SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF RAT NIGROSTRIATAL DOPAMINERGIC NEUROCONNECTION DURING DEVELOPMENT——A COMBINED IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

The characteristics of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuroconnections in developing rats are studied by combined immunocytochemical and electron-microscopic techniques, with an antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). From the embryonic day 21 on, some of the THpositive nerve fibers are densely packed in the striatum to form a patch-like dopamine island. The percentage of the TH-positive nerve terminals among the labeled profiles is much higher inside than outside the dopamine island (P<0.01). On the other hand, the TH-positive terminals mainly form symmetrical axon-dendritic synapses, while most of the TH-negative terminals form asymmetrical axon-spinous synapses. The functional significance of the characterized dopaminergic connection is discussed.     

Neural uptake of catecholamines and their molecular structures: a histopharmacologic study.

Using ultrastructural and histofluorescence methods, we investigated the uptake mechanism of catecholamines by the nerve terminals in the cutaneous smooth muscles of stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides). This in vivo approach ultilized the observed cytotoxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on these catecholamine-containing terminals and the protective effects of simultaneous treatment with catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine), their 3-0-methylated derivatives (metanephrine and normetanephrine), and catechol acids (3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid and 2, 4, 5-trihydroxymandelic acid). Both catecholamines and 3-0-methylated derivatives protected these nerve terminals from destruction by 6-hydroxydopamine, but catechol acids did not. However, the 3-0-methylated derivatives were less effective than the catecholamines. The degree of protection afforded by these amines depended largely on their concentration. Only catecholamines intensified the electron density of the intravesicular mass or the fluorescence in the nerve terminals; therefore, 3-0-methylated derivatives may inhibit 6-hydroxydopamine uptake at axoplasmic membrane sites, but not inside the axon. These observations led to the discovery that these are two sites for the catecholamine uptake process. One site is the axoplasmic membrane. The terminals are protected by catecholamines and their 3-0-methylated derivatives from 6-hydroxydopamine uptake and thus destruction. The other site is the intraaxonal compartments. Here competitive binding between the vesicular protein and both 6-hydroxydopamine and the catecholamines plays a main role.     

In vivo imaging of brain dopaminergic neurotransmission system in small animals with high-resolution single photon emission computed tomography.

High-resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provides a unique capability to image the biodistribution of radiolabeled molecules in small laboratory animals. Thus, we applied the high-resolution SPECT to in vivo imaging of the brain dopaminergic neurotransmission system in common marmosets using two radiolabeled ligands, [123I]2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane (beta-CIT) as a dopamine transporter (DAT) ligand and [123I]iodobenzamide (IBZM) as a dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) ligand. Specific images of the striatum, a region with a high density of dopaminergic synapses, were obtained at 240 min and 60 min after injection of [123I]beta-CIT and [123I]IBZM, respectively. Furthermore, a significantly low accumulation of [123I]beta-CIT in the striatum was observed in MPTP-treated animals compared with results for a control group, and a similar accumulation in the control group was observed with the pretreatment of deprenyl in the MPTP-treated animals. However, the striatal accumulation of [123I]IBZM showed no changes among the control, MPTP-treated, and deprenyl-MPTP-treated groups. These SPECT imaging results agreed well with those of DA concentration and motor behavior. Since MPTP destroys nigrostriatal dopamine nerves and produces irreversible neurodegeneration associated with Parkinsonian syndrome, SPECT imaging data in this study demonstrated that deprenyl shows its neuroprotective effect on Parkinsonism by protecting against the destruction of presynaptic dopamine neurons.     

