The Inhibition of RasGRF2, But Not RasGRF1, Alters Cocaine Reward in Mice.

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (Ras-ERK) signaling has been implicated in the effects of drugs of abuse. Inhibitors of MEK1/2, the kinases upstream of ERK1/2, have been critical in defining the role of the Ras-ERK cascade in drug-dependent alterations in behavioral plasticity, but the Ras family of small GTPases has not been extensively examined in drug-related behaviors. We examined the role of Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Factor 1 (RasGRF1) and 2 (RasGRF2), upstream regulators of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade, on cocaine self-administration (SA) in male mice. We first established a role for Ras-ERK signaling in cocaine SA, demonstrating that pERK1/2 is upregulated following SA in C57BL/6N mice in striatum. We then compared RasGRF1 and RasGRF2 KO mouse lines, demonstrating that cocaine SA in RasGRF2 KO mice was increased relative to WT controls, whereas RasGRF1 KO and WT mice did not differ. This effect in RasGRF2 mice is likely mediated by the Ras-ERK signaling pathway, as pERK1/2 upregulation following cocaine SA was absent in RasGRF2 KO mice. Interestingly, the lentiviral knockdown of RasGRF2 in the NAc had the opposite effect to that in RasGRF2 KO mice, reducing cocaine SA. We subsequently demonstrated that the MEK inhibitor PD325901 administered peripherally prior to cocaine SA increased cocaine intake, replicating the increase seen in RasGRF2 KO mice, whereas PD325901 administered into the NAc decreased cocaine intake, similar to the effect seen following lentiviral knockdown of RasGRF2. These data indicate a role for RasGRF2 in cocaine SA in mice that is ERK-dependent, and suggest a differential effect of global versus site-specific RasGRF2 inhibition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Exposure to drugs of abuse activates a variety of intracellular pathways, and following repeated exposure, persistent changes in these pathways contribute to drug dependence. Downstream components of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade are involved in the acute and chronic effects of drugs of abuse, but their upstream mediators have not been extensively characterized. Here we show, using a combination of molecular, pharmacological, and lentiviral techniques, that the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RasGRF2 mediates cocaine self-administration via an ERK-dependent mechanism, whereas RasGRF1 has no effect on responding for cocaine. These data indicate dissociative effects of mediators of Ras activity on cocaine reward and expand the understanding of the contribution of Ras-ERK signaling to drug-taking behavior.

Pharmacological Inhibition of ERK Signaling Rescues Pathophysiology and Behavioral Phenotype Associated with 16p11.2 Chromosomal Deletion in Mice.

The human 16p11.2 microdeletion is one of the most common gene copy number variations linked to autism, but the pathophysiology associated with this chromosomal abnormality is largely unknown. The 593 kb deletion contains the ERK1 gene and other genes that converge onto the ERK/MAP kinase pathway. Perturbations in ERK signaling are linked to a group of related neurodevelopmental disorders hallmarked by intellectual disability, including autism. We report that mice harboring the 16p11.2 deletion exhibit a paradoxical elevation of ERK activity, cortical cytoarchitecture abnormalities and behavioral deficits. Importantly, we show that treatment with a novel ERK pathway inhibitor during a critical period of brain development rescues the molecular, anatomical and behavioral deficits in the 16p11.2 deletion mice. The ERK inhibitor treatment administered to adult mice ameliorates a subset of these behavioral deficits. Our findings provide evidence for potential targeted therapeutic intervention in 16p11.2 deletion carriers.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ERK/MAPK pathway is genetically linked to autism spectrum disorders and other syndromes typified by intellectual disability. We provide direct evidence connecting the ERK/MAP kinases to the developmental abnormalities in neurogenesis and cortical cytoarchitecture associated with the 16p11.2 chromosomal deletion. Most importantly, we demonstrate that treatment with a novel ERK-specific inhibitor during development rescues aberrant cortical cytoarchitecture and restores normal levels of cell-cycle regulators during cortical neurogenesis. These treatments partially reverse the behavioral deficits observed in the 16p11.2del mouse model, including hyperactivity, memory as well as olfaction, and maternal behavior. We also report a rescue of a subset of these deficits upon treatment of adult 16p11.2del mice. These data provide a strong rationale for therapeutic approaches to this disorder.

