scholarly journals Ackr3-Venus knock-in mouse lights up brain vasculature

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliza T. Ehrlich ◽  
Meriem Semache ◽  
Pierre Couvineau ◽  
Stefan Wojcik ◽  
Hiroyuki Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Membrane Expression ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Brain Vasculature ◽  
Intact Gene ◽  
The Brain

AbstractThe atypical chemokine receptor 3, ACKR3, is a G protein-coupled receptor, which does not couple to G proteins but recruits βarrestins. At present, ACKR3 is considered a target for cancer and cardiovascular disorders, but less is known about the potential of ACKR3 as a target for brain disease. Further, mouse lines have been created to identify cells expressing the receptor, but there is no tool to visualize and study the receptor itself under physiological conditions. Here, we engineered a knock-in (KI) mouse expressing a functional ACKR3-Venus fusion protein to directly detect the receptor, particularly in the adult brain. In HEK-293 cells, native and fused receptors showed similar membrane expression, ligand induced trafficking and signaling profiles, indicating that the Venus fusion does not alter receptor signaling. We also found that ACKR3-Venus enables direct real-time monitoring of receptor trafficking using resonance energy transfer. In ACKR3-Venus knock-in mice, we found normal ACKR3 mRNA levels in the brain, suggesting intact gene transcription. We fully mapped receptor expression across 14 peripheral organs and 112 brain areas and found that ACKR3 is primarily localized to the vasculature in these tissues. In the periphery, receptor distribution aligns with previous reports. In the brain there is notable ACKR3 expression in endothelial vascular cells, hippocampal GABAergic interneurons and neuroblast neighboring cells. In conclusion, we have generated Ackr3-Venus knock-in mice with a traceable ACKR3 receptor, which will be a useful tool to the research community for interrogations about ACKR3 biology and related diseases.

Abstract 022: Evidence for AT2-receptor-MAS Dimerisation from Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Imaging and Fluorescence Cross Correlation Spectroscopy (FCCS)

Hypertension ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C Villela ◽  
Anke Teichmann ◽  
Sebastian Kirsch ◽  
Maibritt Mardahl ◽  
Lisa M Münter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Correlation Spectroscopy ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
At2 Receptor ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Fret Efficiency ◽  
In Cells

The angiotensin AT2-receptor (AT2R) and the receptor MAS share a strinkingly similar spectrum of signaling mechanisms and protective, physiological actions. Furthermore, cross-inhibition by the respective receptor antagonists has been observed. Therefore we hypothesised that a physical interaction between these two receptors may exist. HEK-293 cells were transfected with vectors encoding MAS or AT2R fused in the C-terminus with the fluorophores CFP or YFP for FRET and GFP or mCherry for FCCS. FRET with photobleaching was used to detect, whether MAS and AT2R are localised in very close proximity (1-10nm) in cell membranes thus indicating dimerisation. FCCS was used to follow simultaneously occurring fluctuations in fluorescence intensity of both labeled molecules. Several controls were applied such as co-transfection of equal amounts of fused and non-fused MAS/AT2R expression vectors for competition, co-tranfection of coding and uncoding pcDNA vectors or co-transfection with an unrelated transmembrane receptor. Experiments were conducted under baseline conditions and in cells treated with AT2R/MAS agonists and antagonists Significant FRET efficiency of 10.8±0.8% was measured for AT2-YFP/MAS-CFP strongly indicating heterodimerisation. FRET efficiency was not altered by AT2R or MAS agonists or antagonists. Non-fluorescent MAS and AT2R competed with fluorescent receptors as indicated by a 50% reduction in FRET efficiency (6.0±0.6%), while empty vectors did not compete (9.6±0.6%). No FRET efficiency was observed with an unrelated transmembrane receptor (0.44±1.44%) indicating specificity of receptor interactions. Both, MAS and AT2R also formed homodimers (7.4±0.8% for MAS, 9.2±0.8% for AT2R). Hetero- and homodimerisations were absent if amino acid C35 of the AT2R was mutated (3,9 ± 1,2%). FCCS corroborated the FRET results and revealed a significantly enhanced cross correlation in cells tranfected with fluorophore-tagged MAS/AT2R when compared to vectors only expressing the fluorophores (8.5±3% vs 11.1±4%; p<0.0001). Our data strongly suggest that MAS and the AT2R form homo- and heterodimers. Studies to investigate the physiological relevance of MAS/AT2R dimerisation are currently being conducted.

