Neurotensin receptor interaction with dopaminergic systems in the guinea-pig brain shown by neurotensin receptor antagonists

Bioactive analogs of neurotensin: focus on CNS effects

Neurotensin (NT) is a 13-amino acid neuropeptide found in the central nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tract. It is closely associated anatomically with dopaminergic and other neurotransmitter systems, and evidence supports a role for NT agonists in the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, NT is readily degraded by peptidases, so there is much interest in the development of stable NT agonists, that can be injected systemically, cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), yet retains the pharmacological characteristics of native NT for therapeutic use in the treatment of diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and addiction.

Functionalized Nanodiamonds: Triamantane and [121]Tetramantane

The selective functionalizations of the fundamental hydrogen-terminated nanodiamonds triamantane 1, as well as the most symmetrical representative of the tetramantanes (C(2h)-[121]tetramantane 2) were elaborated. Electrophilic reagents (Br2, HNO3) predominantly attack the medial C-H positions of the cages; bromination of 2 gave the medial 2-bromo derivative almost exclusively. Highly selective apical substitution in 1 and 2 is possible either under single-electron-transfer oxidations via hydrocarbon radical cations or through photoacetylation with diacetyl. The mono- and the bis-acetyl derivatives of 1 and 2 were converted through Bayer-Villiger oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis to the respective apical mono- and dihydroxy derivatives. This exceptional synthetic specificity facilitates the transformation of 2, and perhaps larger nanodiamond molecules, into functionalized building blocks needed for a wide range of applications such as nanotechnology.

Functionalized Nanodiamonds Part I. An Experimental Assessment of Diamantane and Computational Predictions for Higher Diamondoids

The structures, strain energies, and enthalpies of formation of diamantane 1, triamantane 2, isomeric tetramantanes 3-5, T(d)-pentamantane 6, and D(3d)-hexamantane 7, and the structures of their respective radicals, cations, as well as radical cations, were computed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. For the most symmetrical hydrocarbons, the relative strain (per carbon atom) decreases from the lower to the higher diamondoids. The relative stabilities of isomeric diamondoidyl radicals vary only within small limits, while the stabilities of the diamondoidyl cations increase with cage size and depend strongly on the geometric position of the charge. Positive charge located close to the geometrical center of the molecule is stabilized by 2-5 kcal mol(-1). In contrast, diamondoid radical cations preferentially form highly delocalized structures with elongated peripheral C-H bonds. The effective spin/charge delocalization lowers the ionization potentials of diamondoids significantly (down to 176.9 kcal mol(-1) for 7). The reactivity of 1 was extensively studied experimentally. Whereas reactions with carbon-centered radicals (Hal)(3)C(*) (Hal=halogen) lead to mixtures of all possible tertiary and secondary halodiamantanes, uncharged electrophiles (dimethyldioxirane, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, and CrO(2)Cl(2)) give much higher tertiary versus secondary selectivities. Medial bridgehead substitution dominates in the reactions with strong electrophiles (Br(2), 100 % HNO(3)), whereas with strong single-electron transfer (SET) acceptors (photoexcited 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene) apical C(4)-H bridgehead substitution is preferred. For diamondoids that form well-defined radical cations (such as 1 and 4-7), exceptionally high selectivities are expected upon oxidation with outer-sphere SET reagents.

Evidence for a role of endogenous neurotensin in the initiation of amphetamine sensitization

