A comparison of the synaptic proteome in human chronic schizophrenia and rat ketamine psychosis suggest that prohibitin is involved in the synaptic pathology of schizophrenia.

Many studies in recent years suggest that schizophrenia is a synaptic disease that crucially involves a hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated signaling. However, at present it is unclear how these pathological processes are reflected in the protein content of the synapse. We have employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectrometry to characterize and compare the synaptic proteomes of the human left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in chronic schizophrenia and of the cerebral cortex of rats treated subchronically with ketamine. We found consistent changes in the synaptic proteomes of human schizophrenics and in rats with induced ketamine psychosis compared to controls. However, commonly regulated proteins between both groups were very limited and only prohibitin was found upregulated in both chronic schizophrenia and the rat ketamine model. Prohibitin, however, could be a new potential marker for the synaptic pathology of schizophrenia and might be causally involved in the disease process.

CRNF, a molluscan neurotrophic factor that interacts with the p75 neurotrophin receptor.

A 13.1-kilodalton protein, cysteine-rich neurotrophic factor (CRNF), was purified from the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis by use of a binding assay on the p75 neurotrophin receptor. CRNF bound to p75 with nanomolar affinity but was not similar in sequence to neurotrophins or any other known gene product. CRNF messenger RNA expression was highest in adult foot subepithelial cells; in the central nervous system, expression was regulated by lesion. The factor evoked neurite outgrowth and modulated calcium currents in pedal motor neurons. Thus, CRNF may be involved in target-derived trophic support for motor neurons and could represent the prototype of another family of p75 ligands.

Progression and recovery of Parkinsonism in a chronic progressive MPTP-induction model in the marmoset without persistent molecular and cellular damage.

Chronic exposure to low-dose 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in marmoset monkeys was used to model the prodromal stage of Parkinson's disease (PD), and to investigate mechanisms underlying disease progression and recovery. Marmosets were subcutaneously injected with MPTP for a period of 12weeks, 0.5mg/kg once per week, and clinical signs of Parkinsonism, motor- and non-motor behaviors were recorded before, during and after exposure. In addition, postmortem immunohistochemistry and proteomics analysis were performed. MPTP-induced parkinsonian clinical symptoms increased in severity during exposure, and recovered after MPTP administration was ended. Postmortem analyses, after the recovery period, revealed no alteration of the number and sizes of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra. Also levels of TH in putamen and caudate nucleus were unaltered, no differences were observed in DA, serotonin or nor-adrenalin levels in the caudate nucleus, and proteomics analysis revealed no global changes in protein expression in these brain areas between treatment groups. Our findings indicate that parkinsonian symptoms can occur without detectable damage at the cellular or molecular level. Moreover, we show that parkinsonian symptoms may be reversible when diagnosed and treated early.

Single-cell analysis of peptide expression and electrophysiology of right parietal neurons involved in male copulation behavior of a simultaneous hermaphrodite.

Male copulation is a complex behavior that requires coordinated communication between the nervous system and the peripheral reproductive organs involved in mating. In hermaphroditic animals, such as the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis, this complexity increases since the animal can behave both as male and female. The performance of the sexual role as a male is coordinated via a neuronal communication regulated by many peptidergic neurons, clustered in the cerebral and pedal ganglia and dispersed in the pleural and parietal ganglia. By combining single-cell matrix-assisted laser mass spectrometry with retrograde staining and electrophysiology, we analyzed neuropeptide expression of single neurons of the right parietal ganglion and their axonal projections into the penial nerve. Based on the neuropeptide profile of these neurons, we were able to reconstruct a chemical map of the right parietal ganglion revealing a striking correlation with the earlier electrophysiological and neuroanatomical studies. Neurons can be divided into two main groups: (i) neurons that express heptapeptides and (ii) neurons that do not. The neuronal projection of the different neurons into the penial nerve reveals a pattern where (spontaneous) activity is related to branching pattern. This heterogeneity in both neurochemical anatomy and branching pattern of the parietal neurons reflects the complexity of the peptidergic neurotransmission involved in the regulation of male mating behavior in this simultaneous hermaphrodite.

Functional characterization of the PCLO p.Ser4814Ala variant associated with major depressive disorder reveals cellular but not behavioral differences.

