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Wu H, Hoare BL, Handley TNG, Akhter Hossain M, Bathgate RAD. Development of a synthetic relaxin-3/INSL5 chimeric peptide ligand for NanoBiT complementation binding assays. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 224:116238. [PMID: 38677442 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
INSL5 and relaxin-3 are relaxin family peptides with important roles in gut and brain function, respectively. They mediate their actions through the class A GPCRs RXFP4 and RXFP3. RXFP4 has been proposed to be a therapeutic target for colon motility disorders whereas RXFP3 targeting could be effective for neurological conditions such as anxiety. Validation of these targets has been limited by the lack of specific ligands and the availability of robust ligand-binding assays for their development. In this study, we have utilized NanoBiT complementation to develop a SmBiT-conjugated tracer for use with LgBiT-fused RXFP3 and RXFP4. The low affinity between LgBiT:SmBiT should result in a low non-specific luminescence signal and enable the quantification of binding without the tedious separation of non-bound ligands. We used solid-phase peptide synthesis to produce a SmBiT-labelled RXFP3/4 agonist, R3/I5, where SmBiT was conjugated to the B-chain N-terminus via a PEG12 linker. Both SmBiT-R3/I5 and R3/I5 were synthesized and purified in high purity and yield. Stable HEK293T cell lines expressing LgBiT-RXFP3 and LgBiT-RXFP4 were produced and demonstrated normal signaling in response to the synthetic R3/I5 peptide. Binding was first characterized in whole-cell binding kinetic assays validating that the SmBiT-R3/I5 bound to both cell lines with nanomolar affinity with minimal non-specific binding without bound and free SmBiT-R3/I5 separation. We then optimized membrane binding assays, demonstrating easy and robust analysis of both saturation and competition binding from frozen membranes. These assays therefore provide an appropriate rigorous binding assay for the high-throughput analysis of RXFP3 and RXFP4 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongkang Wu
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Vafaei Z, Khodagholi F, Nategh M, Nikseresht S, Hashemirad SR, Raise-Abdullahi P, Vafaei AA, Motamedi F. Involvement of relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3) in the ventral dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in spatial and fear memory in rats. Peptides 2024; 178:171244. [PMID: 38788901 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The neuropeptide relaxin-3 and its cognate receptor, relaxin family peptide-3 receptors (RXFP3), have been implicated in modulating learning and memory processes, but their specific roles remain unclear. This study utilized behavioral and molecular approaches to investigate the effects of putatively reversible blockade of RXFP3 in the ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) of the hippocampus on spatial and fear memory formation in rats. Male Wistar rats received bilateral vDG cannula implantation and injections of the RXFP3 antagonist, R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5 (400 ng/0.5 μL per side), or vehicle at specific time points before acquisition, consolidation, or retrieval phases of the Morris water maze and passive avoidance learning tasks. RXFP3 inhibition impaired acquisition in the passive avoidance task but not the spatial learning task. However, both memory consolidation and retrieval were disrupted in both tasks following RXFP3 antagonism. Ventral hippocampal levels of the consolidation-related kinase p70-S6 kinase (p70S6K) were reduced RXFP3 blockade. These findings highlight a key role for ventral hippocampal RXFP3 signaling in the acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval of spatial and emotional memories, extending previous work implicating this neuropeptide system in hippocampal memory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Vafaei
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurophysiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Khodagholi
- Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nategh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sara Nikseresht
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seyed Reza Hashemirad
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Fereshteh Motamedi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurophysiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Eraslan IM, Egberts-Brugman M, Read JL, Voglsanger LM, Samarasinghe RM, Hamilton L, Dhar P, Williams RJ, Walker LC, Ch'ng S, Lawrence AJ, Walker AJ, Dean OM, Gundlach AL, Smith CM. Neuroanatomical distribution of fluorophores within adult RXFP3 Cre-tdTomato/YFP mouse brain. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116265. [PMID: 38714277 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor (RXFP3) is activated by relaxin-3 in the brain to influence arousal and related functions, such as feeding and stress responses. Two transgenic mouse lines have recently been developed that co-express different fluorophores within RXFP3-expressing neurons: either yellow fluorescent protein (YFP; RXFP3-Cre/YFP mice) or tdTomato (RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato mice). To date, the characteristics of neurons that express RXFP3-associated fluorophores in these mice have only been investigated in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. To better determine the utility of these fluorophore-expressing mice for further research, we characterised the neuroanatomical distribution of fluorophores throughout the brain of these mice and compared this to the published distribution of Rxfp3 mRNA (detected by in situ hybridisation) in wildtype mice. Coronal sections of RXFP3-Cre/YFP (n = 8) and RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato (n = 8) mouse brains were imaged, and the density of fluorophore-expressing cells within various brain regions/nuclei was qualitatively assessed. Comparisons with our previously reported RXFP3 mRNA distribution revealed that of 212 brain regions that contained either fluorophore or RXFP3 mRNA, approximately half recorded densities that were within two qualitative measurements of each other (on a 9-point scale), including hippocampal dentate gyrus and amygdala subregions. However, many brain areas with likely non-authentic, false-positive, or false-negative fluorophore expression were also detected, including the cerebellum. Therefore, this study provides a guide to which brain regions should be prioritized for future study of RXFP3 in these mice, to better understand the neuroanatomy and function of this intriguing, neuronal peptide receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izel M Eraslan
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Monique Egberts-Brugman
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Justin L Read
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Lara M Voglsanger
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Rasika M Samarasinghe
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Lee Hamilton
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Poshmaal Dhar
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Richard J Williams
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Leigh C Walker
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Sarah Ch'ng
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Adam J Walker
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Olivia M Dean
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Craig M Smith
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia.
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Jayakody T, Inoue A, Kannan S, Nakamura G, Kawakami K, Mendis K, Nguyen TB, Li J, Herr DR, Verma CS, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of biased agonism by Gα i/o-biased stapled peptide agonists of the relaxin-3 receptor. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eabl5880. [PMID: 38349968 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abl5880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
The neuropeptide relaxin-3 is composed of an A chain and a B chain held together by disulfide bonds, and it modulates functions such as anxiety and food intake by binding to and activating its cognate receptor RXFP3, mainly through the B chain. Biased ligands of RXFP3 would help to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the activation of G proteins and β-arrestins downstream of RXFP3 that lead to such diverse functions. We showed that the i, i+4 stapled relaxin-3 B chains, 14s18 and d(1-7)14s18, were Gαi/o-biased agonists of RXFP3. These peptides did not induce recruitment of β-arrestin1/2 to RXFP3 by GPCR kinases (GRKs), in contrast to relaxin-3, which enabled the GRK2/3-mediated recruitment of β-arrestin1/2 to RXFP3. Relaxin-3 and the previously reported peptide 4 (an i, i+4 stapled relaxin-3 B chain) did not exhibit biased signaling. The staple linker of peptide 4 and parts of both the A chain and B chain of relaxin-3 interacted with extracellular loop 3 (ECL3) of RXFP3, moving it away from the binding pocket, suggesting that unbiased ligands promote a more open conformation of RXFP3. These findings highlight roles for the A chain and the N-terminal residues of the B chain of relaxin-3 in inducing conformational changes in RXFP3, which will help in designing selective biased ligands with improved therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharindunee Jayakody
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, P.O. Box 1490, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | | | - Gaku Nakamura
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kouki Kawakami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Krishan Mendis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo, P.O. Box 1490, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
| | - Thanh-Binh Nguyen
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Jianguo Li
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671
| | - Deron R Herr
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117558
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Dr., Singapore 637551
| | - Gavin S Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Neurobiology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Precision Medicine Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Jung J, Han H. The diverse influences of relaxin-like peptide family on tumor progression: Potential opportunities and emerging challenges. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24463. [PMID: 38298643 PMCID: PMC10828710 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-like peptide family exhibit differential expression patterns in various types of cancers and play a role in cancer development. This family participates in tumorigenic processes encompassing proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor microenvironment, immune microenvironment, and anti-cancer resistance, ultimately influencing patient prognosis. In this review, we explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the RLN-like peptide family and tumors and provide an overview of therapeutic approaches utilizing this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyunho Han
- Department of Urology, Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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Rahman MT, Chaminda Lakmal HH, Hussain J, Jin C. Targeting the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system: a patent review for the last two decades. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:71-81. [PMID: 38573177 PMCID: PMC11027024 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2338099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neuropeptide relaxin-3/RXFP3 system belongs to the relaxin/insulin superfamily and is involved in many important physiological processes, such as stress responses, appetite control, and motivation for reward. Although relaxin-3 is the endogenous agonist for RXFP3, it can also bind to and activate RXFP1 and RXFP4. Consequently, research has been focused on the development of RXFP3-specific peptides and small-molecule ligands to validate the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system as a novel drug target. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of patents on the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system covering ligand development and pharmacological studies since 2003. Related patents and literature reports were obtained from established sources including SciFinder, Google Patents, and Espacenet for patents and SciFinder, PubMed, and Google Scholar for literature reports. EXPERT OPINION There has been an increasing amount of patent activities around relaxin-3/RXFP3, highlighting the importance of this novel neuropeptide system for drug discovery. The development of relaxin-3 derived peptides and small-molecule modulators, as well as behavioral studies in rodents, have shown that the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system is a promising drug target for treating various metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases including obesity, anxiety, and alcohol addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Toufiqur Rahman