Chromatographic analysis of dopamine metabolism in a Parkinsonian model

The present study examined the metabolism of released dopamine from rat striatum upon chronic rotenone exposure. The sample separation was carried out by two-dimensional, reversed-phase and ion pair reversed-phase chromatography using on-line solid phase extraction enrichment. Reduced dopamine content and decreased extracellular level of [(3)H] and endogenous dopamine evoked by electrical stimulation indicated the injury of dopaminergic pathway. Sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons were increased to oxidative stress with enhanced release of dopamine and formation of oxidized metabolite dopamine quinone (DAQ). Utilizing multidimensional detection, EC at -100 mV reduction potential, the method has been applied for identification of DAQ and aminochrome (DAC).     

Stress and the dopaminergic reward system

Dopamine regulates reward-related behavior through the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Stress affects dopamine levels and dopaminergic neuronal activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Changes in mesolimbic dopaminergic neurotransmission are important for coping with stress, as they allow adaption to behavioral responses to various environmental stimuli. Upon stress exposure, modulation of the dopaminergic reward system is necessary for monitoring and selecting the optimal process for coping with stressful situations. Aversive stressful events may negatively regulate the dopaminergic reward system, perturbing reward sensitivity, which is closely associated with chronic stress-induced depression. The mesolimbic dopamine system is excited not only by reward but also by aversive stressful stimuli, which adds further intriguing complexity to the relationship between stress and the reward system. This review focuses on lines of evidence related to how stress, especially chronic stress, affects the mesolimbic dopamine system, and discusses the role of the dopaminergic reward system in chronic stress-induced depression.Subject terms: Molecular neuroscience, Motivation     

Effect of Pinellia ternata Lectin on Membrane Currents of Mouse Motor Nerve Terminals

Pinellia ternata lectin (PTL) extracted from the fresh juice of rhizome of pinellia ternata used as a traditional Chinese medicine facilitated the quantal release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the mouse motor nerve terminals and formed cation channels in artificial lipid bilayer. Here we report the action of PTL on presynaptic membrane currents of motor nerve terminals.The experiments were performed on the intercostal nerve triangularis sterni muscle preparations. By means of the perineurial recording, the effects of PTL on the sodium current in the preterminal part , three potassium currents and two calcium currents generated from the nerve terminals were investigated. The results show that PTL increases voltage-dependent fast Ca2+ current (ICa,f), Na+ current (INa) and Ca2+-acti-vated K+ current (IK,Ca) without action on either the voltage-dependent fast K+ current (IK,f) or the slow K+ current (IK,S). These effects are irreversible, but can be reversed by mannan, the specific binding sugar for PTL.The to     

The role of metal ions in dopaminergic neuron degeneration in Parkinsonism and Parkinson’s disease

Abstract  

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the selective degeneration of neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus. Although the cause of this disease remains unknown, several transition metals, including manganese and copper, have been associated with the development of the atypical form of Parkinsonism, and iron accumulation has been associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease. Manganese³⁺ is a strong oxidizing agent, which oxidizes dopamine to aminochrome (dopaminochrome), the precursor of neuromelanin. Aminochrome formation in cell culture medium induces acute cell death in cells that uptake aminochrome, explaining the role of manganese in the development of atypical Parkinsonism. Copper accumulation in Wilson’s disease also induces Parkinsonism as one of the main symptoms, and an atypical Parkinsonism has also been observed in young copper miners. Interestingly, copper is able to complex with dopamine, which can be taken up by cells expressing the dopamine transporter, inducing caspase-independent cell death with formation of autophagic vacuoles. Iron is also able to form a complex with dopamine, the neurotoxic action of which also depends on the cellular expression of the dopamine transporter. The neurotoxicities of these transition metals to cells expressing the dopamine transporter all involve dopamine oxidation to quinones and require the inhibition of DT-diaphorase.     

