Characterization of the intrahippocampal kainic acid model in female mice with a special focus on seizure suppression by antiseizure medications.

Despite special challenges in the medical treatment of women with epilepsy, in particular preclinical animal studies were focused on males for decades and females have only recently moved into the focus of scientific interest. The intrahippocampal kainic acid (IHKA) mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most studied models in males reproducing electroencephalographic (EEG) and histopathological features of human TLE. Hippocampal paroxysmal discharges (HPDs) were described as drug resistant focal seizures in males. Here, we investigated the IHKA model in female mice, in particular drug-resistance of HPDs and the influence of antiseizure medications (ASMs) on the power spectrum. After injecting kainic acid (KA) unilaterally into the hippocampus of female mice, we monitored the development of epileptiform activity by local field potential (LFP) recordings. Subsequently, we evaluated the effect of the commonly prescribed ASMs lamotrigine (LTG), oxcarbazepine (OXC) and levetiracetam (LEV), as well as the benzodiazepine diazepam (DZP) with a focus on HPDs and power spectral analysis and assessed neuropathological alterations of the hippocampus. In the IHKA model, female mice replicated key features of human TLE as previously described in males. Importantly, HPDs in female mice did not respond to commonly prescribed ASMs in line with the drug-resistance in males, thus representing a suitable model of drug-resistant seizures. Intriguingly, we observed an increased occurrence of generalized seizures after LTG. Power spectral analysis revealed a pronounced increase in the delta frequency range after the higher dose of 30 mg/kg LTG. DZP abolished HPDs and caused a marked reduction over a wide frequency range (delta, theta, and alpha) of the power spectrum. By characterizing the IHKA model of TLE in female mice we address an important gap in basic research. Considering the special challenges complicating the therapeutic management of epilepsy in women, inclusion of females in preclinical studies is imperative. A well-characterized female model is a prerequisite for the development of novel therapeutic strategies tailored to sex-specific needs and for studies on the effect of epilepsy and ASMs during pregnancy.

Evaluation of the SH-SY5Y cell line as an in vitro model for potency testing of a neuropeptide-expressing AAV vector.

Viral vectors have become important tools for basic research and clinical gene therapy over the past years. However, in vitro testing of vector-derived transgene function can be challenging when specific post-translational modifications are needed for biological activity. Similarly, neuropeptide precursors need to be processed to yield mature neuropeptides. SH-SY5Y is a human neuroblastoma cell line commonly used due to its ability to differentiate into specific neuronal subtypes. In this study, we evaluate the suitability of SH-SY5Y cells in a potency assay for neuropeptide-expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. We looked at the impact of neuronal differentiation and compared single-stranded (ss) AAV and self-complementary (sc) AAV transduction at increasing MOIs, RNA transcription kinetics, as well as protein expression and mature neuropeptide production. SH-SY5Y cells proved highly transducible with AAV1 already at low MOIs in the undifferentiated state and even better after neuronal differentiation. Readouts were GFP or neuropeptide mRNA expression. Production of mature neuropeptides was poor in undifferentiated cells. By contrast, differentiated cells produced and sequestered mature neuropeptides into the medium in a MOI-dependent manner.

Dimethyl sulfoxide's impact on epileptiform activity in a mouse model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy.

In the quest for novel treatments for patients with drug-resistant seizures, poor water solubility of potential drug candidates is a frequent obstacle. Literature indicated that the highly efficient solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) may have a confounding influence in epilepsy research, reporting both pro- and antiepileptic effects. In this study, we aim to clarify the effects of DMSO on epileptiform activity in one of the most frequently studied models of chronic epilepsy, the intrahippocampal kainic acid (IHKA) mouse model, and in a model of acute seizures. We show that 100 % DMSO (in a volume of 1.5 µl/g corresponding to 1651 mg/kg) causes a significant short-term anti-seizure effect in epileptic IHKA mice of both sexes, but does not affect the threshold of acute seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). These findings highlight that the choice of solvent and appropriate vehicle control is crucial to minimize undesirable misleading effects and that drug candidates exclusively soluble in 100 % DMSO need to be modified for better solubility already at initial testing.

