Mechanosensitive Notch-Dll4 and Klf2-Wnt9 signaling pathways intersect in guiding valvulogenesis in zebrafish.

In the zebrafish embryo, the onset of blood flow generates fluid shear stress on endocardial cells, which are specialized endothelial cells that line the interior of the heart. High levels of fluid shear stress activate both Notch and Klf2 signaling, which play crucial roles in atrioventricular valvulogenesis. However, it remains unclear why only individual endocardial cells ingress into the cardiac jelly and initiate valvulogenesis. Here, we show that lateral inhibition between endocardial cells, mediated by Notch, singles out Delta-like-4-positive endocardial cells. These cells ingress into the cardiac jelly, where they form an abluminal cell population. Delta-like-4-positive cells ingress in response to Wnt9a, which is produced in parallel through an Erk5-Klf2-Wnt9a signaling cascade also activated by blood flow. Hence, mechanical stimulation activates parallel mechanosensitive signaling pathways that produce binary effects by driving endocardial cells toward either luminal or abluminal fates. Ultimately, these cell fate decisions sculpt cardiac valve leaflets.

The Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) and Calcium Signaling in Schizophrenia. Focus on GPCRs Activated by Neurotransmitters and Chemokines.

Schizophrenia is a common debilitating disease characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying this psychiatric illness remain incompletely understood, a growing body of clinical, pharmacological, and genetic evidence suggests that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a critical role in disease development, progression, and treatment. This pivotal role is further highlighted by the fact that GPCRs are the most common targets for antipsychotic drugs. The GPCRs activation evokes slow synaptic transmission through several downstream pathways, many of them engaging intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Dysfunctions of the neurotransmitter systems involving the action of GPCRs in the frontal and limbic-related regions are likely to underly the complex picture that includes the whole spectrum of positive and negative schizophrenia symptoms. Therefore, the progress in our understanding of GPCRs function in the control of brain cognitive functions is expected to open new avenues for selective drug development. In this paper, we review and synthesize the recent data regarding the contribution of neurotransmitter-GPCRs signaling to schizophrenia symptomology.

Neurohormonal Modulation as a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Hypertension.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are involved in many cardiovascular disorders, including pulmonary hypertension (PH). The current review focuses on the role of the ANS and RAAS activation in PH and updated evidence of potential therapies targeting both systems in this condition, particularly in Groups 1 and 2. State of the art knowledge in preclinical and clinical use of pharmacologic drugs (beta-blockers, beta-three adrenoceptor agonists, or renin-angiotensin-aldosterone signaling drugs) and invasive procedures, such as pulmonary artery denervation, is provided.

Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Flower of 'Shanzhizi' (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) and Involvement of Serotonergic System in Its Anxiolytic Effect.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is a famous fragrant flower in China. Previous pharmacological research mainly focuses on its fruit. In this study, the essential oil of the flower of 'Shanzhizi', which was a major variety for traditional Chinese medicine use, was extracted by hydro distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Mouse anxiety models included open field, elevated plus maze (EPM), and light and dark box (LDB), which were used to evaluate its anxiolytic effect via inhalation. The involvement of monoamine system was studied by pretreatment with neurotransmitter receptor antagonists WAY100635, flumazenil and sulpiride. The monoamine neurotransmitters contents in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus after aroma inhalation were also analyzed. The results showed that inhalation of G. jasminoides essential oil could significantly elevated the time and entries into open arms in EPM tests and the time explored in the light chamber in LDB tests with no sedative effect. WAY100635 and sulpiride, but not flumazenil, blocked its anxiolytic effect. Inhalation of G. jasminoides essential oil significantly down-regulated the 5-HIAA/5-HT in the PFC and reduced the 5-HIAA content in hippocampus compared to the control treatment. In conclusion, inhalation of gardenia essential oil showed an anxiolytic effect in mice. Monoamine, especially the serotonergic system, was involved in its anxiolytic effect.

Molecular characterization of frog vocal neurons using constellation pharmacology.