This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that endogenous neurotensin plays a role in the initiation of sensitization to the locomotor activating effect of amphetamine. During an initial training phase, different groups of male rats were injected on four occasions (every second day: Days 1, 3, 5 and 7) with one of three doses (40, 80 or 160 microg/kg, ip) of the neurotensin antagonist, SR-48692, or its vehicle, followed 30 min later by amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg, ip), or saline. Ambulatory, non-ambulatory, and vertical movements were measured for 2 h in photocell cages immediately following the second injection. One week after the training phase, sensitivity to amphetamine (0.75 mg/kg, ip) was tested in all the rats (sensitization test). The results show that SR-48692, when given alone, produced levels of locomotor activity that were not statistically different from control. At the low dose, it potentiated amphetamine-induced ambulatory and non-ambulatory movements, an effect observed on Day 7 but not on Day 1. On the day of the sensitization test, rats pre-exposed to amphetamine alone displayed stronger ambulatory and non-ambulatory movements than vehicle pre-exposed rats, a sensitization effect that was attenuated and prevented by SR-48692 at 80 and 160 microg/kg, respectively. The present results demonstrate that activation of neurotensin receptors by endogenous neurotensin is required for the initiation of amphetamine sensitization. They provide additional evidence that an increase in central neurotensinergic neurotransmission may lead to a lasting increased sensitivity to psychostimulant drugs.

Neurotensin attenuates the quinpirole-induced inhibition of the firing rate of dopamine neurons in the rat substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area

In the present study we describe the excitatory effects of the bioactive peptide neurotensin on the electrical activity of dopamine neurons (simultaneously recorded) in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area. The neurotensin fragment (8-13) induced comparable increases in firing rate of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons (EC50 values 30 and 45 nM, respectively). The neurotensin receptor antagonist SR142948A antagonized the excitatory effects of neurotensin fragment (8-13) (pA2 values 8.4 and 8.2, respectively). Furthermore, it was found that a low concentration of neurotensin fragment (8-13) (1 nM) attenuated the inhibition of the firing rate by the selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist quinpirole in both neuron types (e.g., the effect of 0.01 microM quinpirole was reduced by approximately 60% in the presence of 1 nM neurotensin fragment [8-13]). Antagonism of this neurotensin fragment (8-13) effect by SR142948A confirms that neurotensin receptors can reduce the effect of dopamine D2 receptors at the single-cell level. These results are discussed in the light of possible roles for neurotensin in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

Blockade of neurokinin3 receptors antagonizes drug-induced population response and depolarization block of midbrain dopamine neurons in guinea pigs

In vivo extracellular recording techniques were used to investigate the effects of neurokinin3 (NK3) receptor blockade on the pharmacological activation of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in the guinea pig substantia nigra (A9) and ventral tegmental area (A10). The number of spontaneously active DA cells (population response) was largely increased in A10 and A9 by acute administration of haloperidol (1 and 0.5 mg/kg i.p., respectively) and this effect was dose-dependently prevented in both areas by the selective NK3 receptor antagonist SR142801 (0.3, 1, 3, and 1, 3, 10 mg/kg i.p., respectively). This compound, which was totally inactive by itself, also antagonized the increase of population response induced in A10 cells by the neurotensin receptor antagonist SR142948 (1 mg/kg i.p.) and in A9 cells by the NK2 receptor antagonist SR144190 (1 mg/kg i.p.). None of the effects of SR142801 were reproduced by SR142806, its (R)-enantiomer with 240-fold lower affinity for NK3 receptors. In addition, neither SR144190 (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) nor the NK1 receptor antagonist GR205171 (1 mg/kg i.p.) affected the haloperidol-induced response. The antagonistic effects of SR142801 (3 mg/kg i.p.) were also observed on the depolarization block-related decrease of A10 cell population response evoked by repeated administration (22 days) of haloperidol. Finally, SR142801 (3 mg/kg i.p.) prevented depolarization block induced in A10 cells by acute co-administration of SR142948 and haloperidol, both on population response and on single cell firing. These results on pharmacologically induced activation and depolarization block of dopamine neurons suggest that NK3 receptors play a key role in the midbrain DA function, presumably through activation by neurokinin B.

