de corteza e hipocampo. En ellas, se cuantificó la co-localización de óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal, TrkB y un marcador de sinapsis excitadoras (Prosap2) mediante técnicas inmunohistoquímicas. Los resultados expresados como por ciento promedio +/- error estándar se sometieron a prueba de t-student. RESULTADOS: TrkB y óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal aumentaron de 20,6 +/- 3,5 por ciento a 35,7 +/- 2,6 por ciento (p = 0,0008) y de 32,4 +/- 3,8 por ciento a 51,5 +/- 3,5 por ciento (p = 0,0003), respectivamente, en sinaptosomas excitadores hipocampales después de convulsiones. En sinaptosomas excitadoras de cerebro corteza no se observaron cambios significativos. DISCUSIÓN: óxido nítrico sintasa neuronal y TrkB se asocian a sinapsis excitadoras hipocampales después de convulsiones, pudiendo contribuir así a la epileptogénesis. La cerebrocorteza es resistente a esta reorganización molecular.

INTRODUCTION: Temporal lobe epilepsy develops as a consequence of brain insults such as trauma, stroke, infection, or seizures. The temporal lobe circuit, including the hippocampus, reorganizes generating hyper-excitable networks and, therefore, the epileptic focus, process called epileptogenesis. Where as, the cerebral cortex is more resistant to the reorganization. Temporal lobe epileptogenesis is mediated partly by neuronal nitric oxide synthase and the neurotrophin BDNF with its receptor TrkB. These proteins are localized at excitatory synapses and might be involved in the differential sensitivity of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex to epileptogenesis. OBJECTIVE: Getting closer to mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis differential sensitivity between the hippocampus and cortex after seizures. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seizures were induced in rats by injection of kainic acid. Resealed synaptic membranes (synaptosomes) were obtained from cortex and hippocampus. Then the co-localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, TrkB and a marker of excitatory synapses (Prosap2/Shank3) was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The results were expressed as mean +/- standard error and subjected to t-student test. RESULTS: TrkB and neuronal nitric oxide synthase increased from 20.6 +/- 3.5 percent to 35.7 +/- 2.6 percent (p = 0.0008) and from 32.4 +/- 3.8 percent to 51.5 +/- 3.5 percent (p = 0.0003), respectively in excitatory hippocampal synaptosomes after seizures. In excitatory cerebrocortical synaptosomes no significant changes were observed. DISCUSSION: neuronal nitric oxide synthase and TrkB associate to excitatory hippocampal synapses after seizures, thereby probably contributing to epileptogenesis. The cerebral cortex is resistant to this molecular reorganization.

Posttranslational protein S-palmitoylation and the compartmentalization of signaling molecules in neurons

Protein domains play a fundamental role in the spatial and temporal organization of intracellular signaling systems. While protein phosphorylation has long been known to modify the interactions that underlie this organization, the dynamic cycling of lipids should now be included amongst the posttranslational processes determining specificity in signal transduction. The characteristics of this process are reminiscent of the properties of protein and lipid phosphorylation in determining compartmentalization through SH2 or PH domains. Recent studies have confirmed the functional importance of protein S-palmitoylation in the compartmentalization of signaling molecules that support normal physiological function in cell division and apoptosis, and synaptic transmission and neurite outgrowth. In neurons, S-palmitoylation and targeting of proteins to rafts are regulated differentially in development by a number of processes, including some related to synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Alterations in the S-palmitoylation state of proteins substantially affect their cellular function, raising the possibility of new therapeutic targets in cancer and nervous system injury and disease