Identification and characterization of neuronal cell classes in motor circuits are essential for understanding the neural basis of behavior. It is a challenging task, especially in a non-genetic-model organism, to identify cell-specific expression of functional macromolecules. Here, we performed constellation pharmacology, calcium imaging of dissociated neurons to pharmacologically identify functional receptors expressed by vocal neurons in adult male and female African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis. Previously we identified a population of vocal neurons called fast trill neurons (FTNs) in the amphibian parabrachial nucleus (PB) that express N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and GABA and/or glycine receptors. Using constellation pharmacology, we identified four cell classes of putative fast trill neurons (pFTNs, responsive to both NMDA and GABA/glycine applications). We discovered that some pFTNs responded to the application of substance P (SP), acetylcholine (ACh), or both. Electrophysiological recordings obtained from FTNs using an ex vivo preparation verified that SP and/or ACh depolarize FTNs. Bilateral injection of ACh, SP, or their antagonists into PBs showed that ACh receptors are not sufficient but necessary for vocal production, and SP receptors play a role in shaping the morphology of vocalizations. Additionally, we discovered that the PB of adult female X. laevis also contains all the subclasses of neurons at a similar frequency as in males, despite their sexually distinct vocalizations. These results reveal novel neuromodulators that regulate X. laevis vocal production and demonstrate the power of constellation pharmacology in identifying the neuronal subtypes marked by functional expression of cell-specific receptors in non-genetic-model organisms.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Molecular profiles of neurons are critical for understanding the neuronal functions, but their identification is challenging especially in non-genetic-model organisms. Here, we characterized the functional expression of membrane macromolecules in vocal neurons of African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, using a technique called constellation pharmacology. We discovered that receptors for acetylcholine and/or substance P are expressed by some classes of vocal neurons, and their activation plays a role in the production of normal vocalizations.

Neurotransmitters: emerging targets in cancer.

Neurotransmitters are conventionally viewed as nerve-secreted substances that mediate the stimulatory or inhibitory neuronal functions through binding to their respective receptors. In the past decades, many novel discoveries come to light elucidating the regulatory roles of neurotransmitters in the physiological and pathological functions of tissues and organs. Notably, emerging data suggest that cancer cells take advantage of the neurotransmitters-initiated signaling pathway to activate uncontrolled proliferation and dissemination. In addition, neurotransmitters can affect immune cells and endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment to promote tumor progression. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter function in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and inflammation is expected to enable the development of the next generation of antitumor therapies. Here, we summarize the recent important studies on the different neurotransmitters, their respective receptors, target cells, as well as pro/antitumor activity of specific neurotransmitter/receptor axis in cancers and provide perspectives and insights regarding the rationales and strategies of targeting neurotransmitter system to cancer treatment.

Druggable Transcriptional Networks in the Human Neurogenic Epigenome.

Chromosome conformation capture methods have revealed the dynamics of genome architecture which is spatially organized into topologically associated domains, with gene regulation mediated by enhancer-promoter pairs in chromatin space. New evidence shows that endogenous hormones and several xenobiotics act within circumscribed topological domains of the spatial genome, impacting subsets of the chromatin contacts of enhancer-gene promoter pairs in cis and trans Results from the National Institutes of Health-funded PsychENCODE project and the study of chromatin remodeling complexes have converged to provide a clearer understanding of the organization of the neurogenic epigenome in humans. Neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia, bipolar spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other neuropsychiatric disorders are significantly associated with mutations in neurogenic transcriptional networks. In this review, we have reanalyzed the results from publications of the PsychENCODE Consortium using pharmacoinformatics network analysis to better understand druggable targets that control neurogenic transcriptional networks. We found that valproic acid and other psychotropic drugs directly alter these networks, including chromatin remodeling complexes, transcription factors, and other epigenetic modifiers. We envision a new generation of CNS therapeutics targeted at neurogenic transcriptional control networks, including druggable parts of chromatin remodeling complexes and master transcription factor-controlled pharmacogenomic networks. This may provide a route to the modification of interconnected gene pathways impacted by disease in patients with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Direct and indirect therapeutic strategies to modify the master regulators of neurogenic transcriptional control networks may ultimately help extend the life span of CNS neurons impacted by disease.