Neurotensin receptors and dopamine transporters: effects of MPTP lesioning and chronic dopaminergic treatments in monkeys

The effect of denervation with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) of the dopamine (DA) nigrostriatal pathway on neurotensin (NT) receptor and DA transporter (DAT) in basal ganglia of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) was investigated. The MPTP lesion induced a marked depletion of DA (90% or more vs. control) in the caudate nucleus and putamen. The densities of NT agonist binding sites labeled with [125I]NT and the NT antagonist binding sites labeled with [3H]SR142948A decreased by half in the caudate-putamen of MPTP-monkeys. In addition, the densities of [125I]NT and [3H]SR142948A binding sites markedly decreased (-77 and -63%, respectively) in the substantia nigra of MPTP-monkeys. Levocabastine did not compete with high affinity for [125I]NT binding in the monkey cingulate cortex, suggesting that only one class of NT receptors was labelled in the monkey brain. An extensive decrease of [3H]GBR12935 DAT binding sites (-92% vs. Control) was observed in the striatum of MPTP-monkeys and an important loss of DAT mRNA(-86% vs. Control) was observed in substantia nigra. Treatments for 1 month with either the D1 agonist SKF-82958 (3 mg/kg/day) or the D2 agonist cabergoline (0.25 mg/kg/day) had no effect on the lesion-induced decrease in NT and DAT binding sites or DAT mRNA levels. The decrease of striatal NT binding sites was less than expected from the decrease of DA content in this nucleus, suggesting only partial localization of NT receptors on nigrostriatal DAergic projections. These data also suggest that under severe DA denervation, treatment with D1 or D2 DA agonists does not modulate NT receptors and DAT density.

Stimulation by neurotensin of (3H)5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) release from rat frontal cortex slices

The effect of neurotensin (NT) on the K+-evoked (3H)5HT release from brain frontal cortex slices was studied in rats. NT(1-13) and NT(8-13) increased (3H)5HT release with EC50 values in the nanomolar range and Emax values in the range of 100% of control, whereas D-tyr11-NT was inactive. Concerning NT receptor antagonists, SR 48692 and SR 142948A antagonized with IC50 values of 4.8+/-1.8 nM and 4.5+/-1.8 nM respectively, the NT stimulated K+-evoked (3H)5HT release. SR 48527 also antagonized NT induced (3H)5HT release with an IC50 value of 0.95+/-0.06 nM whereas the inactive R(-) enantiomer SR 49711 only inhibited this effect with IC50 value close to 10(-6)M. The 5HT-releasing effect of NT was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin suggesting that NT receptors involved in the control of 5-HT release are not located on 5-HT terminals. After a first NT (10(-7)M) application, the NT (10(-7)M, 10(-6)M) effect under K+ depolarization was drastically decreased, indicating that the NT receptor could be desensitized. No potentiating effect of NT on K+-evoked (3H)5HT release was observed in striatal and hippocampal slices. These results suggest that, in the rat frontal cortex, NT regulates 5HT release through a high affinity NT receptor not associated with 5HT terminals.

Involvement of cortical neurotensin in the regulation of rat meso-cortico-limbic dopamine neurons: evidence from changes in the number of spontaneously active A10 cells after neurotensin receptor blockade

In order to further assess the role of endogenous neurotensin on midbrain dopaminergic neuronal function, the effects of the selective neurotensin receptor antagonists SR 48692 and SR 48527 were investigated on the number of spontaneously active A9 and A10 dopaminergic neurons in rats. Single intraperitoneal administration of SR 48692 (0.1-3 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased the number of active A10, but not A9 cells. SR 48527 (1 mg/kg) had a similar profile, but not SR 49711, its low affinity R-enantiomer, indicating that the effects observed were mediated through neurotensin receptor blockade. Five-week treatment with SR 48692 (3 mg/kg/day) produced a significant decrease of the number of active A10, but not A9 cells, which was reversed by apomorphine, suggesting that these cells were under depolarization block. Single co-administration of inactive doses of SR 48692 (0.1 mg/kg) and haloperidol (0.0625 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of active A10 cells. Conversely, co-administered active doses of SR 48692 or SR 48527 and haloperidol (1 and 0.25 mg/kg, respectively) induced an apomorphine-sensitive decrease of the number of A10 active cells. Finally, SR 48692 (10 mg/kg) modified neither accumbal nor cortical basal DA release. Local micro-injection of SR 48692 (10[-11]-10[-9] M), but not that of SR 49711 (10[-9] M), into the prefrontal cortex, increased the number of active A10 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that neurotensin receptor blockade counteracts a tonic inhibitory regulation by endogenous neurotensin of mesolimbic dopaminergic function and indicate that the prefrontal cortex is critically involved in this regulation.