Catabolism of Ap4A and Ap5A by rat brain synaptosomes

Adenosine 5',5'''-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) and adenosine 5',5'''-P1,P5-pentaphosphate (Ap5A) are stored in and released from rat brain synaptic terminals. In the present study we investigated the hydrolysis of dinucleotides (Ap4A and Ap5A) in synaptosomes from the cerebral cortex of adult rats. Ap4A and Ap5A, but not Ap3A, were hydrolyzed at pH 7.5 in the presence of 20 mM Tris/HCl, 2.0 mM MgCl2, 10 mM glucose and 225 mM sucrose at 37oC. The disappearance of the substrates measured by FPLC on a mono-Q HR column was both time and protein dependent. Since synaptosome integrity was at least 90 percent at the end of the assay, hydrolysis probably occurred by the action of an ecto-enzyme. Extracellular actions of adenine dinucleotides at central nervous system terminate due to the existence of ecto-nucleotidases which specifically cleave these dinucleotides. These enzymes in association with an ATP diphosphohydrolase and a 5'-nucleotidase are able to promote the complete hydrolysis of dinucleotides to adenosine in the synaptic cleft

El efecto de la melatonina sobre la fosforilación de proteínas en una preparación de sinaptosomas del hipotálamo de la rata / Melatonin effects on rat hypothalamic synaptosome protein phosphorylation

Hay evidencias de que la melatonina podría participar en la patofisiología de algunas enfermedades mentales. Esta hormona modifica la síntesis y liberación de neurotransmisores en el sistema nervioso central. La fosforilación de proteínas desempeña un papel crucial en la fisiología neuronal. El particular, la fosforilación de la sinapsina I por la cinasa II dependiente de calmodulina, modula el transporte de las vesículas y la liberación de los neurotransisores en la terminal sináptica. Recientemente se describió que la melatonina in vitro inhibe la actividad y la autofosforilación de la cinasa II dependiente de calmodulina. Como una primera etapa para entender el mecanismo por medio del cual la melatonina modula la liberación de neurotransmisores, en este trabajo se estudiaron los efectos de la hormona sobre la fosforilación de proteínas en una preparación de sinaptosaomas obtenidos del hipotálamo de la rata. Los resultados señalaron que los sinaptosomas despolarizados con concentraciones altas de potasio liberaron 3H-GABA y aumentaron la fosforilación de las proteínas en un 50 por ciento. La melatonina (1 nM) inhibió la fosforilación de las proteínas de peso moleculara de 50,54, 58-60 y 87 kd en sinaptosomas basales (30 por ciento) y despolarizados con concentraciones altas de potasio (50 por ciento). Los resultados sugieren que la hormona, al actuar como un antagonista de calmodulina e inhibir la fosforilación de proteínas, puede modular la liberación de neurotransmisores

Serotonin reverses the inhibitory effect of a brain soluble fraction on synaptosomal membrane Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity

Normal operation of the Na+ pump (Na+, K(+)-ATPase) is essential for the maintenance of neurotransmission. Filtration through Sephadex G-50 of a brain soluble fraction allowed the separation of peaks I and II fractions, respectively stimulating and inhibiting synaptosomal membrane Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. Peaks I and II were isolated from rat cerebral cortex and their effect together with serotonin (5-HT) was studied on ATPase activity by estimating K(+)-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in brain cortex synaptosomal membranes. It was observed that 10(-5) or 10(-4) M 5-HT failed to modify either control membrane enzyme activity or peak I activatory effect; on the other hand, such 5-HT concentrations significantly suppressed peak II inhibitory effect. This ability of 5-HT to reverse the inhibitory effect of endogenous factors on Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity could well be a new 5-HT modulatory action within the brain.

Effects of toluene exposure on ATPase activity in synaptosomal membranes of rat brain, "in vivo" and "in vitro" studies

