scholarly journals Leptin influences the excitability of area postrema neurons

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (5) ◽  
pp. R440-R448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline M. Smith ◽  
Paulina Brzezinska ◽  
Fabien Hubert ◽  
Andrea Mimee ◽  
Donald H. Maurice ◽  
...  

The area postrema (AP) is a circumventricular organ with important roles in central autonomic regulation. This medullary structure has been shown to express the leptin receptor and has been suggested to have a role in modulating peripheral signals, indicating energy status. Using RT-PCR, we have confirmed the presence of mRNA for the leptin receptor, ObRb, in AP, and whole cell current-clamp recordings from dissociated AP neurons demonstrated that leptin influenced the excitability of 51% (42/82) of AP neurons. The majority of responsive neurons (62%) exhibited a depolarization (5.3 ± 0.7 mV), while the remaining affected cells (16/42) demonstrated hyperpolarizing effects (−5.96 ± 0.95 mV). Amylin was found to influence the same population of AP neurons. To elucidate the mechanism(s) of leptin and amylin actions in the AP, we used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to determine the effect of these peptides on cAMP levels in single AP neurons. Leptin and amylin were found to elevate cAMP levels in the same dissociated AP neurons (leptin: % total FRET response 25.3 ± 4.9, n = 14; amylin: % total FRET response 21.7 ± 3.1, n = 13). When leptin and amylin were coapplied, % total FRET response rose to 53.0 ± 8.3 ( n = 6). The demonstration that leptin and amylin influence a subpopulation of AP neurons and that these two signaling molecules have additive effects on single AP neurons to increase cAMP, supports a role for the AP as a central nervous system location at which these circulating signals may act through common intracellular signaling pathways to influence central control of energy balance.

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 590-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Vilardaga ◽  
Moritz Bünemann ◽  
Timothy N. Feinstein ◽  
Nevin Lambert ◽  
Viacheslav O. Nikolaev ◽  
...  

Abstract Many biochemical pathways are driven by G protein-coupled receptors, cell surface proteins that convert the binding of extracellular chemical, sensory, and mechanical stimuli into cellular signals. Their interaction with various ligands triggers receptor activation that typically couples to and activates heterotrimeric G proteins, which in turn control the propagation of secondary messenger molecules (e.g. cAMP) involved in critically important physiological processes (e.g. heart beat). Successful transfer of information from ligand binding events to intracellular signaling cascades involves a dynamic interplay between ligands, receptors, and G proteins. The development of Förster resonance energy transfer and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer-based methods has now permitted the kinetic analysis of initial steps involved in G protein-coupled receptor-mediated signaling in live cells and in systems as diverse as neurotransmitter and hormone signaling. The direct measurement of ligand efficacy at the level of the receptor by Förster resonance energy transfer is also now possible and allows intrinsic efficacies of clinical drugs to be linked with the effect of receptor polymorphisms.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyeon Ko ◽  
Jongyun Myeong ◽  
Misun Kwak ◽  
Insuk So

Abstract Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are non-selective calcium-permeable cation channels. It is suggested that TRPC4β and TRPC5 channels are regulated by phospholipase C (PLC) signaling, and are especially maintained by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). The PLCδ subtype is the most Ca2+-sensitive form among the isozymes which cleaves phospholipids to respond to the calcium rise. In this study, we investigated the regulation mechanism of TRPC channel by Ca2+, PLCδ1 and PIP2 signaling cascades. The interaction between TRPC4β and PLCδ1 was identified through the Fӧster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). With the electrophysiological experiments, we found that TRPC4β-bound PLCδ1 reduces the overall whole-cell current of channel. The Ca2+-via opened channel promotes the activation of PLCδ1, which subsequently decreases PIP2 level. By comparison TRPC4β activity with or without PLCδ1 using differently [Ca2+]i buffered solution, we demonstrated that PLCδ1 functions in normal condition with physiological calcium range. The negative regulation effect of PLCδ1 on TRPC4β helps to elucidate the roles of each PIP2 binding residues whether they are concerned in channel maintenance or inhibition of channel activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Grammatika Pavlidou ◽  
S Pecha ◽  
H Reichenspurner ◽  
T Christ ◽  
V O Nikolaev ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), are often related to remodeling of membrane receptors and alterations in cAMP-dependent regulation of Ca2+ handling mechanisms. For instance, decreased L-type calcium current (ICa,L) density but upregulated RyR2 are major hallmarks of AF. These inhomogeneous AF-associated changes of protein phosphorylation point to a local regulation of PKA activity within these intracellular compartments. Local cAMP compartmentation and the role of phosphodiesterase (PDEs) have ben extensively studied in ventricular myocytes from animals. However, only a few studies have evaluated the contribution of PDEs to the pathophysiology of AF and the reason for the persistent AF-associated hypophosphorylation of the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a change in the expression level of PDE8 in human atrium may affects cAMP nearby LTCC promoting the reduction of the ICa,L observed in persistent AF. Methods Atrial myocytes were isolated from tissue of 47 patients in sinus rhythm (SR) and with AF. Cells were then transfect with an adenovirus (Epac1-camps or pm-Epac1-camps) in order to express the (cytosolic or membrane, respectively) FRET-based cAMP sensor and cultured during 48 hours. Föster-resonance energy transfer (FRET) was used to measure cAMP in 232 isolated human atrial myocytes. Ro-20-1724 (10 μM), Cilostamide (1 μM) and PF-04957325 (30 nM) and IBMX (100 μM) were used as PDE4, PDE3, PDE8 and non-selective phosphodiesterases (PDEs) inhibitor respectively. Results Effects of PDE4 and especially PDE3 inhibition on cytosolic [cAMP] are reduced in AF. Pharmacological PDE8 inhibition induces only a small increase in basal intracellular [cAMP] in AF but it showed a big synergic effect when PDE4 was inhibit at the same time. By contrast, PDE8 inhibition dramatically increased basal [cAMP] in the subsarcolemmal compartment in AF while PDE3 or PDE4 inhibition had a smaller effect that didn't change between SR and AF. Conclusions PDE8 controls basal cytosolic cAMP levels in human atrial myocytes from patients with persistent AF while PDE3 effects tends to be reduced in these patients. Furthermore, PDE8 is the main PDE in controlling cAMP levels at the membrane in persistent AF. Thus, our study may provide a clue for the reported reduction of the ICa,L in persistent AF.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaia Calamera ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Andrea Hembre Ulsund ◽  
Jeong Joo Kim ◽  
Oliver C. Neely ◽  
...  