Agonist and antagonist modulation of [35S]-GTP gamma S binding in transfected CHO cells expressing the neurotensin receptor

1. The functional interaction of the cloned rat neurotensin receptor with intracellular G-proteins was investigated by studying the binding of the radiolabelled guanylyl nucleotide analogue [35S]-GTP gamma S induced by neurotensin to membranes prepared from transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. 2. The agonist-induced binding of [35S]-GTP gamma S was only detected in the presence of NaCl in the incubation buffer. However, it was also demonstrated that the binding of [3H]-neurotensin to its receptor was inhibited by NaCl. In the presence of 50 mM NaCl, the binding of the labelled nucleotide was about 2 fold increased by stimulation with saturating concentrations of neurotensin (EC50 value of 2.3 +/- 0.9 nM). 3. The stimulation of [35S]-GTP gamma S binding by neurotensin was mimicked by the stable analogue of neurotensin, JMV-449 (EC50 value of 1.7 +/- 0.4 nM) and the neurotensin related peptide neuromedin N (EC50 value of 21 +/- 6 nM). 4. The NT-induced [35S]-GTP gamma S binding was competitively inhibited by SR48692 (pA2 value of 9.55 +/- 0.28), a non-peptide neurotensin receptor antagonist. SR48692 alone had no effect on the specific binding of [35S]-GTP gamma S. 5. The response to neurotensin was found to be inhibited by the aminosteroid U-73122, a putative inhibitor of phospholipase C-dependent processes, indicating that this drug may act at the G-protein level. 6. Taken together, these results constitute the first characterization of the exchange of guanylyl nucleotides at the G-protein level that is induced by the neuropeptide neurotensin after binding to its receptor.

Neurotensin and neuroendocrine regulation

More than two decades of research indicate that the peptide neurotensin (NT) and its cognate receptors participate to a remarkable extent in the regulation of mammalian neuroendocrine systems, potentially at multiple levels in a given system. NT-synthesizing neurons appear to exert a direct or indirect stimulatory influence on neurosecretory cells that synthesize gonadotropin-releasing hormone, dopamine (DA), somatostatin, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). In addition, context-specific synthesis of NT occurs in hypothalamic neurosecretory cells located in the arcuate nucleus and parvocellular paraventricular nucleus, including distinct subsets of cells which release DA, CRH, or growth hormone-releasing hormone into the hypophysial portal circulation. At the level of the anterior pituitary, NT stimulates secretion of prolactin and occurs in subsets of gonadotropes and thyrotropes. Moreover, circulating hormones influence NT synthesis in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, raising the possibility that NT mediates certain feedback effects of the hormones on neuroendocrine cells. Gonadal steroids alter NT levels in the preoptic area, arcuate nucleus, and anterior pituitary; adrenal steroids alter NT levels in the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus; and thyroid hormones alter NT levels in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. Finally, clarification of the specific neuroendocrine roles subserved by NT should be greatly facilitated by the use of newly developed agonists and antagonists of the peptide.

Negative modulation of nitric oxide production by neurotensin as a putative mechanism of the diuretic action of SR 48692 in rats