Receptor Ligands as Helping Hands to L-DOPA in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

Levodopa (LD) is the most effective drug in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, although it represents the "gold standard" of PD therapy, LD can cause side effects, including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms as well as transient elevated liver enzyme levels. Moreover, LD therapy leads to LD-induced dyskinesia (LID), a disabling motor complication that represents a major challenge for the clinical neurologist. Due to the many limitations associated with LD therapeutic use, other dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic drugs are being developed to optimize the treatment response. This review focuses on recent investigations about non-dopaminergic central nervous system (CNS) receptor ligands that have been identified to have therapeutic potential for the treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. In a different way, such agents may contribute to extending LD response and/or ameliorate LD-induced side effects.

Age-related changes in function and gene expression of the male and female mouse bladder.

We investigated age-related changes in in vivo and in vitro functions and gene expression of the bladder of male and female mice. Mature and aged (12 and 27-30 month old) C57BL/6 mice of both sexes were used. Frequency volume, conscious free-moving cystometry and detrusor contractile and relaxant properties in in vitro organ bath were evaluated. mRNA expression level of muscarinic, purinergic, and ß-adrenergic receptors and gene expression changes by cDNA microarray analysis of the bladder were determined. Cystometry demonstrated storage and voiding dysfunctions with ageing in both sexes. Detrusor strips from aged mice showed weaker contractile responses particularly in the cholinergic component and weaker relaxant responses to isoproterenol. These age-related impairments were generally severer in males. mRNA expression of bladder tissue was decreased for M3 muscarinic receptors in aged males and ß2-adrenoceptors in aged females. cDNA microarray analysis results, albeit substantial sex difference, indicated "cell-to-cell signaling and interaction" as the most common feature of age-related gene expression. In summary, aged mice demonstrated voiding and storage dysfunctions resembling to detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC), which were more pronounced in males. Genomic changes associated with aging may contribute to the age-related bladder functional deterioration in mice.

Rabies virus modifies host behaviour through a snake-toxin like region of its glycoprotein that inhibits neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS.

Rabies virus induces drastic behaviour modifications in infected hosts. The mechanisms used to achieve these changes in the host are not known. The main finding of this study is that a region in the rabies virus glycoprotein, with homologies to snake toxins, has the ability to alter behaviour in animals through inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors present in the central nervous system. This finding provides a novel aspect to virus receptor interaction and host manipulation by pathogens in general. The neurotoxin-like region of the rabies virus glycoprotein inhibited acetylcholine responses of α4ß2 nicotinic receptors in vitro, as did full length ectodomain of the rabies virus glycoprotein. The same peptides significantly altered a nicotinic receptor induced behaviour in C. elegans and increased locomotor activity levels when injected into the central nervous system of mice. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for the behavioural changes in hosts infected by rabies virus.

A potent neuromedin U receptor 2-selective alkylated peptide.

Neuromedin U (NMU) mediates various physiological functions via NMUR1 and NMUR2 receptors. NMUR2 has been considered a promising treatment option for diabetes and obesity. Although NMU-8, a shorter peptide, has potent agonist activity for both receptors, it is metabolically unstable. Therefore, NMU-8 analogs modified with long-chain alkyl moieties via a linker were synthesized. An octadecanoyl analog (17) with amino acid substitutions [αMePhe19, Nle21, and Arg(Me)24] and a linker [Tra-γGlu-PEG(2)] dramatically increased NMUR2 selectivity, with retention of high agonist activity. Subcutaneous administration of 17 induced anorectic activity in C57BL/6J mice. Owing to its high metabolic stability, 17 would be useful in clarifying the physiological role and therapeutic application of NMU.

Inflammatory cytokine-induced changes in neural network activity measured by waveform analysis of high-content calcium imaging in murine cortical neurons.