Genome-wide association studies have suggested a role for a genetic variation in the presynaptic gene PCLO in major depressive disorder (MDD). As with many complex traits, the PCLO variant has a small contribution to the overall heritability and the association does not always replicate. One variant (rs2522833, p.Ser4814Ala) is of particular interest given that it is a common, nonsynonymous exon variant near a calcium-sensing part of PCLO. It has been suggested that the molecular effects of such variations penetrate to a variable extent in the population due to phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity at the population level. More robust effects may be exposed by studying such variations in isolation, in a more homogeneous context. We tested this idea by modeling PCLO variation in a mouse knock-in model expressing the Pclo(SA)(/)(SA) variant. In the highly homogeneous background of inbred mice, two functional effects of the SA-variation were observed at the cellular level: increased synaptic Piccolo levels, and 30% increased excitatory synaptic transmission in cultured neurons. Other aspects of Piccolo function were unaltered: calcium-dependent phospholipid binding, synapse formation in vitro, and synaptic accumulation of synaptic vesicles. Moreover, anxiety, cognition and depressive-like behavior were normal in Pclo(SA)(/)(SA) mice. We conclude that the PCLO p.Ser4814Ala missense variant produces mild cellular phenotypes, which do not translate into behavioral phenotypes. We propose a model explaining how (subtle) cellular phenotypes do not penetrate to the mouse behavioral level but, due to genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity and non-linearity, can produce association signals in human population studies.

Human IP-9: A keratinocyte-derived high affinity CXC-chemokine ligand for the IP-10/Mig receptor (CXCR3).

Chemokines and their receptors play a crucial part in the recruitment of leukocytes into inflammatory sites. The CXC chemokines IP-10 and Mig are selective attractants for activated (memory) T cells, the predominant cell type in skin infiltrates in many inflammatory dermatoses. The selectivity for activated T cells can be explained by the fact that both chemokines exert their effects through a common receptor, CXCR3, which is nearly exclusively expressed on activated T cells. The aim of this study was to identify biologically active CXCR3 ligands produced by keratinocytes. To that end, Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing a cDNA encoding CXCR3 were challenged with proteins obtained from interferon-gamma stimulated keratinocytes and subsequently monitored for effects on second messenger systems. By this approach we were able to isolate IP-10 and Mig, and in addition identified a novel highly potent ligand for the CXCR3 receptor, designated interferon-gamma-inducible protein-9, which proved to be chemotactic for activated T cells expressing CXCR3. Protein sequence and mass spectrometric analysis followed by molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding interferon-gamma-inducible protein-9, revealed that interferon-gamma-inducible protein-9 is a CXC chemokine with a molecular mass of 8303 Da. From a GenBank database query it became clear that interferon-gamma-inducible protein-9 is in fact the protein encoded by the cDNA sequence also known as beta-R1, H174 or I-TAC. In situ hybridization experiments showed that interferon-gamma-inducible protein-9 mRNA is expressed by basal layer keratinocytes in a variety of skin disorders, including allergic contact dermatitis, lichen planus, and mycosis fungoides suggesting a functional role for this chemokine in skin immune responses.

Co-localized neuropeptides conopressin and ALA-PRO-GLY-TRP-NH2 have antagonistic effects on the vas deferens of Lymnaea.

We examined functional aspects of co-localization of neuropeptides involved in the regulation of male copulation behaviour in the simultaneous hermaphrodite snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The copulation behaviour is controlled by several types of peptidergic neurons that include a cluster of neurons in the anterior lobe of the right cerebral ganglion. All anterior lobe neurons express the gene encoding Ala-Pro-Gly-Trp-NH2 (APGWamide), and a subset of neurons also express the vasopressin-related conopressin gene. Immunocytochemical and peptide chemical experiments show that both APGWamide and conopressin are transported to the penis complex and the vas deferens via the penis nerve. Co-localization of the two peptides was also observed in some, but not all, axon bundles that run along the vas deferens. APGWamide and conopressin were structurally identified from the penis complex with vas deferens. Conopressin excites the vas deferens in vitro, whereas APGWamide inhibits the excitatory effects of conopressin, both in a dose-dependent fashion. We propose that the antagonistic effects of these peptides on the vas deferens underlie its peristalsis. Thus, these peptides play an important role in the control of ejaculation of semen during copulation.

