Mechanisms of transport of H+, Na+ and K+, across the distal gastric caecum of larval Aedes aegypti.

Measured changes in ion fluxes, transepithelial potential (TEP) and basolateral membrane potential (Vb) in response to ion transporter inhibitors were used to assess the mechanisms of transport of H+, Na+ and K+, across the distal gastric caecum of larval Aedes aegypti, a vector of yellow fever. Preparations were stimulated with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10-6 M) in order to maintain stable rates of H+, Na+, and K+ transport across the distal caecum. Transepithelial potential (TEP), basolateral membrane potential (Vb), and H+, Na+ and K+ fluxes all declined after the addition of a vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (VA) inhibitor, n-ethlymaleimide (NEM), consistent with a primary role for VA in energizing ion transport across the distal gastric caecum. Amiloride also inhibited H+, Na+, and K+ fluxes, consistent with an apically expressed VA that is coupled to a cation:H+ antiporter (AeNHE8), analogous to the coupling of apical VA and cation:nH+ antiporter in Malpighian tubules. A working model of transport of H+, Na+ and K+ across the distal gastric caecum proposes that coupling of VA and AeNHE8 in the apical membrane leads to the removal of intracellular Na+ or K+, thus creating favourable ion gradients to promote the activity of two transporters in the basal membrane, cation:H+ antiporter (AeNHE3) and a bumetanide-sensitive cation chloride cotransporter (CCC).

Synthesis and insecticidal activity in vitro and vivo of novel benzenesulfonyl derivatives based on potent target subunit H of V-ATPase.

Two lead compounds with benzenesulfonamide were found through virtual screening based on the 3D structure of the subunit H of V-ATPase in previous study. 74 benzenesulfonyl derivatives were synthesized and their insecticidal activities were evaluated. The derivatives with propargyl substituents exhibit excellent insecticidal activities against Mythimna separata Walker. The LD50 values of compounds A5.7 (28.0 µg·g-1) and B5.7 (36.4 µg·g-1) were significantly less than that of Celangulin V (344.0 µg·g-1). Furthermore, Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) data indicate there is a strong binding affinity between A5.7 and V-ATPase Subunit H. These results demonstrate that it is a practical way to develop pesticides targeting at H subunit of V-ATPase.

Mutations in Vps15 perturb neuronal migration in mice and are associated with neurodevelopmental disease in humans.

The formation of the vertebrate brain requires the generation, migration, differentiation and survival of neurons. Genetic mutations that perturb these critical cellular events can result in malformations of the telencephalon, providing a molecular window into brain development. Here we report the identification of an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mouse mutant characterized by a fractured hippocampal pyramidal cell layer, attributable to defects in neuronal migration. We show that this is caused by a hypomorphic mutation in Vps15 that perturbs endosomal-lysosomal trafficking and autophagy, resulting in an upregulation of Nischarin, which inhibits Pak1 signaling. The complete ablation of Vps15 results in the accumulation of autophagic substrates, the induction of apoptosis and severe cortical atrophy. Finally, we report that mutations in VPS15 are associated with cortical atrophy and epilepsy in humans. These data highlight the importance of the Vps15-Vps34 complex and the Nischarin-Pak1 signaling hub in the development of the telencephalon.

Bafilomycin L, a new inhibitor of cholesteryl ester synthesis in mammalian cells, produced by marine-derived Streptomyces sp. OPMA00072.

Marine-derived Streptomyces sp. OPMA00072 was found to produce inhibitors of the synthesis of neutral lipids in a cell-based assay using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. A new 16-membered macrolide named bafilomycin L (BFL) (1) was isolated along with the known structurally related bafilomycin C1 (BFC1) (3) from the culture broth of the actinomycete by solvent extraction, octadecylsilyl column chromatography and HPLC. BFL inhibited cholesteryl ester (CE) synthesis in CHO cells with an IC50 value of 0.83 nM and also in mouse peritoneal macrophages with an IC50 of 6.1 nM. In addition, BFL blocked cellular acidification in HeLa cells by interfering with vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) as well as other bafilomycins. These data strongly suggest that BFL disturbed the lysosome function to block cholesterol metabolism, leading to the inhibition of CE accumulation in mammalian cells.

