The mitochondrial disease associated protein Ndufaf2 is dispensable for Complex-1 assembly but critical for the regulation of oxidative stress

Deficiency in human mitochondrial Complex-1 has been linked to a wide variety of neurological disorders. Homozygous deletion of the Complex-1 associated protein, Ndufaf2, leads to a severe juvenile onset encephalopathy involving degeneration of the substantia nigra and other sub-cortical regions resulting in adolescent lethality. To understand the precise role of Ndufaf2 in Complex-1 function and its links to neurologic disease, we studied the effects on Complex-1 assembly and function, as well as pathological consequences at the cellular level, in multiple in vitro models of Ndufaf2 deficiency. Using both Ndufaf2-deficient human neuroblastoma cells and primary fibroblasts cultured from Ndufaf2 knock-out mice we found that Ndufaf2-deficiency selectively reduces Complex-1 activity. While Ndufaf2 is traditionally referred to as an assembly factor of Complex-1, surprisingly, however, Ndufaf2-deficient cells were able to assemble a fully mature Complex-1 enzyme, albeit with reduced kinetics. Importantly, no evidence of intermediate or incomplete assembly was observed. Ndufaf2 deficiency resulted in significant increases in oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA deletion, consistent with contemporary hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of inherited mutations in Complex-1 disorders. These data suggest that Ndufaf2, unlike other Complex-1 assembly factors, may be more accurately described as a chaperone involved in proper folding during Complex-1 assembly, since it is dispensable for Complex-1 maturation but not its proper function.

Analysis of NPR-1 reveals a circuit mechanism for behavioral quiescence in C. elegans

Animals undergo periods of behavioral quiescence and arousal in response to environmental, circadian, or developmental cues. During larval molts, C. elegans undergoes a period of profound behavioral quiescence termed lethargus. Locomotion quiescence during lethargus was abolished in mutants lacking a neuropeptide receptor (NPR-1) and was reduced in mutants lacking NPR-1 ligands (FLP-18 and FLP-21). Wild-type strains are polymorphic for the npr-1 gene, and their lethargus behavior varies correspondingly. Locomotion quiescence and arousal were mediated by decreased and increased secretion of an arousal neuropeptide (PDF-1) from central neurons. PDF receptors (PDFR-1) expressed in peripheral mechanosensory neurons enhanced touch-evoked calcium transients. Thus, a central circuit stimulates arousal from lethargus by enhancing the sensitivity of peripheral mechanosensory neurons in the body. These results define a circuit mechanism controlling a developmentally programmed form of quiescence.

Sequential bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based ratiometric protease assays with fusion proteins of firefly luciferase and red fluorescent protein

We report here the preparation of ratiometric luminescent probes that contain two well-separated emission peaks produced by a sequential bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. The probes are single soluble fusion proteins consisting of a thermostable firefly luciferase variant that catalyze yellow-green (560nm maximum) bioluminescence and a red fluorescent protein covalently labeled with a near-infrared fluorescent dye. The two proteins are connected by a decapeptide containing a protease recognition site specific for factor Xa, thrombin, or caspase 3. The rates of protease cleavage of the fusion protein substrates were monitored by recording emission spectra and plotting the change in peak ratios over time. Detection limits of 0.41nM for caspase 3, 1.0nM for thrombin, and 58nM for factor Xa were realized with a scanning fluorometer. Our results demonstrate for the first time that an efficient sequential BRET-FRET energy transfer process based on firefly luciferase bioluminescence can be employed to assay physiologically important protease activities.