Monoclonal antibodies labeled with rhenium-186 using the MAG3 chelate: relationship between the number of chelated groups and biodistribution characteristics.

UNLABELLED: Our previous studies on the preparation of 186Re-MAb conjugates for clinical radioimmunotherapy (RIT) were extended with the aim to derive conjugates which have a high Re:MAb molar ratio, are stable in vitro and in vivo, have favorable biodistribution characteristics and can be used together with 99mTc-MAb conjugates as a matched pair in combined radioimmunoscintigraphy/RIT studies. METHODS: Rhenium and 99mTc-conjugates of intact MAb E48 were prepared according to our previously described multistep procedure using the MAG3 chelate and analyzed by protein mass spectrometry for the number of chelate molecules coupled to the MAb. For biodistribution analysis, tumor-free nude mice were simultaneously injected with 186Re-, 99mTc/99Tc- and/or 125I-labeled E48 IgG and dissected 1-48 hr postinjection. RESULTS: Rhenium-186-MAb conjugates with up to 20 Re-MAG3 groups per MAb molecule were prepared with an overall radiochemical yield of 40%-60%. The conjugates did not contain empty MAG3 groups and no aggregates were formed. Only conjugates with a 186Re-MAG3:MAb molar ratio higher than 12 demonstrated slightly impaired immunoreactivity to a maximum of 15% decrease at the 20:1 molar ratio. Biodistribution experiments revealed that a proportion of the conjugate became rapidly eliminated from the blood for conjugates with a Re-MAG3:MAb molar ratio higher than 8. In this case, an increased uptake of activity was observed in the liver and intestines. The 99mTc/99Tc-MAb conjugates showed a similar enhanced blood clearance when containing more than eight Tc-MAG3 groups, while dual labeling of MAbs revealed that the in vivo stability of the conjugated Re-MAG3 complex itself does not differ from the corresponding Tc-MAG3 complex. CONCLUSION: With the method described in this study, it is possible to prepare 186Re-MAG3-MAb conjugates that fulfil all the aforementioned criteria for use in clinical RIT. Coupling of too many metal-MAG3 groups to MAbs results in rapid blood clearance. At the same metal-MAG3:MAb molar ratio, 99mTc/99Tc-MAb conjugates show a similar pharmacokinetic behavior as 186Re-MAb conjugates and can thus be used to predict the localization of 186Re-labeled MAbs and make dosimetric predictions in individual patients.

Two metal-binding peptides from the insect Orchesella cincta (Collembola) as a result of metallothionein cleavage.

Metallothionein (MT) is an ubiquitous heavy metal-binding protein which has been identified in animals, plants, protists, fungi and bacteria. In insects, primary structures of MTs are known only for Drosophila and the collembolan, Orchesella cincta. The MT cDNA from O. cincta encodes a 77 amino acid protein with 19 cysteines. Isolations of the protein itself have demonstrated the presence of two smaller metal-binding peptides, whose amino acid sequences correspond to parts of the cDNA, and which apparently result from cleavage of the native protein. The present study was undertaken to complete the picture of cleavage sites within the MT protein by applying protein isolation techniques in combination with mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequence analysis. Further, recombinant expression allowed us to study the intrinsic stability of the MT and to perform in vitro cleavage studies. The results show that the MT from O. cincta is specifically cleaved at two sites, both after the amino acid sequence Thr-Gln (TQ). One of these sites is located in the N-terminal region and the other in the linker region between two putative metal-binding clusters. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the recombinant O. cincta MT can be isolated in an uncleaved form; however, this protein can be cleaved in vitro by the proteolytic activity of O. cincta. In combination with other studies, the results suggest that the length of the linker region is important for the stability of MT as a two domain metal-binding protein.

Processing, axonal transport and cardioregulatory functions of peptides derived from two related prohormones generated by alternative splicing of a single gene in identified neurons VD1 and RPD2 of Lymnaea.