Mechanisms underlying the health benefits of intermittent hypoxia conditioning.

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is commonly associated with pathological conditions, particularly obstructive sleep apnoea. However, IH is also increasingly used to enhance health and performance and is emerging as a potent non-pharmacological intervention against numerous diseases. Whether IH is detrimental or beneficial for health is largely determined by the intensity, duration, number and frequency of the hypoxic exposures and by the specific responses they engender. Adaptive responses to hypoxia protect from future hypoxic or ischaemic insults, improve cellular resilience and functions, and boost mental and physical performance. The cellular and systemic mechanisms producing these benefits are highly complex, and the failure of different components can shift long-term adaptation to maladaptation and the development of pathologies. Rather than discussing in detail the well-characterized individual responses and adaptations to IH, we here aim to summarize and integrate hypoxia-activated mechanisms into a holistic picture of the body's adaptive responses to hypoxia and specifically IH, and demonstrate how these mechanisms might be mobilized for their health benefits while minimizing the risks of hypoxia exposure.

Considerations on Using Antibodies for Studying the Dynorphins/Kappa Opioid Receptor System.

Antibodies are important tools for protein and peptide research, including for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and dynorphins (Dyns). Well-characterized antibodies are essential for rigorous and reproducible research. However, lack of validation of antibody specificity has been thought to contribute significantly to the reproducibility crisis in biomedical research. Since 2003, many scientific journals have required documentation of validation of antibody specificity and use of knockout mouse tissues as a negative control is strongly recommended. Lack of specificity of antibodies against many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) after extensive testing has been well-documented, but antibodies generated against partial sequences of the KOR have not been similarly investigated. For the dynorphins, differential processing has been described in distinct brain areas, resulting in controversial findings in immunohistochemistry (IHC) when different antibodies were used. In this chapter, we summarized accepted approaches for validation of antibody specificity. We discussed two KOR antibodies most commonly used in IHC and described generation and characterization of KOR antibodies and phospho-KOR specific antibodies in western blotting or immunoblotting (IB). In addition, applying antibodies targeting prodynorphin or mature dynorphin A illustrates the diversity of results obtained regarding the distribution of dynorphins in distinct brain areas.

The Kappa Opioid Receptor System in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is considered to be one of the most common and severe forms of focal epilepsies. Patients frequently develop cognitive deficits and emotional blunting along progression of the disease. The high incidence of refractoriness to antiepileptic drugs and a frequent lack of admissibility to surgery pose an unmet medical challenge. In the urgent quest for novel treatment strategies, neuropeptides and their receptors are interesting candidates. However, their therapeutic potential has not yet been fully exploited. This chapter focuses on the functional role of the dynorphins (Dyns) and the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system in temporal lobe epilepsy and the hippocampus.Genetic polymorphisms in the prepro-dynorphin (pDyn) gene causing lower levels of Dyns in humans and pDyn gene knockout in mice increase the risk to develop epilepsy. This suggests a role of Dyns and KOR as modulators of neuronal excitability. Indeed, KOR agonists induce inhibition of presynaptic neurotransmitter release, as well as postsynaptic hyperpolarization in glutamatergic neurons, both producing anticonvulsant effects.The development of new approaches to modulate the complex KOR signalling cascade (e.g. biased agonism and gene therapy) opens up new exciting therapeutic opportunities with regard to seizure control and epilepsy. Potential adverse side effects of KOR agonists may be minimized through functional selectivity or locally restricted treatment. Preclinical data suggest a high potential of such approaches to control seizures.