During acute neuroinflammation, increased levels of cytokines within the brain may contribute to synaptic reorganization that results in long-term changes in network hyperexcitability. Indeed, inflammatory cytokines are implicated in synaptic dysfunction in epilepsy and in an array of degenerative and autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Current tools for studying the impact of inflammatory factors on neural networks are either insufficiently fast and sensitive or require complicated and costly experimental rigs. Calcium imaging offers a reasonable surrogate for direct measurement of neuronal network activity, but traditional imaging paradigms are confounded by cellular heterogeneity and cannot readily distinguish between glial and neuronal calcium transients. While the establishment of pure neuron cultures is possible, the removal of glial cells ignores physiologically relevant cell-cell interactions that may be critical for circuit level disruptions induced by inflammatory factors. To overcome these issues, we provide techniques and algorithms for image processing and waveform feature extraction using automated analysis of spontaneous and evoked calcium transients in primary murine cortical neuron cultures transduced with an adeno-associated viral vector driving the GCaMP6f reporter behind a synapsin promoter. Using this system, we provide evidence of network perturbations induced by the inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL1ß, and IFNγ.

Modulation of the storage of social recognition memory by neurotransmitter systems in the insular cortex.

The insular cortex (IC) receives projections from prefrontal, entorhinal and cingulate cortex, olfactory bulb and basal nuclei and has reciprocal connections with the amygdala and entorhinal cortex. These connections suggest a possible involvement in memory processes; this has been borne out by data on several behaviors. Social recognition memory (SRM) is essential to form social groups and to establish hierarchies and social and affective ties. Despite its importance, knowledge about the brain structures and the neurotransmitter mechanisms involved in its processing is still scarce. Here we study the participation of NMDA-glutamatergic, D1/D5-dopaminergic, H2-histaminergic, ß-adrenergic and 5-HT1A-serotoninergic receptors of the IC in the consolidation of SRM. Male Wistar rats received intra-IC infusions of substances acting on these receptors immediately after the sample phase of a social discrimination task and 24h later were exposed to a 5-min retention test. The intra-IC infusion of antagonists of D1/D5, ß-adrenergic or 5-HT1A receptors immediately after the sample phase impaired the consolidation of SRM. These effects were blocked by the concomitant intra-IC infusion of agonists of these receptors. Antagonists and agonists of NMDA and H2 receptors had no effect on SRM. The results suggest that the dopaminergic D1/D5, ß-adrenergic and serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors in the IC, but not glutamatergic NMDA and the histaminergic H2 receptors, participate in the consolidation of SRM in the IC.

The Impact of Next-Generation Sequencing on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Epilepsy in Paediatric Patients.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has contributed to the identification of many monogenic epilepsy syndromes and is favouring earlier and more accurate diagnosis in a subset of paediatric patients with epilepsy. The cumulative information emerging from NGS studies is rapidly changing our comprehension of the relations between early-onset severe epilepsy and the associated neurological impairment, progressively delineating specific entities previously gathered under the umbrella definition of epileptic encephalopathies, thereby influencing treatment choices and limiting the most aggressive drug regimens only to those conditions that are likely to actually benefit from them. Although ion channel genes represent the gene family most frequently causally related to epilepsy, other genes have gradually been associated with complex developmental epilepsy conditions, revealing the pathogenic role of mutations affecting diverse molecular pathways that regulate membrane excitability, synaptic plasticity, presynaptic neurotransmitter release, postsynaptic receptors, transporters, cell metabolism, and many formative steps in early brain development. Some of these discoveries are being followed by proof-of-concept laboratory studies that might open new pathways towards personalized treatment choices. No specific treatment is available for most of the monogenic disorders that can now be diagnosed early using NGS, and the main benefits of knowing the specific cause include etiological diagnosis, better prognostication and genetic counselling; however, for a limited number of disorders, timely treatment based on their known molecular pathology is already possible and sometimes decisive. Discovery of a causative gene defect associated with a non-progressive course may reduce the need for further diagnostic investigations in the search for a progressive disorder at the biochemical and imaging level. NGS has also improved the turnaround time for molecular diagnosis and allowed more timely and straightforward treatment choices for specific conditions as well as avoiding needless investigations and inappropriate or unnecessary treatment choices.

State-dependent and -independent effects of dialyzing excitatory neuromodulator receptor antagonists into the ventral respiratory column.