Mevalonates restore zoledronic acid-induced osteoclastogenesis inhibition.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is likely to be caused by continuous imperfection of bone healing after surgical treatments in patients with long-term administration of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBPs). NBPs inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption by impairing the mevalonic acid sterol pathway in osteoclasts. Thus, we hypothesized that exogenous mevalonic acid metabolites restore the inhibitory effects of NBPs on osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling. To clarify the effects of mevalonic acid metabolites, especially geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and geranylgeranyl transferase substrate geranylgeranyl acid (GGOH), we examined the effects of zoledronic acid with or without GGOH or GGPP on osteoclast differentiation, multinucleation, and bone mineral deposition in tooth-extracted sockets. Zoledronic acid decreased the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinuclear cells derived from mouse osteoclast precursors treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Zoledronic acid simultaneously suppressed not only the expressions of osteoclastic differentiation-related molecules such as TRAP, cathepsin K, calcitonin receptor, and vacuolar H-ATPase but also those of multinucleation-related molecules such as dendrocyte-expressed 7 transmembrane proteins and osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein. Treatment with GGOH or GGPP, but not farnesyl acid, restored the zoledronic acid-inhibited number of TRAP-positive multinuclear cells together with the expressions of these molecules. Although intraperitoneal administration of zoledronic acid and lipopolysaccharide into mice appeared to induce BRONJ-like lesions with empty bone lacunae and decreased mineral deposition in tooth-extracted socket, both GGOH and GGPP partially restored the inhibitory effects on zoledronic acid-related mineral deposition. These results suggest the potential of mevalonic acid metabolites as therapeutic agents for BRONJ.

Minireview: the role of the vacuolar ATPase in nematodes.

The vacuolar ATPase enzyme complex (V-ATPase) pumps protons across membranes, energised by hydrolysis of ATP. It is involved in many physiological processes and has been implicated in many different diseases. While the broader functions of V-ATPases have been reviewed extensively, the role of this complex in nematodes specifically has not. Here, the essential role of the V-ATPase in nematode nutrition, osmoregulation, synthesis of the cuticle, neurobiology and reproduction is discussed. Based on the requirement of V-ATPase activity, or components of the V-ATPase, for these processes, the potential of the V-ATPase as a drug target for nematode parasites, which cause a significant burden to human health and agriculture, is also discussed. The V-ATPase has all the characteristics of a suitable drug target against nematodes, however the challenge will be to develop a high-throughput assay with which to test potential inhibitors.

Renin and prorenin receptor in hypertension: what's new?

The (pro)renin receptor, PRR, was initially characterized as a component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). PRR-bound renin and prorenin display increased enzymatic activity, and binding activates intracellular signaling, upregulating the expression of profibrotic proteins. As a consequence, most studies set out to demonstrate a role of PRR in hypertension, cardiovascular and renal diseases, and organ damage, and to identify PRR as a therapeutic target to optimize RAS blockade. The results of animal studies were disappointing and did not convincingly establish PRR as major player in hypertension or in organ damage, although human studies suggested a link between a polymorphism in the PRR gene and blood pressure. New data now suggest that PRR is functionally linked to the vacuolar proton-ATPase and, quite unexpectedly, that PRR is necessary to Wnt signaling pathways that are essential (independently of renin) for adult and embryonic stem cell biology, embryonic development, and diseases including cancer, thereby opening new perspectives on the pathophysiological roles of PRR.

Aliskiren binds to renin and prorenin bound to (pro)renin receptor in vitro.

Human (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) has been implicated in the augmentation of many biological and cellular processes through bindings to its ligands, renin and prorenin. In this study, we investigated the effects of aliskiren, a direct oral renin inhibitor, on the activities of free and (P)RR-bound forms of human mature renin. We also elucidated the effect of aliskiren on the 'renin activity' of the receptor-bound form of prorenin. Aliskiren had an IC(50) of 0.72 nmol l(-1) against renin. The compound competitively inhibited renin activity with an inhibitory constant (K(i)) of 0.18 nmol l(-1). Furthermore, the dissociation constants (K(D)) for aliskiren from renin and prorenin bound to (P)RR were determined using surface plasmon resonance in a BIAcore assay system (Uppsala, Sweden). These values were estimated to be 0.46 ± 0.03 and 0.25 ± 0.01 nmol l(-1), respectively. The compound competitively inhibited the renin activities of (P)RR-bound forms of both renin and prorenin with a K(i) of 0.14 and 0.15 nmol l(-1), respectively. These results indicate that aliskiren could be a potent inhibitor of the free forms of mature renin and of the receptor-bound forms of renin and prorenin.