Knockout of CaV1.3 L-type calcium channels in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis Pigmentosa is a genetically heterogeneous, degenerative retinal disorder characterized by gradual dysfunction and death of photoreceptors, first rods and later cones, and progressive blindness. Studies suggested that application of L-type calcium channel blockers rescues photoreceptors in paradigms related to Ca2+ overflow. To investigate whether Cav1.3 L-type channels have protective effects in the retina, we established a new mouse model by crossing rd10, modeling autosomal-recessive RP, with Cav1.3 deficient mice (rd10/Cav1.3KO). Our immunohistochemical analyses revealed an influence of Cav1.3 channels on the degenerative process of photoreceptors. The absence of Cav1.3 delayed the centre-to-periphery degeneration of rods indicated by a significantly higher number of photoreceptor rows and, consequently, of cones. In accordance with a preserved number of cones we observed a regular row of cone somas in rd10/Cav1.3-KO retinas. Surviving rod photoreceptors maintained synaptic contacts with rod bipolar cells. However, the delay in degeneration was only observed up to postnatal day 45. Although we observed a reduction in the spontaneous oscillatory retinal activity during multielectrode array analyses, measurable functional preservation was lacking in behavioural tests. In conclusion, Cav1.3 channels contribute to photoreceptor degeneration in rd10 retinas but photoreceptor temporary rescue might rather be achieved indirectly through other retinal cell layers.

Phenotypic Characterization and Brain Structure Analysis of Calcium Channel Subunit α2δ-2 Mutant (Ducky) and α2δ Double Knockout Mice.

Auxiliary α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels modulate channel trafficking, current properties, and synapse formation. Three of the four isoforms (α2δ-1, α2δ-2, and α2δ-3) are abundantly expressed in the brain; however, of the available knockout models, only α2δ-2 knockout or mutant mice display an obvious abnormal neurological phenotype. Thus, we hypothesize that the neuronal α2δ isoforms may have partially specific as well as redundant functions. To address this, we generated three distinct α2δ double knockout mouse models by crossbreeding single knockout (α2δ-1 and -3) or mutant (α2δ-2/ducky) mice. Here, we provide a first phenotypic description and brain structure analysis. We found that genotypic distribution of neonatal litters in distinct α2δ-1/-2, α2δ-1/-3, and α2δ-2/-3 breeding combinations did not conform to Mendel's law, suggesting premature lethality of single and double knockout mice. Notably, high occurrences of infant mortality correlated with the absence of specific α2δ isoforms (α2Δ-2 > α2δ-1 > α2δ-3), and was particularly observed in cages with behaviorally abnormal parenting animals of α2δ-2/-3 cross-breedings. Juvenile α2δ-1/-2 and α2δ-2/-3 double knockout mice displayed a waddling gate similar to ducky mice. However, in contrast to ducky and α2δ-1/-3 double knockout animals, α2δ-1/-2 and α2δ-2/-3 double knockout mice showed a more severe disease progression and highly impaired development. The observed phenotypes within the individual mouse lines may be linked to differences in the volume of specific brain regions. Reduced cortical volume in ducky mice, for example, was associated with a progressively decreased space between neurons, suggesting a reduction of total synaptic connections. Taken together, our findings show that α2δ subunits differentially regulate premature survival, postnatal growth, brain development, and behavior, suggesting specific neuronal functions in health and disease.

A Rationale for Hypoxic and Chemical Conditioning in Huntington's Disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by adverse cellular environments and pathological alterations causing neurodegeneration in distinct brain regions. This development is triggered or facilitated by conditions such as hypoxia, ischemia or inflammation and is associated with disruptions of fundamental cellular functions, including metabolic and ion homeostasis. Targeting intracellular downstream consequences to specifically reverse these pathological changes proved difficult to translate to clinical settings. Here, we discuss the potential of more holistic approaches with the purpose to re-establish a healthy cellular environment and to promote cellular resilience. We review the involvement of important molecular pathways (e.g., the sphingosine, δ-opioid receptor or N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor pathways) in neuroprotective hypoxic conditioning effects and how these pathways can be targeted for chemical conditioning. Despite the present scarcity of knowledge on the efficacy of such approaches in neurodegeneration, the specific characteristics of Huntington's disease may make it particularly amenable for such conditioning techniques. Not only do classical features of neurodegenerative diseases like mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation support this assumption, but also specific Huntington's disease characteristics: a relatively young age of neurodegeneration, molecular overlap of related pathologies with hypoxic adaptations and sensitivity to brain hypoxia. The aim of this review is to discuss several molecular pathways in relation to hypoxic adaptations that have potential as drug targets in neurodegenerative diseases. We will extract the relevance for Huntington's disease from this knowledge base.

