Metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate the NMDA- and AMPA-induced gene expression in neocortical interneurons

GluA and GluN receptors regulate the surface density of GluN receptor subunits in cultured neocortical interneurons

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 597-606.

ABSTRACT

In cultured rat neocortical interneurons, we have studied the effect of long-term application of NMDA or AMPA on the surface density of the NMDA (GluN) receptor subunits GluN1 and GluN2B. Stimulation of Ca(2+) -permeable AMPA (GluA) receptors located on the interneurons decreased the response of GluN receptors. The reduction was caused by a decrease in the surface density of GluN1/GluN2B subunits. In contrast, stimulation of GluN receptors located on the interneurons enhanced the surface density of GluN1/GluN2B subunits. Both effects could be induced by network activation.

Deleterious GRM1 mutations in schizophrenia

We analysed a phenotypically well-characterised sample of 450 schziophrenia patients and 605 controls for rare non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in the GRM1 gene, their functional effects and family segregation. GRM1 encodes the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), whose documented role as a modulator of neuronal signalling and synaptic plasticity makes it a plausible schizophrenia candidate. In a recent study, this gene was shown to harbour a cluster of deleterious nsSNPs within a functionally important domain of the receptor, in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our Sanger sequencing of the GRM1 coding regions detected equal numbers of nsSNPs in cases and controls, however the two groups differed in terms of the potential effects of the variants on receptor function: 6/6 case-specific and only 1/6 control-specific nsSNPs were predicted to be deleterious. Our in-vitro experimental follow-up of the case-specific mutants showed that 4/6 led to significantly reduced inositol phosphate production, indicating impaired function of the major mGluR1 signalling pathway; 1/6 had reduced cell membrane expression; inconclusive results were obtained in 1/6. Family segregation analysis indicated that these deleterious nsSNPs were inherited. Interestingly, four of the families were affected by multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, not limited to schizophrenia, and the mutations were detected in relatives with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, drug and alcohol dependence, and epilepsy. Our findings suggest a possible mGluR1 contribution to diverse psychiatric conditions, supporting the modulatory role of the receptor in such conditions as proposed previously on the basis of in vitro experiments and animal studies.

Stimulation of GluN receptors decreases the surface density of GluN1/GluN2B subunits in cultured neocortical interneurons

Changes in the density of NMDA (GluN) receptors in the neuronal membrane are critical for plasticity, whereas malfunction of precisely regulated GluN receptor activity may be involved in neurotoxicity. In cultured rat neocortical interneurons, we have studied the regulation of the surface density of GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B subunits. Application of 5 μMol NMDA for 24 h followed by a washout period of 24 h decreased the response of GluN receptors for at least 2 days. The reduction was caused by a decrease in the surface density of GluN1/GluN2B subunits, whereas GluN2A subunits remained unaffected. Our data indicate that long but reversible low level activation of GluN receptors can cause long-term changes in their subunit composition in cultured interneurons.

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition upregulates NMDA-evoked currents in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in hippocampus play very important roles in the regulation of learning and memory. Here, we showed that dihydroouabain (DHO, 10(-5)-10(-3) M), a Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, significantly potentiated NMDA current in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, which was blocked by PP2 (the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and PD-98059 [the selective inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade]. These findings reported here uncover that Src mediates the cross-talk between Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and NMDA receptor to transduce the signals from Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase to the MAPK cascade and provide new insights into therapeutic target for deeper understanding of the nature of cognitive disorder.

Differential localization of GABA(A) receptor subunits in relation to rat striatopallidal and pallidopallidal synapses

As a central integrator of basal ganglia function, the external segment of the globus pallidus (GP) plays a critical role in the control of voluntary movement. The GP is composed of a network of inhibitory GABA-containing projection neurons which receive GABAergic input from axons of the striatum (Str) and local collaterals of GP neurons. Here, using electrophysiological techniques and immunofluorescent labeling we have investigated the differential cellular distribution of α1, α2 and α3 GABA(A) receptor subunits in relation to striatopallidal (Str-GP) and pallidopallidal (GP-GP) synapses. Electrophysiological investigations showed that zolpidem (100 nm; selective for the α1 subunit) increased the amplitude and the decay time of both Str-GP and GP-GP IPSCs, indicating the presence of the α1 subunits at both synapses. However, the application of drugs selective for the α2, α3 and α5 subunits (zolpidem at 400 nm, L-838,417 and TP003) revealed differential effects on amplitude and decay time of IPSCs, suggesting the nonuniform distribution of non-α1 subunits. Immunofluorescence revealed widespread distribution of the α1 subunit at both soma and dendrites, while double- and triple-immunofluorescent labeling for parvalbumin, enkephalin, gephyrin and the γ2 subunit indicated strong immunoreactivity for GABA(A) α3 subunits in perisomatic synapses, a region mainly targeted by local axon collaterals. In contrast, immunoreactivity for synaptic GABA(A) α2 subunits was observed in dendritic compartments where striatal synapses are preferentially located. Due to the kinetic properties which each GABA(A) α subunit confers, this distribution is likely to contribute differentially to both physiological and pathological patterns of activity.

Metabotropic glutamate mGlu1 receptor stimulation and blockade: therapeutic opportunities in psychiatric illness

Metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptors play a modulatory role in the nervous system. They enhance cell excitability, modulate synaptic neurotransmission and are involved in synaptic plasticity. During the last 10 years, several selective metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptor competitive antagonists and potentiators have been discovered. These pharmacological tools, together with early and later work in metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptor mutant mice have allowed studying the role of the receptor in various aspects of psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. We here review the data on selective metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptor antagonists in support of their potential as anxiolytic and antidepressant treatments. We propose a rationale for the development of metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptor positive allosteric modulators for the treatment of schizophrenia. Potential side effects of blockade and activation of metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptors are addressed, with special focus on the differential effects of metabotropic glutamate mGlu(1) receptor antagonists in cognition models with positive reinforcement versus those that use aversive learning procedures. Further development of negative allosteric modulators and more drug-like positive allosteric modulators will be required in order to decipher the therapeutic efficacy and safety margin of these compounds in the clinic.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2006

This paper is the 29th consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, now spanning 30 years of research. It summarizes papers published during 2006 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurological disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration and thermoregulation (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).