Timothy P. Bonnert

Pharmacological characterization of a novel cell line expressing human α4β3δ GABAA receptors

The pharmacology of the stable cell line expressing human α4β3δ GABAA receptor was investigated using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. α4β3δ receptors exhibited increased sensitivity to GABA when compared to α4β3γ2 receptors, with EC50s of 0.50 (0.46, 0.53) μM and 2.6 (2.5, 2.6) μM respectively. Additionally, the GABA partial agonists piperidine‐4‐sulphonate (P4S) and 4,5,6,7‐tetrahydroisothiazolo‐[5,4‐c]pyridin‐3‐ol (THIP) displayed markedly higher efficacy at α4β3δ receptors, indeed THIP demonstrated greater efficacy than GABA at these receptors. The δ subunit conferred slow desensitization to GABA, with rate constants of 4.8±0.5 s for α4β3δ and 2.5±0.2 s for α4β3γ2. However, both P4S and THIP demonstrated similar levels of desensitization on both receptor subtypes suggesting this effect is agonist specific. α4β3δ and α4β3γ2 demonstrated equal sensitivity to inhibition by the cation zinc (2–3 μM IC50). However, α4β3δ receptors demonstrated greater sensitivity to inhibition by lanthanum. The IC50 for GABA antagonists SR‐95531 and picrotoxin, was similar for α4β3δ and α4β3γ2. Likewise, inhibition was observed on both subtypes at high and low pH. α4β3δ receptors were insensitive to modulation by benzodiazepine ligands. In contrast Ro15‐4513 and bretazenil potentiated GABA responses on α4β3γ2 cells, and the inverse agonist DMCM showed allosteric inhibition of α4β3γ2 receptors. The efficacy of neurosteroids at α4β3δ receptors was greatly enhanced over that observed at α4β3γ2 receptors. The greatest effect was observed using THDOC with 524±71.6% potentiation at α4β3δ and 297.9±49.7% at α4β3γ2 receptors. Inhibition by the steroid pregnenolone sulphate however, showed no subtype selectivity. The efficacy of both pentobarbitone and propofol was slightly augmented and etomidate greatly enhanced at α4β3δ receptors versus α4β3γ2 receptors. We show that the α4β3δ receptor has a distinct pharmacology and kinetic profile. With its restricted distribution within the brain and unique pharmacology this receptor may play an important role in the action of neurosteroids and anaesthetics.

Molecular and Functional Diversity of the Expanding GABA-A Receptor Gene Family

ABSTRACT: Fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the mammalian CNS is mediated primarily by the neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), which, upon binding to its receptor, leads to opening of the intrinsic ion channel, allowing chloride to enter the cell. Over the past 10 years it has become clear that a family of GABA‐A receptor subtypes exists, generated through the coassembly of polypeptides selected from α1‐α6, β1‐β3, γ1‐γ3, δ, ɛ, and π to form what is most likely a pentomeric macromolecule. The gene transcripts, and indeed the polypeptides, show distinct patterns of temporal and spatial expression, such that the GABA‐A receptor subtypes have a defined localization that presumably reflects their physiological role. A picture is beginning to emerge of the properties conferred to receptor subtypes by the different subunits; these include different functional properties, differential modulation by protein kinases, and the targeting to different membrane compartments. These properties presumably underlie the different physiological roles of the various receptor subtypes. Recently we have identified a further member of the GABA‐A receptor gene family, which we have termed θ, which appears to be most closely related to the β subunits. The structure, function, and distribution of θ‐containing receptors, and receptors containing the recently reported ɛ subunit, are described.

Stoichiometry of a Ligand-gated Ion Channel Determined by Fluorescence Energy Transfer

We have developed a method to determine the stoichiometry of subunits within an oligomeric cell surface receptor using fluorescently tagged antibodies to the individual subunits and measuring energy transfer between them. Anti-c-Myc monoclonal antibody (mAb 9-E10) derivatized with a fluorophore (europium cryptate, EuK) was used to individually label c-Myc-tagged α1-, β2-, or γ2-subunits of the hetero-oligomeric γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor in intact cells. The maximal fluorescent signal derived from the α1(c-Myc)β2γ2 and the α1β2(c-Myc)γ2 receptors was twice that obtained with α1β2γ2(c-Myc), suggesting that there are 2× α-, 2× β-, and 1× γ-subunits in a receptor monomer. This observation was extended using fluorescence energy transfer. Receptors were half-maximally saturated with EuK-anti-c-Myc mAb, and the remaining α1(c-Myc) subunits were labeled with excess anti-c-Myc mAb derivatized with the fluorescence energy acceptor, XL665. On exposure to laser light, energy transfer from EuK to XL665 occurred with α1(c-Myc)β2γ2 and α1β2(c-Myc)γ2, but no significant energy transfer was observed with α1β2γ2(c-Myc) receptors, indicating the absence of a second γ-subunit in a receptor monomer. We confirm that the GABAA receptor subtype, α1β2γ2, is composed of two copies each of the α- and β-subunits and one copy of the γ-subunit (i.e.(α1)2(β2)2(γ2)1) and conclude that this method would have general applicability to other multisubunit cell surface proteins.