Blockade of the IL-1R1/TLR4 pathway mediates disease-modification therapeutic effects in a model of acquired epilepsy.

We recently discovered that forebrain activation of the IL-1 receptor/Toll-like receptor (IL-1R1/TLR4) innate immunity signal plays a pivotal role in neuronal hyperexcitability underlying seizures in rodents. Since this pathway is activated in neurons and glia in human epileptogenic foci, it represents a potential target for developing drugs interfering with the mechanisms of epileptogenesis that lead to spontaneous seizures. The lack of such drugs represents a major unmet clinical need. We tested therefore novel therapies inhibiting the IL-1R1/TLR4 signaling in an established murine model of acquired epilepsy. We used an epigenetic approach by injecting a synthetic mimic of micro(mi)RNA-146a that impairs IL1R1/TLR4 signal transduction, or we blocked receptor activation with antiinflammatory drugs. Both interventions when transiently applied to mice after epilepsy onset, prevented disease progression and dramatically reduced chronic seizure recurrence, while the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine was ineffective. We conclude that IL-1R1/TLR4 is a novel potential therapeutic target for attaining disease-modifications in patients with diagnosed epilepsy.

Increased lipolysis and altered lipid homeostasis protect γ-synuclein-null mutant mice from diet-induced obesity.

Synucleins are a family of homologous proteins principally known for their involvement in neurodegeneration. γ-Synuclein is highly expressed in human white adipose tissue and increased in obesity. Here we show that γ-synuclein is nutritionally regulated in white adipose tissue whereas its loss partially protects mice from high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and ameliorates some of the associated metabolic complications. Compared with HFD-fed WT mice, HFD-fed γ-synuclein-null mutant mice display increased lipolysis, lipid oxidation, and energy expenditure, and reduced adipocyte hypertrophy. Knockdown of γ-synuclein in adipocytes causes redistribution of the key lipolytic enzyme ATGL to lipid droplets and increases lipolysis. γ-Synuclein-deficient adipocytes also contain fewer SNARE complexes of a type involved in lipid droplet fusion. We hypothesize that γ-synuclein may deliver SNAP-23 to the SNARE complexes under lipogenic conditions. Via these independent but complementary roles, γ-synuclein may coordinately modulate lipid storage by influencing lipolysis and lipid droplet formation. Our data reveal γ-synuclein as a regulator of lipid handling in adipocytes, the function of which is particularly important in conditions of nutrient excess.

Understanding cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease: lessons from preclinical animal models.

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been, until recently, mainly defined by the presence of characteristic motor symptoms, such as rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia/akinesia, and postural instability. Accordingly, pharmacological and surgical treatments have so far addressed these motor disturbances, leaving nonmotor, cognitive deficits an unmet clinical condition. At the preclinical level, the large majority of studies aiming at defining mechanisms and testing novel therapies have similarly focused on the motor aspects of PD. Unfortunately, deterioration of the executive functions, such as attention, recognition, working memory, and problem solving, often appear in an early, premotor phase of the disease and progressively increase in intensity, negatively affecting the quality of life of ∼50%-60% of PD patients. At present, the cellular mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments in PD patients are largely unknown and an adequate treatment is still missing. The preclinical research has recently developed new animal models that may open new perspectives for a more integrated approach to the treatment of both motor and cognitive symptoms of the disease. This review will provide an overview on the cognitive symptoms occurring in early PD patients and then focus on the rodent and nonhuman primate models so far available for the study of discriminative and spatial memory attention and learning abilities related to this pathological condition.