Abstract Several FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer)-based biosensors for intracellular detection of cyclic nucleotides have been designed in the past decade. However, few such biosensors are available for cGMP, and even fewer that detect low nanomolar cGMP concentrations. Our aim was to develop a FRET-based cGMP biosensor with high affinity for cGMP as a tool for intracellular signaling studies. We used the carboxyl-terminal cyclic nucleotide binding domain of Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) flanked by different FRET pairs to generate two cGMP biosensors (Yellow PfPKG and Red PfPKG). Here, we report that these cGMP biosensors display high affinity for cGMP (EC50 of 23 ± 3 nM) and detect cGMP produced through soluble guanylyl cyclase and guanylyl cyclase A in stellate ganglion neurons and guanylyl cyclase B in cardiomyocytes. These biosensors are therefore optimal tools for real-time measurements of low concentrations of cGMP in living cells.


Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (9) ◽  
pp. 4560-4565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Jacobs ◽  
Davide Calebiro ◽  
Viacheslav O. Nikolaev ◽  
Martin J. Lohse ◽  
Stefan Schulz

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer using genetically encoded biosensors has proven to be a powerful technique to monitor the spatiotemporal dynamics of cAMP signals stimulated by Gs-coupled receptors in living cells. In contrast, real-time imaging of Gi-mediated cAMP signals under native conditions remains challenging. Here, we describe the use of transgenic mice for cAMP imaging in living pituitary slices and primary pituitary cells. This technique can be widely used to assess the contribution of various pituitary receptors, including individual Gi protein-coupled somatostatin receptors, to the regulation of cAMP levels under physiologically relevant settings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (50) ◽  
pp. 14348-14353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Voss ◽  
Dennis M. Krüger ◽  
Oliver Koch ◽  
Yao-Wen Wu

Ras-like small GTPases function as molecular switches and regulate diverse cellular events. To examine the dynamics of signaling requires spatiotemporal visualization of their activity in the cell. Current small GTPase sensors rely on specific effector domains that are available for only a small number of GTPases and compete for endogenous regulator/effector binding. Here, we describe versatile conformational sensors for GTPase activity (COSGAs) based on the conserved GTPase fold. Conformational changes upon GDP/GTP exchange were directly observed in solution, on beads, and in live cells by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The COSGAs allow for monitoring of Rab1 and K-Ras activity in live cells using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. We found that Rab1 is largely active in the cytoplasm and inactive at the Golgi, suggesting that the Golgi serves as the terminal of the Rab1 functional cycle. K-Ras displays polarized activity at the plasma membrane, with less activity at the edge of the cell and membrane ruffles.


Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison W. Xu ◽  
Linda Ste-Marie ◽  
Christopher B. Kaelin ◽  
Gregory S. Barsh

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that signals body energy status to the brain by acting on multiple neuronal subgroups in the hypothalamus, including those that express proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) and agouti-related protein (Agrp). Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is an important intracellular signaling molecule activated by leptin, and previous studies have shown that mice carrying a mutated leptin receptor that abolished Stat3 binding are grossly obese. To determine the extent to which Stat3 signaling in Pomc neurons was responsible for these effects, we constructed Pomc-specific Stat3 mutants using a Cre recombinase transgene driven by the Pomc promoter. We find that Pomc expression is diminished in the mutant mice, suggesting that Stat3 is required for Pomc transcription. Pomc-specific Stat3 female mutant mice exhibit a 2-fold increase in fat pad mass but only a slight increase in total body weight. Mutant mice remain responsive to leptin-induced hypophagia and are not hypersensitive to a high-fat diet; however, mutant mice fail to mount a normal compensatory refeeding response. These results demonstrate a requirement for Stat3 in transcriptional regulation of Pomc but indicate that this circuit is only one of several components that underlie the neuronal response to leptin and the role of Stat3 in that response.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (21) ◽  
pp. eabe4091
Author(s):  
Brian Tenner ◽  
Jason Z. Zhang ◽  
Yonghoon Kwon ◽  
Veronica Pessino ◽  
Siyu Feng ◽  
...  

Growing evidence suggests that many essential intracellular signaling events are compartmentalized within kinetically distinct microdomains in cells. Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors are powerful tools to dissect compartmentalized signaling, but current approaches to probe these microdomains typically rely on biosensor fusion and overexpression of critical regulatory elements. Here, we present a novel class of biosensors named FluoSTEPs (fluorescent sensors targeted to endogenous proteins) that combine self-complementing split green fluorescent protein, CRISPR-mediated knock-in, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer biosensor technology to probe compartmentalized signaling dynamics in situ. We designed FluoSTEPs for simultaneously highlighting endogenous microdomains and reporting domain-specific, real-time signaling events including kinase activities, guanosine triphosphatase activation, and second messenger dynamics in live cells. A FluoSTEP for 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) revealed distinct cAMP dynamics within clathrin microdomains in response to stimulation of G protein–coupled receptors, showcasing the utility of FluoSTEPs in probing spatiotemporal regulation within endogenous signaling architectures.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2275
Author(s):  
Alveera Hasan ◽  
Neda Mohammadi ◽  
Aisha Nawaz ◽  
Thusharika Kodagoda ◽  
Ivan Diakonov ◽  
...  

The ability to differentiate induced-pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) has opened up novel avenues for potential cardiac therapies. However, iPSC-CMs exhibit a range of somewhat immature functional properties. This study explored the development of the beta-adrenergic receptor (βAR) pathway, which is crucial in regulating contraction and signifying the health and maturity of myocytes. We explored the compartmentation of β2AR-signalling and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in caveolae, as functional nanodomains supporting the mature phenotype. Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) microscopy was used to study the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in iPSC-CMs at day 30, 60, and 90 following βAR subtype-specific stimulation. Subsequently, the PDE2, PDE3, and PDE4 activity was investigated using specific inhibitors. Cells were treated with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) to remove cholesterol as a method of decompartmentalising β2AR. As iPSC-CMs mature with a prolonged culture time, the caveolae density is increased, leading to a reduction in the overall cytoplasmic cAMP signal stimulated through β2AR (but not β1AR). Pan-phosphodiesterase inhibition or caveolae depletion leads to an increase in the β2AR-stimulated cytoplasmic cAMP. Moreover, with time in culture, the increase in the βAR-dependent cytoplasmic cAMP becomes more sensitive to cholesterol removal. The regulation of the β2AR response by PDE2 and 4 is similarly increased with the time in culture. We conclude that both the β2AR and PDEs are restricted to the caveolae nanodomains, and thereby exhibit a tighter spatial restriction over the cAMP signal in late-stage compared to early iPSC-CMs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Stangherlin ◽  
Manuela Zaccolo

cAMP and cGMP signalling pathways are common targets in the pharmacological treatment of heart failure, and often drugs that modulate the level of these second messengers are simultaneously administered to patients. cGMP can potentially affect cAMP levels by modulating the activity of PDEs (phosphodiesterases), the enzymes that degrade cyclic nucleotides. This biochemical cross-talk provides the means for drugs that increase cGMP to concomitantly affect cAMP signals. Recent studies using FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) reporters and real-time imaging show that, in cardiac myocytes, the interplay between cGMP and cAMP has different outcomes depending on the specific location where the cross-modulation occurs. cGMP can either increase or decrease the cAMP response to catecholamines, based on the cyclase that generates it and on the PDEs associated with each subcellular compartment. cGMP-mediated modulation of cAMP signals has functional relevance as it affects protein phosphorylation downstream of protein kinase A and myocyte contractility. The physical separation of positive and negative modulation of cAMP levels by cGMP offers the previously unrecognized possibility to selectively modulate local cAMP signals to improve the efficacy of therapy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document