Vacuolar ATPase-mediated sequestration of local anesthetics in swollen macroautophagosomes.

PURPOSE: Local anesthetics in their therapeutic concentration range cause a vacuolar cytopathology that has been observed in vivo and in various types of mammalian cells. We examined whether active concentration ranges of drugs and the kinetics of the vacuolar response are clinically relevant and whether this phenomenon is associated with cytotoxicity, autophagy, and cell stress signalling. METHODS: We compared procaine and lidocaine for morphological, functional, and signalling responses in a previously exploited non-neuronal system, primary smooth muscle cells. Several markers conjugated to fluorescent proteins allowed morphological and functional analysis of vacuolar cells. Signalling related to autophagy and cell stress was addressed (immunoblotting of cell lysates). RESULTS: Within 2-4 hr, lidocaine and procaine (> or = 1 mM) induced massive cell vacuolization, a response abated by the V-ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin A1, and activated macroautophagic signalling (LC3 II formation) but not other stress signalling (p38, ERK1/2, p53, no influence on serum-controlled Akt phosphorylation). Novel aspects of the morphological analysis include reduced LC3 labelling of the large vacuoles in cells treated with 3-methyl-adenine, inhibition of CD63 labelling of these vacuoles by co-expression of dominant negative Rab7, retention of secretory green fluorescent protein (GFP) possessing a signal sequence in vacuolar cells, and partial vacuole labelling with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1). Lidocaine (2.5-5 mM) was not overtly cytotoxic but arrested cell division over 48 hr. CONCLUSIONS: V-ATPase-mediated sequestration of clinically relevant concentrations of local anesthetics sequentially involves vacuolization, macroautophagic signalling, and lysosome fusion to large vacuoles. Disruption of the secretory pathway and mitotic arrest were also observed over several hours without major cytotoxicity.

Evidence for nickel/proton antiport activity at the tonoplast of the hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum lesbiacum.

The mechanism of nickel uptake into vacuoles isolated from leaf tissue of Alyssum lesbiacum was investigated to help understand the ability of this species to hyperaccumulate Ni. An imaging system was designed to monitor Ni uptake by single vacuoles using the metal-sensitive fluorescent dye, Newport Green. Nickel uptake into isolated vacuoles from leaf tissue of A. lesbiacum was enhanced by the presence of Mg/ATP, presumably via energisation of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase). This ATP-stimulated Ni uptake was abolished by bafilomycin (a diagnostic inhibitor of the V-ATPase) and by dissipation of the transmembrane pH difference with an uncoupler. These observations are consistent with Ni(2+)/nH(+) antiport activity at the tonoplast driven by a proton electrochemical gradient established by the V-ATPase, which would provide a mechanism for secondary active transport of Ni(2+) into the vacuole. This study provides insights into the molecular basis of Ni tolerance in Alyssum, and may aid in the identification of genes involved in Ni hyperaccumulation.

The proton pump inhibitor inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human hepatoblastoma.

PURPOSE: In normal physiology, a vacuolar-type proton pump (V-ATPase) maintains an intracellular acid microenvironment in lysosome, endosome, and other endomembrane systems. Cancer cells overexpress V-ATPase compared with normal cells, and disturbances of the acid environment are thought to significantly impact the cancer cell infiltration and growth. Bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1) is a specific inhibitor of the proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) V-ATPase. Neoplastic cells are reportedly more sensitive to Baf-A1 than normal cells, and the difference between the susceptibility to Baf-A1 in normal cells and that in cancer cells may become a target in the cancer therapy. With this in mind, we used cells of hepatoblastoma, the cancer type accounting for 80% of all childhood liver cancers, to investigate the effects of Baf-A1 as an inducer of cancer cell apoptosis and inhibitor of cancer cell reproduction METHODS AND RESULTS: Electron microscopy showed significant morphological change of the hepatoblastoma cells of the Baf-A1-treated group compared with hepatoblastoma cells of the Baf-A1-free group. The rate of the apoptotic cell increased, and cell reproduction was inhibited. Moreover, the analysis of hepatoblastoma cells using the gene Chip gene expression analysis arrays showed that three of the 27 V-ATPase-related transcripts (ATP6V0D2, ATP6V1B1, and ATP6V0A1) were more weakly expressed in the Baf-A1-treated cells than in the Baf-A1-free cells. In normal human hepatic cells, on the other hand, the inhibition of cell growth of the Baf-A1-treated cells was negligible compared to that of the cells without Baf-A1 treatment. The result of apoptotic cell detection by morphological observations and flow cytometry revealed that Baf-A1 inhibits hepatoblastoma cellular reproduction by inducing apoptosis. On the other hand, the Baf-A1-conferred inhibition of cell growth was negligible in normal human hepatocytes CONCLUSION: The V-ATPase inhibitor Baf-A1 has been proven to selectively inhibit the reproduction and induce the apoptosis of hepatoblastoma cells without adversely influencing normal hepatic cells. With these effects, V-ATPase inhibitors may hold promise as therapeutic agents for hepatoblastoma. Given that three V-ATPase-related genes (ATP6V0D2, ATP6V1B1, and ATP6V0A1) were more weakly expressed in the hepatoblastoma cells of the Baf-A1-treated group than in the Baf-A1-free cells, drug development targeting V-ATPase gene of hepatoblastomas is expected.