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Javeena Hussain
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Chunyang Jin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Wong WLE, Arathimos R, Lewis CM, Young AH, Dawe GS. Investigating the role of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in neuropsychiatric disorders and metabolic phenotypes: A candidate gene approach. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294045. [PMID: 37967073 PMCID: PMC10651050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The relaxin-3/RXFP3 system has been implicated in the modulation of depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour in the animal literature; however, there is a lack of human studies investigating this signalling system. We seek to bridge this gap by leveraging the large UK Biobank study to retrospectively assess genetic risk variants linked with this neuropeptidergic system. Specifically, we conducted a candidate gene study in the UK Biobank to test for potential associations between a set of functional, candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) pertinent to relaxin-3 signalling, determined using in silico tools, and several outcomes, including depression, atypical depression, anxiety and metabolic syndrome. For each outcome, we used several rigorously defined phenotypes, culminating in subsample sizes ranging from 85,881 to 386,769 participants. Across all outcomes, there were no associations between any candidate SNP and any outcome phenotype, following corrections for multiple testing burden. Regression models comprising several SNPs per relevant candidate gene as exploratory variables further exhibited no prediction of outcome. Our findings corroborate conclusions from previous literature about the limitations of candidate gene approaches, even when based on firm biological hypotheses, in the domain of genetic research for neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Win Lee Edwin Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Arathimos
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cathryn M. Lewis
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan H. Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin S. Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Life Sciences Institute, Neurobiology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Chen D, Rehfeld JF, Watts AG, Rorsman P, Gundlach AL. History of key regulatory peptide systems and perspectives for future research. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13251. [PMID: 37053148 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the 20th Century, regulatory peptide discovery advanced from the identification of gut hormones to the extraction and characterization of hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors, and to the isolation and cloning of multiple brain neuropeptides. These discoveries were followed by the discovery of G-protein-coupled and other membrane receptors for these peptides. Subsequently, the systems physiology associated with some of these multiple regulatory peptides and receptors has been comprehensively elucidated and has led to improved therapeutics and diagnostics and their approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. In light of this wealth of information and further potential, it is truly a time of renaissance for regulatory peptides. In this perspective, we review what we have learned from the pioneers in exemplified fields of gut peptides, such as cholecystokinin, enterochromaffin-like-cell peptides, and glucagon, from the trailblazing studies on the key stress hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, as well as from more recently characterized relaxin-family peptides and receptors. The historical viewpoints are based on our understanding of these topics in light of the earliest phases of research and on subsequent studies and the evolution of knowledge, aiming to sharpen our vision of the current state-of-the-art and those studies that should be prioritized in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Chen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jens F Rehfeld
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alan G Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Patrik Rorsman
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Bathgate RAD, Praveen P, Sethi A, Furuya WI, Dhingra RR, Kocan M, Ou Q, Valkovic AL, Gil-Miravet I, Navarro-Sánchez M, Olucha-Bordonau FE, Gundlach AL, Rosengren KJ, Gooley PR, Dutschmann M, Hossain MA. Noncovalent Peptide Stapling Using Alpha-Methyl-l-Phenylalanine for α-Helical Peptidomimetics. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:20242-20247. [PMID: 37439676 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Peptides and peptidomimetics are attractive drug candidates because of their high target specificity and low-toxicity profiles. Developing peptidomimetics using hydrocarbon (HC)-stapling or other stapling strategies has gained momentum because of their high stability and resistance to proteases; however, they have limitations. Here, we take advantage of the α-methyl group and an aromatic phenyl ring in a unique unnatural amino acid, α-methyl-l-phenylalanine (αF), and propose a novel, noncovalent stapling strategy to stabilize peptides. We utilized this strategy to create an α-helical B-chain mimetic of a complex insulin-like peptide, human relaxin-3 (H3 relaxin). Our comprehensive data set (in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo) confirmed that the new high-yielding B-chain mimetic, H3B10-27(13/17αF), is remarkably stable in serum and fully mimics the biological function of H3 relaxin. H3B10-27(13/17αF) is an excellent scaffold for further development as a drug lead and an important tool to decipher the physiological functions of the neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Praveen Praveen
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ashish Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation, The Australian Synchrotron, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Werner I Furuya
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Rishi R Dhingra
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Qinghao Ou
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Adam L Valkovic
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Isis Gil-Miravet
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castelló de La Plana, Spain
| | - Mónica Navarro-Sánchez
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castelló de La Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Predepartmental Unit of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castelló de La Plana, Spain
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Mathias Dutschmann
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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10
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Gil-Miravet I, Núñez-Molina Á, Navarro-Sánchez M, Castillo-Gómez E, Ros-Bernal F, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Nucleus incertus projections to rat medial septum and entorhinal cortex: rare collateralization and septal-gating of temporal lobe theta rhythm activity. Brain Struct Funct 2023:10.1007/s00429-023-02650-x. [PMID: 37173580 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02650-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Nucleus incertus (NI) neurons in the pontine tegmentum give rise to ascending forebrain projections and express the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3) which acts via the relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor (RXFP3). Activity in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex can be driven from the medial septum (MS), and the NI projects to all these centers, where a prominent pattern of activity is theta rhythm, which is related to spatial memory processing. Therefore, we examined the degree of collateralization of NI projections to the MS and the medial temporal lobe (MTL), comprising medial and lateral entorhinal cortex (MEnt, LEnt) and dentate gyrus (DG), and the ability of the MS to drive entorhinal theta in the adult rat. We injected fluorogold and cholera toxin-B into the MS septum and either MEnt, LEnt or DG, to determine the percentage of retrogradely labeled neurons in the NI projecting to both or single targets, and the relative proportion of these neurons that were RLN3-positive ( +). The projection to the MS was threefold stronger than that to the MTL. Moreover, a majority of NI neurons projected independently to either MS or the MTL. However, RLN3 + neurons collateralize significantly more than RLN3-negative (-) neurons. In in vivo studies, electrical stimulation of the NI induced theta activity in the MS and the entorhinal cortex, which was impaired by intraseptal infusion of an RXFP3 antagonist, R3(BΔ23-27)R/I5, particularly at ~ 20 min post-injection. These findings suggest that the MS plays an important relay function in the NI-induced generation of theta within the entorhinal cortex.
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Grants
- POSDOC/2021/19 Universitat Jaume I
- PREDOC/2021/19 Universitat Jaume I
- UJI-A2017-17 Universitat Jaume I
- POSDOC/2021/19 Universitat Jaume I
- PID2019-107809RB-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- RTI2018-095698-B-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- RTI2018-095698-B-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- RTI2018-095698-B-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- 19I436 Fundación Alicia Koplowitz
- 19I436 Fundación Alicia Koplowitz
- 19I436 Fundación Alicia Koplowitz
- AICO/2021/246 Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital, Generalitat Valenciana
- AICO/2021/246 Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital, Generalitat Valenciana
- AICO/2021/246 Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital, Generalitat Valenciana
- 1067522 National Health and Medical Research Council
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Gil-Miravet
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, CIBERSAM-ISCIII, S/N 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Ángel Núñez-Molina
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Navarro-Sánchez
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, CIBERSAM-ISCIII, S/N 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Esther Castillo-Gómez
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, CIBERSAM-ISCIII, S/N 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco Ros-Bernal
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, CIBERSAM-ISCIII, S/N 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, CIBERSAM-ISCIII, S/N 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
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11
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Chen Y, Zhou Q, Wang J, Xu Y, Wang Y, Yan J, Wang Y, Zhu Q, Zhao F, Li C, Chen CW, Cai X, Bathgate RAD, Shen C, Eric Xu H, Yang D, Liu H, Wang MW. Ligand recognition mechanism of the human relaxin family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4). Nat Commun 2023; 14:492. [PMID: 36717591 PMCID: PMC9886975 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36182-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the insulin superfamily regulate pleiotropic biological processes through two types of target-specific but structurally conserved peptides, insulin/insulin-like growth factors and relaxin/insulin-like peptides. The latter bind to the human relaxin family peptide receptors (RXFPs). Here, we report three cryo-electron microscopy structures of RXFP4-Gi protein complexes in the presence of the endogenous ligand insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) or one of the two small molecule agonists, compound 4 and DC591053. The B chain of INSL5 adopts a single α-helix that penetrates into the orthosteric pocket, while the A chain sits above the orthosteric pocket, revealing a peptide-binding mode previously unknown. Together with mutagenesis and functional analyses, the key determinants responsible for the peptidomimetic agonism and subtype selectivity were identified. Our findings not only provide insights into ligand recognition and subtype selectivity among class A G protein-coupled receptors, but also expand the knowledge of signaling mechanisms in the insulin superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Youwei Xu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Genova Biotech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd, Changzhou, 213125, China
| | - Jiahui Yan
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yibing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- Genova Biotech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd, Changzhou, 213125, China
| | - Fenghui Zhao
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chenghao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Chuan-Wei Chen
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cai
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Chun Shen
- Genova Biotech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd, Changzhou, 213125, China
| | - H Eric Xu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Dehua Yang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China.
