scholarly journals Modulatory Action by the Serotonergic System: Behavior and Neurophysiology inDrosophila melanogaster

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zana R. Majeed ◽  
Esraa Abdeljaber ◽  
Robin Soveland ◽  
Kristin Cornwell ◽  
Aubrey Bankemper ◽  
...  

Serotonin modulates various physiological processes and behaviors. This study investigates the role of 5-HT in locomotion and feeding behaviors as well as in modulation of sensory-motor circuits. The 5-HT biosynthesis was dysregulated by feedingDrosophilalarvae 5-HT, a 5-HT precursor, or an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase during early stages of development. The effects of feeding fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, during early second instars were also examined. 5-HT receptor subtypes were manipulated using RNA interference mediated knockdown and 5-HT receptor insertional mutations. Moreover, synaptic transmission at 5-HT neurons was blocked or enhanced in both larvae and adult flies. The results demonstrate that disruption of components within the 5-HT system significantly impairs locomotion and feeding behaviors in larvae. Acute activation of 5-HT neurons disrupts normal locomotion activity in adult flies. To determine which 5-HT receptor subtype modulates the evoked sensory-motor activity, pharmacological agents were used. In addition, the activity of 5-HT neurons was enhanced by expressing and activating TrpA1 channels or channelrhodopsin-2 while recording the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in muscle fibers. 5-HT2 receptor activation mediates a modulatory role in a sensory-motor circuit, and the activation of 5-HT neurons can suppress the neural circuit activity, while fluoxetine can significantly decrease the sensory-motor activity.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6298
Author(s):  
Rami Lee ◽  
Sun-Hye Choi ◽  
Han-Sung Cho ◽  
Hongik Hwang ◽  
Hyewhon Rhim ◽  
...  

Ginseng-derived gintonin reportedly contains functional lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) as LPA receptor ligands. The effect of the gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on in vitro and in vivo glucagon-like protein-1 (GLP-1) secretion, which is known to stimulate insulin secretion, via LPA receptor(s) remains unclear. Accordingly, we examined the effects of GEF on GLP-1 secretion using human enteroendocrine NCI-H716 cells. The expression of several of LPA receptor subtypes in NCI-H716 cells using qPCR and Western blotting was examined. LPA receptor subtype expression was in the following order: LPA6 > LPA2 > LPA4 > LPA5 > LPA1 (qPCR), and LPA6 > LPA4 > LPA2 > LPA1 > LPA3 > LPA5 (Western blotting). GEF-stimulated GLP-1 secretion occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was suppressed by cAMP-Rp, a cAMP antagonist, but not by U73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor. Furthermore, silencing the human LPA6 receptor attenuated GEF-mediated GLP-1 secretion. In mice, low-dose GEF (50 mg/kg, peroral) increased serum GLP-1 levels; this effect was not blocked by Ki16425 co-treatment. Our findings indicate that GEF-induced GLP-1 secretion could be achieved via LPA6 receptor activation through the cAMP pathway. Hence, GEF-induced GLP secretion via LPA6 receptor regulation might be responsible for its beneficial effects on human endocrine physiology.


2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 2565-2578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Ben-Shlomo ◽  
Oxana Pichurin ◽  
Nicole J. Barshop ◽  
Kolja A. Wawrowsky ◽  
John Taylor ◽  
...  

