Effects of new fluorinated analogues of GABA, pregabalin bioisosters, on the ambient level and exocytotic release of [3H]GABA from rat brain nerve terminals.

Recently, we have shown that new fluorinated analogues of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), bioisosters of pregabalin (ß-i-Bu-GABA), i.e. ß-polyfluoroalkyl-GABAs (FGABAs), with substituents: ß-CF3-ß-OH (1), ß-CF3 (2); ß-CF2CF2H (3), are able to increase the initial rate of [3H]GABA uptake by isolated rat brain nerve terminals (synaptosomes), and this effect is higher than that of pregabalin. So, synthesized FGABAs are structural but not functional analogues of GABA. Herein, we assessed the effects of synthesized FGABAs (100µM) on the ambient level and exocytotic release of [3H]GABA in nerve terminals and compared with those of pregabalin (100µM). It was shown that FGABAs 1-3 did not influence the ambient level of [3H]GABA in the synaptosomal preparations, and this parameter was also not altered by pregabalin. During blockage of GABA transporters GAT1 by specific inhibitor NO-711, FGABAs and pregabalin also did not change ambient [3H]GABA in synaptosomal preparations. Exocytotic release of [3H]GABA from synaptosomes decreased in the presence of FGABAs 1-3 and pregabalin, and the effects of FGABAs 1 &3 were more significant than those of FGABAs 2 and pregabalin. FGABAs 1-3/pregabalin-induced decrease in exocytotic release of [3H]GABA from synaptosomes was not a result of changes in the potential of the plasma membrane. Therefore, new synthesized FGABAs 1 &3 were able to decrease exocytotic release of [3H]GABA from nerve terminals more effectively in comparison to pregabalin. Absence of unspecific side effects of FGABAs 1 &3 on the membrane potential makes these compounds perspective for medical application.

[Degradation of fluorene and fluoranthene by the basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus].

The dependence of the degree of fluorene and fluoranthene degradation by the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus D1 on the culture medium composition has been studied. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been transformed in Kirk's medium (under conditions of laccase production) with the formation of a quinone metabolite and 9-fluorenone upon the use of fluoranthene and fluorene as substrates, respectively. More complete degradation with the formation of an intermediate metabolite, phthalic acid that has undergone subsequent utilization, has occurred in basidiomycete-rich medium (under the production of both laccase and versatile peroxidase). The formation of phthalic acid as a metabolite of fluoranthene degradation by lignolytic fungi has been revealed for the first time. The data allow the supposition that both extracellular laccase and laccase on the mycelium surface can participate in the initial stages of PAH metabolism, while versatile peroxidase is necessary for the oxidation of the formed metabolites. A scheme of fluorene metabolism by Pleurotus ostreatus D1 is suggested.

[Oil degradation by basidiomycetes in soil and peat at low temperatures].

A total of 17 basidiomycete strains causing white rot and growing on oil-contaminated substrates have been screened. Three strains with high (Steccherinum murashkinskyi), average (Trametes maxima), and low (Pleurotus ostreatus) capacities for the colonization of oil-contaminated substrates have been selected. The potential for degrading crude oil hydrocarbons has been assessed with the use of fungi grown on nonsterile soil and peat at low temperatures. Candida sp. and Rhodococcus sp. commercial strains have been used as reference organisms with oil-degrading ability. All microorganisms introduced in oil-contaminated soil have proved to be ineffective, whereas the inoculation of peat with basidiomycetes and oil-degrading microorganisms accelerated the destruction of oil hydrocarbons. The greatest degradation potential of oil-aliphatic hydrocarbons has been found in S. murashlinskyi. T. maxima turned out to be the most successful in degrading aromatic hydrocarbons. It has been suggested that aboriginal microflora contributes importantly to the effectiveness of oil-destructing microorganisms. T. maxima and S. murashkinskyi strains are promising for further study as oil-oxidizing agents during bioremediation of oil-contaminated peat soil under conditions of low temperatures.

Synthesis of new fluorinated analogs of GABA, Pregabalin bioisosteres, and their effects on [(3)H]GABA uptake by rat brain nerve terminals.