Understanding copy number variations through their genes: a molecular view on 16p11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include a broad spectrum of pathological conditions that affect >4% of children worldwide, share common features and present a variegated genetic origin. They include clinically defined diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), motor disorders such as Tics and Tourette's syndromes, but also much more heterogeneous conditions like intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. Schizophrenia (SCZ) has also recently been proposed to belong to NDDs. Relatively common causes of NDDs are copy number variations (CNVs), characterised by the gain or the loss of a portion of a chromosome. In this review, we focus on deletions and duplications at the 16p11.2 chromosomal region, associated with NDDs, ID, ASD but also epilepsy and SCZ. Some of the core phenotypes presented by human carriers could be recapitulated in animal and cellular models, which also highlighted prominent neurophysiological and signalling alterations underpinning 16p11.2 CNVs-associated phenotypes. In this review, we also provide an overview of the genes within the 16p11.2 locus, including those with partially known or unknown function as well as non-coding RNAs. A particularly interesting interplay was observed between MVP and MAPK3 in modulating some of the pathological phenotypes associated with the 16p11.2 deletion. Elucidating their role in intracellular signalling and their functional links will be a key step to devise novel therapeutic strategies for 16p11.2 CNVs-related syndromes.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonists attenuate L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias.

In the present study we investigated whether the neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), previously implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, also affects L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. In striatal slices of naive rodents, N/OFQ (0.1-1 µm) prevented the increase of ERK phosphorylation and the loss of depotentiation of synaptic plasticity induced by the D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 in spiny neurons. In vivo, exogenous N/OFQ (0.03-1 nmol, i.c.v.) or a synthetic N/OFQ receptor agonist given systemically (0.01-1 mg/Kg) attenuated dyskinesias expression in 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats primed with L-DOPA, without causing primary hypolocomotive effects. Conversely, N/OFQ receptor antagonists worsened dyskinesia expression. In vivo microdialysis revealed that N/OFQ prevented dyskinesias simultaneously with its neurochemical correlates such as the surge of nigral GABA and glutamate, and the reduction of thalamic GABA. Regional microinjections revealed that N/OFQ attenuated dyskinesias more potently and effectively when microinjected in striatum than substantia nigra (SN) reticulata, whereas N/OFQ receptor antagonists were ineffective in striatum but worsened dyskinesias when given in SN. Quantitative autoradiography showed an increase in N/OFQ receptor binding in striatum and a reduction in SN of both unprimed and dyskinetic 6-hydroxydopamine rats, consistent with opposite adaptive changes of N/OFQ transmission. Finally, the N/OFQ receptor synthetic agonist also reduced dyskinesia expression in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated dyskinetic macaques without affecting the global parkinsonian score. We conclude that N/OFQ receptor agonists may represent a novel strategy to counteract L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias. Their action is possibly mediated by upregulated striatal N/OFQ receptors opposing the D1 receptor-mediated overactivation of the striatonigral direct pathway.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of dopamine-mediated behavioral plasticity in the striatum.

The striatum is the input structure of the basal ganglia system. By integrating glutamatergic signals from cortical and subcortical regions and dopaminergic signals from mesolimbic nuclei the striatum functions as an important neural substrate for procedural and motor learning as well as for reward-guided behaviors. In addition, striatal activity is significantly altered in pathological conditions in which either a loss of dopamine innervation (Parkinson's disease) or aberrant dopamine-mediated signaling (drug addiction and L-DOPA induced dyskinesia) occurs. Here we discuss cellular mechanisms of striatal synaptic plasticity and aspects of cell signaling underlying striatum-dependent behavior, with a major focus on the neuromodulatory action of the endocannabinoid system and on the role of the Ras-ERK cascade.

Inhibition of Ras-guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1) signaling in the striatum reverts motor symptoms associated with L-dopa-induced dyskinesia.

L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a common debilitating complication of dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease. Recent evidence suggests that LID may be linked causally to a hyperactivation of the Ras-ERK signaling cascade in the basal ganglia. We set out to determine whether specific targeting of Ras-guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1), a brain-specific activator of the Ras-ERK pathway, may provide a therapy for LID. On the rodent abnormal involuntary movements scale, Ras-GRF1-deficient mice were significantly resistant to the development of dyskinesia during chronic L-dopa treatment. Furthermore, in a nonhuman primate model of LID, lentiviral vectors expressing dominant negative forms of Ras-GRF1 caused a dramatic reversion of dyskinesia severity leaving intact the therapeutic effect of L-dopa. These data reveal the central role of Ras-GRF1 in governing striatal adaptations to dopamine replacement therapy and validate a viable treatment for LID based on intracellular signaling modulation.