Effect of venlafaxine on the pharmacokinetics of risperidone

An open-label study evaluated the effect of steady-state venlafaxine on the single-dose pharmacokinetic profile of risperidone, a CYP2D6 substrate; its active metabolite, 9-hydroxyrisperidone; and the total active moiety (risperidone plus 9-hydroxyrisperidone). Thirty healthy subjects received a 1 mg oral dose of risperidone before and after venlafaxine dosing to steady state. No significant changes occurred between treatments in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for 9-hydroxyrisperidone or the total active moiety. However, venlafaxine weakly altered the pharmacokinetics of risperidone. Oral clearance decreased 38%, and the volume of distribution decreased 17%, resulting in a 32% increase in the AUC for risperidone. Renal clearance of 9-hydroxyrisperidone also decreased by 20% in the presence of venlafaxine. Safety profiles of both drugs were not altered. This study demonstrated that venlafaxine did not affect the pharmacokinetic profile of 9-hydroxyrisperidone or the total active moiety, although it weakly inhibited the metabolism of risperidone. These results show that venlafaxine is unlikely to be involved in a pharmacokinetic interaction with concomitant risperidone.

Effect of venlafaxine on CYP1A2-dependent pharmacokinetics and metabolism of caffeine

Venlafaxine is a clinically effective antidepressant. Caffeine is a metabolic probe for the quantitative measurement of CYP1A2 activity in vivo. This open-label study evaluated the effect of steady-state venlafaxine on CYP1A2-dependent metabolism, as measured by the pharmacokinetic disposition of caffeine, and urinary caffeine metabolite ratios (CMRs). Sixteen healthy subjects received 200 mg of caffeine orally before (Day 1) and after (Day 8) venlafaxine was titrated to steady-state (37.5 mg every 12 hours on Days 2-4, then 75 mg every 12 hours on Days 5-8). Samples were collected before and for 24 hours after caffeine dosing for the determination of caffeine in plasma and 1,7-dimethylxanthine, 3,7-dimethylxanthine, 1,7-dimethyluric acid (17U), 1-methylxanthine (1X) and 1-methyluric acid (1U), and 5-acetylamino-6-amino-3-methyluracil (AAMU) in urine. Blood samples were obtained before venlafaxine doses on Days 7 and 8 (morning dose only) for the determination of trough venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine levels. Venlafaxine did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its metabolites. Plasma caffeine AUC was unchanged and remained within the bioequivalence criteria (90% confidence interval: 87.9%-102%) in the presence of venlafaxine. Urine metabolite data showed variable increases and decreases in the CMR [(AAMU + 1U + 1X)/17U] for individual subjects. However, the mean CMR was altered by < 10% in the presence of venlafaxine. This in vivo study demonstrated that venlafaxine did not alter the pharmacokinetic profile of caffeine and confirms in vitro data that venlafaxine does not inhibit CYP1A2 metabolism. Therefore, venlafaxine appears to have a relatively low potential for drug interactions based on CYP1A2 inhibition.

Effect of venlafaxine on the pharmacokinetics of terfenadine

The effect of steady-state venlafaxine administration on the single-dose pharmacokinetic profile of terfenadine, a cytochrome pigment (P450) isoenzyme CYP3A4 substrate, and its active acid metabolite (fexofenadine) was evaluated in an open-label, nonrandomized study. Twenty-six healthy subjects were given a 120-mg oral dose of terfenadine before and after venlafaxine was titrated up to steady-state. Blood samples were drawn before terfenadine dosing and at various intervals for 48 hours after dosing to measure plasma concentrations of terfenadine and its acid metabolite. Blood samples were obtained before each venlafaxine dose to measure trough levels of venlafaxine and O-desmethyl-venlafaxine. Single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters of terfenadine did not change significantly in the presence of steady-state venlafaxine. However, terfenadine acid metabolite area under the plasma concentration-time curve decreased by approximately 25 percent; this was not thought to be related to the P450 isoenzyme system. These results are consistent with in vitro studies and in vivo studies with other CYP3A4 substrates, indicating that venlafaxine has a low potential for drug-drug interactions that result from inhibition of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme.