Fluorinated analogs of natural substances take an essential place in the design of new biologically active compounds. New fluorinated analogs of γ-aminobutyric acid, that is, ß-polyfluoroalkyl-GABAs (FGABAs), were synthesized with substituents: ß-CF3-ß-OH (1), ß-CF3 (2); ß-CF2CF2H (3). FGABAs are bioisosteres of Pregabalin (Lyrica®, Pfizer's blockbuster drug, ß-i-Bu-GABA), and have lipophilicity close to this medicine. The effects of synthesized FGABAs on [(3)H]GABA uptake by isolated rat brain nerve terminals (synaptosomes) were assessed and compared with those of Pregabalin. FGABAs 1-3 (100µM) did not influence the initial velocity of [(3)H]GABA uptake when applied acutely, whereas an increase in this parameter was found after preliminary incubation of FGABAs with synaptosomes. Pregabalin after preliminary incubation with synaptosomes caused unidirectional changes in the initial velocity of [(3)H]GABA uptake. Using specific inhibitors of GAT1 and GAT3, NO-711 and SNAP5114, respectively, the ability of FGABAs 1-3 to influence non-GAT1 and non-GAT3 uptake activity of nerve terminals was analyzed, but no specificity was found. Therefore, new synthesized FGABAs are structural but not functional analogs of GABA (because they did not inhibit synaptosomal [(3)H]GABA uptake). Moreover, FGABAs are able to increase the initial velocity of [(3)H]GABA uptake by synaptosomes, and this effect is higher than that of Pregabalin.

New effects of GABAB receptor allosteric modulator rac-BHFF on ambient GABA, uptake/release, Em and synaptic vesicle acidification in nerve terminals.

Positive allosteric modulators of GABAB receptors have great therapeutic potential for medications of anxiety, depression, etc. The effects of recently discovered modulator rac-BHFF on the key characteristics of GABAergic neurotransmission were investigated in cortical and hippocampal presynaptic nerve terminals of rats (synaptosomes). The ambient level of [(3)H]GABA that is a balance between release and uptake of the neurotransmitter increased significantly in the presence of rac-BHFF (at concentrations 10-30µM). The initial velocity of synaptosomal [(3)H]GABA uptake was suppressed by the modulator. In the presence of GABA transporter blocker NO-711, it was shown that rac-BHFF increased tonic release of [(3)H]GABA from synaptosomes (at concentrations 3-30µM). Rac-BHFF within the concentration range of 0.3-30µM did not enhance inhibiting effect of (±)-baclofen on depolarization-induced exocytotic release of [(3)H]GABA. Rac-BHFF (0.3-30µM) caused dose-dependent depolarization of the plasma membrane and dissipation of the proton gradient of synaptic vesicles in synaptosomes that was shown in the absence/presence of GABAB receptor antagonist saclofen using fluorescent dyes rhodamine 6G and acridine orange, respectively, and so, the above effects of rac-BHFF were not associated with the modulation of presynaptic GABAB receptors. Therefore, drug development strategy of positive allosteric modulation of GABAB receptors is to eliminate the above side effects of rac-BHFF in presynapse, and vice versa, these new properties of rac-BHFF may be exploited appropriately.

Monitoring of the velocity of high-affinity glutamate uptake by isolated brain nerve terminals using amperometric glutamate biosensor.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, which is involved in the main aspects of normal brain functioning. High-affinity Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporters is key proteins, which transport extracellular glutamate to the cytoplasm of nerve cells, thereby preventing continuous activation of glutamate receptors, and thus the development of neurotoxicity. Disturbance in glutamate uptake is involved in the pathogenesis of major neurological disorders. Amperometric biosensors are the most promising and successful among electrochemical biosensors. In this study, we developed (1) amperometric glutamate biosensor, (2) methodological approach for the analysis of glutamate uptake in liquid samples of isolated rat brain nerve terminals (synaptosomes). The basal level of glutamate, the initial velocity of glutamate uptake and time-dependent accumulation of glutamate by synaptosomes were determined using developed glutamate biosensor. Comparative analysis of the data with those obtained by radioactive analysis, spectrofluorimetry and ion exchange chromatography was performed. Therefore, the methodological approach for monitoring of the velocity of glutamate uptake, which takes into consideration the definite level of endogenous glutamate in nerve terminals, was developed using glutamate biosensor.

[Morphofunctional characteristics of erythrocytes as target cells in the processes of early aging].

The article describes the morphofunctional characteristics of erythrocytes in clinical models of early aging (essential hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus) by the original clinical and cytomorphological material. It is shown that in the processes of aging and early aging following effects take places: the changing of the shape and size of cells, cell-cell interactions are broken, changing the elasticity of the cell membrane is changing too and cellular destruction is promoted.