Receptor-independent, vacuolar ATPase-mediated cellular uptake of histamine receptor-1 ligands: possible origin of pharmacological distortions and side effects.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether several histamine receptor agonists and antagonists are subjected to receptor-independent ion trapping into acidic organelles, and whether this sequestration influences their pharmacological or toxicological properties. Vacuolar (V)-ATPase-dependent intracellular sequestration of agonists was recognized as morphological alterations (large fluid-filled vacuoles for betahistine and 1-methylhistamine, granular uptake for fluorescent BODIPY FL histamine) prevented by the specific V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 in rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells. Lipophilicity was the major determinant of these cellular effects (order of potency: BODIPY FL histamine>betahistine>1-methylhistamine>histamine) that occurred at high concentrations. This ranking was dissociable from the potency order for H(1) receptor-mediated contraction of the rabbit aorta, a response uninfluenced by bafilomycin. Antihistamines are inherently more lipophilic and caused vacuolization of a proportion of cells at 5-500 microM. Agonist or antagonist-induced vacuoles were of macroautophagic nature (labeled with GFP-conjugated LC3, Rab7 and CD63; detection of LC3 II). Further, the 2 most lipophilic antihistamines tested, astemizole and terfenadine, were potentiated by V-ATPase blockade in the aortic contractility assay (13- and 3.6-fold more potent, respectively, pA(2) scale), suggesting that V-ATPase-mediated cation trapping sequesters these antagonists from the vicinity of H(1) receptors in the therapeutic concentration range. This potentiation did not apply to less lipophilic antagonists (pyrilamine, diphenhydramine). While some agonists and all tested antagonists of the histamine H(1) receptors induce the V-ATPase-dependent vacuolar and autophagic cytopathology, sequestration affects the pharmacology of only the most lipophilic antagonists, the ones prone to off-target arrhythmogenic side effects.

Alkaline pH- and cAMP-induced V-ATPase membrane accumulation is mediated by protein kinase A in epididymal clear cells.

In the epididymis, low luminal bicarbonate and acidic pH maintain sperm quiescent during maturation and storage. The vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) in epididymal clear cells plays a major role in luminal acidification. We have shown previously that cAMP, luminal alkaline pH, and activation of the bicarbonate-regulated soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) induce V-ATPase apical accumulation in these cells, thereby stimulating proton secretion into the epididymal lumen. Here we examined whether protein kinase A (PKA) is involved in this response. Confocal immunofluorescence labeling on rat epididymis perfused in vivo showed that at luminal acidic pH (6.5), V-ATPase was distributed between short apical microvilli and subapical endosomes. The specific PKA activator N(6)-monobutyryl-3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (6-MB-cAMP, 1 mM) induced elongation of apical microvilli and accumulation of V-ATPase in these structures. The PKA inhibitor myristoylated-PKI (mPKI, 10 microM) inhibited the apical accumulation of V-ATPase induced by 6-MB-cAMP. Perfusion at pH 6.5 with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2-O-methyl-cAMP (8CPT-2-O-Me-cAMP; 10 microM), an activator of the exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), did not induce V-ATPase apical accumulation. When applied at a higher concentration (100 microM), 8CPT-2-O-Me-cAMP induced V-ATPase apical accumulation, but this effect was completely inhibited by mPKI, suggesting crossover effects on the PKA pathway with this compound at high concentrations. Importantly, the physiologically relevant alkaline pH-induced apical V-ATPase accumulation was completely inhibited by pretreatment with mPKI. We conclude that direct stimulation of PKA activity by cAMP is necessary and sufficient for the alkaline pH-induced accumulation of V-ATPase in clear cell apical microvilli.