scholarly journals Diazepam Accelerates GABAAR Synaptic Exchange and Alters Intracellular Trafficking

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Lorenz-Guertin ◽  
Matthew J. Bambino ◽  
Sabyasachi Das ◽  
Susan T. Weintraub ◽  
Tija C. Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Scaffolding Protein ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Inhibitory Neurotransmitter

Despite 50+ years of clinical use as anxiolytics, anti-convulsants, and sedative/hypnotic agents, the mechanisms underlying benzodiazepine (BZD) tolerance are poorly understood. BZDs potentiate the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, through positive allosteric modulation of γ2 subunit containing GABA type A receptors (GABAARs). Here we define key molecular events impacting γ2 GABAAR and the inhibitory synapse gephyrin scaffold following initial sustained BZD exposure in vitro and in vivo. Using immunofluorescence and biochemical experiments, we found that cultured cortical neurons treated with the classical BZD, diazepam (DZP), presented no substantial change in surface or synaptic levels of γ2-GABAARs. In contrast, both γ2 and the postsynaptic scaffolding protein gephyrin showed diminished total protein levels following a single DZP treatment in vitro and in mouse cortical tissue. We further identified DZP treatment enhanced phosphorylation of gephyrin Ser270 and increased generation of gephyrin cleavage products. Selective immunoprecipitation of γ2 from cultured neurons revealed enhanced ubiquitination of this subunit following DZP exposure. To assess novel trafficking responses induced by DZP, we employed a γ2 subunit containing an N terminal fluorogen-activating peptide (FAP) and pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein (γ2pHFAP). Live-imaging experiments using γ2pHFAP GABAAR expressing neurons identified enhanced lysosomal targeting of surface GABAARs and increased overall accumulation in vesicular compartments in response to DZP. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements between γ2 and γ2 subunits within a GABAAR in neurons, we identified reductions in synaptic clusters of this subpopulation of surface BZD sensitive receptor. Moreover, we found DZP simultaneously enhanced synaptic exchange of both γ2-GABAARs and gephyrin using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) techniques. Finally we provide the first proteomic analysis of the BZD sensitive GABAAR interactome in DZP vs. vehicle treated mice. Collectively, our results indicate DZP exposure elicits down-regulation of gephyrin scaffolding and BZD sensitive GABAAR synaptic availability via multiple dynamic trafficking processes.

scholarly journals Thiamine pyrophosphokinase deficiency induces Alzheimer’s pathology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoming Sang ◽  
Ting Qian ◽  
Fang Cai ◽  
Hongyan Qiu ◽  
Yangqi Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Gene Knockout ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Gene Profiling ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Glucose Hypometabolism

AbstractBackgroundThiamine diphosphate (TDP) reduction plays an important role in cerebral glucose hypometabolism, the neurodegenerative indicator, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The mechanism underlying TDP reduction remains elusive. Thus, it is critical to define the mechanism and its effect on neurodegeneration, the pathological basis of the disease occurrence and progression.MethodsThe mRNA levels of all known genes associated with thiamine metabolism, including thiamine pyrophosphokinase (TPK), Solute Carrier Family 19 Member 2 (SLC19A2), SLC19A3, and SLC25A19, in brain samples of patients with AD and other neurodegenerative disorders in multiple independent datasets were analyzed. TPK protein levels were further examined in the brain tissues of AD patients and control subjects. A mouse model with conditional knockout (cKO) of TPK gene in the excitatory neurons of adult brain was established.ResultsThe brain TPK mRNA level was markedly lower in AD patients, but not in other neurodegenerative disorders. The brain TPK protein level was also significantly decreased in AD patients. TPK gene knockout in the mice caused cerebral glucose hypometabolism, β-amyloid deposition, Tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss and brain atrophy. Cross-species correlation analysis revealed the similar changes of gene profiling between the cKO mice and AD patients.ConclusionsThe deficiency of brain TPK, a key enzyme for TDP synthesis, is specific to AD. The cKO mice show AD-associated phenotypes and could serve as a new mouse model for AD studies. Our study provides a novel insight into the critical role of TPK in AD pathogenesis and its potential for the disease treatment.