多巴胺D2受体显像剂125I-DMAIBZM的合成及生物分布实验

为提高苯甲酰胺类衍生物（S）-N-（1-乙基-2-吡咯烷基）甲基-4-氨基-2-甲氧基苯酰胺（ABZM）的入脑量,对其结构进行改造,得到了新的化合物（S）-4-二甲氨基-N-（1-乙基-2-吡咯烷基）甲基-2-甲氧基苯酰胺（DMABZM）.通过Idogen法对DMABZM进行标记得到标记化合物125I-DMAIBZM,标记率为74%,放化纯度达到99%． 体外放射配基结合实验测得DMABZM的IC50为2.9589×10-7 mol?L-1,表明它与能与多巴胺D2受体特异性结合且具有较高的亲和力,在小鼠体内的分布实验中,该标记物纹状体/小脑的比值可达6.5左右,说明了该标记化合物与纹状体的结合有较高的特异性和亲和力．125I-DMAIBZM的脂溶性显著大于125I-AIBZM,入脑量有较大的提高．结论：125I（123I）-DMAIBZM有望用于多巴胺D2受体的显像．     

Harpagide,a natural product,promotes synaptic vesicle release as measured by nanoelectrode amperometry

Parkinson''s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons and low level of dopamine (DA) in the midbrain. Recent studies suggested that some natural products can protect neurons against injury, but their role on neurotransmitter release and the underlying mechanisms remained unknown. In this work, nanoelectrode electrochemistry was used for the first time to quantify DA release inside single DAergic synapses. Our results unambiguously demonstrated that harpagide, a natural product, effectively enhances synaptic DA release and restores DA release at normal levels from injured neurons in PD model. These important protective and curative effects are shown to result from the fact that harpagide efficiently inhibits the phosphorylation and aggregation of α-synuclein by alleviating the intracellular reactive oxygen level, being beneficial for vesicle loading and recycling. This establishes that harpagide offers promising avenues for preventive or therapeutic interventions against PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Nanoelectrode amperometry was used to monitor DA release inside single DAergic synapses, and demonstrated that harpagide effectively enhances synaptic DA release by reducing intracellular ROS generation and inhibiting α-Syn phosphorylation.     

Computer-aided molecular modeling of a D2-agonist dopamine pharmacophore

Summary Using computer-aided molecular modeling techniques to analyze models recently proposed for the receptor binding sites of dopaminergic agonists, we superimposed the chemical structures of various compounds that mimic the pharmacological behavior of dopamine, as well as inactive enantiomers, on a postulated three-dimensional frame of reference. We analyzed the vector directionalities of the lone pairs of the nitrogen common to these molecules, and the acidic hydrogen of phenols (in aminoindanes, aminotetralins, apomorphines,p-phenol-piperazines, octahydrobenzo(g)quinolines, octahydrobenzo(f)quinolines, and benzazepines) or of nitrogen (in ergoline-type compounds and related structures). This model, when expressed as distances from that of the reference compound pergolide, correlates with the dopaminergic binding affinity observed in compounds previously reported to act on the dopaminergic system in the central nervous system (CNS). The regression analysis of log K_D with respect to the distances of the vectors of the acidic hydrogen support the hypothesis that these compounds bind to the receptor as donors in hydrogen bond formation.     

Resurrection and Reactivation of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase

Organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents and pesticides present significant threats to civilian and military populations. OP compounds include the nefarious G and V chemical nerve agents, but more commonly, civilians are exposed to less toxic OP pesticides, resulting in the same negative toxicological effects and thousands of deaths on an annual basis. After decades of research, no new therapeutics have been realized since the mid-1900s. Upon phosphylation of the catalytic serine residue, a process known as inhibition, there is an accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain synapses and neuromuscular junctions, leading to a cholinergic crisis and eventually death. Oxime nucleophiles can reactivate select OP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Yet, the fields of reactivation of AChE and butyrylcholinesterase encounter additional challenges as broad-spectrum reactivation of either enzyme is difficult. Additional problems include the ability to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and to provide therapy in the central nervous system. Yet another complication arises in a competitive reaction, known as aging, whereby OP-inhibited AChE is converted to an inactive form, which until very recently, had been impossible to reverse to an active, functional form. Evaluations of uncharged oximes and other neutral nucleophiles have been made. Non-oxime reactivators, such as aromatic general bases and Mannich bases, have been developed. The issue of aging, which generates an anionic phosphylated serine residue, has been historically recalcitrant to recovery by any therapeutic approach—that is, until earlier this year. Mannich bases not only serve as reactivators of OP-inhibited AChE, but this class of compounds can also recover activity from the aged form of AChE, a process referred to as resurrection. This review covers the modern efforts to address all of these issues and notes the complexities of therapeutic development along these different lines of research.     

