scholarly journals Molecular basis for the high THIP/gaboxadol sensitivity of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 2057-2064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratap Meera ◽  
Martin Wallner ◽  
Thomas S. Otis
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Selective Ligand ◽  
Subunit Expression ◽  
Ambient Gaba ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (eGABARs) allow ambient GABA to tonically regulate neuronal excitability and are implicated as targets for ethanol and anesthetics. These receptors are thought to be heteropentameric proteins made up of two α subunits—either α4 or α6—two β2 or β3 subunits, and one δ subunit. The GABA analog 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo (5,4- c)pyridin-3(-ol) (THIP) has been proposed as a selective ligand for eGABARs. Behavioral and in vitro studies suggest that eGABARs have nanomolar affinity for THIP; however, all published studies on recombinant versions of eGABARs report micromolar affinities. Here, we examine THIP sensitivity of native eGABARs on cerebellar neurons and on reconstituted GABARs in heterologous systems. Concentration-response data for THIP, obtained from cerebellar granule cells and molecular layer interneurons in wild-type and δ subunit knockout slices, confirm that submicromolar THIP sensitivity requires δ subunits. In recombinant experiments, we find that δ subunit coexpression leads to receptors activated by nanomolar THIP concentrations (EC50 of 30–50 nM for α4β3δ and α6β3δ), a sensitivity almost 1,000-fold higher than receptors formed by α4/6 and β3 subunits. In contrast, γ2 subunit expression significantly reduces THIP sensitivity. Even when δ subunit cDNA or cRNA was supplied in excess, high- and low-sensitivity THIP responses were often apparent, indicative of variable mixtures of low-affinity αβ and high-affinity αβδ receptors. We conclude that δ subunit incorporation into GABARs leads to a dramatic increase in THIP sensitivity, a defining feature that accounts for the unique behavioral and neurophysiological properties of THIP.

scholarly journals The Expression of the Cancer-Associated lncRNA Snhg15 Is Modulated by EphrinA5-Induced Signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1332
Author(s):  
Daniel Pensold ◽  
Julia Gehrmann ◽  
Georg Pitschelatow ◽  
Asa Walberg ◽  
Kai Braunsteffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Eph Receptor ◽  
Medulloblastoma Cell Line ◽  
And Migration

The Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their respective ephrin-ligands are an important family of membrane receptors, being involved in developmental processes such as proliferation, migration, and in the formation of brain cancer such as glioma. Intracellular signaling pathways, which are activated by Eph receptor signaling, are well characterized. In contrast, it is unknown so far whether ephrins modulate the expression of lncRNAs, which would enable the transduction of environmental stimuli into our genome through a great gene regulatory spectrum. Applying a combination of functional in vitro assays, RNA sequencing, and qPCR analysis, we found that the proliferation and migration promoting stimulation of mouse cerebellar granule cells (CB) with ephrinA5 diminishes the expression of the cancer-related lncRNA Snhg15. In a human medulloblastoma cell line (DAOY) ephrinA5 stimulation similarly reduced SNHG15 expression. Computational analysis identified triple-helix-mediated DNA-binding sites of Snhg15 in promoters of genes found up-regulated upon ephrinA5 stimulation and known to be involved in tumorigenic processes. Our findings propose a crucial role of Snhg15 downstream of ephrinA5-induced signaling in regulating gene transcription in the nucleus. These findings could be potentially relevant for the regulation of tumorigenic processes in the context of glioma.

scholarly journals Topography and Response Timing of Intact Cerebellum Stained With Absorbance Voltage-Sensitive Dye

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 474-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Brown ◽  
Michael Ariel
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Physiological Activity ◽  
Timing Analysis ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Stimulus Position ◽  
Voltage Sensitive Dye ◽  
Limited Region ◽  
Response Timing

Physiological activity of the turtle cerebellar cortex (Cb), maintained in vitro, was recorded during microstimulation of inferior olive (IO). Previous single-electrode responses to such stimulation showed similar latencies across a limited region of Cb, yet those recordings lacked spatial and temporal resolution and the recording depth was variable. The topography and timing of those responses were reexamined using photodiode optical recordings. Because turtle Cb is thin and unfoliated, its entire surface can be stained by a voltage-sensitive dye and transilluminated to measure changes in its local absorbance. Microstimulation of the IO evoked widespread depolarization from the rostral to the caudal edge of the contralateral Cb. The time course of responses measured at a single photodiode matched that of single-microelectrode responses in the corresponding Cb locus. The largest and most readily evoked response was a sagittal band centered about 0.7 mm from the midline. Focal white-matter (WM) microstimulation on the ventricular surface also activated sagittal bands, whereas stimulation of adjacent granule cells evoked a radial patch of activation. In contrast, molecular-layer (ML) microstimulation evoked transverse beams of activation, centered on the rostrocaudal stimulus position, which traveled bidirectionally across the midline to the lateral edges of the Cb. A timing analysis demonstrated that both IO and WM microstimulation evoked responses with a nearly simultaneous onset along a sagittal band, whereas ML microstimulation evoked a slowly propagating wave traveling about 25 cm/s. The response similarity to IO and WM microstimulation suggests that the responses to WM microstimulation are dominated by activation of its climbing fibers. The Cb's role in the generation of precise motor control may result from these temporal and topographic differences in orthogonally oriented pathways. Optical recordings of the turtle's thin flat Cb can provide insights into that role.