1. We investigated the effect of the non-peptide neurotensin (NT) antagonist SR 48692 on renal function in rats and the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the diuretic action of this compound. 2. In fed animals, SR 48692 dose-dependently (0.5 to 12.5 mg kg-1, p.o., 0.03 to 1 mg kg-1, i.p. and 0.1 to 1 microgram/rat, i.c.v.) increased urine output and urinary excretion of Na+, K+ and Cl- and reduced urine osmolality. The diuretic activity was also evident in water-deprived, fasted animals and in fasted, water-loaded rats. 3. NT (0.1 microgram/rat, i.c.v.) had no effect on urine output in fed rats, but reduced the diuretic action of SR 48692 (1 microgram/rat, i.c.v.). The opposite result was obtained in fasted, water-loaded animals: NT dose-dependently (0.01 and 0.1 microgram/rat, i.c.v.) inhibited diuresis and this effect was significantly inhibited by i.c.v. SR 48692. In this experimental condition, SR 48692 did not further increase the on-going diuresis. 4. The NO synthesis inhibitor N(1)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 30 mg kg-1, i.p.) alone had no effect on urine output in fed rats but prevented the diuretic action of i.c.v. or i.p. SR 48692; L-arginine (1 g kg-1, i.p.) but not D-arginine (1 g kg-1, i.p.) restored the SR 48692-dependent increase in diuresis, L-NAME had no effect on furosemide-stimulated diuresis. 5. Systemically administered L-NAME or i.c.v. NT in fasted, water-loaded rats significantly reduced water diuresis but this effect was no longer seen in animals given i.p. L-arginine. Rats receiving i.c.v. NT, whose diuresis was significantly reduced, also excreted less nitrates and nitrites in urine. 6. Increased diuresis after central or systemic administration of SR 48692 to fed rats was paralleled by increased urinary excretion of nitrates and nitrites, this being consistent with peripheral enhancement of NO production after NT-receptor blockade by SR 48692. The increase in diuresis after furosemide also involved an increase of nitrates and nitrites in urine, but this effect was about half that attained with an equipotent diuretic dose of SR 48692. 7. In fed rats, the NO donor isosorbide-dinitrate, reduced systolic blood pressure (unlike SR 48692 which did not affect blood pressure) but also dose-dependently (1 and 5 mg kg-1, i.p.) stimulated urine output. 8. The overall effects of SR 48692 strongly support a link between the actions of endogenous NT, AVP and peripheral NO production in the modulation of renal excretion of water, Na+, K+ and Cl-.

In vivo regulation of neurotensin receptors following long-term pharmacological blockade with a specific receptor antagonist

Adaptive changes in brain neurotensin (NT) receptors were investigated in rats after repeated administration of SR 48692, a potent and selective non-peptide NT receptor antagonist. Administration of SR 48692 (1 mg/kg i.p.) for 15 days did not alter NT content in the brain but highly enhanced the expression of NT receptor mRNA as shown by quantitative in situ hybridization. The increase of the signal was observed in numerous areas of the brain, such as the anterior cingulate, perirhinal and retrosplenial cortices, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the ventral tegmental area, the substantia nigra and the posterior cortical nucleus of the amygdaloid complex. Moreover, the SR 48692 treatment induced the expression of NT receptor mRNA in several nuclei of the diencephalon where it could not be detected in basal conditions. Immunoblot analysis with a specific antibody directed against the rat cloned NT receptor revealed an important increase in NT receptor protein in the brain of SR 48692-treated rats, correlating well with the increase in NT receptor mRNA levels. Surprisingly, the number and the affinity constant of NT binding sites determined on brain membrane homogenates remained unchanged after SR 48692 treatment, even after membrane permeabilization with low concentrations of digitonin. These results suggest that chronic treatment with a specific NT antagonist induces an up-regulation of NT receptors at the level of mRNA and protein. Moreover, they indicate that after a chronic treatment with SR 48692, the number of NT binding sites remains stable in contrast to what is observed after 5-day treatment or with central monoaminergic receptor following their long-term blockade.