Biallelic mutations in the death domain of PIDD1 impair caspase-2 activation and are associated with intellectual disability.

PIDD1 encodes p53-Induced Death Domain protein 1, which acts as a sensor surveilling centrosome numbers and p53 activity in mammalian cells. Early results also suggest a role in DNA damage response where PIDD1 may act as a cell-fate switch, through interaction with RIP1 and NEMO/IKKg, activating NF-κB signaling for survival, or as an apoptosis-inducing protein by activating caspase-2. Biallelic truncating mutations in CRADD-the protein bridging PIDD1 and caspase-2-have been reported in intellectual disability (ID), and in a form of lissencephaly. Here, we identified five families with ID from Iran, Pakistan, and India, with four different biallelic mutations in PIDD1, all disrupting the Death Domain (DD), through which PIDD1 interacts with CRADD or RIP1. Nonsense mutations Gln863* and Arg637* directly disrupt the DD, as does a missense mutation, Arg815Trp. A homozygous splice mutation in the fifth family is predicted to disrupt splicing upstream of the DD, as confirmed using an exon trap. In HEK293 cells, we show that both Gln863* and Arg815Trp mutants fail to co-localize with CRADD, leading to its aggregation and mis-localization, and fail to co-precipitate CRADD. Using genome-edited cell lines, we show that these three PIDD1 mutations all cause loss of PIDDosome function. Pidd1 null mice show decreased anxiety, but no motor abnormalities. Together this indicates that PIDD1 mutations in humans may cause ID (and possibly lissencephaly) either through gain of function or secondarily, due to altered scaffolding properties, while complete loss of PIDD1, as modeled in mice, may be well tolerated or is compensated for.

Mitochondrial Respiration Changes in R6/2 Huntington's Disease Model Mice during Aging in a Brain Region Specific Manner.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is crucially involved in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's Disease (HD). How mitochondria become compromised in HD is poorly understood but instrumental for the development of treatments to prevent or reverse resulting deficits. In this paper, we investigate whether oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) differs across brain regions in juvenile as compared to adult mice and whether such developmental changes might be compromised in the R6/2 mouse model of HD. We study OXPHOS in the striatum, hippocampus, and motor cortex by high resolution respirometry in female wild-type and R6/2 mice of ages corresponding to pre-symptomatic and symptomatic R6/2 mice. We observe a developmental shift in OXPHOS-control parameters that was similar in R6/2 mice, except for cortical succinate-driven respiration. While the LEAK state relative to maximal respiratory capacity was reduced in adult mice in all analyzed brain regions, succinate-driven respiration was reduced only in the striatum and cortex, and NADH-driven respiration was higher as compared to juvenile mice only in the striatum. We demonstrate age-related changes in respirational capacities of different brain regions with subtle deviations in R6/2 mice. Uncovering in situ oxygen conditions and potential substrate limitations during aging and HD disease progression are interesting avenues for future research to understand brain-regional vulnerability in HD.

Neuroinflammatory alterations in trait anxiety: modulatory effects of minocycline.

High trait anxiety is a substantial risk factor for developing anxiety disorders and depression. While neuroinflammation has been identified to contribute to stress-induced anxiety, little is known about potential dysregulation in the neuroinflammatory system of genetically determined pathological anxiety or high trait anxiety individuals. We report microglial alterations in various brain regions in a mouse model of high trait anxiety (HAB). In particular, the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus of HABs exhibited enhanced density and average cell area of Iba1+, and density of phagocytic (CD68+/Iba1+) microglia compared to normal anxiety (NAB) controls. Minocycline was used to assess the capacity of a putative microglia 'inhibitor' in modulating hyperanxiety behavior of HABs. Chronic oral minocycline indeed reduced HAB hyperanxiety, which was associated with significant decreases in Iba1+ and CD68+Iba1+ cell densities in the DG. Addressing causality, it was demonstrated that longer (10 days), but not shorter (5 days), periods of minocycline microinfusions locally into the DG of HAB reduced Iba-1+ cell density and attenuated hyperanxiety-related behavior, indicating that neuroinflammation in the DG is at least partially involved in the maintenance of pathological anxiety. The present data reveal evidence of disturbances in the microglial system of individuals with high trait anxiety. Minocycline attenuated HAB hyperanxiety, likely by modulation of microglial activity within the DG. Thus, the present data suggest that drugs with microglia-targeted anti-inflammatory properties could be promising as novel alternative or complimentary anxiolytic therapeutic approaches in specific subgroups of individuals genetically predisposed to hyperanxiety.

