Prevention by cycloheximide of the audiogenic seizures and tryptophan metabolic disturbances of ethanol withdrawal in rats

Selective role of the catalytic PI3K subunit p110β in impaired higher order cognition in fragile X syndrome

Distinct isoforms of the PI3K catalytic subunit have specialized functions in the brain, but their role in cognition is unknown. Here, we show that the catalytic subunit p110β plays an important role in prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent cognitive defects in mouse models of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), an inherited intellectual disability. FXS is caused by loss of function of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which binds and translationally represses mRNAs. PFC-selective knockdown of p110β, an FMRP target that is translationally upregulated in FXS, reverses deficits in higher cognition in Fmr1 knockout mice. Genetic full-body reduction of p110β in Fmr1 knockout mice normalizes excessive PI3K activity, restores stimulus-induced protein synthesis, and corrects increased dendritic spine density and behavior. Notably, adult-onset PFC-selective Fmr1 knockdown mice show impaired cognition, which is rescued by simultaneous p110β knockdown. Our results suggest that FMRP-mediated control of p110β is crucial for neuronal protein synthesis and cognition.

The differential effects of protein synthesis inhibition on the expression and reconsolidation of pentylenetetrazole kindled seizures

This work attempted to answer the question whether the central processes engaged in the memory formation and the epilepsy development are governed by the overlapping mechanisms. The effects of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) were examined on the expression and reconsolidation of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) - induced kindled seizures and for comparative purposes, on the reconsolidation of conditioned fear response (conditioned freezing). It was found that post-test intracerebroventricular administration of CHX (125microg/5microl) significantly attenuated the expression of a conditioned fear response examined 24h later. Thus, inhibition of de novo brain protein synthesis interfered with the reconsolidation of a conditioned response. CHX given at the same dose repeatedly to fully kindled rats immediately after three consecutive sessions of PTZ-induced seizures (35mg/kg ip) did not modify the strength of convulsions. On the other hand, CHX significantly attenuated the strength of convulsions when the drug was administered 1h before the PTZ injection, which occurred every second day for three consecutive sessions. However, when CHX was omitted in a consecutive session, PTZ induced a fully developed expression of tonic-clonic convulsions, thereby indicating that CHX-induced changes in seizure intensity were transitory. Western Blot analysis confirmed that CHX potently inhibited PTZ-induced protein synthesis (c-Fos) in the rat brain, examined 60min after CHX and PTZ administration. The present findings suggest that the mechanisms underlying kindling are resistant to modification, even under the influence of protein synthesis inhibitors, and that there are important differences between the processes of learning and kindling seizures.

Tryptophan metabolism in alcoholism

Acute and chronic alcohol (ethanol) intake and subsequent withdrawal exert major effects on tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and disposition in human subjects and experimental animals. In rats, activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of Trp degradation, liver Trp pyrrolase (TP), is enhanced by acute, but inhibited after chronic, ethanol administration, then enhanced during withdrawal. These changes lead to alterations in brain serotonin synthesis and turnover mediated by corresponding changes in circulating Trp availability to the brain. A low brain-serotonin concentration characterizes the alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J mouse strain and many alcohol-preferring rat lines. In this mouse strain, liver TP enhancement causes the serotonin decrease. In man, acute ethanol intake inhibits brain serotonin synthesis by activating liver TP. This may explain alcohol-induced depression, aggression and loss of control in susceptible individuals. Chronic alcohol intake in dependent subjects may be associated with liver TP inhibition and a consequent enhancement of brain serotonin synthesis, whereas subsequent withdrawal may induce the opposite effects. The excitotoxic Trp metabolite quinolinate may play a role in the behavioural disturbances of the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome. Some abstinent alcoholics may have a central serotonin deficiency, which they correct by liver TP inhibition through drinking. Further studies of the Trp and serotonin metabolic status in long-term abstinence in general and in relation to personality characteristics, alcoholism typology and genetic factors in particular may yield important information which should facilitate the development of more effective screening, and preventative and therapeutic strategies in this area of mental health.

Non-linear effects of cycloheximide in glutamate-treated cultured rat cerebellar neurons

Multiple cell types and organisms across a wide array of phyla and a variety of toxins demonstrate non-linear dose responses to low-level chemical exposures with high doses inhibiting cellular function and low doses stimulating function. We tested whether such non-linear responses to low and ultra-low dose N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) or cycloheximide moderated toxic glutamate exposure in cultured cerebellar granule cells. Neurons were incubated over 72 h with successive NMDA, MPP+ iodide or cycloheximide additions producing specified low (10(-5), 10(-7), 10(-9), 10(-11), and 10(-13) M) and ultra-low (10(-27),10(-29), 10(-63), and 10(-65) M) concentrations. Subsequently these neuronal cells were exposed to a 50% excitotoxic concentration of glutamate for 24 h. Neuronal viability was significantly reduced in neurons treated with micromolar (10(-5) M) cycloheximide whereas viability was enhanced in neurons treated with an ultra-low dose exposure of 10(-27) M cycloheximide. Neither NMDA nor MPP+ elicited harmful or protective responses. This is the first report demonstrating non-linear dose-response effects of cycloheximide in low and ultra-low concentration ranges.

Tryptophan metabolism in alcoholism

Studies of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism in relation to the serotonin status in alcoholism are of 2 types: (1) those related to the pharmacological effects of ethanol; (2) those concerning the serotonin status in the absence of alcohol intake. In experimental animals, acute and chronic ethanol administration and subsequent withdrawal exert a variety of effects on brain serotonin synthesis and turnover mediated by corresponding changes in Trp availability to the brain secondarily mainly to modulation of liver Trp pyrrolase (TP) activity. Alcohol-preferring mice and rats exhibit a central serotonin deficiency caused by, or in some cases associated with, a higher TP activity. Liver TP also appears to be a target of ethanol in man and evidence has recently emerged that alcoholics with positive family history are serotonin-deficient because of a lower availability of circulating Trp to the brain. Acutely, ethanol depletes brain serotonin in normal subjects, which may explain alcohol-induced aggression in susceptible individuals and also the incidence of depression in alcoholism. Trp availability to the brain is increased before the appearance of the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome in man, raising the possibility that the associated behavioural disturbances may involve the excitotoxic Trp metabolite quinolinate. Further studies of the Trp and serotonin status in relation to these important clinical features of alcohol dependence and alcoholism may therefore yield fruitful results.