Gut-muscle-brain axis: Molecular mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders and potential therapeutic efficacy of probiotic supplementation coupled with exercise.

Increased longevity is often associated with age-related conditions. The most common neurodegenerative disorders in the older population are Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), associated with progressive neuronal loss leading to functional and cognitive impairments. Although symptomatic treatments are available, there is currently no cure for these conditions. Gut dysbiosis has been involved in the pathogenesis of AD and PD, thus interventions targeting the "gut-brain axis" could potentially prevent or delay these pathologies. Recent evidence suggests that the skeletal muscle and the gut microbiota can affect each other via the "gut-muscle axis". Importantly, cognitive functions in AD and PD patients significantly benefit from physical activity. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the crosstalk between the brain, the skeletal muscle and the gut microbiota, introducing the concept of "gut-muscle-brain axis". Moreover, we discuss human and animal studies exploring the modulatory role of exercise and probiotics on cognition in AD and PD. Collectively, the findings presented here support the potential benefits of physical activity and probiotic supplementation in AD and PD. Further studies will be needed to develop targeted and multimodal strategies, including lifestyle changes, to prevent or delay the course of these pathologies.

Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 4 (RGS4) negatively modulates nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid receptor signalling: Implication for l-Dopa-induced dyskinesia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Regulator of G-protein signalling 4 (RGS4) is a signal transduction protein that accelerates intrinsic GTPase activity of Gαi/o and Gαq subunits, suppressing GPCR signalling. Here, we investigate whether RGS4 modulates nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) opioid (NOP) receptor signalling and if this modulation has relevance for l-Dopa-induced dyskinesia. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: HEK293T cells transfected with NOP, NOP/RGS4 or NOP/RGS19 were challenged with N/OFQ and the small-molecule NOP agonist AT-403, using D1-stimulated cAMP levels as a readout. Primary rat striatal neurons and adult mouse striatal slices were challenged with either N/OFQ or AT-403 in the presence of the experimental RGS4 chemical probe, CCG-203920, and D1-stimulated cAMP or phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK) responses were monitored. In vivo, CCG-203920 was co-administered with AT-403 and l-Dopa to 6-hydroxydopamine hemilesioned rats, and dyskinetic movements, striatal biochemical correlates of dyskinesia (pERK and pGluR1 levels) and striatal RGS4 levels were measured. KEY RESULTS: RGS4 expression reduced NOFQ and AT-403 potency and efficacy in HEK293T cells. CCG-203920 increased N/OFQ potency in primary rat striatal neurons and potentiated AT-403 response in mouse striatal slices. CCG-203920 enhanced AT-403-mediated inhibition of dyskinesia and its biochemical correlates, without compromising its motor-improving effects. Unilateral dopamine depletion caused bilateral reduction of RGS4 levels, which was reversed by l-Dopa. l-Dopa acutely up-regulated RGS4 in the lesioned striatum. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: RGS4 physiologically inhibits NOP receptor signalling. CCG-203920 enhanced NOP responses and improved the antidyskinetic potential of NOP receptor agonists, mitigating the effects of striatal RGS4 up-regulation occurring during dyskinesia expression. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.

Dissecting the autism-associated 16p11.2 locus identifies multiple drivers in neuroanatomical phenotypes and unveils a male-specific role for the major vault protein.