Functional characterization of novel bumetanide derivatives for epilepsy treatment.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of focal epilepsies, affecting approximately 35 million people worldwide. Despite the introduction of numerous novel antiepileptic drugs during the last decades, the proportion of patients with therapy-resistant TLE is still high. As an impaired cellular chloride homeostasis appears involved in disease pathophysiology, bumetanide, an antagonist to Na-K-Cl cotransporters, gained interest as potential therapeutic option. However, bumetanide induces a strong diuretic effect and displays poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To reduce these unwanted effects, we modified the already described BUM690 by exchanging the allyl-into a trifluoro-ethyl group to yield BUM532. Furthermore, we exchanged the nitrogen for oxygen in the trifluoro-ethyl group to yield BUM97. In the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model of TLE BUM532 ±â€¯phenobarbital (PB), bumetanide ±â€¯PB and PB alone significantly reduced hippocampal paroxysmal discharges (HPDs) but not spike trains. By contrast, treatment with BUM97 suppressed HPDs as well as spike trains dose-dependently, more pronounced compared to the other tested compounds and exerted a synergistic anticonvulsant effect with PB. Moreover, at higher doses BUM97 achieved long-lasting reduction of spike trains. In pentylenetetrazole-induced acute seizures only BUM532 combined with a sub-effective dose of PB increased the seizure threshold. No diuretic effects were observed at any dose of the three derivatives. Our data demonstrate the successful optimization of the pharmacological profile of bumetanide and the potential of the improved derivative BUM97 for the treatment of therapy-resistant TLE, in particular in combinatorial drug regimens with a GABA mimetic.

Impaired chloride homeostasis in epilepsy: Molecular basis, impact on treatment, and current treatment approaches.

Epilepsies represent one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide. They are characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures with severe impact on a patient's life. An imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory signalling is considered the main underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Therefore, GABA-mimetic drugs, strengthening the main inhibitory signalling system in the CNS, are frequently used as antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs. However, the therapeutic effect of such treatment depends on the chloride gradient along the plasma membrane. Impairment of chloride homeostasis, caused by alterations in the functional balance of chloride transporters, was implicated in the pathophysiology of epilepsy and numerous other diseases. Breakdown or even inversion of the chloride gradient may result in ineffective or in worst cases proconvulsant effects of GABA-mimetics. Unfortunately, such situations are reported in considerable number. Consequently, bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na-K-Cl cotransporters gained interest as potential add-on therapy re-establishing the chloride gradient and thereby the hyperpolarizing effects of GABA-mimetic drugs. Indeed, preclinical studies yielded encouraging results, especially when applied in combination with GABA-mimetics in epilepsy models. However, bumetanide induces a strong diuretic effect and displays poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier, two adverse features for chronic antiepileptic treatment. Therefore, new compounds overcoming these limitations are under development. This review focuses on alterations in chloride homeostasis and its underlying molecular mechanisms in epilepsy, on the potential impact of impaired chloride homeostasis on the treatment of epilepsy and on concepts to overcome this problem including recent development of bumetanide derivatives with improved pharmacological profile.

Dynorphin-based "release on demand" gene therapy for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy.