Selective Modulation of Tonic and Phasic Inhibitions in Dentate Gyrus Granule Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 2624-2628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoltan Nusser ◽  
Istvan Mody
Keyword(s):  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Tonic Inhibition ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Phasic Inhibition ◽  
The Mean

In some nerve cells, activation of GABAA receptors by GABA results in phasic and tonic conductances. Transient activation of synaptic receptors generates phasic inhibition, whereas tonic inhibition originates from GABA acting on extrasynaptic receptors, like in cerebellar granule cells, where it is thought to result from the activation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors with a specific subunit composition (α6βxδ). Here we show that in adult rat hippocampal slices, extracellular GABA levels are sufficiently high to generate a powerful tonic inhibition in δ subunit–expressing dentate gyrus granule cells. In these cells, the mean tonic current is approximately four times larger than that produced by spontaneous synaptic currents occurring at a frequency of ∼10 Hz. Antagonizing the GABA transporter GAT-1 with NO-711 (2.5 μM) selectively enhanced tonic inhibition by 330% without affecting the phasic component. In contrast, by prolonging the decay of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), the benzodiazepine agonist zolpidem (0.5 μM) augmented phasic inhibition by 66%, while leaving the mean tonic conductance unchanged. These results demonstrate that a tonic GABAA receptor–mediated conductance can be recorded from dentate gyrus granule cells of adult rats in in vitro slice preparations. Furthermore, we have identified distinct pharmacological tools to selectively modify tonic and phasic inhibitions, allowing future studies to investigate their specific roles in neuronal function.

scholarly journals Control of motor coordination by astrocytic tonic GABA release through modulation of excitation/inhibition balance in cerebellum

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (19) ◽  
pp. 5004-5009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junsung Woo ◽  
Joo Ok Min ◽  
Dae-Si Kang ◽  
Yoo Sung Kim ◽  
Guk Hwa Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Gaba Release ◽  
In Vivo Microdialysis ◽  
Tonic Inhibition

Tonic inhibition in the brain is mediated through an activation of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors by the tonically released GABA, resulting in a persistent GABAergic inhibitory action. It is one of the key regulators for neuronal excitability, exerting a powerful action on excitation/inhibition balance. We have previously reported that astrocytic GABA, synthesized by monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), mediates tonic inhibition via GABA-permeable bestrophin 1 (Best1) channel in the cerebellum. However, the role of astrocytic GABA in regulating neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and cerebellar brain function has remained elusive. Here, we report that a reduction of tonic GABA release by genetic removal or pharmacological inhibition of Best1 or MAOB caused an enhanced neuronal excitability in cerebellar granule cells (GCs), synaptic transmission at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell (PF-PC) synapses, and motor performance on the rotarod test, whereas an augmentation of tonic GABA release by astrocyte-specific overexpression of MAOB resulted in a reduced neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and motor performance. The bidirectional modulation of astrocytic GABA by genetic alteration of Best1 or MAOB was confirmed by immunostaining and in vivo microdialysis. These findings indicate that astrocytes are the key player in motor coordination through tonic GABA release by modulating neuronal excitability and could be a good therapeutic target for various movement and psychiatric disorders, which show a disturbed excitation/inhibition balance.

Feedforward Inhibition Controls the Spread of Granule Cell–Induced Purkinje Cell Activity in the Cerebellar Cortex

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 248-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fidel Santamaria ◽  
Patrick G. Tripp ◽  
James M. Bower
Keyword(s):  
Cerebellar Cortex ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Functional Organization ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Excitatory Input ◽  
Cortical Inhibition ◽  
Before And After

Synapses associated with the parallel fiber (pf) axons of cerebellar granule cells constitute the largest excitatory input onto Purkinje cells (PCs). Although most theories of cerebellar function assume these synapses produce an excitatory sequential “beamlike” activation of PCs, numerous physiological studies have failed to find such beams. Using a computer model of the cerebellar cortex we predicted that the lack of PCs beams is explained by the concomitant pf activation of feedforward molecular layer inhibition. This prediction was tested, in vivo, by recording PCs sharing a common set of pfs before and after pharmacologically blocking inhibitory inputs. As predicted by the model, pf-induced beams of excitatory PC responses were seen only when inhibition was blocked. Blocking inhibition did not have a significant effect in the excitability of the cerebellar cortex. We conclude that pfs work in concert with feedforward cortical inhibition to regulate the excitability of the PC dendrite without directly influencing PC spiking output. This conclusion requires a significant reassessment of classical interpretations of the functional organization of the cerebellar cortex.

