Loss-of-function of EBP50 is a new cause of hereditary peripheral neuropathy: EBP50 functions in peripheral nerve system.

Finding causative genetic mutations is important in the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary peripheral neuropathies. This study was conducted to find new genes involved in the pathophysiology of hereditary peripheral neuropathy. We identified a new mutation in the EBP50 gene, which is co-segregated with neuropathic phenotypes, including motor and sensory deficit in a family with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. EBP50 is known to be important for the formation of microvilli in epithelial cells, and the discovery of this gene mutation allowed us to study the function of EBP50 in the nervous system. EBP50 was strongly expressed in the nodal and paranodal regions of sciatic nerve fibers, where Schwann cell microvilli contact the axolemma, and at the growth tips of primary Schwann cells. In addition, EBP50 expression was decreased in mouse models of peripheral neuropathy. Knockout mice were used to study EBP50 function in the peripheral nervous system. Interestingly motor function deficit and abnormal histology of nerve fibers were observed in EBP50+/- heterozygous mice at 12 months of age, but not 3 months. in vitro studies using Schwann cells showed that NRG1-induced AKT activation and migration were significantly reduced in cells overexpressing the I325V mutant of EBP50 or cells with knocked-down EBP50 expression. In conclusion, we show for the first time that loss of function due to EBP50 gene deficiency or mutation can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Effects of 3',4'-dihydroxyflavonol on vascular contractions of rat aortic rings.

1. 3',4'-Dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) is an effective vasodilator with anti-oxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of DiOHF on vascular contractions. 2. Contractile and relaxation responses were determined in rat endothelium-denuded aortic rings mounted in organ baths. In addition, the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC(20)), myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and protein kinase C (PKC)-potentiated inhibitory protein for heterotrimeric myosin light chain phosphatase of 17 kDa (CPI-17) was determined using western blot analysis. Levels of GTP RhoA, as a marker of RhoA activation, were also measured. 3. Cumulative addition of increasing concentrations of NaF (3.0-12.0 mmol/L) or U46619 (1.0-1000 nmol/L) concentration-dependently increased vascular tension. These responses were inhibited by pretreatment of aortic rings with DiOHF (10, 30 or 100 micromol/L), which dose-dependently decreased vascular contractions induced by 8.0 mmol/L NaF, 30 nmol/L U46619, 0.1 micromol/L phenylephrine and 50 mmol/L KCl. 4. The K(+) channel blockers 4-aminopyridine (3 mmol/L), charybdotoxin (10 nmol/L), apamin (500 nmol/L) and glibenclamide (10 micromol/L) had no effect on vascular relaxation induced by DiOHF (1-30 micromol/L). 5. At 30 micromol/L, DiOHF decreased the activation of RhoA and subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1, CPI-17 and MLC(20) to almost basal levels. 6. In conclusion, DiOHF decreases vascular contraction at least partly by inhibition of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in rat endothelium-denuded aorta. These results suggest that DiOHF may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Signaling pathways of bisphenol A-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neuronal cells: role of calcium-induced reactive oxygen species, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and nuclear factor-kappaB.

In the present study, we investigated the neurotoxicity of bisphenol A [BPA; 2,2-bis-(4 hydroxyphenyl) propane] and the underlying mechanisms of action in mouse hippocampal HT-22 cells. BPA, known to be a xenoestrogen, is used in the production of water bottles, cans, and teeth suture materials. BPA-treated HT-22 cells showed lower cell viability than did controls at concentrations of BPA over 100 microM. BPA induced apoptotic cell death as indicated by staining with Hoechst 33258, costaining with Annexin V/propidium iodide, and activation of caspase 3. BPA regulated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing intracellular calcium. BPA activated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors for calcium, ROS, ERK, and JNK decreased BPA-induced cell death; however, inhibitor for NF-kappaB increased BPA-induced cell death. The results suggest that calcium, ROS, ERK, and JNK are involved in BPA-induced apoptotic cell death in HT-22 cells. In contrast, an NF-kappaB cascade was activated for survival signaling after BPA treatment.

Acrylic Resin Molding Based Head Fixation Technique in Rodents.

Head fixation is a technique of immobilizing animal's head by attaching a head-post on the skull for rigid clamping. Traditional head fixation requires surgical attachment of metallic frames on the skull. The attached frames are then clamped to a stationary platform resulting in immobilization of the head. However, metallic frames for head fixation have been technically difficult to design and implement in general laboratory environment. In this study, we provide a novel head fixation method. Using a custom-made head fixation bar, head mounter is constructed during implantation surgery. After the application of acrylic resin for affixing implants such as electrodes and cannula on the skull, additional resins applied on top of that to build a mold matching to the port of the fixation bar. The molded head mounter serves as a guide rails, investigators conveniently fixate the animal's head by inserting the head mounter into the port of the fixation bar. This method could be easily applicable if implantation surgery using dental acrylics is necessary and might be useful for laboratories that cannot easily fabricate CNC machined metal head-posts.

A role for Rho kinase in vascular contraction evoked by sodium fluoride.

Agonist and depolarization-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions involve the activation of Rho-kinase pathway. However, there are no reports addressing the question whether this pathway is involved in NaF-induced vascular contractions. We hypothesized that Rho-kinase plays a role in vascular contraction evoked by sodium fluoride in rat aortae. In both physiological salt solution and calcium-free solution with 2 mM EGTA, cumulative addition of NaF increased vascular tension in concentration-dependent manners. Effects of Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y27632) on phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC20) and myosin targeting subunit (MYPT1(Thr696)) of myosin light chain phosphatase as well as NaF-induced contractions were determined using isolated tissue and the Western blot experiments. Y27632 inhibited NaF-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. NaF increased phosphorylation of MLC20 and MYPT1(Thr696), which were also inhibited by Y27632. However, MLCK inhibitor (ML-7) or PKC inhibitor (Ro31-8220) did not inhibit the NaF-induced contraction. These results indicate that activation of Rho-kinase and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1(Thr696) play important roles in NaF-induced contraction of rat aortae.