Interactions of Potential Protein Cancer Biomarker Survivin with Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Its Dynamics in Cancer Cells Studied Using Fluorescence Molecular-Beacon Probes, Gated-RET and EQCN Methods

2015 ◽  
Vol 1720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Stobiecka ◽  
Agata Chalupa ◽  
Beata Dworakowska
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Beacon ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Cancer Biomarker ◽  
Molecular Beacons ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Loop Area ◽  
Fluorescence Turn On

ABSTRACTThe protein survivin (Sur) has been considered as a potential cancer biomarker due to its involvement in disrupting normal cell cycle by stimulating proliferation and inhibiting cell apoptosis. In this work, we have focused on exploring novel platforms for sensitive monitoring of Sur expression, based on molecular beacons and protein modulation of plasmon-controlled fluorescence. In this framework, we show that Sur can be employed in gating the resonance energy transfer (gRET) between fluorescein isothiocyanate probe dye (FITC) and plasmonic citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNP@Cit). Furthermore, we have designed fluorescent dye-bearing molecular beacons (MBs) targeting nucleotides of the survivin mRNA. The antisense oligonucleotide complementary to the target sequence, inserted in the loop area of the hairpin MB structure, has enabled the fluorescence turn-ON MB switching in the presence of the target, thus signaling the high Sur mRNA levels and enhanced Sur protein expression.

scholarly journals Reduction of neuronal activity mediated by blood-vessel regression in the brain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofei Gao ◽  
Jun-Liszt Li ◽  
Xingjun Chen ◽  
Bo Ci ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessel ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Leukocyte Adhesion ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Brain Vasculature ◽  
Vessel Regression ◽  
Blood Flow Occlusion ◽  
Human Brains ◽  
The Brain

SummaryThe brain vasculature supplies neurons with glucose and oxygen, but little is known about how vascular plasticity contributes to brain function. Using longitudinal in vivo imaging, we reported that a substantial proportion of blood vessels in the adult brain sporadically occluded and regressed. Their regression proceeded through sequential stages of blood-flow occlusion, endothelial cell collapse, relocation or loss of pericytes, and retraction of glial endfeet. Regressing vessels were found to be widespread in mouse, monkey and human brains. Both brief occlusions of the middle cerebral artery and lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammation induced an increase of vessel regression. Blockage of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells alleviated LPS-induced vessel regression. We further revealed that blood vessel regression caused a reduction of neuronal activity due to a dysfunction in mitochondrial metabolism and glutamate production. Our results elucidate the mechanism of vessel regression and its role in neuronal function in the adult brain.

scholarly journals A Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Does Not Antagonize Glucagon at Its Receptor but May Act as a Biased Agonist at the GLP-1 Receptor

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 3532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noura Al-Zamel ◽  
Suleiman Al-Sabah ◽  
Yunus Luqmani ◽  
Lobna Adi ◽  
Siby Chacko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Agonist ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Glucagon Receptor ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Simultaneous Activation ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
Bret Assay ◽  
Biased Agonist

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are important regulators of metabolism, making their receptors (GLP-1R and GIPR) attractive targets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). GLP-1R agonists are used clinically to treat T2DM but the use of GIPR agonists remains controversial. Recent studies suggest that simultaneous activation of GLP-1R and GIPR with a single peptide provides superior glycemic control with fewer adverse effects than activation of GLP-1R alone. We investigated the signaling properties of a recently reported dual-incretin receptor agonist (P18). GLP-1R, GIPR, and the closely related glucagon receptor (GCGR) were expressed in HEK-293 cells. Activation of adenylate cyclase via Gαs was monitored using a luciferase-linked reporter gene (CRE-Luc) assay. Arrestin recruitment was monitored using a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay. GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon displayed exquisite selectivity for their receptors in the CRE-Luc assay. P18 activated GLP-1R with similar potency to GLP-1 and GIPR with higher potency than GIP. Interestingly, P18 was less effective than GLP-1 at recruiting arrestin to GLP-1R and was inactive at GCGR. These data suggest that P18 can act as both a dual-incretin receptor agonist, and as a G protein-biased agonist at GLP-1R.