The VD1/RPD2 mRNA precursor in identified neurons VD1 and RPD2 of the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis is alternatively spliced to yield two related variants encoding two distinct yet related preprohormones, named the VD1/RPD2-A and -B preprohormones. Here, we report the isolation and structural characterization of alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta peptides from dissected neurons VD1 and RPD2. The alpha 1 and alpha 2 peptides are derived from VD1/RPD2-A and B prohormones, respectively, whereas beta peptide is identical for both prohormones. In addition, we report the isolation and structural characterization of the alpha 2 peptide from the heart, demonstrating that the mature peptides are transported and released in the heart. The pharmacological actions of synthetic alpha 1 and alpha 2 peptides on isolated auricle preparations of the Lymnaea heart were examined. The two alpha peptides have similar excitatory effects on beat rate and beat amplitude, while their potencies differed considerably, indicating that alternative splicing results in structurally and functionally overlapping, through non-identical, sets of peptides.

SKPYMRFamide, a novel FMRFamide-related peptide in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis.

In Lymnaea stagnalis, three members of the FMRFamide peptide family have been chemically identified in the central nervous system, and other members of the family are predicted by cDNA studies. The present study demonstrates the occurrence of even more FMRFamide-related peptides in this species by identifying a novel member of this family. The peptide was purified from brain extracts by three different HPLC steps. Its amino acid sequence has been determined as Ser-Lys-Pro-Tyr-Met-Arg-Phe-amide (SKPYMRFamide).

The sodium influx stimulating peptide of the pulmonate freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis.

In Lymnaea stagnalis integumental Na+ uptake is stimulated by the sodium influx stimulating (SIS)-peptide. Its primary structure was determined as: SRTQSRFAS- YELMGTEGTECVTTKTISQICYQCATRHEDSFVQVYQECCKKEMGLREYCEEIYTELPIRSGLWQPN++ +. Antisera raised against parts of SIS-peptide stained neurons in the visceral, parietal, and pleural ganglia, and in the proximal parts of the intestinal, anal, and right internal pallial nerves. Locations and axon projection patterns of these neurons suggest that they represent the previously described neurosecretory yellow cells.

A facile method for the labeling of proteins with zirconium isotopes.

To label proteins with positron emitters with a half-life in the order of days, a method has been developed to label proteins with zirconium (Zr)-isotopes. Therefore, the bifunctional chelating agent desferal (Df) was coupled to albumins via a thioether bond. Labeling of the premodified proteins was easily performed by addition of these proteins to freeze-dried Zr-oxalate. This labeling was efficient (> 90%) and accomplished in several minutes. The conjugates showed a high in vitro stability. Biodistribution studies were performed with 88Zr-citrate, 88Zr-Df, and 88Zr-labeled mouse serum albumin (88Zr-Df-MSA), modified with different amounts of chelating groups. Whereas Zr-citrate was found to accumulate in bone, Zr-Df was cleared very fast by glomerular filtration. The 88Zr-Df-MSA showed similar blood clearance as did 123I-labeled MSA. The biodistribution pattern of 88Zr-Df-MSA differed only from 123I-MSA in that a higher accumulation of Zr in liver, kidney, and spleen was found. The absence of large amounts of 88Zr in bone indicated that in vivo the conjugates are also reasonably stable.

[Depressive symptoms in psychosomatic pain syndromes]. / Die depressive Symptomatik bei psychosomatischem Schmerzsyndrom.

Two groups of patients with psychogenic pain syndromes were compared: in one group, pain was the sole major clinical complaint; in the other symptoms of depression also presented in addition to the pain. In both groups, the patient considers himself to be physically ill, despite the absence of organic findings. On the basis of the clinical examples, the psychodynamics of chronic pain is discussed with respect to primary and secondary epinosic gain, conscious and unconscious processes involving personal loss, proffered offences, desires and affects. In the absence of depressive symptoms, the psychological organization of pain can be understood as a substitution. Such a situation leads to a "stabilization" of the symptom and more prolonged chronicity than when depression presents at the same time, since in these patients, referral for psychotherapy is delayed.

[Chronic low back pain and life events.]. / Chronische Rückenschmerzen im Zusammenhang mit belastenden Lebensereignissen : Eine retrospektive kontrollierte klinische Studie.