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China. .,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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12
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Lewis JE, Woodward OR, Nuzzaci D, Smith CA, Adriaenssens AE, Billing L, Brighton C, Phillips BU, Tadross JA, Kinston SJ, Ciabatti E, Göttgens B, Tripodi M, Hornigold D, Baker D, Gribble FM, Reimann F. Relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 4 (Rxfp4) expressing hypothalamic neurons modulate food intake and preference in mice. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101604. [PMID: 36184065 PMCID: PMC9579047 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) signalling, through its cognate receptor relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 4 (RXFP4), has been reported to be orexigenic, and the high fat diet (HFD) preference observed in wildtype mice is altered in Rxfp4 knock-out mice. In this study, we used a new Rxfp4-Cre mouse model to investigate the mechanisms underlying these observations. METHODS We generated transgenic Rxfp4-Cre mice and investigated central expression of Rxfp4 by RT-qPCR, RNAscope and intraparenchymal infusion of INSL5. Rxfp4-expressing cells were chemogenetically manipulated in global Cre-reporter mice using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) or after stereotactic injection of a Cre-dependent AAV-DIO-Dq-DREADD targeting a population located in the ventromedial hypothalamus (RXFP4VMH). Food intake and feeding motivation were assessed in the presence and absence of a DREADD agonist. Rxfp4-expressing cells in the hypothalamus were characterised by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) and the connectivity of RXFP4VMH cells was investigated using viral tracing. RESULTS Rxfp4-Cre mice displayed Cre-reporter expression in the hypothalamus. Active expression of Rxfp4 in the adult mouse brain was confirmed by RT-qPCR and RNAscope. Functional receptor expression was supported by cyclic AMP-responses to INSL5 application in ex vivo brain slices and increased HFD and highly palatable liquid meal (HPM), but not chow, intake after intra-VMH INSL5 infusion. scRNAseq of hypothalamic RXFP4 neurons defined a cluster expressing VMH markers, alongside known appetite-modulating neuropeptide receptors (Mc4r, Cckar and Nmur2). Viral tracing demonstrated RXFP4VMH neural projections to nuclei implicated in hedonic feeding behaviour. Whole body chemogenetic inhibition (Di-DREADD) of Rxfp4-expressing cells, mimicking physiological INSL5-RXFP4 Gi-signalling, increased intake of the HFD and HPM, but not chow, whilst activation (Dq-DREADD), either at whole body level or specifically within the VMH, reduced HFD and HPM intake and motivation to work for the HPM. CONCLUSION These findings identify RXFP4VMH neurons as regulators of food intake and preference, and hypothalamic RXFP4 signalling as a target for feeding behaviour manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo E Lewis
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - Orla Rm Woodward
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Danaé Nuzzaci
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Christopher A Smith
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Alice E Adriaenssens
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Lawrence Billing
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Cheryl Brighton
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Benjamin U Phillips
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John A Tadross
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Sarah J Kinston
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ernesto Ciabatti
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marco Tripodi
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Neurobiology Division, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - David Hornigold
- Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Baker
- Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona M Gribble
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - Frank Reimann
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
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13
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Blasiak A, Gugula A, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE, Aniello F, Donizetti A. Relaxin ligand/receptor systems in the developing teleost fish brain: Conserved features with mammals and a platform to address neuropeptide system functions. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:984524. [PMID: 36277494 PMCID: PMC9580368 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.984524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxins (RLNs) are a group of peptide hormone/neuromodulators that can regulate a wide range of physiological processes ranging from reproduction to brain function. All the family members have originated from a RLN3-like ancestor via different rounds of whole genome and gene specific duplications during vertebrate evolution. In mammals, including human, the divergence of the different family members and the emergence of new members led to the acquisition of specific functions for the various relaxin family peptide and associated receptor genes. In particular, in mammals, it was shown, that the role of RLN3 is correlated to the modulation of arousal, stress responses, emotion, social recognition, and other brain functions, positioning this gene/peptide as a potential therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders. This review highlights the evolutionary conservation of relaxin family peptide and receptor gene expression and their associated brain neural circuits. In the zebrafish, the expression pattern of the different relaxin family members has specific features that are conserved in higher species, including a likely similar functional role for the ancestral RLN3-like gene. The use of different model organisms, particularly the zebrafish, to explore the diversification and conservation of relaxin family ligands and receptor systems, provides a relatively high-throughput platform to identify their specific conserved or differential neuromodulatory roles in higher species including human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Francesco Aniello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Donizetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Aldo Donizetti,
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14
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Eiden LE, Hernández VS, Jiang SZ, Zhang L. Neuropeptides and small-molecule amine transmitters: cooperative signaling in the nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:492. [PMID: 35997826 PMCID: PMC11072502 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04451-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides are expressed in cell-specific patterns throughout mammalian brain. Neuropeptide gene expression has been useful for clustering neurons by phenotype, based on single-cell transcriptomics, and for defining specific functional circuits throughout the brain. How neuropeptides function as first messengers in inter-neuronal communication, in cooperation with classical small-molecule amine transmitters (SMATs) is a current topic of systems neurobiology. Questions include how neuropeptides and SMATs cooperate in neurotransmission at the molecular, cellular and circuit levels; whether neuropeptides and SMATs always co-exist in neurons; where neuropeptides and SMATs are stored in the neuron, released from the neuron and acting, and at which receptors, after release; and how neuropeptides affect 'classical' transmitter function, both directly upon co-release, and indirectly, via long-term regulation of gene transcription and neuronal plasticity. Here, we review an extensive body of data about the distribution of neuropeptides and their receptors, their actions after neuronal release, and their function based on pharmacological and genetic loss- and gain-of-function experiments, that addresses these questions, fundamental to understanding brain function, and development of neuropeptide-based, and potentially combinatorial peptide/SMAT-based, neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee E Eiden
- Section On Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Room 5A38, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Vito S Hernández
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sunny Z Jiang
- Section On Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 49 Convent Drive, Room 5A38, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Limei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
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15
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Szlaga A, Sambak P, Gugula A, Trenk A, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. Catecholaminergic innervation and D2-like dopamine receptor-mediated modulation of brainstem nucleus incertus neurons in the rat. Neuropharmacology 2022; 218:109216. [PMID: 35973599 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nucleus incertus (NI) is a brainstem structure involved in the control of arousal, stress responses and locomotor activity. It was reported recently that NI neurons express the dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor that belongs to the D2-like receptor (D2R) family, and that D2R activation in the NI decreased locomotor activity. In this study, using multiplex in situ hybridization, we observed that GABAergic and glutamatergic NI neurons express D2 receptor mRNA, and that D2 receptor mRNA-positive neurons belong to partially overlapping relaxin-3- and cholecystokinin-positive NI neuronal populations. Our immunohistochemical and viral-based retrograde tract-tracing studies revealed a dense innervation of the NI area by fibers containing the catecholaminergic biosynthesis enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), and indicated the major sources of the catecholaminergic innervation of the NI as the Darkschewitsch, raphe and hypothalamic A13 nuclei. Furthermore, using whole-cell patch clamp recordings, we demonstrated that D2R activation by quinpirole produced excitatory and inhibitory influences on neuronal activity in the NI, and that both effects were postsynaptic in nature. Moreover, the observed effects were cell-type specific, as type I NI neurons were either excited or inhibited, whereas type II NI neurons were mainly excited by D2R activation. Our results reveal that rat NI receives a strong catecholaminergic innervation and suggest that catecholamines acting within the NI are involved in the control of diverse processes, including locomotor activity, social interaction and nociceptive signaling. Our data also strengthen the hypothesis that the NI acts as a hub integrating arousal-related neuronal information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Szlaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Patryk Sambak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Trenk
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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16
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Gay EA, Guan D, Van Voorhies K, Vasukuttan V, Mathews KM, Besheer J, Jin C. Discovery and Characterization of the First Nonpeptide Antagonists for the Relaxin-3/RXFP3 System. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7959-7974. [PMID: 35594150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide relaxin-3/RXFP3 system is involved in many important physiological processes such as stress responses, appetite control, and motivation for reward. To date, pharmacological studies of RXFP3 have been limited to peptide ligands. In this study, we report the discovery of the first small-molecule antagonists of RXFP3 through a high-throughput screening campaign. Focused structure-activity relationship studies of the hit compound resulted in RLX-33 (33) that was able to inhibit relaxin-3 activity in a battery of functional assays. RLX-33 is selective for RXFP3 over RXFP1 and RXFP4, two related members in the relaxin/insulin superfamily, and has favorable pharmacokinetic properties for behavioral assessment. When administered to rats intraperitoneally, RLX-33 blocked food intake induced by the RXFP3-selective agonist R3/I5. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that RLX-33 represents a promising antagonist scaffold for the development of drugs targeting the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine A Gay
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Dongliang Guan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Kalynn Van Voorhies