Abstract Anterior pituitary hormone secretion is under tonic suppression by hypothalamic somatostatin signaling through somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTs). Because some hormonal axes are known to be abnormally regulated by ligand-independent constitutively active G protein-coupled receptors, we tested pituitary SSTs for selective constitutive signaling. We therefore differentially silenced endogenous SST2, SST3, and SST5 in somatostatin-sensitive ACTH-secreting mouse AtT-20 pituitary corticotroph cells using small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) and analyzed downstream SSTs-regulated pathways. Transfection with siRNA reduced specific receptor subtype mRNA expression up to 82%. Specificity of receptor silencing was validated against negative controls with different gene-selective siRNAs, concordance of mRNA and cAMP changes, reduced potency of receptor-selective agonists, and phenotype rescue by overexpression of the silenced receptor. Mouse SST3 > SST5 > SST2 knockdown increased basal cAMP accumulation (up to 200%) and ACTH secretion (up to 60%). SST2- and SST5-selective agonist potencies were reduced by SST3- and SST5-silencing, respectively. SST5 > SST2 = SST3 silencing also increased basal levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. SST3- and SST5-knockdown increased cAMP was only partially blocked by pertussis toxin. The results show that SST2, SST3, and SST5 exhibit constitutive activity in mouse pituitary corticotroph cells, restraining adenylate cyclase and MAPK activation and ACTH secretion. SST3 mainly inhibits cAMP accumulation and ACTH secretion, whereas SST5 predominantly suppresses MAPK pathway activation. Therefore, SST receptor subtypes control pituitary cell function not only through somatostatin binding to variably expressed cell membrane receptor subtypes, but also by differential ligand-independent receptor-selective constitutive action.


2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon F. Buchanan ◽  
Haleigh R. Smith ◽  
Amanda MacAskill ◽  
George B. Richerson

Hypercapnia-induced arousal from sleep is an important protective mechanism pertinent to a number of diseases. Most notably among these are the sudden infant death syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Serotonin (5-HT) plays a significant role in hypercapnia-induced arousal. The mechanism of 5-HT's role in this protective response is unknown. Here we sought to identify the specific 5-HT receptor subtype(s) involved in this response. Wild-type mice were pretreated with antagonists against 5-HT receptor subtypes, as well as antagonists against adrenergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, dopaminergic, and orexinergic receptors before challenge with inspired CO2 or hypoxia. Antagonists of 5-HT2A receptors dose-dependently blocked CO2-induced arousal. The 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, RS-102221, and the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, attenuated but did not completely block CO2-induced arousal. Blockade of non-5-HT receptors did not affect CO2-induced arousal. None of these drugs had any effect on hypoxia-induced arousal. 5-HT2 receptor agonists were given to mice in which 5-HT neurons had been genetically eliminated during embryonic life ( Lmx1b f/f/p) and which are known to lack CO2-induced arousal. Application of agonists to 5-HT2A, but not 5-HT2C, receptors, dose-dependently restored CO2-induced arousal in these mice. These data identify the 5-HT2A receptor as an important mediator of CO2-induced arousal and suggest that, while 5-HT neurons can be independently activated to drive CO2-induced arousal, in the absence of 5-HT neurons and endogenous 5-HT, 5-HT receptor activation can act in a permissive fashion to facilitate CO2-induced arousal via another as yet unidentified chemosensor system.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (6) ◽  
pp. R2299-R2311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly M. Pelz ◽  
John Dark

The reduced metabolism derived from daily torpor enables numerous small mammals, including Siberian hamsters, to survive periods of energetic challenge. Little is known of the neural mechanisms underlying the initiation and expression of torpor. Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) contributes to surviving energetic challenges by both increasing food ingestion and reducing metabolic expenditure. Intracerebroventricular injections of NPY in cold-acclimated Siberian hamsters induce torpor-like hypothermia comparable to natural torpor. Multiple NPY receptor subtypes have been identified, and the Y1 receptor and Y5 receptor both contribute to the orexigenic effect of NPY. The purpose of this research was to compare and contrast the effects of Y1 receptor activation by a specific Y1 agonist ([d-Arg25]-NPY) or Y5 receptor activation by a specific Y5 agonist ([d-Trp34]-NPY) on body temperature and subsequent food intake in cold-acclimated Siberian hamsters. Intracerebroventricular injections of Y1 agonist produced torporlike hypothermia closely resembling that induced by intracerebroventricular NPY. The intracerebroventricular Y5 agonist infrequently produced hypothermia reaching criterion for torpor and that failed to resemble either NPY-induced or natural torpor. Combined injections of Y1 and Y5 agonists resulted in hypothermia comparable to Y5 agonist treatments alone, negating the mimicry of NPY treatment seen with Y1 agonist alone. Prior treatment with Y1 agonist or Y5 agonist surprisingly had lingering effects on NPY-induced torpor expression, Y1 agonist enhanced and Y5 agonist inhibited the effect of NPY. The ability of NPY to induce torporlike hypothermia, especially its initiation, most likely involves activation of the NPY Y1 receptor subtype.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Merten ◽  
Robert W Folk ◽  
Daniela Duarte ◽  
Axel Nimmerjahn