Focal epilepsy represents one of the most common chronic CNS diseases. The high incidence of drug resistance, devastating comorbidities, and insufficient responsiveness to surgery pose unmet medical challenges. In the quest of novel, disease-modifying treatment strategies of neuropeptides represent promising candidates. Here, we provide the "proof of concept" that gene therapy by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector transduction of preprodynorphin into the epileptogenic focus of well-accepted mouse and rat models for temporal lobe epilepsy leads to suppression of seizures over months. The debilitating long-term decline of spatial learning and memory is prevented. In human hippocampal slices obtained from epilepsy surgery, dynorphins suppressed seizure-like activity, suggestive of a high potential for clinical translation. AAV-delivered preprodynorphin expression is focally and neuronally restricted and release is dependent on high-frequency stimulation, as it occurs at the onset of seizures. The novel format of "release on demand" dynorphin delivery is viewed as a key to prevent habituation and to minimize the risk of adverse effects, leading to long-term suppression of seizures and of their devastating sequel.

Role for Chromatin Remodeling Factor Chd1 in Learning and Memory.

Precise temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression in the brain is a prerequisite for cognitive processes such as learning and memory. Epigenetic mechanisms that modulate the chromatin structure have emerged as important regulators in this context. While posttranslational modification of histones or the modification of DNA bases have been examined in detail in many studies, the role of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors (ChRFs) in learning- and memory-associated gene regulation has largely remained obscure. Here we present data that implicate the highly conserved chromatin assembly and remodeling factor Chd1 in memory formation and the control of immediate early gene (IEG) response in the hippocampus. We used various paradigms to assess short-and long-term memory in mice bearing a mutated Chd1 gene that gives rise to an N-terminally truncated protein. Our data demonstrate that the Chd1 mutation negatively affects long-term object recognition and short- and long-term spatial memory. We found that Chd1 regulates hippocampal expression of the IEG early growth response 1 (Egr1) and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) but not cFos and brain derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), because the Chd1-mutation led to dysregulation of Egr1 and Arc expression in naive mice and in mice analyzed at different stages of object location memory (OLM) testing. Of note, Chd1 likely regulates Egr1 in a direct manner, because chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed enrichment of Chd1 upon stimulation at the Egr1 genomic locus in the hippocampus and in cultured cells. Together these data support a role for Chd1 as a critical regulator of molecular mechanisms governing memory-related processes, and they show that this function involves the N-terminal serine-rich region of the protein.

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel ß2/3 Subunit-Selective γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A (GABAA) Receptor Modulators.

Subunit-selective modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAAR) is considered to exert fewer side effects compared to unselective clinically used drugs. Here, the ß2/3 subunit-selective GABAAR modulators valerenic acid (VA) and loreclezole (LOR) guided the synthesis of novel subunit-selective ligands with simplified structures. We studied their effects on GABAARs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Five compounds showed significantly more efficacious modulation of GABA-evoked currents than VA and LOR with retained potency and selectivity. Compound 18 [( E)-2-Cyano-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)but-2-enamide] induced the highest maximal modulation of GABA-induced chloride currents ( Emax: 3114 ± 242%), while 12 [( Z)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)but-2-enenitrile] displayed the highest potency (EC50: 13 ± 2 µM). Furthermore, in hippocampal neurons 12 facilitated phasic and tonic GABAergic inhibition, and in vivo studies revealed significantly more potent protection against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures compared to VA and LOR. Collectively, compound 12 constitutes a novel, simplified, and subunit-selective GABAAR modulator with low-dose anticonvulsant activity.