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Vineetha Vasukuttan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Kelly M Mathews
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Joyce Besheer
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Chunyang Jin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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17
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Szlaga A, Sambak P, Trenk A, Gugula A, Singleton CE, Drwiega G, Blasiak T, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. Functional Neuroanatomy of the Rat Nucleus Incertus–Medial Septum Tract: Implications for the Cell-Specific Control of the Septohippocampal Pathway. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:836116. [PMID: 35281300 PMCID: PMC8913896 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.836116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial septum (MS) is critically involved in theta rhythmogenesis and control of the hippocampal network, with which it is reciprocally connected. MS activity is influenced by brainstem structures, including the stress-sensitive, nucleus incertus (NI), the main source of the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3). In the current study, we conducted a comprehensive neurochemical and electrophysiological characterization of NI neurons innervating the MS in the rat, by employing classical and viral-based neural tract-tracing and electrophysiological approaches, and multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization. We confirmed earlier reports that the MS is innervated by RLN3 NI neurons and documented putative glutamatergic (vGlut2 mRNA-expressing) neurons as a relevant NI neuronal population within the NI–MS tract. Moreover, we observed that NI neurons innervating MS can display a dual phenotype for GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, and that 40% of MS-projecting NI neurons express the corticotropin-releasing hormone-1 receptor. We demonstrated that an identified cholecystokinin (CCK)-positive NI neuronal population is part of the NI–MS tract, and that RLN3 and CCK NI neurons belong to a neuronal pool expressing the calcium-binding proteins, calbindin and calretinin. Finally, our electrophysiological studies revealed that MS is innervated by A-type potassium current-expressing, type I NI neurons, and that type I and II NI neurons differ markedly in their neurophysiological properties. Together these findings indicate that the MS is controlled by a discrete NI neuronal network with specific electrophysiological and neurochemical features; and these data are of particular importance for understanding neuronal mechanisms underlying the control of the septohippocampal system and related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Szlaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Patryk Sambak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Trenk
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Caitlin E. Singleton
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gniewosz Drwiega
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Blasiak,
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18
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NODA M, MATSUDA T. Central regulation of body fluid homeostasis. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2022; 98:283-324. [PMID: 35908954 PMCID: PMC9363595 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.98.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular fluids, including blood, lymphatic fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid, are collectively called body fluids. The Na+ concentration ([Na+]) in body fluids is maintained at 135-145 mM and is broadly conserved among terrestrial animals. Homeostatic osmoregulation by Na+ is vital for life because severe hyper- or hypotonicity elicits irreversible organ damage and lethal neurological trauma. To achieve "body fluid homeostasis" or "Na homeostasis", the brain continuously monitors [Na+] in body fluids and controls water/salt intake and water/salt excretion by the kidneys. These physiological functions are primarily regulated based on information on [Na+] and relevant circulating hormones, such as angiotensin II, aldosterone, and vasopressin. In this review, we discuss sensing mechanisms for [Na+] and hormones in the brain that control water/salt intake behaviors, together with the responsible sensors (receptors) and relevant neural pathways. We also describe mechanisms in the brain by which [Na+] increases in body fluids activate the sympathetic neural activity leading to hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu NODA
- Homeostatic Mechanism Research Unit, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Homeostatic Mechanism Research Unit, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta-cho 4259, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan (e-mail: )
| | - Takashi MATSUDA
- Homeostatic Mechanism Research Unit, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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19
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Guan D, Rahman MT, Gay EA, Vasukuttan V, Mathews KM, Decker AM, Williams AH, Zhan CG, Jin C. Indole-Containing Amidinohydrazones as Nonpeptide, Dual RXFP3/4 Agonists: Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Molecular Modeling Studies. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17866-17886. [PMID: 34855388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The central relaxin-3/RXFP3 system plays important roles in stress responses, feeding, and motivation for reward. However, exploration of its therapeutic applications has been hampered by the lack of small molecule ligands and the cross-activation of RXFP1 in the brain and RXFP4 in the periphery. Herein, we report the first structure-activity relationship studies of a series of novel nonpeptide amidinohydrazone-based agonists, which were characterized by RXFP3 functional and radioligand binding assays. Several potent and efficacious RXFP3 agonists (e.g., 10d) were identified with EC50 values <10 nM. These compounds also had high potency at RXFP4 but no agonist activity at RXFP1, demonstrating > 100-fold selectivity for RXFP3/4 over RXFP1. In vitro ADME and pharmacokinetic assessments revealed that the amidinohydrazone derivatives may have limited brain permeability. Collectively, our findings provide the basis for further optimization of lead compounds to develop a suitable agonist to probe RXFP3 functions in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongliang Guan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Md Toufiqur Rahman
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Elaine A Gay
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Vineetha Vasukuttan
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Kelly M Mathews
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Ann M Decker
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Alexander H Williams
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Chunyang Jin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
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20
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Lin G, Feng Y, Cai X, Zhou C, Shao L, Chen Y, Chen L, Liu Q, Zhou Q, Bathgate RA, Yang D, Wang MW. High-Throughput Screening Campaign Identified a Potential Small Molecule RXFP3/4 Agonist. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26247511. [PMID: 34946593 PMCID: PMC8709172 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) belongs to class A G protein-coupled receptor family. RXFP3 and its endogenous ligand relaxin-3 are mainly expressed in the brain with important roles in the regulation of appetite, energy metabolism, endocrine homeostasis and emotional processing. It is therefore implicated as a potential target for treatment of various central nervous system diseases. Since selective agonists of RXFP3 are restricted to relaxin-3 and its analogs, we conducted a high-throughput screening campaign against 32,021 synthetic and natural product-derived compounds using a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) measurement-based method. Only one compound, WNN0109-C011, was identified following primary screening, secondary screening and dose-response studies. Although displayed agonistic effect in cells overexpressing the human RXFP3, it also showed cross-reactivity with the human RXFP4. This hit compound may provide not only a chemical probe to investigate the function of RXFP3/4, but also a novel scaffold for the development of RXFP3/4 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyao Lin
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
| | - Yang Feng
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xiaoqing Cai
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
| | - Caihong Zhou
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
| | - Lijun Shao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (Y.C.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Linhai Chen
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qing Liu
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (Y.C.); (Q.Z.)
| | - Ross A.D. Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Dehua Yang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya 572025, Hainan, China
- Correspondence: (D.Y.); (M.-W.W.)
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; (G.L.); (Y.F.); (X.C.); (C.Z.); (L.C.); (Q.L.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (Y.C.); (Q.Z.)
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya 572025, Hainan, China
- Correspondence: (D.Y.); (M.-W.W.)
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21
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Shmakova AA, Rysenkova KD, Ivashkina OI, Gruzdeva AM, Klimovich PS, Popov VS, Rubina KA, Anokhin KV, Tkachuk VA, Semina EV. Early Induction of Neurotrophin Receptor and miRNA Genes in Mouse Brain after Pentilenetetrazole-Induced Neuronal Activity. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2021; 86:1326-1341. [PMID: 34903157 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophin receptors regulate neuronal survival and network formation, as well as synaptic plasticity in the brain via interaction with their ligands. Here, we examined early changes in the expression of neurotrophin receptor genes Ntk1 (TrkA), Ntrk2 (TrkB), Ntrk3 (TrkC), Ngfr (p75NTR) and miRNAs that target theses gens in the mouse brain after induction of seizure activity by pentylenetetrazol. We found that expression of Ntrk3 and Ngfr was upregulated in the cortex and the hippocampus 1-3 hours after the seizures, while Ntrk2 expression increased after 3-6 hours in the anterior cortex and after 1 and 6 hours in the hippocampus. At the same time, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax signaling proteins increased in the anterior and posterior cortex, but not in the hippocampus, suggesting the activation of anti-apoptotic signaling. Expression of miRNA-9 and miRNA-29a, which were predicted to target Ntrk3, was upregulated in the hippocampus 3 hours after pentylenetetrazol injection. Therefore, early cellular response to seizures in the brain includes induction of the Ntrk2, Ntrk3, Ngfr, miRNA-9, and miRNA-29a expression, as well as activation of Bcl-2 and Bax signaling pathways, which may characterize them as important mediators of neuronal adaptation and survival upon induction of the generalized brain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Shmakova
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 121552, Russia
| | - Karina D Rysenkova
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 121552, Russia
| | - Olga I Ivashkina
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russian Federation
- Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow, 125315, Russia
- Kurchatov Institute National Research Center, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Anna M Gruzdeva
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russian Federation
| | - Polina S Klimovich
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 121552, Russia
| | - Vladimir S Popov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
| | - Kseniya A Rubina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
| | - Konstantin V Anokhin
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russian Federation.
- Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow, 125315, Russia
| | - Vsevolod A Tkachuk
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 121552, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V Semina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119192, Russia.