Astrocytes, glial cells of the central nervous system, help to regulate neural circuit operation and adaptation. They exhibit complex forms of chemical excitation, most prominently calcium transients, evoked by neuromodulator and -transmitter receptor activation. However, whether and how astrocytes contribute to cortical processing of complex behavior remains unknown. One of the puzzling features of astrocyte calcium transients is the high degree of variability in their spatial and temporal patterns under behaving conditions. Here, we provide mechanistic links between astrocytes' activity patterns, molecular signaling, and behavioral cognitive and motor activity variables by employing a visual detection task that allows for in vivo calcium imaging, robust statistical analyses, and machine learning approaches. We show that trial type and performance levels deterministically shape astrocytes' spatial and temporal response properties. Astrocytes encode the animals' decision, reward, and sensory properties. Our error analysis confirms that astrocytes carry behaviorally relevant information depending on and complementing neuronal coding. We also report that cell-intrinsic mechanisms curb astrocyte calcium activity. Additionally, we show that motor activity-related parameters strongly impact astrocyte responses and must be considered in sensorimotor study designs. Our data inform and constrain current models of astrocytes' contribution to complex behavior and brain computation beyond their established homeostatic and metabolic roles.


1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (4) ◽  
pp. C750-C758 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Poggioli ◽  
G. Lazar ◽  
P. Houillier ◽  
J. P. Gardin ◽  
J. M. Achard ◽  
...  

Because the presence of the angiotensin II (ANG II)-dependent phosphoinositide hydrolysis has been questioned from studies in proximal cells in culture, we looked for this transduction pathway in suspension of freshly isolated rat proximal tubule fragments. ANG II-receptor activation induced a prompt (within 15 s) and sustained increase in [3H]inositol phosphates (IPs; inositol trisphosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol monophosphate). In fura-2-loaded tubules, it elicited a rapid and biphasic rise in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) with an early peak (within 15 s) followed by a plateau. The peak was maintained in the absence of extracellular calcium. ANG II-induced inositol trisphosphate and [Ca2+]i rises showed a similar dose dependency, with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 2.9 and 5.5 nM, respectively. We checked that ANG II inhibited basal (EC50 4.4 nM) and parathyroid hormone- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production, the latter effect being inhibited by pertussis toxin pretreatment. The effects of ANG II on IPs and [Ca2+]i were inhibited by the ANG II receptor subtype 1 (AT1) antagonist losartan and not by the ANG II receptor subtype 2 (AT2) antagonists PD 123177 and PD 123319. The effect of ANG II on forskolin-stimulated cAMP was inhibited by losartan and not by PD 123319. In agreement with these results, specific binding of 125I-[Sar1,Ile8]ANG II was markedly inhibited by losartan, whereas PD 123319 had no effect. These results demonstrate that AT1 receptor subtypes are present in intact rat proximal tubule cells and are coupled to both IPs-Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways. No evidence for AT2 receptor subtype is found.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (4) ◽  
pp. E535-E541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen F. Rossi