Composition of perineuronal nets in the adult rat cerebellum and the cellular origin of their components

The decrease in plasticity that occurs in the central nervous system during postnatal development is accompanied by the appearance of perineuronal nets (PNNs) around the cell body and dendrites of many classes of neuron. These structures are composed of extracellular matrix molecules, such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), hyaluronan (HA), tenascin‐R, and link proteins. To elucidate the role played by neurons and glial cells in constructing PNNs, we studied the expression of PNN components in the adult rat cerebellum by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. In the deep cerebellar nuclei, only large excitatory neurons were surrounded by nets, which contained the CSPGs aggrecan, neurocan, brevican, versican, and phosphacan, along with tenascin‐R and HA. Whereas both net‐bearing neurons and glial cells were the sources of CSPGs and tenascin‐R, only the neurons expressed the mRNA for HA synthases (HASs), cartilage link protein, and link protein Bral2. In the cerebellar cortex, Golgi neurons possessed PNNs and also synthesized HASs, cartilage link protein, and Bral2 mRNAs. To see whether HA might link PNNs to the neuronal cell surface by binding to a receptor, we investigated the expression of the HA receptors CD44, RHAMM, and LYVE‐1. No immunolabelling for HA receptors on the membrane of net‐bearing neurons was found. We therefore propose that HASs, which can retain HA on the cell surface, may act as a link between PNNs and neurons. Thus, HAS and link proteins might be key molecules for PNN formation and stability. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:559–577, 2006.

α4β3δ GABAAReceptors Characterized by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-derived Measurements of Membrane Potential

Selective modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid, type A (GABAA) receptors containing α4subunits may provide new treatments for epilepsy and premenstrual syndrome. Using mouse L(−tk) cells, we stably expressed the native GABAA receptor subunit combinations α3β3γ2,α4β3γ2, and, for the first time, α4β3δ and characterized their properties using a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay of GABA-evoked depolarizations. GABA evoked concentration-dependent decreases in fluorescence resonance energy transfer that were blocked by GABAA receptor antagonists and, for α3β3γ2and α4β3γ2 receptors, modulated by benzodiazepines with the expected subtype specificity. When combined with α4 and β3, δ subunits, compared with γ2, conferred greater sensitivity to the agonists GABA, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo-[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP), and muscimol and greater maximal efficacy to THIP. α4β3δ responses were markedly modulated by steroids and anesthetics. Alphaxalone, pentobarbital, and pregnanolone were all 3–7-fold more efficacious at α4β3δ compared with α4β3γ2. The fluorescence technique used in this study has proven valuable for extensive characterization of a novel GABAA receptor. For GABAA receptors containing α4 subunits, our experiments reveal that inclusion of δ instead of γ2subunits can increase the affinity and in some cases the efficacy of agonists and can increase the efficacy of allosteric modulators. Pregnanolone was a particularly efficacious modulator of α4β3δ receptors, consistent with a central role for this subunit combination in premenstrual syndrome.

Behavioral and Neurochemical Alterations in Mice Deficient in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Suggest Therapeutic Potential for Psychiatric Indications

The receptor tyrosine kinase product of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene has been implicated in oncogenesis as a product of several chromosomal translocations, although its endogeneous role in the hematopoietic and neural systems has remained poorly understood. We describe that the generation of animals homozygous for a deletion of the ALK tyrosine kinase domain leads to alterations in adult brain function. Evaluation of adult ALK homozygotes (HOs) revealed an age-dependent increase in basal hippocampal progenitor proliferation and alterations in behavioral tests consistent with a role for this receptor in the adult brain. ALK HO animals displayed an increased struggle time in the tail suspension test and the Porsolt swim test and enhanced performance in a novel object-recognition test. Neurochemical analysis demonstrates an increase in basal dopaminergic signalling selectively within the frontal cortex. Altogether, these results suggest that ALK functions in the adult brain to regulate the function of the frontal cortex and hippocampus and identifies ALK as a new target for psychiatric indications, such as schizophrenia and depression, with an underlying deregulated monoaminergic signalling.

Molecular characterization of adult mouse subventricular zone progenitor cells during the onset of differentiation.