Se presenta un trabajo de investigación en el cual se midió la actividad de la enzima Na+K+-ATPasa en la fracción sinaptosomal en cerebro de ratas de la Cepa Wistar expuestas en forma aguda (una exposición) y crónica (30 días consecutivos) a vapores de tolueno, (concentración de 15000 ppm en aire, durante 15 min.) en contraste con un grupo de ratas "control" expuestas al aire libre de tolueno, (estudio in vivo). Los estudios in vitro consistieron en la incubación de la fracción sinaptosomal de cerebro de rata en tubos cerrados conteniendo en el medio reactivo de tolueno a la concentración de 10mM. El cáculo de las constantes de Michaelis-Menten (Km y Vmax) fueron evaluadas en los estudios cinéticos de la enzima en las membranas sinaptosomales. Las ratas tanto de 50 como de 120 días de edad, que fueron expuestas en forma crónica a vapores de tolueno mostraron una reducción de la actividad entre 45 y 56 por ciento con respecto a la actividad del grupo control, siendo estadísticamente significativa (p<0.05). No habiendo diferencias en las ratas expuestas a tolueno en forma aguda. En los experimentos in vitro, también mostraron reducción en la actividad de la enzima podría ser un indicador de los efectos acumulativos de las propiedades físico-químicas del tolueno sobre las membranas biológicas

ATP diphosphohydrolase activity in synaptosomes from cerebral cortex of rats subjected to chemically induced phenylketonuria

ATP diphosphohydrolase (apyrase)(EC3.6.1.5) activity was measured in synaptosomes from cerebral cortex of Wistar rats of both sexes subjected to experimental phenylketonuria, i.e., chemical hyperphenylaninemia induced by subcutaneous administration of 5.2 µmol phenylalanine/g body weight (twice a day) plus 0.9 µmol p-chlorophenylalanine/g body weight (once a day). ATP diphosphohydrolase specific activity (nmol Pi min-1 mg protein-1) of synaptosomes was significantly decreased compared to controls for both ATp (from 147.6 to 129.9) and ADP (from 70.2 to 63.1) hydrolysis one hour after single administration of the drugs to 35-day old rats. Chronic treatment was performed from the 6th to the 28th postpartum day. The enzyme specific activity of synaptosomes was measured one week after the last administration of the drugs and was significantly reduced compared to controls for both ATP (from 164.1 to 150.2) and ADP (from 76.3 to 62.1) hydrolysis. The in vitro effects of the drugs on the synaptosome enzyme specific activity were also investigated. Phenylalnine alone or associated with p-chlorophenylalanine significantly reduced enzyme specific activity for both ATP (from 150.2 to 136.0) and ADP (from 70.5 to 59.3) nucleotides as substrates. Since ATP diphosphohrolase seems to play an important role in neurotransmission, these findings may be related to the neurological dysfunction characteristic of human phenylketonuria

A brain soluble fraction inhibits synaptosomal membrane but not astrocyte ATPase activity

Since a brain soluble fraction (peak II) is known to be able to inhibit synaptosomal membrane Na+, K+-ATPase activity, here we attempted to compare its effect on cellular and subcellular brain components such as synaptosomal and astrocytic membranes, as well as mitochondrial preparations. Peak II highly inhibited total ATPase in synaptosomal membranes but failed to modify enzyme activity in astrocytic and mitochondrial preparations. Findings suggest cellular and subcellular specificity of peak II on brain ATPase activity.

Myosin-V is present in synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex

the subcellular localization in brain of an unconventional, calmodulin-binding myosin (myosin-V) found in neurons, astrocytes and other secretory cells of vertebrates has been investigated by probing Western blots of synaptic fractions from rat cerebral cortex with affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies against myosin-V. Myosin-V was detected in intact synaptosomes and in lysed synaptosomes associated with a particulate fration. Our data suggest a role for brain myosin-V in membrane-cytoskeleton function in the synaptic region

Efecto del tolueno en el desarrollo neuronal de crías de rata, cuyas madres fueron expuestas a inhalación crónica durante gestación o durante su adolescencia / Effects of the neural development of rat pups whose moters were exposed to toluene via chronic inhalation either during pregnancy or adolescence