Unilateral dialysis of the broad-spectrum muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (50 mM) into the ventral respiratory column [(VRC) including the pre-Bötzinger complex region] of awake goats increased pulmonary ventilation (V̇i) and breathing frequency (f), conceivably due to local compensatory increases in serotonin (5-HT) and substance P (SP) measured in effluent mock cerebral spinal fluid (mCSF). In contrast, unilateral dialysis of a triple cocktail of antagonists to muscarinic (atropine; 5 mM), neurokinin-1, and 5-HT receptors does not alter V̇i or f, but increases local SP. Herein, we tested hypotheses that 1) local compensatory 5-HT and SP responses to 50 mM atropine dialyzed into the VRC of goats will not differ between anesthetized and awake states; and 2) bilateral dialysis of the triple cocktail of antagonists into the VRC of awake goats will not alter V̇i or f, but will increase local excitatory neuromodulators. Through microtubules implanted into the VRC of goats, probes were inserted to dialyze mCSF alone (time control), 50 mM atropine, or the triple cocktail of antagonists. We found 1) equivalent increases in local 5-HT and SP with 50 mM atropine dialysis during wakefulness compared with isoflurane anesthesia, but V̇i and f only increased while awake; and 2) dialyses of the triple cocktail of antagonists increased V̇i, f, 5-HT, and SP (<0.05) during both day and night studies. We conclude that the mechanisms governing local neuromodulator levels are state independent, and that bilateral excitatory receptor blockade elicits an increase in breathing, presumably due to a local, (over)compensatory neuromodulator response.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The two major findings are as follows: 1) during unilateral dialysis of 50 mM atropine into the ventral respiratory column to block excitatory muscarinic receptor activity, a compensatory increase in other neuromodulators was state independent, but the ventilatory response appears to be state dependent; and 2) the hypothesis that absence of decreased V̇i and f during unilateral dialysis of excitatory receptor antagonists was due to compensation by the contralateral VRC was not supported by findings herein.

Specific combinations of ion channel inhibitors reduce excessive Ca2+ influx as a consequence of oxidative stress and increase neuronal and glial cell viability in vitro.

Combinations of Ca2+ channel inhibitors have been proposed as an effective means to prevent excess Ca2+ flux and death of neurons and glia following neurotrauma in vivo. However, it is not yet known if beneficial outcomes such as improved viability have been due to direct effects on intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Here, the effects of combinations of Lomerizine (Lom), 2,3-dioxo-7-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-quinoxalinyl]acetic acid monohydrate (YM872), 3,5-dimethyl-1-adamantanamine (memantine (Mem)) and/or adenosine 5'-triphosphate periodate oxidized sodium salt (oxATP) to block voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, NMDA receptors and purinergic P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) respectively, on Ca2+ concentration and viability of rat primary mixed cortical (MC) cultures exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) insult, were assessed. The contribution of ryanodine-sensitive intracellular stores to intracellular Ca2+ concentration was also assessed. Live cell calcium imaging revealed that a 30min H2O2 insult induced a slow increase in intracellular Ca2+, in part from intracellular sources, associated with loss of cell viability by 6h. Most combinations of inhibitors that included oxATP significantly decreased Ca2+ influx and increased cell viability when administered simultaneously with H2O2. However, reductions in intracellular Ca2+ concentration were not always linked to improved cell viability. Examination of the density of specific cell subpopulations demonstrated that most combinations of inhibitors that included oxATP preserved NG2+ non-oligodendroglial cells, but preservation of astrocytes and neurons required additional inhibitors. Olig2+ oligodendroglia and ED-1+ activated microglia/macrophages were not preserved by any of the inhibitor combinations. These data indicate that following H2O2 insult, limiting intracellular Ca2+ entry via P2X7R is generally associated with increased cell viability. Protection of NG2+ non-oligodendroglial cells by Ca2+ channel inhibitor combinations may contribute to observed beneficial outcomes in vivo.

Dynamics of the Development of Amnesia Caused by Disruption of Memory Reconsolidation by Neurotransmitter Receptors Antagonists.