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology, National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 121552, Russia
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22
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Wong WLE, Dawe GS, Young AH. The putative role of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in clinical depression and anxiety: A systematic literature review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:429-450. [PMID: 34537263 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The relaxin-3/RXFP3 system is one of several neuropeptidergic systems putatively implicated in regulating the behavioural alterations that characterise clinical depression and anxiety, making it a potential target for clinical translation. Accordingly, this systematic review identified published reports on the role of relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling in these neuropsychiatric disorders and their behavioural endophenotypes, evaluating evidence from animal and human studies to ascertain any relationship. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases up to February 2021, finding 609 relevant records. After stringent screening, 51 of these studies were included in the final synthesis. There was considerable heterogeneity in study designs and some inconsistency across study outcomes. However, experimental evidence is consistent with an ability of relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling to promote arousal and suppress depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour. Moreover, meta-analyses of six to eight articles investigating food intake revealed that acute RXFP3 activation had strong orexigenic effects in rats. This appraisal also identified the lack of high-quality clinical studies pertinent to the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system, a gap that future research should attempt to bridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Win Lee Edwin Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Gavin Stewart Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Wan L, Huang RJ, Luo ZH, Gong JE, Pan A, Manavis J, Yan XX, Xiao B. Reproduction-Associated Hormones and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:3651735. [PMID: 34539776 PMCID: PMC8448607 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3651735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The levels of reproduction-associated hormones in females, such as estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin, change dramatically during pregnancy and postpartum. Reproduction-associated hormones can affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), thereby regulating mothers' behavior after delivery. In this review, we first briefly introduce the overall functional significance of AHN and the methods commonly used to explore this front. Then, we attempt to reconcile the changes of reproduction-associated hormones during pregnancy. We further update the findings on how reproduction-related hormones influence adult hippocampal neurogenesis. This review is aimed at emphasizing a potential role of AHN in reproduction-related brain plasticity and its neurobiological relevance to motherhood behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Wan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Rou-Jie Huang
- Medical Doctor Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Luo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jiao-e Gong
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jim Manavis
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia 5000
| | - Xiao-Xin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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24
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Yan Y, Martinez R, Rasheed MN, Cahal J, Xu Z, Rui Y, Qualmann KJ, Hagan JP, Kim DH. Germline and somatic mutations in the pathology of pineal cyst: A whole-exome sequencing study of 93 individuals. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1691. [PMID: 33943042 PMCID: PMC8222845 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pineal cyst is a benign lesion commonly occurring in people of any age. Until now, the underlying molecular alterations have not been explored. Methods We performed whole exome sequencing of 93 germline samples and 21 pineal cyst tissue samples to illustrate its genetic architecture and somatic mutations. The dominant and recessive inheritance modes were considered, and a probability was calculated to evaluate the significance of variant overrepresentation. Results By analyzing pineal cyst as a Mendelian disease with a dominant inheritance pattern, we identified 42,325 rare germline variants, and NM_001004711.1:c.476A>G was highly enriched (FDR<0.2). By analyzing it as a recessive disorder, we identified 753 homozygous rare variants detected in at least one pineal cyst sample each. One STIM2 rare variant, NM_001169117.1:c.1652C>T, was overrepresented (FDR<0.05). Analyzing at a gene‐based level, we identified a list of the most commonlymutated germline genes, including POP4, GNGT2 and TMEM254. A somatic mutation analysis of 21 samples identified 16 variants in 15 genes, which mainly participated in the biological processes of gene expression and epigenetic regulation, immune response modulation, and transferase activity. Conclusion These molecular profiles are novel for this condition and provide data for investigators interested in pineal cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqing Yan
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca Martinez
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria N Rasheed
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joshua Cahal
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhen Xu
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yanning Rui
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Krista J Qualmann
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John P Hagan
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dong H Kim
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,Memorial Hermann Hospital, Mischer Neuroscience Institute, Houston, TX, USA
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25
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Gil-Miravet I, Mañas-Ojeda A, Ros-Bernal F, Castillo-Gómez E, Albert-Gascó H, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Involvement of the Nucleus Incertus and Relaxin-3/RXFP3 Signaling System in Explicit and Implicit Memory. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:637922. [PMID: 33867946 PMCID: PMC8044989 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.637922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Telencephalic cognitive and emotional circuits/functions are strongly modulated by subcortical inputs. The main focus of past research on the nature of this modulation has been on the widespread monoamine projections to the telencephalon. However, the nucleus incertus (NI) of the pontine tegmentum provides a strong GABAergic and peptidergic innervation of the hippocampus, basal forebrain, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and related regions; and represents a parallel source of ascending modulation of cognitive and emotional domains. NI GABAergic neurons express multiple peptides, including neuromedin-B, cholecystokinin, and relaxin-3, and receptors for stress and arousal transmitters, including corticotrophin-releasing factor and orexins/hypocretins. A functional relationship exists between NI neurons and their associated peptides, relaxin-3 and neuromedin-B, and hippocampal theta rhythm, which in turn, has a key role in the acquisition and extinction of declarative and emotional memories. Furthermore, RXFP3, the cognate receptor for relaxin-3, is a Gi/o protein-coupled receptor, and its activation inhibits the cellular accumulation of cAMP and induces phosphorylation of ERK, processes associated with memory formation in the hippocampus and amygdala. Therefore, this review summarizes the role of NI transmitter systems in relaying stress- and arousal-related signals to the higher neural circuits and processes associated with memory formation and retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Gil-Miravet
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Aroa Mañas-Ojeda
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco Ros-Bernal
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Esther Castillo-Gómez
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hector Albert-Gascó
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
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26
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Walker LC. A balancing act: the role of pro- and anti-stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders. J Neurochem 2021; 157:1615-1643. [PMID: 33450069 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro- or anti- stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro- and anti-stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh C Walker
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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27
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Voglsanger LM, Read J, Ch'ng SS, Zhang C, Eraslan IM, Gray L, Rivera LR, Hamilton LD, Williams R, Gundlach AL, Smith CM. Differential Level of RXFP3 Expression in Dopaminergic Neurons Within the Arcuate Nucleus, Dorsomedial Hypothalamus and Ventral Tegmental Area of RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato Mice. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:594818. [PMID: 33584175 PMCID: PMC7873962 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.594818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RXFP3 (relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor) is the cognate G-protein-coupled receptor for the neuropeptide, relaxin-3. RXFP3 is expressed widely throughout the brain, including the hypothalamus, where it has been shown to modulate feeding behavior and neuroendocrine activity in rodents. In order to better characterize its potential mechanisms of action, this study determined whether RXFP3 is expressed by dopaminergic neurons within the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), in addition to the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Neurons that express RXFP3 were visualized in coronal brain sections from RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato mice, which express the tdTomato fluorophore within RXFP3-positive cells, and dopaminergic neurons in these areas were visualized by simultaneous immunohistochemical detection of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity (TH-IR). Approximately 20% of ARC neurons containing TH-IR coexpressed tdTomato fluorescence, suggesting that RXFP3 can influence the dopamine pathway from the ARC to the pituitary gland that controls prolactin release. The ability of prolactin to reduce leptin sensitivity and increase food consumption therefore represents a potential mechanism by which RXFP3 activation influences feeding. A similar proportion of DMH neurons containing TH-IR expressed RXFP3-related tdTomato fluorescence, consistent with a possible RXFP3-mediated regulation of stress and neuroendocrine circuits. In contrast, RXFP3 was barely detected within the VTA. TdTomato signal was absent from the ARC and DMH in sections from Rosa26-tdTomato mice, suggesting that the cells identified in RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato mice expressed authentic RXFP3-related tdTomato fluorescence. Together, these findings identify potential hypothalamic mechanisms through which RXFP3 influences neuroendocrine control of metabolism, and further highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting RXFP3 in feeding-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara M Voglsanger
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Justin Read
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah S Ch'ng
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Cary Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Izel M Eraslan
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Laura Gray
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Leni R Rivera
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Lee D Hamilton
- Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutritional Science, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Williams
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Craig M Smith
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Institute for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
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de Ávila C, Chometton S, Calvez J, Guèvremont G, Kania A, Torz L, Lenglos C, Blasiak A, Rosenkilde MM, Holst B, Conrad CD, Fryer JD, Timofeeva E, Gundlach AL, Cifani C. Estrous Cycle Modulation of Feeding and Relaxin-3/Rxfp3 mRNA Expression: Implications for Estradiol Action. Neuroendocrinology 2021; 111:1201-1218. [PMID: 33333517 DOI: 10.1159/000513830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Food intake varies during the ovarian hormone/estrous cycle in humans and rodents, an effect mediated mainly by estradiol. A potential mediator of the central anorectic effects of estradiol is the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3) synthetized in the nucleus incertus (NI) and acting via the relaxin family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). METHODS We investigated the relationship between RLN3/RXFP3 signaling and feeding behavior across the female rat estrous cycle. We used in situ hybridization to investigate expression patterns of Rln3 mRNA in NI and Rxfp3 mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), medial preoptic area (MPA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), across the estrous cycle. We identified expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the NI using droplet digital PCR and assessed the electrophysiological responsiveness of NI neurons to estradiol in brain slices. RESULTS Rln3 mRNA reached the lowest levels in the NI pars compacta during proestrus. Rxfp3 mRNA levels varied across the estrous cycle in a region-specific manner, with changes observed in the perifornical LHA, magnocellular PVN, dorsal BNST, and MPA, but not in the parvocellular PVN or lateral LHA. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gper1) mRNA was the most abundant ER transcript in the NI. Estradiol inhibited 33% of type 1 NI neurons, including RLN3-positive cells. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that the RLN3/RXFP3 system is modulated by the estrous cycle, and although further studies are required to better elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of estradiol signaling, current results implicate the involvement of the RLN3/RXFP3 system in food intake fluctuations observed across the estrous cycle in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Ávila
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada,
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA,
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA,