New Features on the Expression and Trafficking of mGluR1 Splice Variants Exposed by Two Novel Mutant Mouse Lines.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) couple to G-proteins to modulate slow synaptic transmission via intracellular second messengers. The first cloned mGluR, mGluR1, regulates motor coordination, synaptic plasticity and synapse elimination. mGluR1 undergoes alternative splicing giving rise to four translated variants that differ in their intracellular C-terminal domains. Our current knowledge about mGluR1 relates almost entirely to the long mGluR1α isoform, whereas little is known about the other shorter variants. To study the expression of mGluR1γ, we have generated by means of the CRISPR/Cas9 system a new knock-in (KI) mouse line in which the C-terminus of this variant carries two short tags. Using this mouse line, we could establish that mGluR1γ is either untranslated or in amounts that are undetectable in the mouse cerebellum, indicating that only mGluR1α and mGluR1ß are present and active at cerebellar synapses. The trafficking and function of mGluR1 appear strongly influenced by adaptor proteins such as long Homers that bind to the C-terminus of mGluR1α. We generated a second transgenic (Tg) mouse line in which mGluR1α carries a point mutation in its Homer binding domain and studied whether disruption of this interaction influenced mGluR1 subcellular localization at cerebellar parallel fiber (PF)-Purkinje cell (PC) synapses by means of the freeze-fracture replica immunolabeling technique. These Tg animals did not show any overt behavioral phenotype, and despite the typical mGluR1 perisynaptic distribution was not significantly changed, we observed a higher probability of intrasynaptic diffusion suggesting that long Homers regulate the lateral mobility of mGluR1. We extended our ultrastructural analysis to other mouse lines in which only one mGluR1 variant was reintroduced in PC of mGluR1-knock out (KO) mice. This work revealed that mGluR1α preferentially accumulates closer to the edge of the postsynaptic density (PSD), whereas mGluR1ß has a less pronounced perijunctional distribution and, in the absence of mGluR1α, its trafficking to the plasma membrane is impaired with an accumulation in intracellular organelles. In conclusion, our study sets several firm points on largely disputed matters, namely expression of mGluR1γ and role of the C-terminal domain of mGluR1 splice variants on their perisynaptic clustering.

Proenkephalin Derived Peptides Are Involved in the Modulation of Mitochondrial Respiratory Control During Epileptogenesis.

Epilepsies are a group of common neurological diseases exerting a strong burden on patients and society, often lacking clear etiology and effective therapeutical strategies. Early intervention during the development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis) is of great medical interest, though hampered by poorly characterized epileptogenetic processes. Using the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, we investigated the functional role of the endogenous opioid enkephalin during epileptogenesis. We addressed three sequential questions: (1) How does enkephalin affect seizure threshold and how is it regulated during epileptogenesis? (2) Does enkephalin influence detrimental effects during epileptogenesis? (3) How is enkephalin linked to mitochondrial function during epileptogenesis?. In contrast to other neuropeptides, the expression of enkephalin is not regulated in a seizure dependent manner. The pattern of regulation, and enkephalin's proconvulsive effects suggested it as a potential driving force in epileptogenesis. Surprisingly, enkephalin deficiency aggravated progressive granule cell dispersion in kainic acid induced epileptogenesis. Based on reported beneficial effects of enkephalin on mitochondrial function in hypoxic/ischemic states, we hypothesized that enkephalin may be involved in the adaptation of mitochondrial respiration during epileptogenesis. Using high-resolution respirometry, we observed dynamic improvement of hippocampal mitochondrial respiration after kainic acid-injections in wild-type, but not in enkephalin-deficient mice. Thus, wild-type mice displayed higher efficiency in the use of mitochondrial capacity as compared to enkephalin-deficient mice. Our data demonstrate a Janus-headed role of enkephalin in epileptogenesis. In naive mice, enkephalin facilitates seizures, but in subsequent stages it contributes to neuronal survival through improved mitochondrial respiration.

In vivo brain GPCR signaling elucidated by phosphoproteomics.

A systems view of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in its native environment is central to the development of GPCR therapeutics with fewer side effects. Using the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) as a model, we employed high-throughput phosphoproteomics to investigate signaling induced by structurally diverse agonists in five mouse brain regions. Quantification of 50,000 different phosphosites provided a systems view of KOR in vivo signaling, revealing novel mechanisms of drug action. Thus, we discovered enrichment of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway by U-50,488H, an agonist causing aversion, which is a typical KOR-mediated side effect. Consequently, mTOR inhibition during KOR activation abolished aversion while preserving beneficial antinociceptive and anticonvulsant effects. Our results establish high-throughput phosphoproteomics as a general strategy to investigate GPCR in vivo signaling, enabling prediction and modulation of behavioral outcomes.