BACKGROUND: Using mouse genetic studies and systematic assessments of brain neuroanatomical phenotypes, we set out to identify which of the 30 genes causes brain defects at the autism-associated 16p11.2 locus. RESULTS: We show that multiple genes mapping to this region interact to regulate brain anatomy, with female mice exhibiting far fewer brain neuroanatomical phenotypes. In male mice, among the 13 genes associated with neuroanatomical defects (Mvp, Ppp4c, Zg16, Taok2, Slx1b, Maz, Fam57b, Bola2, Tbx6, Qprt, Spn, Hirip3, and Doc2a), Mvp is the top driver implicated in phenotypes pertaining to brain, cortex, hippocampus, ventricles, and corpus callosum sizes. The major vault protein (MVP), the main component of the vault organelle, is a conserved protein found in eukaryotic cells, yet its function is not understood. Here, we find MVP expression highly specific to the limbic system and show that Mvp regulates neuronal morphology, postnatally and specifically in males. We also recapitulate a previously reported genetic interaction and show that Mvp+/-;Mapk3+/- mice exhibit behavioral deficits, notably decreased anxiety-like traits detected in the elevated plus maze and open field paradigms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights multiple gene drivers in neuroanatomical phenotypes, interacting with each other through complex relationships. It also provides the first evidence for the involvement of the major vault protein in the regulation of brain size and neuroanatomy, specifically in male mice.

Nuclear ERK1/2 signaling potentiation enhances neuroprotection and cognition via Importinα1/KPNA2.

Cell signaling is central to neuronal activity and its dysregulation may lead to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Here, we show that selective genetic potentiation of neuronal ERK signaling prevents cell death in vitro and in vivo in the mouse brain, while attenuation of ERK signaling does the opposite. This neuroprotective effect mediated by an enhanced nuclear ERK activity can also be induced by the novel cell penetrating peptide RB5. In vitro administration of RB5 disrupts the preferential interaction of ERK1 MAP kinase with importinα1/KPNA2 over ERK2, facilitates ERK1/2 nuclear translocation, and enhances global ERK activity. Importantly, RB5 treatment in vivo promotes neuroprotection in mouse models of Huntington's (HD), Alzheimer's (AD), and Parkinson's (PD) disease, and enhances ERK signaling in a human cellular model of HD. Additionally, RB5-mediated potentiation of ERK nuclear signaling facilitates synaptic plasticity, enhances cognition in healthy rodents, and rescues cognitive impairments in AD and HD models. The reported molecular mechanism shared across multiple neurodegenerative disorders reveals a potential new therapeutic target approach based on the modulation of KPNA2-ERK1/2 interactions.

Gene therapy augments the efficacy of hematopoietic cell transplantation and fully corrects mucopolysaccharidosis type I phenotype in the mouse model.

Type I mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of α-L-iduronidase, which results in glycosaminoglycan accumulation in tissues. Clinical manifestations include skeletal dysplasia, joint stiffness, visual and auditory defects, cardiac insufficiency, hepatosplenomegaly, and mental retardation (the last being present exclusively in the severe Hurler variant). The available treatments, enzyme-replacement therapy and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, can ameliorate most disease manifestations, but their outcome on skeletal and brain disease could be further improved. We demonstrate here that HSC gene therapy, based on lentiviral vectors, completely corrects disease manifestations in the mouse model. Of note, the therapeutic benefit provided by gene therapy on critical MPS I manifestations, such as neurologic and skeletal disease, greatly exceeds that exerted by HSC transplantation, the standard of care treatment for Hurler patients. Interestingly, therapeutic efficacy of HSC gene therapy is strictly dependent on the achievement of supranormal enzyme activity in the hematopoietic system of transplanted mice, which allows enzyme delivery to the brain and skeleton for disease correction. Overall, our data provide evidence of an efficacious treatment for MPS I Hurler patients, warranting future development toward clinical testing.