| | - Sandrine Chometton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Juliane Calvez
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Guèvremont
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alan Kania
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lola Torz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe Lenglos
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cheryl D Conrad
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - John D Fryer
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlo Cifani
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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Li HZ, Li N, Shao XX, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Hydrophobic interactions of relaxin family peptide receptor 3 with ligands identified using a NanoBiT-based binding assay. Biochimie 2020; 177:117-126. [PMID: 32810565 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) is a G protein-coupled receptor implicated in the regulation of food intake and stress response upon activation by the neuropeptide relaxin-3. In recent studies, interactions of RXFP3 with some natural or synthetic ligands have been investigated. In the present study, we identified the hydrophobic interactions of human RXFP3 with the chimeric agonist R3/I5 and the chimeric antagonist R3(ΔB23-27)R/I5 using a newly developed NanoBiT-based homogenous binding assay. We first demonstrated that the conserved large aliphatic B15Ile and B19Ile were important for the binding of the agonist and antagonist to RXFP3, because alanine replacement significantly decreased their receptor-binding potency. Thereafter, we demonstrated that the conserved large aliphatic Leu246 and Leu248 in extracellular loop 2 were important for RXFP3 binding to the agonist and antagonist, because alanine replacement significantly decreased the binding affinity of RXFP3 for both ligands. Finally, we deduced probable hydrophobic interactions based on the ability of RXFP3 mutants to distinguish the wild-type and mutant ligands: Leu246 of RXFP3 interacted with B15Ile of both ligands, while Leu248 of RXFP3 interacted with both B15Ile and B19Ile of the agonist and antagonist. The present results not only provided new insights into the interaction mechanism of RXFP3 with agonists and antagonists, but also demonstrated usefulness of the NanoBiT-based homogenous binding assay to study the interaction mechanism of certain receptors with their ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Zheng Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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30
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Kania A, Szlaga A, Sambak P, Gugula A, Blasiak E, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Hossain MA, Cifani C, Hess G, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. RLN3/RXFP3 Signaling in the PVN Inhibits Magnocellular Neurons via M-like Current Activation and Contributes to Binge Eating Behavior. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5362-5375. [PMID: 32532885 PMCID: PMC7343322 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2895-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder. Various neuropeptides play important roles in the regulation of feeding behavior, including relaxin-3 (RLN3), which stimulates food intake in rats through the activation of the relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). Here we demonstrate that a likely mechanism underlying the orexigenic action of RLN3 is RXFP3-mediated inhibition of oxytocin- and arginine-vasopressin-synthesizing paraventricular nucleus (PVN) magnocellular neurosecretory cells. Moreover, we reveal that, in male and female rats, this action depends on M-like potassium conductance. Notably, higher intra- and peri-PVN RLN3 fiber densities were observed in females, which may constitute an anatomic substrate for observed sex differences in binge-eating disorder. Finally, in a model of binge-eating in female rats, RXFP3 blockade within the PVN prevented binge-eating behavior. These data demonstrate a direct RLN3/RXFP3 action in the PVN of male and female rats, identify the associated ionic mechanisms, and reveal that hypothalamic RLN3/RXFP3 signaling regulates binge-eating behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder worldwide, affecting women twice as frequently as men. Various neuropeptides play important roles in the regulation of feeding behavior, including relaxin-3, which acts via the relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). Using a model of binge-eating, we demonstrated that relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is necessary for the expression of binge-eating behavior in female rats. Moreover, we elucidated the neuronal mechanism of RLN3/RXFP3 signaling in PVN in male and female rats and characterized sex differences in the RLN3 innervation of the PVN. These findings increase our understanding of the brain circuits and neurotransmitters involved in binge-eating disorder pathology and identify RXFP3 as a therapeutic target for binge-like eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Kania
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, 62032, Italy
| | - Agata Szlaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Patryk Sambak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Ewa Blasiak
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | | | - Mohammad Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, 62032, Italy
| | - Grzegorz Hess
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
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Brain transcriptomics of agonistic behaviour in the weakly electric fish Gymnotus omarorum, a wild teleost model of non-breeding aggression. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9496. [PMID: 32528029 PMCID: PMC7289790 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66494-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in social status are often mediated by agonistic encounters between competitors. Robust literature has examined social status-dependent brain gene expression profiles across vertebrates, yet social status and reproductive state are often confounded. It has therefore been challenging to identify the neuromolecular mechanisms underlying social status independent of reproductive state. Weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum, display territorial aggression and social dominance independent of reproductive state. We use wild-derived G. omarorum males to conduct a transcriptomic analysis of non-breeding social dominance relationships. After allowing paired rivals to establish a dominance hierarchy, we profiled the transcriptomes of brain sections containing the preoptic area (region involved in regulating aggressive behaviour) in dominant and subordinate individuals. We identified 16 differentially expressed genes (FDR < 0.05) and numerous genes that co-varied with behavioural traits. We also compared our results with previous reports of differential gene expression in other teleost species. Overall, our study establishes G. omarorum as a powerful model system for understanding the neuromolecular bases of social status independent of reproductive state.
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32
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Eiden LE, Gundlach AL, Grinevich V, Lee MR, Mecawi AS, Chen D, Buijs RM, Hernandez VS, Fajardo-Dolci G, Zhang L. Regulatory peptides and systems biology: A new era of translational and reverse-translational neuroendocrinology. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12844. [PMID: 32307768 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recently, there has been a resurgence in regulatory peptide science as a result of three converging trends. The first is the increasing population of the drug pipeline with peptide-based therapeutics, mainly in, but not restricted to, incretin-like molecules for treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes. The second is the development of genetic and optogenetic tools enabling new insights into how peptides actually function within brain and peripheral circuits to accomplish homeostatic and allostatic regulation. The third is the explosion in defined structures of the G-protein coupled receptors to which most regulatory peptides bind and exert their actions. These trends have closely wedded basic systems biology to drug discovery and development, creating a "two-way street" on which translational advances travel from basic research to the clinic, and, equally importantly, "reverse-translational" information is gathered, about the molecular, cellular and circuit-level mechanisms of action of regulatory peptides, comprising information required for the fine-tuning of drug development through testing in animal models. This review focuses on a small group of 'influential' peptides, including oxytocin, vasopressin, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, ghrelin, relaxin-3 and glucagon-like peptide-1, and how basic discoveries and their application to therapeutics have intertwined over the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee E Eiden
- Section on Molecular Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Heath-Intramural Research Program, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Department of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mary R Lee
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, NIAAA and NIDA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - André S Mecawi
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Duan Chen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ruud M Buijs
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vito S Hernandez
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Germán Fajardo-Dolci
- School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Limei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
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34
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de Ávila C, Chometton S, Ma S, Pedersen LT, Timofeeva E, Cifani C, Gundlach AL. Effects of chronic silencing of relaxin-3 production in nucleus incertus neurons on food intake, body weight, anxiety-like behaviour and limbic brain activity in female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1091-1106. [PMID: 31897576 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05439-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Eating disorders are frequently triggered by stress and are more prevalent in women than men. First signs often appear during early adolescence, but the biological basis for the sex-specific differences is unknown. Central administration of native relaxin-3 (RLN3) peptide or chimeric/truncated analogues produces differential effects on food intake and HPA axis activity in adult male and female rats, but the precise role of endogenous RLN3 signalling in metabolic and neuroendocrine control is unclear. Therefore, we examined the effects of microRNA-induced depletion (knock-down) of RLN3 mRNA/(peptide) production in neurons of the brainstem nucleus incertus (NI) in female rats on a range of physiological, behavioural and neurochemical indices, including food intake, body weight, anxiety, plasma corticosterone, mRNA levels of key neuropeptides in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and limbic neural activity patterns (reflected by c-fos mRNA). Validated depletion of RLN3 in NI neurons of female rats (n = 8) produced a small, sustained (~ 2%) decrease in body weight, an imbalance in food intake and an increase in anxiety-like behaviour in the large open field, but not in the elevated plus-maze or light/dark box. Furthermore, NI RLN3 depletion disrupted corticosterone regulation, increased oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin, but not corticotropin-releasing factor, mRNA, in PVN, and decreased basal levels of c-fos mRNA in parvocellular and magnocellular PVN, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and the lateral hypothalamic area, brain regions involved in stress and feeding. These findings support a role for NI RLN3 neurons in fine-tuning stress and neuroendocrine responses and food intake regulation in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Ávila
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. .,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. .,NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sandrine Chometton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lola Torz Pedersen
- NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Carlo Cifani
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Lee HS, Postan M, Song A, Clark RJ, Bathgate RAD, Haugaard-Kedström LM, Rosengren KJ. Development of Relaxin-3 Agonists and Antagonists Based on Grafted Disulfide-Stabilized Scaffolds. Front Chem 2020; 8:87. [PMID: 32133341 PMCID: PMC7039932 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a neuropeptide with important roles in metabolism, arousal, learning and memory. Its cognate receptor is the relaxin family peptide-3 (RXFP3) receptor. Relaxin-3 agonist and antagonist analogs have been shown to be able to modulate food intake in rodent models. The relaxin-3 B-chain is sufficient for receptor interactions, however, in the absence of a structural support, linear relaxin-3 B-chain analogs are rapidly degraded and thus unsuitable as drug leads. In this study, two different disulfide-stabilized scaffolds were used for grafting of important relaxin-3 B-chain residues to improve structure and stability. The use of both Veronica hederifolia Trypsin inhibitor (VhTI) and apamin grafting resulted in agonist and antagonist analogs with improved helicity. VhTI grafted peptides showed poor binding and low potency at RXFP3, on the other hand, apamin variants retained significant activity. These variants also showed improved half-life in serum from ~5 min to >6 h, and thus are promising RXFP3 specific pharmacological tools and drug leads for neuropharmacological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Siean Lee
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael Postan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Angela Song
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J Clark
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Linda M Haugaard-Kedström
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Wykes AD, Ma S, Bathgate RAD, Gundlach AL. Targeted viral vector transduction of relaxin-3 neurons in the rat nucleus incertus using a novel cell-type specific promoter. IBRO Rep 2019; 8:1-10. [PMID: 31890981 PMCID: PMC6928288 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive, ascending relaxin-3-containing neural networks are present throughout the rat forebrain. Relaxin-3 signalling modulates complex behaviours and cognitive processes including feeding, anxiety and memory. We tested a 1736 bp promoter sequence for specific transgene expression in relaxin-3 neurons of rat nucleus incertus (NI). This promoter restricted m-Cherry marker expression to NI relaxin-3 neurons with 98% specificity. This targeted transgene delivery offers a versatile method for ongoing preclinical studies of relaxin-3 circuitry.