GRIF-1–kinesin-1 interactions: a confocal microscopy study

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Pozo ◽  
F.A. Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Fusion Proteins ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Microscopy Study ◽  
Motor Domain ◽  
African Green Monkey Kidney ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
293 Cells

GRIF-1 [GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acidA) receptor interacting factor-1] is a member of a coiled-coil family of proteins thought to function as adaptors in the anterograde trafficking of organelles utilizing the kinesin-1 motor proteins to synapses. To study in more detail the molecular interaction between GRIF-1 and the kinesin-1 family member KIF5C, fluorescent yellow- and fluorescent cyan-tagged GRIF-1, KIF5C, the KIF5C MD (motor domain) and the KIF5C NMD (non-motor domain) fusion proteins were generated. Each was characterized with respect to size and ability to co-associate by immunoprecipitation following expression in HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney 293) cells. Further, their distribution in transfected HEK-293 and transformed African green monkey kidney (COS-7) cells was analysed by confocal microscopy. The fluorescent GRIF-1 and KIF5C fusion proteins were all found to behave as wild-type. Double GRIF-1/KIF5C transfectants revealed co-localization. The GRIF-1/KIF5C and GRIF-1/KIF5C NMD double transfectants showed different subcellular distributions compared with single GRIF-1, KIF5C or KIF5C NMD transfections. These studies confirm the association between GRIF-1 and kinesin-1 NMDs. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies are ongoing to characterize this interaction in more detail.

scholarly journals Ghrelin and Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor Expression in Mice during Aging

Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 1323-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxiang Sun ◽  
Jose Manuel Garcia ◽  
Roy G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor ◽  
Growth Hormone Secretagogue ◽  
Ghrelin Receptor ◽  
Igf I ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

In well-nourished humans, GH and IGF-I decline during aging, and the responsiveness of the GH axis to exogenous ghrelin is attenuated with age. Intriguingly, the GH/IGF-I axis is rejuvenated by chronic treatment with the ghrelin mimetic MK-0677, resulting in improvements in body composition, suggesting that frail elderly subjects might benefit from treatment with ghrelin and ghrelin mimetics. Mouse models are widely used to study the effects of ghrelin, but the impact of age on the ghrelin pathway is unclear. In this study, total and active ghrelin peptides were measured in plasma, and ghrelin mRNA was quantitated in brain tissue from different aged C57BL/6J mice. Surprisingly, plasma levels of ghrelin peptide slightly increased with age; ghrelin mRNA levels were similar in brains from mice aged 2, 6, 12, and 28 months but higher in mice aged 18 and 24 months. The tissue distribution of Ghsr1a mRNA (ghrelin receptor) was also characterized, and pituitary and brain exhibited the highest levels of expression. In the pituitary gland, the highest concentration of Ghsr1a mRNA was observed at age 1–2 months, it was lower at 6 months, and remained unchanged for up to 30 months of age. This result is consistent with the finding that GH release in response to exogenous ghrelin was not significantly different in mice aged 7–30 months. In the brain, Ghsr1a mRNA levels remained stable during aging. Hence, in C57BL/6J male mice, aging is not associated with changes in circulating ghrelin levels or changes in ghrelin receptor expression in the pituitary gland and brain.

scholarly journals Termination of cAMP signals by Ca2+ and Gαi via extracellular Ca2+ sensors

2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Gerbino ◽  
Warren C. Ruder ◽  
Silvana Curci ◽  
Tullio Pozzan ◽  
Manuela Zaccolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Pass Filter ◽  
Low Pass Filter ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Low Pass

Termination of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling via the extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaR) was visualized in single CaR-expressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells using ratiometric fluorescence resonance energy transfer–dependent cAMP sensors based on protein kinase A and Epac. Stimulation of CaR rapidly reversed or prevented agonist-stimulated elevation of cAMP through a dual mechanism involving pertussis toxin–sensitive Gαi and the CaR-stimulated increase in intracellular [Ca2+]. In parallel measurements with fura-2, CaR activation elicited robust Ca2+ oscillations that increased in frequency in the presence of cAMP, eventually fusing into a sustained plateau. Considering the Ca2+ sensitivity of cAMP accumulation in these cells, lack of oscillations in [cAMP] during the initial phases of CaR stimulation was puzzling. Additional experiments showed that low-frequency, long-duration Ca2+ oscillations generated a dynamic staircase pattern in [cAMP], whereas higher frequency spiking had no effect. Our data suggest that the cAMP machinery in HEK cells acts as a low-pass filter disregarding the relatively rapid Ca2+ spiking stimulated by Ca2+-mobilizing agonists under physiological conditions.

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