The dynamics of amnesia development under conditions of memory reconsolidation disruption by serotonin receptor antagonist methiothepin or NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist MK-801 was studied in snails trained in conventional food aversion. In 2 days after training, injection of methiothepin or MK-801 before reminder induced amnesia development. During repeated training in 3 days after amnesia induction, the skill was formed more rapidly than during the initial training. During repeated training in 10 days after administration of methiothepin and reminder, the dynamics of habit formation was similar to that during initial learning. At the same time, repeated training in 10 days after MK-801 administration and reminder did not result in long-term memory formation. Disruption of reconsolidation of conditioned food aversion memory by antagonists of serotonin or NMDA glutamate receptors led to the development of different types of amnesia that had similar strengthening gradient at the early stages, but differed by the possibility of memory formation during re-training at the late stage.

DREADDs for Neuroscientists.

To understand brain function, it is essential that we discover how cellular signaling specifies normal and pathological brain function. In this regard, chemogenetic technologies represent valuable platforms for manipulating neuronal and non-neuronal signal transduction in a cell-type-specific fashion in freely moving animals. Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD)-based chemogenetic tools are now commonly used by neuroscientists to identify the circuitry and cellular signals that specify behavior, perceptions, emotions, innate drives, and motor functions in species ranging from flies to nonhuman primates. Here I provide a primer on DREADDs highlighting key technical and conceptual considerations and identify challenges for chemogenetics going forward.

Spinal histamine in attenuation of mechanical hypersensitivity in the spinal nerve ligation-induced model of experimental neuropathy.

Here we studied whether and through which mechanisms spinal administration of histamine dihydrochloride (histamine) attenuates pain behavior in neuropathic animals. Experiments were performed in rats with spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathy and a chronic intrathecal catheter for spinal drug delivery. Mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed with monofilaments while radiant heat was used for assessing nociception. Ongoing neuropathic pain and its attenuation by histamine was assessed using conditioned place-preference test. Following spinal administration, histamine at doses 0.1-10µg produced a dose-related mechanical antihypersensitivity effect. With prolonged treatment (twice daily 10µg for five days), the antihypersensitivity effect of spinal histamine was reduced. In place-preference test, neuropathic animals preferred the chamber paired with histamine (10µg). Histamine (10µg) failed to influence heat nociception in neuropathic animals or mechanically induced pain behavior in a group of healthy control rats. Histamine-induced mechanical antihypersensitivity effect was prevented by spinal pretreatment with zolantidine (histamine H2 receptor antagonist), prazosine (α1-adrenoceptor antagonist) and bicuculline (γ-aminobutyric acid subtype A, GABA(A), receptor antagonist), but not by pyrilamine (histamine H1 receptor antagonist), atipamezole (α2-adrenoceptor antagonist), or raclopride (dopamine D2 receptor antagonist). A-960656, a histamine H3 receptor antagonist alone that presumably increased endogenous histamine levels reduced hypersensitivity. Additionally, histamine prevented central (presumably postsynaptically-induced) facilitation of hypersensitivity induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate. The results indicate that spinal histamine at the dose range of 0.1-10µg selectively attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity and ongoing pain in neuropathy. The spinal histamine-induced antihypersensitivity effect involves histamine H2 and GABA(A) receptors and (presumably neuropathy-induced) co-activation of spinal α1-adrenoceptors.

Classifying neuronal subclasses of the cerebellum through constellation pharmacology.

A pressing need in neurobiology is the comprehensive identification and characterization of neuronal subclasses within the mammalian nervous system. To this end, we used constellation pharmacology as a method to interrogate the neuronal and glial subclasses of the mouse cerebellum individually and simultaneously. We then evaluated the data obtained from constellation-pharmacology experiments by cluster analysis to classify cells into neuronal and glial subclasses, based on their functional expression of glutamate, acetylcholine, and GABA receptors, among other ion channels. Conantokin peptides were used to identify N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtypes, which revealed that neurons of the young mouse cerebellum expressed NR2A and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits. Additional pharmacological tools disclosed differential expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazloepropionic, nicotinic acetylcholine, and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in different neuronal and glial subclasses. Certain cell subclasses correlated with known attributes of granule cells, and we combined constellation pharmacology with genetically labeled neurons to identify and characterize Purkinje cells. This study illustrates the utility of applying constellation pharmacology to classify neuronal and glial subclasses in specific anatomical regions of the brain.