The dynamics of changes in hippocampal GABAergic system in rats exposed to early-life hypoxia-induced seizures.

Hypoxia-evoked seizures (H/S) early in life lead to multiple chronic neurological deficits. Here, we present the results of studying GABA release and uptake in hippocampal axon terminals of rats exposed to H/S at 10-12 days of age. We characterized (i) exocytotic release of GABA; (ii) the initial rate of GABA uptake; (iii) the regulation of GABA release by presynaptic GABA(B) receptors. Rats were used for experiments 2, 4 and 8 weeks after H/S. We found that exocytotic [(3)H]GABA release was higher in rats exposed to H/S, and a maximal difference in the release was observed between the control and experimental rats tested 2 weeks after H/S. In contrast, the initial rate of GABA uptake decreased with age, and this tendency was more pronounced in rats exposed to H/S. Using (±)-baclofen and SKF 97541 as agonists of GABA(B) receptor, we revealed that a significant difference in the auto-inhibition of exocytotic [(3)H]GABA release was detected only between the control and experimental adult rats (8 weeks after hypoxia). The inhibitory effect dropped dramatically in the control adults, but only slightly decreased in adult rats exposed to H/S, thus becoming threefold more potent after hypoxic injury. Together, the results show that H/S affects the dynamics of age-dependent changes in the GABAergic system, and that the enhanced GABA(B) receptor-mediated auto-inhibition can be an important factor in weakening the postsynaptic inhibition and in the development of hyperexcitability in rats exposed to H/S.

Perinatal hypoxia induces a long-lasting increase in unstimulated gaba release in rat brain cortex and hippocampus. The protective effect of pyruvate.

Hypoxia and seizures early in life can cause multiple neurological deficits and even chronic epilepsy. Here, we report the data obtained in rats exposed to hypoxia and seizures at age 10-12 postnatal days and taken in experiments 8-9 weeks after hypoxia treatment. A level of the extracellular GABA and the initial velocity of GABA uptake were measured in the brain cortex, hippocampus and thalamus using isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes). It has been revealed that the extracellular [(3)H]GABA level maintained by cortical and hippocampal synaptosomes in standard conditions (with glucose as an energy substrate) was significantly higher in adult rats exposed to hypoxia/seizures at P10-12 than in the control ones, and, moreover, became unstable with tendency to increase. Pyruvate as a single energy substrate was shown to be a highly effective for lowering and stabilizing the extracellular [(3)H]GABA level. This effect of pyruvate was tightly correlated with increase in GABA uptake and GATs affinity to GABA. Thalamus was insensible to the action of perinatal hypoxia/seizures, and thalamic GATs, in contrast to cortical and hippocampal ones, had a lower affinity to GABA (the apparent Km is 39.2±3.1 µM GABA vs 8.9±1.8 µM GABA in the hippocampus). A selective vulnerability of brain regions to hypoxia is suggested to be attributed to distinct terms of their maturation at the postnatal period. Thus, perinatal hypoxia/seizures evoke a long-lasting increase in the extracellular GABA level that could be attenuated by pyruvate treatment. This effect of pyruvate is likely due to a significant increase in GATs-mediated GABA uptake and modulation of GATs kinetic properties.

[Significanvce of dysfunction of vascular endothelium for the evaluation of episodes of myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus].

The objective of this study was to evaluate the vasculomotor function of endothelium in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and assess the role of its functional state in the development of ischemic episodes. A total of 93 patients (52 men and 41 women) of the mean age of 58.3+-4.8 years were involved in the study. Group 1 comprised 47 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes, group 2 included 46 patients with CHD in the absence of disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. Patients of the two groups were matched for age, gender, and major risk factors. Their comprehensive examination included 24 hour ECG monitoring, veloergometry, echocardiography, and reactive hyperemia test (ultrasound evaluation of endothelium-dependent dilation of the brachial artery). The patients of group 2 showed longer total duration of episodes of myocardial ischemia, the elevated number of painless (PMI) episodes, and greater maximum depression of ST-segment compared with CHD patients having no disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant negative relationship between endothelial dysfunction, the number and duration of PMI episodes, and delay of pain syndrome with respect to ischemic depression of ST-segment in patients of group 1.

Endostatin: current concepts about its biological role and mechanisms of action.

Endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis are proved to be a major factor preventing the emergence of clinically manifested stages of human cancer. The protein endostatin, a 20-kD proteolytic fragment of type XVIII collagen, is one of the most active natural inhibitors of angiogenesis. Endostatin specifically inhibits the in vitro and in vivo proliferation of endothelial cells, inducing their apoptosis through inhibition of cyclin D1. On the surface of endothelial cells, endostatin binds with the integrin alpha(5)beta(1) that activates the Src-kinase pathway. The binding of endostatin with integrins also down-regulates the activity of RhoA GTPase and inhibits signaling pathways mediated by small kinases of the Ras and Raf families. All these events promote disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton, disorders in cell-matrix interactions, and decrease in endotheliocyte mobility, i.e., promote the suppression of angiogenesis. Endostatin displays a high antitumor activity in vivo: it inhibits the progression of more than 60 types of tumors. This review summarizes results of numerous studies concerning the biological activity and action mechanism of endostatin.

Reactions of blue and yellow fungal laccases with lignin model compounds.

Laccases of white-rot fungi Panus tigrinus, Phlebia radiata, and Phlebia tremellosa were isolated from cultures grown in liquid media which did not contain lignin and from the cultures grown on wheat straw. The physical and chemical properties of the laccases grown in submerged cultures were typical for blue fungal laccases. The laccases of the same fungi isolated from the solid-state cultures differed from the blue forms by lack of an absorption maximum at 610 nm. The typical blue laccases of P. tigrinus, Ph. radiata, and Ph. tremellosa acquired an ability to oxidize veratryl alcohol and a non-phenolic dimeric lignin model compound of beta-1-type only in the presence of a redox mediator, 2, 2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonic acid). The P. tigrinus and Ph. radiata yellow laccases catalyzed the oxidation of the same substrates without any mediator. The rate of the reaction of the blue laccases with a phenolic dimeric lignin model compound of beta-O-4-type was higher than that of the yellow laccases. The yellow laccases are apparently formed by the reaction of the blue laccases with low-molecular-weight lignin decomposition products.

Effect of ethanol on enzymatic activity of fungal laccases.

Blue laccase from Coriolus versicolor and blue and yellow laccases from Panus tigrinus were isolated, purified and studied in acetate buffer solutions, with and without addition of various amounts of ethanol, using syringaldazine and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as substrates. Effect of ethanol on blue laccases could be successfully described using the mixed inhibition model, over the range of 0-2.5 M ethanol concentrations. Yellow laccase from P. tigrinus behaves differently, which may be explained by the presence of some extra molecules in its structure, which possibly stabilize the enzyme and might be exchanged in ethanol solutions.

Differential effect of protein kinase inhibitors on calcium-dependent and calcium-independent [14C]GABA release from rat brain synaptosomes.

Rat brain synaptosomes were isolated to study the effects of protein kinase inhibitors (sphingosine, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphtalenesulfonamide, staurosporine) on Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent [14C]GABA release. The Ca2+-dependent [14C]GABA release was stimulated by depolarization with a K+-channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine, or high K+ concentration. It has been shown that 4-aminopyridine-evoked [14C]GABA release strongly depends on extracellular Ca2+ while K+-evoked [14C]GABA release only partly decreases in the absence of calcium. The substitution of sodium by choline in Ca2+-free medium completely abolished Ca2+-independent part of K+-evoked [14C]GABA release. So the main effect of 4-aminopyridine is the Ca2+-dependent one while high K+ is able to evoke [14C]GABA release in both a Ca2+-dependent and Na+-dependent manner. In experiments with protein kinase inhibitors, 4-aminopyridine and high K+ concentration were used to study the Ca2+-dependent and the Ca2+-independent [14C]GABA release, respectively. In addition, the Ca2+-independent [14C]GABA release was studied using alpha-latrotoxin as a tool. Pretreatment of synaptosomes with protein kinase inhibitors tested, except of 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride, resulted in a marked inhibition of 4-aminopyridine-stimulated Ca2+-dependent [14C]GABA release. The inhibitory effects of N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphtalenesulfonamide and staurosporine on [14C]GABA release were not due to their effects on 4-aminopyridine-promoted 45Ca2+ influx into synaptosomes. Only sphingosine (100 microM) reduced the 45Ca2+ influx. All the inhibitors investigated were absolutely ineffective in blocking the Ca2+-independent [14C]GABA release stimulated by alpha-latrotoxin. Three of them, except for sphingosine, did not affect the Ca2+-independent [14C]GABA release stimulated by high potassium. The inhibitory effect of sphingosine was equal to 30%. Thus, if [14C]GABA release occurred in a Ca2+-independent manner irrespective of whether alpha-latrotoxin or high K+ stimulated this process, it was not inhibited by the drugs decreased the Ca2+-dependent [14C] GABA release. Given the above points it is therefore not unreasonable to assume that the absence of Ca2+ in the extracellular medium created the conditions in which the activation of neurotransmitter release was not accompanied by Ca2+-dependent dephosphorylation of neuronal phosphoproteins, and as a consequence the regulation of exocytotic process was modulated so that the inhibition of protein kinases did not disturb the exocytosis.