Tetrabromobisphenol A-induced depolarization of rat cerebellar granule cells: ex vivo and in vitro studies

Chemosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 223 ◽  
pp. 64-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Diamandakis ◽  
Elzbieta Zieminska ◽  
Marcin Siwiec ◽  
Krzysztof Tokarski ◽  
Elzbieta Salinska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granule Cells ◽  
Cerebellar Granule Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Tetrabromobisphenol A ◽  
Cerebellar Granule

In Vivo Intracellular Analysis of Granule Cell Axon Reorganization in Epileptic Rats

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 712-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S. Buckmaster ◽  
F. Edward Dudek
Keyword(s):  
Granule Cell ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Molecular Layer ◽  
Axon Collateral ◽  
Cell Axon ◽  
Recurrent Excitation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Intracellular Analysis

In vivo intracellular analysis of granule cell axon reorganization in epileptic rats. In vivo intracellular recording and labeling in kainate-induced epileptic rats was used to address questions about granule cell axon reorganization in temporal lobe epilepsy. Individually labeled granule cells were reconstructed three dimensionally and in their entirety. Compared with controls, granule cells in epileptic rats had longer average axon length per cell; the difference was significant in all strata of the dentate gyrus including the hilus. In epileptic rats, at least one-third of the granule cells extended an aberrant axon collateral into the molecular layer. Axon projections into the molecular layer had an average summed length of 1 mm per cell and spanned 600 μm of the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus—a distance within the normal span of granule cell axon collaterals. These findings in vivo confirm results from previous in vitro studies. Surprisingly, 12% of the granule cells in epileptic rats, and none in controls, extended a basal dendrite into the hilus, providing another route for recurrent excitation. Consistent with recurrent excitation, many granule cells (56%) in epileptic rats displayed a long-latency depolarization superimposed on a normal inhibitory postsynaptic potential. These findings demonstrate changes, occurring at the single-cell level after an epileptogenic hippocampal injury, that could result in novel, local, recurrent circuits.

scholarly journals Methylation determines the extracellular calcium sensitivity of the leak channel NALCN in hippocampal dentate granule cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seul-Yi Lee ◽  
Tuan Anh Vuong ◽  
Xianlan Wen ◽  
Hyeon-Ju Jeong ◽  
Hyun-Kyung So ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Calcium Sensitivity ◽  
Arginine Methylation ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Leak Channel ◽  
Dentate Granule Cells ◽  
Severe Intellectual Disability

Abstract The sodium leak channel NALCN is a key player in establishing the resting membrane potential (RMP) in neurons and transduces changes in extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) into increased neuronal excitability as the downstream effector of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Gain-of-function mutations in the human NALCN gene cause encephalopathy and severe intellectual disability. Thus, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of NALCN is important for both basic and translational research. This study reveals a novel mechanism for NALCN regulation by arginine methylation. Hippocampal dentate granule cells in protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7)-deficient mice display a depolarization of the RMP, decreased threshold currents, and increased excitability compared to wild-type neurons. Electrophysiological studies combined with molecular analysis indicate that enhanced NALCN activities contribute to hyperexcitability in PRMT7−/− neurons. PRMT7 depletion in HEK293T cells increases NALCN activity by shifting the dose-response curve of NALCN inhibition by [Ca2+]e without affecting NALCN protein levels. In vitro methylation studies show that PRMT7 methylates a highly conserved Arg1653 of the NALCN gene located in the carboxy-terminal region that is implicated in CaSR-mediated regulation. A kinase-specific phosphorylation site prediction program shows that the adjacent Ser1652 is a potential phosphorylation site. Consistently, our data from site-specific mutants and PKC inhibitors suggest that Arg1653 methylation might modulate Ser1652 phosphorylation mediated by CaSR/PKC-delta, leading to [Ca2+]e-mediated NALCN suppression. Collectively, these data suggest that PRMT7 deficiency decreases NALCN methylation at Arg1653, which, in turn, decreases CaSR/PKC-mediated Ser1652 phosphorylation, lifting NALCN inhibition, thereby enhancing neuronal excitability. Thus, PRMT7-mediated NALCN inhibition provides a potential target for the development of therapeutic tools for neurological diseases.

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