Molecular identification, immunolocalization, and functional activity of a vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase in bovine rumen epithelium.

In this study, we have studied the expression, localization, and functionality of vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (vH(+)-ATPase) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in the bovine rumen epithelium. Compared with the intracellular pH (pH(i)) of control rumen epithelial cells (REC; 7.06 +/- 0.07), application of inhibitors selective for vH(+)-ATPase (foliomycin) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (ouabain) reduced pH(i) by 0.10 +/- 0.03 and 0.18 +/- 0.03 pH-units, respectively, thereby verifying the existence of both functional proteins. Results from qRT-PCR and immunoblotting clearly confirm the expression of vH(+)-ATPase B subunit in REC. However, the amount of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase mRNA and protein is tenfold and 11-fold of those of vH(+)-ATPase subunit B, respectively, reflecting a lower overall abundance of the latter in REC. Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase immunostaining has revealed the protein in the plasma membrane of all REC from the stratum basale to stratum granulosum, with the highest abundance in basal cells. In contrast, the vH(+)-ATPase B subunit has been detected in groups of cells only, mainly localized in the stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum of the epithelium. Furthermore, vH(+)-ATPase has been detected in the cell membrane and in intracellular pools. Thus, functional vacuolar-type H(+) pumps are expressed in REC and probably play a role in the adaptation of epithelial transport processes.

Trapping of adrenergic decongestant drugs into cellular endomembrane compartments: toxicological and pharmacological consequences.

Rhinitis of allergic and viral origin is often self-treated by patients with locally applied vasoconstrictor decongestant drugs. In turn, prolonged use of these agents produce an inflammatory condition termed rhinitis medicamentosa. Cationic drugs are sequestered into cells via various mechanisms, including mitochondrial concentration and V-ATPase-driven trapping in vacuoles that swell by an osmotic mechanism. We hypothesized that receptor-independent endomembrane sequestration of topically applied concentrated alpha-adrenoceptor agonists (decongestants, mydriatics) could contribute to their toxicity and prolonged duration of action. The morphological and functional effects of phenylephrine and xylometazoline on rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells were examined and their possible sequestration evaluated using the contractility of rabbit aorta rings. Synthetic agonists produced V-ATPase-dependent cell vacuolization (prevented by bafilomycin A1; xylometazoline 250 microM, phenylephrine 2.5 mM). V-ATPase-mediated cytotoxicity was slow (24 h; phenylephrine only, 5-10 mM); a rapid xylometazoline-induced cytotoxicity (> or =500 microM, 4 h) correlated to mitochondrial functional alterations. Xylometazoline had slower contraction and relaxation kinetics than the other alpha-adrenoceptor agonists in the aorta; bafilomycin pre-treatment influenced its kinetics (accelerated contraction and relaxation) and concentration-effect relationship (potentiation). V-ATPase-driven sequestration contributed to a component of the tissue reservoir of both phenylephrine and xylometazoline as assessed by aortic rings contracted with the concentrated agonists and subsequently washed. Phenylephrine and xylometazoline caused the V-ATPase-dependent cytopathology at a fraction of the usual topical concentrations; this form of sequestration influenced the toxicity and pharmacology of individual agents.

Aliskiren: the first direct renin inhibitor for hypertension.

Aliskiren is the first member of a novel class of antihypertensive agents, the renin inhibitors, that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hypertension. This review discusses its potential differences compared with existing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, focusing also on the inactive precursor of renin, prorenin, and the recently discovered (pro)renin receptor. The review summarizes the findings from all clinical trials with aliskiren published so far, and provides an overview of the safety and tolerability of the new drug.

Prorenin/renin receptor, signals, and therapeutic efficacy of receptor blocker in end-organ damage.