The endothelins (ET) have been implicated in vasopressin (AVP) release in vivo and in vitro. The effects of ET in this system are complex, and the net AVP secretory response likely depends on a unique combination of ET isoform, ET receptor subtype, and neural locus. The purpose of these studies was to examine the role of ET receptor subtypes at hypothalamic vs. neurohypophysial sites on somatodendritic and neurohypophysial AVP secretion. Experiments were done in cultured explants of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system of Long Evans rats. Either the whole explant (standard) or only the hypothalamus or posterior pituitary (compartmentalized) was exposed to log dose increases (0.01-10 nM) of the agonists ET-1 (ETA selective), ET-3 (nonselective), or IRL-1620 (ETB selective) with or without selective ETA (BQ-123, 2-200 nM) or ETB (IRL-1038, 6-600 nM) receptor antagonism. In standard explants, ET-1 and ET-3 dose-dependently increased, whereas IRL-1620 decreased net AVP release. Hypothalamic ETB receptor activation increased both somatodendritic and neurohypophysial AVP release. At least one intervening synapse was involved, as tetrodotoxin blocked the response. Activation of ETA receptors at the hypothalamic level inhibited, whereas ETA receptor activation at the posterior pituitary stimulated, neurohypophysial AVP secretion. Antagonism of hypothalamic ETA receptors potentiated the stimulatory effect of ET-1 and ET-3 on neurohypophysial secretion, an effect not observed with ETB receptor-induced somatodendritic release of AVP. Thus the response of whole explants reflects the net result of both stimulatory and inhibitory inputs. The integration of these excitatory and inhibitory inputs endows the vasopressinergic system with greater plasticity in its response to physiological and pathophysiological states.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Eugenia V. Gurevich ◽  
Vsevolod V. Gurevich

Many receptors for neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and neuropeptides, belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). A general model posits that GPCRs undergo two-step homologous desensitization: the active receptor is phosphorylated by kinases of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) family, whereupon arrestin proteins specifically bind active phosphorylated receptors, shutting down G protein-mediated signaling, facilitating receptor internalization, and initiating distinct signaling pathways via arrestin-based scaffolding. Here, we review the mechanisms of GRK-dependent regulation of neurotransmitter receptors, focusing on the diverse modes of GRK-mediated phosphorylation of receptor subtypes. The immediate signaling consequences of GRK-mediated receptor phosphorylation, such as arrestin recruitment, desensitization, and internalization/resensitization, are equally diverse, depending not only on the receptor subtype but also on phosphorylation by GRKs of select receptor residues. We discuss the signaling outcome as well as the biological and behavioral consequences of the GRK-dependent phosphorylation of neurotransmitter receptors where known.


Author(s):  
Ümit Suat Mayadali ◽  
Jérome Fleuriet ◽  
Michael Mustari ◽  
Hans Straka ◽  
Anja Kerstin Ellen Horn

AbstractExtraocular motoneurons initiate dynamically different eye movements, including saccades, smooth pursuit and vestibulo-ocular reflexes. These motoneurons subdivide into two main types based on the structure of the neuro-muscular interface: motoneurons of singly-innervated (SIF), and motoneurons of multiply-innervated muscle fibers (MIF). SIF motoneurons are thought to provoke strong and brief/fast muscle contractions, whereas MIF motoneurons initiate prolonged, slow contractions. While relevant for adequate functionality, transmitter and ion channel profiles associated with the morpho-physiological differences between these motoneuron types, have not been elucidated so far. This prompted us to investigate the expression of voltage-gated potassium, sodium and calcium ion channels (Kv1.1, Kv3.1b, Nav1.6, Cav3.1–3.3, KCC2), the transmitter profiles of their presynaptic terminals (vGlut1 and 2, GlyT2 and GAD) and transmitter receptors (GluR2/3, NMDAR1, GlyR1α) using immunohistochemical analyses of abducens and trochlear motoneurons and of abducens internuclear neurons (INTs) in macaque monkeys. The main findings were: (1) MIF and SIF motoneurons express unique voltage-gated ion channel profiles, respectively, likely accounting for differences in intrinsic membrane properties. (2) Presynaptic glutamatergic synapses utilize vGlut2, but not vGlut1. (3) Trochlear motoneurons receive GABAergic inputs, abducens neurons receive both GABAergic and glycinergic inputs. (4) Synaptic densities differ between MIF and SIF motoneurons, with MIF motoneurons receiving fewer terminals. (5) Glutamatergic receptor subtypes differ between MIF and SIF motoneurons. While NMDAR1 is intensely expressed in INTs, MIF motoneurons lack this receptor subtype entirely. The obtained cell-type-specific transmitter and conductance profiles illuminate the structural substrates responsible for differential contributions of neurons in the abducens and trochlear nuclei to eye movements.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document