Emerging roles of brain metabolism in cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Here we discuss the role of diverse environmental manipulations affecting cognition with special regard to psychiatric conditions. We present evidence supporting a direct causal correlation between the valence of the environmental stimulation and some psychopathological traits and how the environment influences brain structure and function with special regard to oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity. Increasing experimental evidence supports a role for mitochondrial dysfunctions in neuropsychiatric disorders. Brain mitochondria are considered crucial mediators of allostasis, that is the capability to adapt to stress via a complex interaction between the autonomic, metabolic, and immune systems to maintain cellular homeostasis. In this process, mitochondria act as highly dynamic integrators by sensing and transducing stressors into adaptation mechanisms via metabolic stress mediators, such as glucocorticoids and catecholamines. Alterations in cellular homeostasis induced by chronic stress are thought to predispose to disease by triggering the so-called "mitochondrial allostatic load". This process is characterized by functional and structural changes of the mitochondria, ultimately leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial DNA damage and apoptosis. In this review we discuss the role of diverse environmental manipulations to affect cognition with special regard to psychiatric conditions. How the environment influences brain structure and function, and the interactions between rearing conditions, oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity are fundamental questions that are still poorly understood. As will be discussed, increasing experimental evidence supports a role for mitochondrial dysfunctions in neuropsychiatric disorders. Brain mitochondria are considered crucial mediators of allostasis, that is the capability to adapt to stress via a complex interaction between the autonomic, metabolic, and immune systems to maintain cellular homeostasis. In this process, mitochondria act as highly dynamic integrators by sensing and transducing stressors into adaptation mechanisms via metabolic stress mediators, such as glucocorticoids and catecholamines. Alterations in cellular homeostasis induced by chronic stress are thought to predispose to disease by triggering the so-called "mitochondrial allostatic load". This process is characterized by functional and structural changes of the mitochondria, ultimately leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial DNA damage and apoptosis. The brain requires considerable mitochondrial reserve not only to sustain basal neuronal needs but also to provide increasing energy demands during stress. Consistently with these high energetic requirements, it is reasonable to hypothesise that the brain is particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial defects. Thus, even subtle metabolic alterations might have a substantial impact on cognitive functions. Over the last decade, several experimental evidence supported the hypothesis that a suboptimal mitochondrial function, which could be of genetic origin or acquired following adverse life events, is a key vulnerability factor for stress-related psychopathologies. Chronic psychological stress is a major promoter of anxiety as well as of oxidative damage, as shown in several studies. Recent evidence from mouse models harbouring mutations in mitochondrial genes demonstrated the role of mitochondria in modulating the response to acute psychological stress. However, it has yet to be determined whether mitochondrial dysfunctions are the cause or the consequence of anxiety. In this review, we discuss how adverse psychosocial environments can impact mitochondrial bioenergetics at the molecular level and we gather evidence from several studies linking energy metabolism and stress resilience/vulnerability. Moreover, we review recent findings supporting that metabolic dysfunction can underlie deficits in complex social behaviours. As will be discussed, aberrations in mitochondrial functionality have been found in the nucleus accumbens of highly anxious mice and mediate low social competitiveness. In addition, alterations in sociability can be reversed by enhancing mitochondrial functions. Recent evidence also demonstrated that a specific mutation in mitochondrial DNA, previously linked to autism spectrum disorder, produces autistic endophenotypes in mice by altering respiration chain and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Finally, we discuss a "Negative Enrichment" model that can explain some of the psychopathological conditions relevant to humans. Evidence of a direct causal correlation of valence of environmental stimulation and psychopathological traits will be presented, and possible molecular mechanisms that focus on oxidative stress. Collectively, the findings described here have been achieved with a wide set of behavioural and cognitive tasks with translational validity. Thus, they will be useful for future work aimed to elucidate the fine metabolic alterations in psychopathologies and devise novel approaches targeting mitochondria to alleviate these conditions.

Nicotine self-administration and ERK signaling are altered in RasGRF2 knockout mice.

Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK (Ras-ERK) signaling has been demonstrated to play a role in the effects of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and alcohol, but has not been extensively examined in nicotine-related reward behaviors. We examined the role of Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Factor 2 (RasGRF2), an upstream mediator of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway, on nicotine self-administration (SA) in RasGRF2 KO and WT mice. We first demonstrated that acute nicotine exposure (0.4 mg/kg) resulted in an increase in phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in the striatum, consistent with previous reports. We also demonstrated that increases in pERK1/2 resulting from acute (0.4 mg/kg) and repeated (0.4 mg/kg, 10 daily injections) exposure to nicotine in WT mice were not present in RasGRF2 KO mice, confirming that RasGRF2 at least partly regulates the activity of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway following nicotine exposure. We then performed intravenous nicotine SA (0.03 mg/kg/infusion for 10 days) in RasGRF2 KO and WT mice. Consistent with a previous report using cocaine SA, RasGRF2 KO mice demonstrated an increase in nicotine SA relative to WT controls. These findings suggest a role for RasGRF2 in the reinforcing effects of nicotine, and implicate the Ras-ERK signaling pathway as a common mediator of the response to drugs of abuse.