Discovery of prorenin/renin, or (pro)renin, receptor uncovered a novel function of (pro)renin as receptor ligand in addition to enzyme and its precursor; the same receptor was shown to promote reversible activation of prorenin and enhance the enzyme activity of mature renin. Stimulating the receptor activates mitogen-activated protein kinase and hypertrophic, hyperplastic, profibrotic, and cyclooxygenase-2-activating signals. These receptor signals were transmitted independently of angiotensin (Ang) II receptor. A specific blocker of the receptor was discovered-a peptide segment in prorenin that binds to the receptor and blocks ligand binding. Its infusion in animal models of hypertension and diabetes not only prevented nephropathy and cardiac hypertrophy, but also caused regression of nephropathy, whereas Ang II receptor gene deletion and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition merely delayed the onset or ameliorated pathologic phenotypes. These results suggest that (pro)renin receptor is responsible for end-organ damage.

TIRC7 is induced in rejected human kidneys and anti-TIRC7 mAb with FK506 prolongs survival of kidney allografts in rats.

TIRC7 delivers essential signals during immune activation as antibodies targeting TIRC7 inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and Th1 cytokine expression in vitro and prolonged kidney and heart allograft survival in vivo. Immunohistochemical analysis of biopsy specimens from human renal allografts undergoing rejection despite treatment with Calcineurin inhibitors (CI) showed elevated TIRC7 expression. Accordingly, with a view to clinical application, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of a chimerized anti-TIRC7 mAb in combination with Tacrolimus (FK506) using a rat kidney transplantation model (DA to Lewis). The combination of sub-therapeutic doses of both compounds significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the median graft survival to 19.5 days compared to monotherapy with FK506 (median survival, 7d) or mAb against TIRC7 (7d). These results suggest a potential synergism of anti-TIRC7 mAb and FK506 action, which could be developed into a novel combination therapy in the clinic by lowering side effects of present CI treatment. Moreover, the identification of TIRC7 in graft infiltrating lymphocytes might serve as a diagnostic marker to detect allograft rejection.

The mechanism of action of antidepressants: a unitary hypothesis based on transport-p.

Endogenous depression is a common mental illness which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Tricyclic antidepressants and their newer derivatives are the main treatment for this disease. However, there are serious deficiencies in the use of existing antidepressants for the treatment of depressive illness. An obstacle in the development of better antidepressants is that the mechanism of the therapeutic action of these compounds is unknown. The prevailing view is that antidepressants exert their therapeutic effect by inhibiting the pre-synaptic re-uptake of the neurotransmitter amines, noradrenaline and serotonin. However, there are objections to this hypothesis. Transport-P is a new factor in this field; it is an antidepressant-sensitive, proton-dependent, V-ATPase linked uptake process for amines in peptidergic neurones. It differs from other uptake processes in its anatomical location in post-synaptic (peptidergic) neurones, in its functional properties and in the structure of its ligands. Therapeutic concentrations of antidepressants are active at Transport-P. This review describes a hypothesis which postulates that antidepressants exert a therapeutic effect by an action on Transport-P [1]. According to this hypothesis, Transport-P accumulates antidepressants in acidified vesicles in post-synaptic neurones. The normal function of the vesicles is to degrade internalised post-synaptic receptors. As their amine groups are basic, the antidepressants tend to neutralise the acidity of the vesicles. This slows the rate of degradation of post-synaptic receptors, and makes post-synaptic neurones more responsive to the excitatory actions of neurotransmitter amines. This hypothesis resolves the problems with the pre-synaptic re-uptake hypothesis and offers a unitary explanation for hitherto inexplicable observations. If the hypothesis is correct, compounds which act as potent and selective ligands for Transport-P would have a more rapid onset of action and would represent an advance in the treatment of depressive illness. The data on Transport-P which are described in this article are derived entirely from the work of the author who is not aware of any other research groups working on Transport-P. Therefore, the amount of work which has been done so far is relatively limited. The evidence on which the hypothesis is based is derived from work on alpha(1) adrenoceptors in hypothalamic, peptidergic neurones. There are large gaps in the evidence which would be required to support a mechanistic hypothesis: for example, the serotonergic system, which is likely to be involved in depressive illness, has not been investigated. Further, no attempt has been made so far to address the applicability of the phenomena which were observed in the hypothalamus to other brain regions which may be involved in depressive illness. Nevertheless, the hypothesis, as it stands at present, appears to solve problems which have been inexplicable on the basis of the pre-synaptic re-uptake hypothesis. More work is required to determine the validity of the solutions which are proposed in this review.