In a retrospective, controlled clinical study the life events of 35 patients suffering from chronic low back pain (LBP) and a matched sample of 23 patients with neurotic depression (ICD 300.4) were investigated. The pain patients formed two groups: 19 patients with definite organic diagnosis (IASP code 530.96) and 16 without (adequate) organic lesion (IASP code 510.99). Somatic diseases (other than LBP), injuries and operations, as well as psychic trauma (feelings of shame, narcissistic traumatisations and object losses) were defined and counted as documented in the patient's histories. Their distribution over the period between the 10th year before onset of LBP resp. depression and the 10th year after onset was calculated. As a result all patients have to cope with a maximum of stressful life events in the initial year of their disease. Those patients, who fell ill younger than 30 years old, are confronted with an increased number of stressful life events even during several years before the onset. In all groups significant more stress is experienced after illness onset compared with the time before onset. LBP patients without organic findings experience more narcissistic traumatisations than the other two groups in the initial year and later on. In contrast depressive patients suffer from more other diseases, injuries and have undergone more operations than pain patients throughout the whole time investigated. Object losses occur equally often in all groups, apart from the initial year, when depressive patients have to cope with even more losses than the others. These results are discussed considering the development of chronic pain syndromes, the influence of age and their consequences for models of illness. There is convincing evidence, that physical injury is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for the development of chronic pain and that chronic pain is in essence an emotional disease based on unresolved unconscious conflicts requiring psychotherapy.

[Amnesia and closed craniocerebral injury. A clinical study of 82 cases]. / Amnesie und gedecktes Schädelhirntrauma--Eine klinische Studie an 82 Fällen.

In this investigation 82 patients with various head traumas are examined with respect to time and duration of retrograde, congrade and anterograde amnesia, especially the dependence of their duration on the severity of trauma. The more severe the trauma, the longer the duration of all forms of amnesia, the retrograde being the shorter whether there is a loss of conscience (congrade amnesia) or not. A tendency of amnesias to shrink could only be examined following mild brain trauma and occurred seldom. Our findings suggest that short amnesias have less tendency to shrink than long ones. The distribution of amnesias support cybernetic memory models. As a consequence of our findings we give recommendations for the clinical evaluation of patients with head-brain trauma.

[Typical combinations of personal satisfaction and their relation to symptoms, diagnosis and indications for therapy. II: Relation of personal satisfaction, symptoms and indications for psychotherapy]. / Typische Kombinationen von Zufriedenheit und ihre Beziehung zu Symptomatik, Diagnose und Therapieindikation. Teil II: Die Beziehung zwischen Zufriedenheit, Symptomatik und Indikation zur Psychotherapie.

In our sample of psychotherapy outpatients (n = 562) age, gender and education do not influence satisfaction measured by questionnaire. Patients with low satisfaction showed more depressive symptoms, conflict reactions, psychotic/borderline symptoms and come into therapy more often. Patients with higher satisfaction showed to be more hysteric and had more psychosomatic symptoms. Indication for therapy depends more on (dis)satisfaction than on diagnosis. Dissatisfaction with a certain area affects indication for therapy less than statistically evaluated types of answers. Those types (satisfaction or dissatisfaction with all areas) are interpreted as a sign of psychological dedifferentiation. Satisfaction is a subjective phenomenon and does not depend on objective facts.

[Typical combinations of personal satisfaction and their relation to symptoms, diagnosis and indications for therapy. I: Various areas of personal satisfaction and their typical combinations]. / Typische Kombinationen von Zufriedenheit und ihre Beziehung zu Symptomatik, Diagnose und Therapieindikation. Teil I: Verschiedene Bereiche der Zufriedenheit und ihre typischen Kombinationen.

An empirical investigation (questionnaire) of satisfaction with the professional, financial and sexual situation, relationships and life in general of psychotherapy out patients (n = 562) showed high dissatisfaction with all areas. Life satisfaction showed to be the lowest, financial satisfaction was comparably high. Two main types were found by statistical analysis: one showed satisfaction in all areas, the other one showed dissatisfaction in all areas, both types covering approximately 40% of the sample. The other three types and the antitypes are of lower importance. Satisfaction with relations is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for life satisfaction, professional and sexual satisfaction is also of albeit lower importance.