Desarrollo neuronal en crios de rata adolescentes y gestantes expuestas a inhalación crónica de tolueno. Se sometieron a inhalación de tolueno a tres ratas jóvenes de 70 días de edad y nueve ratas gestantes de 90 días de edad durante 15 minutos por día desde la cruza hasta un día antes de la fecha de parto. Las ratas jóvenes se cruzaron después del período de inhalación con machos que no inhalaron el solvente. Las crias de las hembras tratadas, así como las de un grupo testigo fueron sometidas a iguales condiciones pero sin tolueno. Fueron sacrificadas por perfusión intracardíaca 24 crias de cada grupo, 12 de 14 días y 12 de 21 días de edad. Fue cuantificado el grado de ramificación de los procesos neuronales de las neuronas piramidales de la V capa de la corteza visual impregnadas con el método rápido de Golgi. Se encontró decremento significativo en las ramificaciones en la porción distal de la dendrita principal en los grupos expuestos al solvente comprarados con los grupos testigo y control

Activity of synaptosomal ATP diphosphohydrolase from hippocampus of rats tolerant to forebrain ischemia

Cerebral ischemia causes cell death of vulnerable neurons in mammalian brain. Wistar adult rats (male and female, weighing 180-280 g) were submitted to 2 min, 10 min, or to 2 and 10 min (separated by a 24-h interval) of transient forebrain ischemia by the four-vessel occlusion method. Animals subjected to the longer ischemic episodes had massive necrosis of pyramidal CA1 cells of the hippocampus, while animals receiving double ischemia (2 + 10 min) showed neuronal tolerance to the ischemic insult. ATP-diphosphohydrolase activity from hippocampal synaptosomes was assayed in these three groups (N = 6 animals/group) under two conditions: no reperfusion and 5-min of reperfusion. The control values for ATPase and ADPase activities were 144.7 +/- 18.8 and 60.6 +/- 5.24 nmol Pi min-1 mg protein-1, respectively. The 10-min group without reperfusion showed an enhancement of approximately 20 for ATPase and ADPase activities. In reperfused rats, only the 2-min group had a 20 increase in both enzymatic activities. We suggest that modulation of ATP-diphosphohydrolase activity might be involved in molecular events that follow both ischemia and reperfusion.

Inhibitory effect of cadmium acetate on synaptosomal ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5; apyrase) from adult rat cerebral cortex

ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5; apyrase) is an enzyme that can promote ATP and ADP hydrolysis to AMP plus inorganic phosphate and depends on divalent cations such as Ca2+ or Mg2+. In previous papers we described this enzyme in the synaptosomal fraction from the central and peripheral nervous system. The present report examines whether cadmium acetate could affect the in vitro activity of the enzyme in the synaptosomal fraction from the cerebral cortex of adult male Wistar rats. Cadmium (Cd2+), a heavy metal with neurotoxic effects, inhibited the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner. All concentrations tested (0.05-1.0 mM) significantly inhibited the hydrolysis of both substrates (ATP and ADP), with the exception of 0.05 mM on ATP hydrolysis. The kinetic data indicate a noncompetitive inhibition between the cations Cd2+ and Ca2+.

Lack of interaction of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors with muscarinic and neuropeptide Y receptors

In studies conducted in patients undergoing cardiac catheterizations, some hemodynamic changes were observed after the acute sublingual administration of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril. These changes consisted of an increase in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and induction of hypoxia. The pressure changes were transitory and disappeared after 25 min. The possible mechanisms involved in these changes may relate to interactions of the ACEI with peripheral receptor systems for hormones and neurotransmitters. We have thus undertaken the task of evaluating the potential effect of ACEI on biological receptor molecules. We have begun with studies on muscarinic receptors, and the recently characterized neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors of endothelial cells. Equilibrium binding assays with 3H-QNB have been conducted for muscarinic receptors using rat brain synaptosomes, due to its expression of multiple muscarinic receptors subtypes. In addition 125BH-NPY binding assays were conducted on intact adrenal medullary endothelial cells. Enalapril and captopril, 10(-7) to 10(-3) M, were not able to produce significant inhibition of either muscarinic or NPY receptor probes. The paradoxical changes elicited by sublingual ACEI seems not to involve interaction with muscarinic or NPY receptors