Modern neuroscience utilizes transgenic techniques extensively to study the activity and function of brain neural networks. A key feature of this approach is its compatibility with molecular methods for selective transgene expression in neuronal circuits of interest. Until now, such targeted transgenic approaches have not been applied to the extensive circuitry involving the neuropeptide, relaxin-3. Pharmacological and gene knock-out studies have revealed relaxin-3 signalling modulates interrelated behaviours and cognitive processes, including stress and anxiety, food and alcohol consumption, and spatial and social memory, highlighting the potential of this system as a therapeutic target. In the present study, we aimed to identify a promoter sequence capable of regulating cell-type specific transgene expression from an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector in relaxin-3 neurons of the rat nucleus incertus (NI). In parallel to relaxin-3 promoter sequences, we also tested an AAV vector containing promoter elements for the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) gene, as TrkA is co-expressed with relaxin-3 in rat NI neurons. Stereotaxic injection of an mCherry-expressing AAV vector revealed widespread non-specific TrkA promoter (880 bp) activity in and adjacent to the NI at 8 weeks post-treatment. In contrast, mCherry expression was successfully restricted to relaxin-3 NI neurons with 98% specificity using a 1736 bp relaxin-3 promoter. In addition to detailed anatomical mapping of NI relaxin-3 networks, illustrated here in association with GABAergic medial septum neurons, this method for targeted transgene delivery offers a versatile tool for ongoing preclinical studies of relaxin-3 circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Wykes
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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37
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Furuya WI, Dhingra RR, Gundlach AL, Hossain MA, Dutschmann M. Relaxin-3 receptor (RXFP3) activation in the nucleus of the solitary tract modulates respiratory rate and the arterial chemoreceptor reflex in rat. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2019; 271:103310. [PMID: 31568840 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2019.103310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide relaxin-3 is expressed by the pontine nucleus incertus. Relaxin-3 and synthetic agonist peptides modulate arousal and cognitive processes via activation of the relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor (RXFP3). Despite the presence of RXFP3 in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the ability of RXFP3 to modulate NTS-mediated cardiorespiratory functions has not been explored. Therefore, we examined the effects of bilateral microinjections of the selective agonist, RXFP3-A2 (40 μM, 100 nL/side), into the NTS in perfused working-heart-brainstem-preparations from rats (n = 6), while recording phrenic, vagal, and thoracic sympathetic chain activity (PNA, VNA, t-SCA) and heart rate (HR). RXFP3-A2 significantly increased respiratory rate and shortened post-inspiratory VNA. RXFP3-A2 in the NTS also significantly enhanced arterial chemoreceptor reflex (a-CR)-mediated tachypnea. However, RXFP3-A2 had no significant effect on HR and t-SCA at baseline or during the a-CR. These data represent the first evidence that RXFP3 activation in the NTS can selectively modulate respiration at baseline and during reflex behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner I Furuya
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Rishi R Dhingra
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Mohammad Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Mathias Dutschmann
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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38
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Marwari S, Poulsen A, Shih N, Lakshminarayanan R, Kini RM, Johannes CW, Dymock BW, Dawe GS. Intranasal administration of a stapled relaxin-3 mimetic has anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like activity in rats. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3899-3923. [PMID: 31220339 PMCID: PMC6811745 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Depression and anxiety are common causes of disability, and innovative tools and potential pharmacological targets are actively sought for prevention and treatment. Therapeutic strategies targeting the relaxin‐3 peptide or its primary endogenous receptor, RXFP3, for the treatment of major depression and anxiety disorders have been limited by a lack of compounds with drug‐like properties. We proposed that a hydrocarbon‐stapled mimetic of relaxin‐3, when administered intranasally, might be uniquely applicable to the treatment of these disorders. Experimental Approach We designed a series of hydrocarbon‐stapled relaxin‐3 mimetics and identified the most potent compound using in vitro receptor binding and activation assays. Further, we assessed the effect of intranasal delivery of relaxin‐3 and the lead stapled mimetic in rat models of anxiety and depression. Key Results We developed an i,i+7 stapled relaxin‐3 mimetic that manifested a stabilized α‐helical structure, proteolytic resistance, and confirmed agonist activity in receptor binding and activation in vitro assays. The stapled peptide agonist enhanced food intake after intracerebral infusion in rats, confirming in vivo activity. We showed that intranasal delivery of the lead i,i+7 stapled peptide or relaxin‐3 had orexigenic effects in rats, indicating a potential clinically translatable route of delivery. Further, intranasal administration of the lead i,i+7 stapled peptide exerted anxiolytic and antidepressant‐like activity in anxiety‐ and depression‐related behaviour paradigms. Conclusions and Implications Our preclinical findings demonstrate that targeting the relaxin‐3/RXFP3 receptor system via intranasal delivery of an i,i+7 stapled relaxin‐3 mimetic may represent an effective treatment approach for depression, anxiety, and related neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhi Marwari
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anders Poulsen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Experimental Therapeutics Centre, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Norrapat Shih
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rajamani Lakshminarayanan
- Anti-Infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - R Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charles William Johannes
- Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Brian William Dymock
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gavin Stewart Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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39
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40
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Paul EJ, Tossell K, Ungless MA. Transcriptional profiling aligned with in situ expression image analysis reveals mosaically expressed molecular markers for GABA neuron sub-groups in the ventral tegmental area. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3732-3749. [PMID: 31374129 PMCID: PMC6972656 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) provide local inhibitory control of dopamine neuron activity and send long‐range projections to several target regions including the nucleus accumbens. They play diverse roles in reward and aversion, suggesting that they be comprised of several functionally distinct sub‐groups, but our understanding of this diversity has been limited by a lack of molecular markers that might provide genetic entry points for cell type‐specific investigations. To address this, we conducted transcriptional profiling of GABA neurons and dopamine neurons using immunoprecipitation of tagged polyribosomes (RiboTag) and RNAseq. First, we directly compared these two transcriptomes in order to obtain a list of genes enriched in GABA neurons compared with dopamine neurons. Next, we created a novel bioinformatic approach, that used the PANTHER (Protein ANalysis THrough Evolutionary Relationships) gene ontology database and VTA gene expression data from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas, from which we obtained 6 candidate genes: Cbln4, Rxfp3, Rora, Gpr101, Trh and Nrp2. As a final step, we verified the selective expression of these candidate genes in sub‐groups of GABA neurons in the VTA (and neighbouring substantia nigra pars compacta) using immunolabelling. Taken together, our study provides a valuable toolbox for the future investigation of GABA neuron sub‐groups in the VTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor J Paul
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kyoko Tossell
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), London, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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41
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Haidar M, Tin K, Zhang C, Nategh M, Covita J, Wykes AD, Rogers J, Gundlach AL. Septal GABA and Glutamate Neurons Express RXFP3 mRNA and Depletion of Septal RXFP3 Impaired Spatial Search Strategy and Long-Term Reference Memory in Adult Mice. Front Neuroanat 2019; 13:30. [PMID: 30906254 PMCID: PMC6419585 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2019.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a highly conserved neuropeptide abundantly expressed in neurons of the nucleus incertus (NI), which project to nodes of the septohippocampal system (SHS) including the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MS/DB) and dorsal hippocampus, as well as to limbic circuits. High densities of the Gi/o-protein-coupled receptor for relaxin-3, known as relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3) are expressed throughout the SHS, further suggesting a role for relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling in modulating learning and memory processes that occur within these networks. Therefore, this study sought to gain further anatomical and functional insights into relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling in the mouse MS/DB. Using Cre/LoxP recombination methods, we assessed locomotion, exploratory behavior, and spatial learning and long-term reference memory in adult C57BL/6J Rxfp3 loxP/loxP mice with targeted depletion of Rxfp3 in the MS/DB. Following prior injection of an AAV(1/2)-Cre-IRES-eGFP vector into the MS/DB to delete/deplete Rxfp3 mRNA/RXFP3 protein, mice tested in a Morris water maze (MWM) displayed an impairment in allocentric spatial learning during acquisition, as well as an impairment in long-term reference memory on probe day. However, RXFP3-depleted and control mice displayed similar motor activity in a locomotor cell and exploratory behavior in a large open-field (LOF) test. A quantitative characterization using multiplex, fluorescent in situ hybridization (ISH) identified a high level of co-localization of Rxfp3 mRNA and vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) mRNA in MS and DB neurons (~87% and ~95% co-expression, respectively). Rxfp3 mRNA was also detected, to a correspondingly lesser extent, in vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGlut2) mRNA-containing neurons in MS and DB (~13% and ~5% co-expression, respectively). Similarly, a qualitative assessment of the MS/DB region, identified Rxfp3 mRNA in neurons that expressed parvalbumin (PV) mRNA (reflecting hippocampally-projecting GABA neurons), whereas choline acetyltransferase mRNA-positive (acetylcholine) neurons lacked Rxfp3 mRNA. These data are consistent with a qualitative immunohistochemical analysis that revealed relaxin-3-immunoreactive nerve fibers in close apposition with PV-immunoreactive neurons in the MS/DB. Together these studies suggest relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling in the MS/DB plays a role in modulating specific learning and long-term memory associated behaviors in adult mice via effects on GABAergic neuron populations known for their involvement in modulating hippocampal theta rhythm and associated cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouna Haidar
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kimberly Tin
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Cary Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohsen Nategh
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - João Covita
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander D. Wykes
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jake Rogers
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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42
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Albert-Gasco H, Sanchez-Sarasua S, Ma S, García-Díaz C, Gundlach AL, Sanchez-Perez AM, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Central relaxin-3 receptor (RXFP3) activation impairs social recognition and modulates ERK-phosphorylation in specific GABAergic amygdala neurons. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 224:453-469. [PMID: 30368554 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1763-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the extended amygdala is a neural hub for social and emotional information processing. In the rat, the extended amygdala receives inhibitory GABAergic projections from the nucleus incertus (NI) in the pontine tegmentum. NI neurons produce the neuropeptide relaxin-3, which acts via the Gi/o-protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3. A putative role for RXFP3 signalling in regulating social interaction was investigated by assessing the effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of the RXFP3 agonist, RXFP3-A2, on performance in the 3-chamber social interaction paradigm. Central RXFP3-A2, but not vehicle, infusion, disrupted the capacity to discriminate between a familiar and novel conspecific subject, but did not alter differentiation between a conspecific and an inanimate object. Subsequent studies revealed that agonist-infused rats displayed increased phosphoERK(pERK)-immunoreactivity in specific amygdaloid nuclei at 20 min post-infusion, with levels similar to control again after 90 min. In parallel, we used immunoblotting to profile ERK phosphorylation dynamics in whole amygdala after RXFP3-A2 treatment; and multiplex histochemical labelling techniques to reveal that after RXFP3-A2 infusion and social interaction, pERK-immunopositive neurons in amygdala expressed vesicular GABA-transporter mRNA and displayed differential profiles of RXFP3 and oxytocin receptor mRNA. Overall, these findings demonstrate that central relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling can modulate social recognition in rats via effects within the amygdala and likely interactions with GABA and oxytocin signalling.