A Rational Design of α-Helix-Shaped Peptides Employing the Hydrogen-Bond Surrogate Approach: A Modulation Strategy for Ras-RasGRF1 Interaction in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

In the last two decades, abnormal Ras (rat sarcoma protein)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) signalling in the brain has been involved in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including drug addiction, certain forms of intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder. Modulation of membrane-receptor-mediated Ras activation has been proposed as a potential target mechanism to attenuate ERK signalling in the brain. Previously, we showed that a cell penetrating peptide, RB3, was able to inhibit downstream signalling by preventing RasGRF1 (Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing factor 1), a neuronal specific GDP/GTP exchange factor, to bind Ras proteins, both in brain slices and in vivo, with an IC50 value in the micromolar range. The aim of this work was to mutate and improve this peptide through computer-aided techniques to increase its inhibitory activity against RasGRF1. The designed peptides were built based on the RB3 peptide structure corresponding to the α-helix of RasGRF1 responsible for Ras binding. For this purpose, the hydrogen-bond surrogate (HBS) approach was exploited to maintain the helical conformation of the designed peptides. Finally, residue scanning, MD simulations, and MM-GBSA calculations were used to identify 18 most promising α-helix-shaped peptides that will be assayed to check their potential activity against Ras-RasGRF1 and prevent downstream molecular events implicated in brain disorders.

Dopamine D1 and Glutamate Receptors Co-operate With Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and TrkB to Modulate ERK Signaling in Adult Striatal Slices.

In the striatum, the input nucleus of the basal ganglia, the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, necessary for various forms of behavioral plasticity, is triggered by the combined engagement of dopamine D1 and ionotropic glutamate receptors. In this study, we investigated the potential crosstalk between glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TrkB inputs to ERK cascade by using an ex vivo model of mouse striatal slices. Our results confirmed that the concomitant stimulation of D1 and glutamate receptors is necessary to activate ERK in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Moreover, we found that ERK activation is significantly enhanced when BDNF is co-applied either with glutamate or the D1 agonist SKF38393, supporting the idea of possible integration between BDNF, glutamate, and D1R-mediated signaling. Interestingly, ERK activation via BDNF-TrkB is upregulated upon blockade of either AMPAR/NMDAR or D1 receptors, suggesting a negative regulatory action of these two neurotransmitter systems on BDNF-mediated signaling. However, the observed enhancement of ERK1/2 phosphorylation does not result in corresponding downstream signaling changes at the nuclear level. Conversely, the TrkB antagonist cyclotraxin B partially prevents glutamate- and D1-mediated ERK activation. Altogether, these results suggest a complex and unexpected interaction among dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and BDNF receptor systems to modulate the ERK pathway in striatal neurons.

Enhancing cognition through pharmacological and environmental interventions: Examples from preclinical models of neurodevelopmental disorders.

In this review we discuss the role of environmental and pharmacological treatments to enhance cognition with special regards to neurodevelopmental related disorders and aging. How the environment influences brain structure and function, and the interactions between rearing conditions and gene expression, are fundamental questions that are still poorly understood. We propose a model that can explain some of the discrepancies in findings for effects of environmental enrichment on outcome measures. Evidence of a direct causal correlation of nootropics and treatments that enhanced cognition also will be presented, and possible molecular mechanisms that include neurotrophin signaling and downstream pathways underlying these processes are discussed. Finally we review recent findings achieved with a wide set of behavioral and cognitive tasks that have translational validity to humans, and should be useful for future work on devising appropriate therapies. As will be discussed, the collective findings suggest that a combinational therapeutic approach of environmental enrichment and nootropics could be particularly successful for improving learning and memory in both developmental disorders and normal aging.