Effect of venlafaxine on the pharmacokinetics of alprazolam

Potential pharmacokinetic effects of venlafaxine on alprazolam, a substrate of the cytochrome pigment 450 (CYP) isoenzyme CYP3A4, were investigated in 16 healthy volunteers. A single 2-mg oral dose of alprazolam was combined with steady-state levels of venlafaxine administered orally at 75 mg twice daily. The levels of alprazolam in plasma and of alprazolam, alpha-hydroxyalprazolam, and 4-hydroxyalprazolam in urine were determined. Steady-state venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine concentrations in plasma were reached before venlafaxine was coadministered with alprazolam. Coadministering venlafaxine increased the apparent oral clearance and volume of distribution of alprazolam by 36 percent and 9 percent, respectively, and decreased the alprazolam area under the concentration-time curve and half-life by 29 percent and 21 percent, respectively. There were small but statistically significant increases in mean baseline scores for the digit-symbol substitution and symbol copying tests, probably reflecting a time-dependent learning effect. The maximum score decrease from baseline for these two tests also increased, possibly representing an additive effect of alprazolam and venlafaxine. Overall, venlafaxine did not inhibit the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of alprazolam in vivo, which corroborates other in vitro and in vivo data showing a lack of CYP3A4 inhibition with venlafaxine.

Nutrition in pregnancy and the concentrations of proinsulin, 32-33 split proinsulin, insulin, and C-peptide in cord plasma

As insulin is a major fetal growth hormone, we have related the mother's nutrient intakes (assessed by a food frequency questionnaire) and other influences associated with fetal growth to the baby's concentrations of insulin and its propeptides in umbilical cord plasma. Among 391 term babies studied, those whose mothers had high energy intakes in early pregnancy and low protein intakes in late pregnancy had lower cord plasma concentrations of 32-33 split proinsulin, insulin, and C-peptide. Concentrations of split proinsulin fell by 0.66 (95% Cl 0.29 to 1.03, p = 0.0006) log pmol l-1 for each log kcal increase in the mother's energy intake in early pregnancy and by 0.005 (95% Cl 0.000 to 0.010, p = 0.04) log pmol l-1 for each g decrease in protein intake in late pregnancy. Insulin and propeptide concentrations were however unrelated to the mother's height and body mass index, and to smoking during pregnancy. These observations parallel recent studies relating the same pattern of dietary intakes to impaired fetal and placental growth. Although dietary intakes assessed by food frequency questionnaires allow only cautious conclusions, our findings could have implications for the offspring's risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adult life.

Relation of cord plasma concentrations of proinsulin, 32-33 split proinsulin, insulin and C-peptide to placental weight and the baby's size and proportions at birth

Small and disproportionate size at birth are associated with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in adult life. Insulin has an important role in controlling growth in utero and we hypothesised that reduced fetal insulin secretion could be one factor underlying these associations. We therefore measured cord plasma concentrations of proinsulin, 32-33 split proinsulin, insulin and C-peptide in 391 babies born at term and related them to the weight of the placenta and to the babies' size and proportions at birth. Babies with a small placental weight and a lower birth weight had lower cord plasma concentrations of split proinsulin and insulin. Babies who were disproportionate, either having a high ratio of head to abdominal circumference or being thin, had lower concentrations of split proinsulin, split proinsulin and insulin. The relations with split proinsulin were especially strong, the geometric mean concentration (pmol/l) falling from 14.2 in babies with a head to abdominal circumference ratio of 101.6% or less to 7.2 in those with a ratio above 107.3% (P < 0.0001), and from 17.4 in babies with a ponderal index above 28.5 kg/m3 to 7.4 in those with a ponderal index of 25.5 kg/m3 or less (P < 0.0001). These findings support the hypothesis that reduced fetal insulin secretion may be one factor underlying the associations between reduced growth in utero and type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in adult life.

The quality of the new birth certificate data: a validation study in North Carolina

A random sample of 395 December 1989 North Carolina birth certificates and the corresponding maternal hospital medical records were examined to validate selected items. Reporting was very accurate for birth-weight, Apgar score, and method of delivery; fair to good for tobacco use, prenatal care, weight gain during pregnancy, obstetrical procedures, and events of labor and delivery; and poor for medical history and alcohol use. This study suggests that many of the new birth certificate items will support valid aggregate analyses for maternal and child health research and evaluation.