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MESH Headings
- Amygdala/cytology
- Amygdala/drug effects
- Amygdala/enzymology
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal/drug effects
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism
- GABAergic Neurons/drug effects
- GABAergic Neurons/enzymology
- Infusions, Intraventricular
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
- Male
- Oxytocin/metabolism
- Peptides/administration & dosage
- Phosphorylation
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/agonists
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics
- Receptors, Oxytocin/metabolism
- Receptors, Peptide/agonists
- Receptors, Peptide/genetics
- Receptors, Peptide/metabolism
- Recognition, Psychology/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Social Behavior
- Vesicular Inhibitory Amino Acid Transport Proteins/genetics
- Vesicular Inhibitory Amino Acid Transport Proteins/metabolism
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Albert-Gasco
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, Av de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sandra Sanchez-Sarasua
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, Av de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Cristina García-Díaz
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, Av de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana M Sanchez-Perez
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, Av de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain.
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universitat Jaume I, Av de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain.
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43
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Lawther AJ, Flavell A, Ma S, Kent S, Lowry CA, Gundlach AL, Hale MW. Involvement of Serotonergic and Relaxin-3 Neuropeptide Systems in the Expression of Anxiety-like Behavior. Neuroscience 2018; 390:88-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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44
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García-Díaz C, Sánchez-Catalán MJ, Castro-Salazar E, García-Avilés A, Albert-Gascó H, Sánchez-Sarasúa de la Bárcena S, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Nucleus incertus ablation disrupted conspecific recognition and modified immediate early gene expression patterns in 'social brain' circuits of rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:332-347. [PMID: 30195021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Social interaction involves neural activity in prefrontal cortex, septum, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Notably, these areas all receive projections from the nucleus incertus (NI) in the pontine tegmentum. Therefore, we investigated the effect of excitotoxic lesions of NI neurons in adult male, Wistar rats on performance in a social discrimination test, and associated changes in immediate-early gene protein levels. NI was lesioned with quinolinic acid, and after recovery, rats underwent two trials in the 3-chamber test. In the first trial, NI-lesioned and sham-lesioned rats spent longer exploring a conspecific than an inanimate object. By contrast, in the second trial, NI-lesioned rats visited the familiar and novel conspecific chambers equally, whereas sham-lesioned rats spent longer engaging with the novel rat. Quantification of Fos- and Egr-1-immunoreactivity (IR) levels in brain areas implicated in social behaviour, revealed that social encounter and NI lesion produced complex, differential changes. For example, Egr-1-IR was broadly decreased in several amygdala nuclei in NI-lesioned rats relative to sham, but Fos-IR levels were unaltered. In hippocampus, NI-lesioned rats displayed decreased Fos-IR in CA2 and CA3, while Egr-1-IR was increased in the polymorphic dentate gyrus, CA1, CA2 and subiculum of NI-lesioned rats, relative to sham. Social encounter-related Egr-1-IR was also decreased in septum and anterior and lateral hypothalamus of NI-lesioned rats. Overall, these data suggest NI networks can modulate the activity of sensory, emotional and executive brain areas involved in social recognition, with a likely involvement of neuronal Egr-1 activation in amygdala, septum and hypothalamus, and Erg-1 inhibition in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - A L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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45
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Sabetghadam A, Grabowiecka-Nowak A, Kania A, Gugula A, Blasiak E, Blasiak T, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. Melanin-concentrating hormone and orexin systems in rat nucleus incertus: Dual innervation, bidirectional effects on neuron activity, and differential influences on arousal and feeding. Neuropharmacology 2018; 139:238-256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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46
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Bathgate RA, Kocan M, Scott DJ, Hossain MA, Good SV, Yegorov S, Bogerd J, Gooley PR. The relaxin receptor as a therapeutic target – perspectives from evolution and drug targeting. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 187:114-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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47
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Hu MJ, Wang JH, Shao XX, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Overexpression of relaxin family peptide receptor 3 in Escherichia coli and characterization of its ligand binding properties. Process Biochem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2018.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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48
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Hu MJ, Shao XX, Li HZ, Nie WH, Wang JH, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Development of a novel ligand binding assay for relaxin family peptide receptor 3 and 4 using NanoLuc complementation. Amino Acids 2018; 50:1111-1119. [PMID: 29770870 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Relaxin family peptides perform a variety of biological functions by binding and activating relaxin family peptide receptor 1-4 (RXFP1-4), four A-class G protein-coupled receptors. In the present work, we developed a novel ligand binding assay for RXFP3 and RXFP4 based on NanoLuc complementation technology (NanoBiT). A synthetic ligation version of the low-affinity small complementation tag (SmBiT) was efficiently ligated to the A-chain N terminus of recombinant chimeric agonist R3/I5 using recombinant circular sortase A. After the ligation product R3/I5-SmBiT was mixed with human RXFP3 or RXFP4 genetically fused with a secretory large NanoLuc fragment (sLgBiT) at the N terminus, NanoLuc complementation was induced by high-affinity ligand-receptor binding. Binding kinetics and affinities of R3/I5-SmBiT with sLgBiT-fused RXFP3 and RXFP4 were conveniently measured according to the complementation-induced bioluminescence. Using R3/I5-SmBiT and the sLgBiT-fused receptor as a complementation pair, binding potencies of various ligands with RXFP3 and RXFP4 were quantitatively measured without the cumbersome washing step. The novel NanoBiT-based ligand binding assay is convenient for use and suitable for automation, thus will facilitate interaction studies of RXFP3 and RXFP4 with ligands in future. This assay can also be applied to some other plasma membrane receptors for pharmacological characterization of ligands in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Jun Hu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao-Zheng Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Han Nie
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Hui Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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49
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Wang JH, Hu MJ, Shao XX, Wei D, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. Cholesterol modulates the binding properties of human relaxin family peptide receptor 3 with its ligands. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 646:24-30. [PMID: 29601823 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) is implicated in the regulation of food intake and stress response upon activation by its cognate agonist relaxin-3. As an A-class G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3 is an integral plasma membrane protein with seven transmembrane domains, yet influence of the membrane lipids on its function remains unknown. In the present study, we disclosed that cholesterol, an essential membrane lipid for mammalian cells, modulated the binding properties of human RXFP3 with its ligands. We first demonstrated that depletion of cholesterol from host human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells by methyl-β-cyclodextrin altered ligand-binding properties of the overexpressed human RXFP3, such as increasing its binding potency with some antagonists and decreasing its binding affinity with a NanoLuc-conjugated R3/I5 tracer. Thereafter, we demonstrated that two B-chain residues, B5Tyr and B12Arg, were primarily responsible for the increased binding potency of these antagonists with human RXFP3 under the cholesterol depletion condition. Our results suggest that cell membrane cholesterol interacts with human RXFP3 and modulates its ligand-binding properties, providing new insights into the influence of membrane lipids on RXFP3 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hui Wang
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Jun Hu
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dian Wei
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Research Centre for Translational Medicine at East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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Olucha-Bordonau FE, Albert-Gascó H, Ros-Bernal F, Rytova V, Ong-Pålsson EKE, Ma S, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Gundlach AL. Modulation of forebrain function by nucleus incertus and relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:694-702. [PMID: 29722152 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus incertus (NI) in the pontine tegmentum sends ascending projections to the midbrain, hypothalamus, amygdala, basal forebrain, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, and has a postulated role in modulating several forebrain functions. A substantial population of GABAergic NI neurons expresses the neuropeptide, relaxin-3, which acts via the Gi/o -protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3, present throughout the forebrain target regions. Broad and specific manipulations of these systems by activation or inhibition of the NI or modulating RXFP3 signaling have revealed key insights into the likely influence of the NI/relaxin-3/RXFP3 system on modalities including arousal, feeding, stress responses, anxiety and addiction, and attention and memory. This range of actions corresponds to a likely impact of NI/(relaxin-3) projections on multiple integrated circuits, but makes it difficult to draw conclusions about a generalized function for this network. This review will focus on the key physiological process of oscillatory theta rhythm and the neural circuits that promote it during behavioral activation, highlighting the ability of NI and relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling systems to modulate these circuits. A better understanding of these mechanisms may provide a way to therapeutically adjust malfunction of forebrain activity present in several pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Héctor Albert-Gascó
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco Ros-Bernal
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Valeria Rytova
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Emma K E Ong-Pålsson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Ana M Sánchez-Pérez
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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