Blue and yellow laccases of ligninolytic fungi.

Extracellular laccases from submerged cultures of Coriolus versicolor BKM F-116, Panus tigrinus 8/18, Phlebia radiata 79 (ATCC 64658), Phlebia tremellosa 77-51 and from cultures of Pa. tigrinus 8/18, Ph. radiata 79 and Agaricus bisporus D-649 grown on wheat straw (solid-state fermentation) were purified. All enzymes from submerged cultures had a blue colour and characteristic absorption and EPR spectra. Laccases from the solid-state cultures were yellow-brown and had no typical blue oxidase spectra and also showed atypical EPR spectra. Comparison of N-terminal amino acid sequences of purified laccases showed high homology between blue and yellow-brown laccase forms. Formation of yellow laccases as a result of binding of lignin-derived molecules by enzyme protein is proposed.

'Yellow' laccase of Panus tigrinus oxidizes non-phenolic substrates without electron-transfer mediators.

Yellow and blue forms of laccase from solid-state and submerged cultures of Panus tigrinus were isolated. Both laccases had similar molecular masses and specific activity, but yellow laccase had no 'blue' maximum in the absorption spectrum. Blue laccase oxidized veratryl alcohol and a nonphenolic dimeric lignin model compound only in the presence of 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) as electron-transfer mediator. Yellow laccase catalyzed these reactions without any additional compounds. It is supposed that yellow laccase is formed as a result of blue laccase modification by products of lignin degradation. These compounds might play a role of natural electron-transfer mediators for the oxidation of non-phenolic substances, catalyzed by yellow laccase.

alpha-Latrotoxin-stimulated GABA release can occur in Ca(2+)-free, Na(+)-free medium.

We have studied [14C]GABA release from synaptosomes induced by native and monoclonal antibodies-modified alpha-latrotoxin (LTX). Modification of LTX eliminates the toxin's ability to increase [Ca2+]i influx into synaptosomes. It has been shown that native LTX does not change 22Na influx into rat brain synaptosomes. Both toxin forms studied, native and modified by monoclonal antibodies, stimulate [14C]GABA release from synaptosomes in divalent-free medium where sodium was substituted by equimolar concentrations of choline chloride. Native toxin induces a more rapid stimulation of [14C]GABA release than the modified one. It was suggested that the difference in the mediator release rates is not accounted for by the inability of modified toxin to form active ion channels in synaptosomal plasmalemma, but most probably by the state of toxin-receptor complexes.

Oxidase of the white rot fungus Panus tigrinus 8/18.

Extracellular oxidase of the white rot fungus Panus tigrinus (earlier reported as laccase) contains copper but has no absorption spectrum typical of 'blue' oxidases. Thioglycolate and sodium azide inhibit the activity of this enzyme at concentrations 2.5-3 orders lower than those needed for fungal laccases. The oxidase of P. tigrinus oxidizes syringaldazine, coniferyl alcohol, ABTS, syringic acid, diaminobenzidine, guaiacol, catechol and vanillylacetone with different efficiencies. Oxygen consumption and no hydrogen peroxide formation were detected during substrate oxidation by P. tigrinus oxidase. It is proposed that P. tigrinus oxidase is a new ligninolytic enzyme.

Modulation of functional activities of the neurotoxin from black widow spider venom.

We have studied the action of an alpha-latrotoxin (alpha-LTX) complex of two polypeptides (LTX 130 kDa and low molecular weight protein (LMWP) 8 kDa) and the action of a venom fraction containing LTX with excess LMWP on calcium influx into synaptosomes and PC12 cells as well as on [14C]GABA release from synaptosomes. Both preparations considerably activate calcium influx and stimulate [14C]GABA release from synaptosomes. Preincubation of both preparations with antibodies against a 14 amino acid residue C-terminal peptide of LMWP differentially modulates these effects. Antibodies inhibit induced calcium influx and enhance induced GABA release.