Adult mouse subventricular zone (SVZ) neural progenitor cells (NPCs) retain the capacity to generate multiple lineages in vitro and in vivo. Thus far, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of these cells have not been well elucidated. We have carried out RNA profiling of adult SVZ cell cultures undergoing differentiation, to identify pathways that regulate progenitor cell proliferation and to define a set of transcripts that can be used as molecular tools in the drug discovery process. We carried out a stepwise stratification of the results to identify transcripts specifically enriched in NPCs and validated some of these using comparative literature analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunological techniques. The results show a set of transcription factors, secreted molecules and plasma membrane markers that are differentially regulated during differentiation. Pathway analysis highlights alterations in insulin growth factor, Wnt and transforming growth factor β signalling cascades. Further characterization of these components could provide greater insight into the mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurogenesis in the adult brain.

Functional Overexpression of γ-Secretase Reveals Protease-independent Trafficking Functions and a Critical Role of Lipids for Protease Activity

Presenilins appear to form the active center of γ-secretase but require the presence of the integral membrane proteins nicastrin, anterior pharynx defective 1, and presenilin enhancer 2 for catalytic function. We have simultaneously overexpressed all of these polypeptides, and we demonstrate functional assembly of the enzyme complex, a substantial increase in enzyme activity, and binding of all components to a transition state analogue γ-secretase inhibitor. Co-localization of all components can be observed in the Golgi compartment, and further trafficking of the individual constituents seems to be dependent on functional assembly. Apart from its catalytic function, γ-secretase appears to play a role in the trafficking of the β-amyloid precursor protein, which was changed upon reconstitution of the enzyme but unaffected by pharmacological inhibition. Because the relative molecular mass and stoichiometry of the active enzyme complex remain elusive, we performed size exclusion chromatography of solubilized γ-secretase, which yielded evidence of a tetrameric form of the complex, yet almost completely abolished enzyme activity. γ-Secretase activity was reconstituted upon addition of an independent size exclusion chromatography fraction of lower molecular mass and nonproteinaceous nature, which could be replaced by a brain lipid extract. The same treatment was able to restore enzyme activity after immunoaffinity purification of the γ-secretase complex, demonstrating that lipids play a key role in preserving the catalytic activity of this protease. Furthermore, these data show that it is important to discriminate between intact, inactive γ-secretase complexes and the active form of the enzyme, indicating the care that must be taken in the study of γ-secretase.

Proteomic analysis identifies alterations in cellular morphology and cell death pathways in mouse brain after chronic corticosterone treatment.

Some patients with Major Depression and other neurological afflictions display hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. HPA hyperactivity may be due to impaired feedback inhibition and manifested as increased levels of circulating cortisol. Subcutaneous implants of corticosterone pellets were used to mimic this situation in mice to gain insight into any effects on brain function by comparative proteomic analysis using two-dimensional Differential In-Gel Electrophoresis. A total of 150 different protein spots were altered by corticosterone treatment in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Of these, 117 spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass fingerprinting equating to 51 different proteins. Association of these corticosterone-modulated proteins with biological functions using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis tool showed that cell morphology was significantly altered in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, whereas the hypothalamus showed significant changes in cell death. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis of the canonical signaling pathways showed that glycolysis and gluconeogenesis were altered in the hypothalamus and the hippocampus and all three brain regions showed changes in phenylalanine, glutamate and nitrogen metabolism. Further elucidation of these pathways could lead to identification of biomarkers for the development of pharmacological therapies targeted at neuropsychiatric disorders.

Functional Mapping of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Intracellular Binding Site

Capsaicin (vanilloid) sensitivity has long served as the functional signature of a subset of nociceptive sensory neurons. Mutagenesis studies have revealed seemingly distinct regions involved in mediating ligand binding and channel activation at the capsaicin binding site. Residue 547 (transmembrane region 4) mediates significant species differences in resiniferatoxin (RTX) sensitivity, and the Ser512 residue is critical in discriminating between pH and capsaicin gating. In the present study, the pharmacological profiles of a variety of ligands were studied to investigate cross-talk between these two regions. Exchange of residue 547 between species mediated a difference in capsaicin and RTX-dependent gating. Likewise, the potency of iodoresiniferatoxin (I-RTX) and a novel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonist were also altered. Experiments using the S512Y mutant channel have confirmed the importance of residue 512 for functional interaction of capsaicin and our novel antagonist. In this study, we were surprised to find that the mutation S512Y converted the activity of the antagonist I-RTX into an intrinsic agonist, albeit with a lower potency than its parent compound, RTX. Recent studies have proposed a novel model for the receptor, based on the X-ray crystal structure of the voltage-dependent potassium channel, in which both the 512 and 547 amino acid residues are in close proximity. Our data support the model whereby intracellular ligand interaction occurs within an S3-S4 “sensor” domain, enabling binding of ligands to be transduced to functional gating of the channel. The binding pocket also seems to be exquisitely sensitive to residue-specific interaction with ligands, because subtle changes in either ligand or channel structure can have profound effects on channel activity.