Neurotensin, N-acetyl-aspartylglutamate and beta-endorphin modulate [3H]dopamine release from guinea pig nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex and caudate-putamen

Dopaminergic hyperactivity in nucleus accumbens and dopaminergic hypoactivity in prefrontal cortex are thought to underlie positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, respectively. The caudate putamen is the neuroanatomical substrate for extrapyramidal side effects resulting from chronic antipsychotic treatment. We sought to identify potential endogenous regulators of dopamine release that might produce differential effects in these brain areas. We tested neurotensin, N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate and beta-endorphin for potential regulation of [3H]dopamine release in these regions of guinea pig brain. All three peptides stimulated dopamine release, above basal activity, at all concentrations tested in the three regions. Neurotensin significantly enhanced and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate had no significant effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated release from all three regions. In contrast, beta-endorphin significantly inhibited N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated release in nucleus accumbens and caudate putamen. These results suggest that these neuropeptides may regulate endogenous dopamine release and therefore may be potential therapeutic targets for antipsychotic drug development.

Reciprocal synaptic connections between neurotensin- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus of the guinea pig

Neurotensin (NT) and dopamine are two neurotransmitters which are present in the hypothalamus of mammals and are often distributed in identical areas. In particular, in the periventricular anterior hypothalamus and in the arcuate nucleus, images of apposition between perikarya and fibers containing dopamine or neurotensin have frequently been observed at the light microscope level. The aim of this study was to answer, at the ultrastructural level in the A12 and A14 catecholaminergic cell groups, the question as to the existence of the possible synaptic nature of such contacts. To this end, NT and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were simultaneously visualized using double pre-embedding immunocytochemical methods. In the A12 arcuate area, synaptic contacts were demonstrated between TH-immunoreactive terminals and NT-labeled perikarya and dendrites. The opposite pattern, i.e., NT-stained terminals synapsing onto TH-positive neurons, was also observed. In contrast, only NT synaptic inputs onto TH-stained cell bodies could be demonstrated in the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus. In addition, immunoreactive terminals stained for NT or TH were observed to make synaptic contacts with perikaryal profiles stained for the same antigen. These results demonstrate a strong synaptic NT input onto the dopaminergic neurons of the mediobasal hypothalamus and suggest a reciprocal influence, at least in part, of catecholaminergic terminals on arcuate NT-containing neurons.

SR 48692-sensitive neurotensin receptors modulate acetylcholine release in the rat striatum

The effects of stimulation and blockade of neurotensin receptors on striatal acetylcholine release were examined in anaesthetized rats using microdialysis. Local perfusion with neurotensin (100 nM) did not influence the release of acetylcholine. Application of neurotensin (100 nM) 30 min after haloperidol (125 micrograms/kg, i.p.) increased acetylcholine levels to 188% compared to 120% when haloperidol was administered alone. SR 48692 (3-100 micrograms/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently reduced the stimulatory effect of neurotensin in the presence of haloperidol. Comparable antagonism was observed with SR 48527, a chemically-related compound with high affinity for neurotensin receptors, but not with SR 49711, its low-affinity antipode. These results indicate that high affinity neurotensin receptors regulate acetylcholine release, when D2-dopaminergic inhibitory input is suppressed.

Receptor-receptor interactions and their relevance for receptor diversity. Focus on neuropeptide/dopamine interactions

Receptor diversity in combination with receptor-receptor subtype specific interactions, which can be antagonistic or synergistic in character, markedly increase plasticity in WT and VT in the nervous system. In this way switching among transmission lines for the various DA receptor subtypes becomes possible. Some of these aspects are supported by our work on selective modulation of D2 receptors by CCK and NT. Selective regulation of D2 receptors via CCK-8 receptor subtypes and NT receptors may underlie CCK/DA interactions and NT/DA interactions in the basal ganglia. These studies underline the importance of receptor-receptor interactions exerted at the membrane level between neuropeptide receptors and D2 receptors, which are determined at least in part by the ongoing activity at D1 receptors. In the case of both CCK/D2 and NT/D2 receptor interactions, it has been possible, by means of intrastriatal and intraaccumbens microdialysis, to obtain a functional correlate to the receptor interactions found in the membrane preparations from the striatum. Schizophrenia may be in part related to reduced release of CCK and/or NT peptides or to alterations in their receptor interactions with the D2 receptor. This view may lead to new therapeutic approaches.