Multifunctional Cyclic Carbonates Comprising Hyperbranched Polyacetals: Synthesis and Applications to Polymer Electrolytes and Networked Polymer Materials

Hyperbranched polyacetals (HBPAs) bearing cyclic carbonate (CC) terminals were synthesized from protocatechuric aldehydes bearing bifunctional trimethylolpropane (TMP) or glycerol (Gly) structures and then utilized to design polymer electrolytes and networked polymer materials. Since TMP‐based cyclic acetals (CAs) are thermodynamically more stable than Gly‐derived CSs, the copolymerization of these monomers favors to form HBPAs comprising TMP‐based acetal stems and Gly terminals. Consequently, HBPAs composed of larger amounts of TMP or Gly terminals were separately synthesized by changing monomer feed ratios. Their diol terminals react efficiently with diphenyl carbonate to give HBPAs bearing 5‐ or 6‐membered CC (5‐CC or 6‐CC) terminals. HBPAs bearing 5‐CC terminals were mixed homogeneously with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide to form uniform films showing lithium ion conductivity ranging from 8.2 × 10^?9 to 2.1 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 at 23–80 °C, whereas networked polycarbonate and polyhydroxyurethane films were successfully fabricated using HBPAs having CC terminals. These results apparently indicate that HBPAs having CC terminals are useful scaffolds to design functional polymer materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2295–2303     

Effect of brain lesions on [3H]ohmefentanyl binding site densities in the rat striatum and substantia nigra.

We have recently demonstrated that [3H]ohmefentanyl, a non-peptidergic opioid ligand which was suggested to cross the blood brain barrier in contrast to other peptidergic opioid ligands, bound not only to mu opioid receptor sites but also to sigma sites. In order to examine whether [3H]ohmefentanyl can be used as a marker for mu sites, we investigated the effects of brain lesions on [3H]ohmefentanyl binding site densities, as compared with [3H][D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin ([3H]DAGO), a selective mu ligand. These binding site densities were measured by quantitative autoradiography in the rat striatum and substantia nigra, two brain structures known to contain a high density of mu receptors, following lesions of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic pathway and striatal intrinsic neurons. Following unilateral nigral lesion with 6-hydroxydopamine, [3H]ohmefentanyl binding site densities were decreased in the patches (-35%) and matrix (-20%) of the ipsilateral striatum and in the lesioned substantia nigra pars compacta (-49%). Unilateral striatal lesion with quinolinic acid induced 72%, 61% and 50% decreases in [3H]ohmefentanyl binding in the patches and matrix of the lesioned striatum and in the ipsilateral substantia nigra pars reticulata, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the binding of [3H]DAGO. Indeed, a significant linear correlation was observed between [3H]ohmefentanyl and [3H]DAGO binding site densities. Therefore, mu opioid receptors may be mainly located on intrinsic neurons in the striatum, dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra pars compacta and nerve terminals of striatal efferents in the substantia nigra pars reticulata.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of graphene with antipsychotic drugs: Is there any charge transfer process?

Antipsychotics represent an effective therapy for schizophrenia (a chronic mental disorder). Their benefits are related to the interaction of the drugs with dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). Antipsychotics are classified as agonists or antagonists. One of the working hypotheses is that there is a charge transfer process between the drugs and the receptors, which is different for agonists and antagonists. To have more insight into the nature of the interaction of these molecules and the differences between agonists and antagonists, we analyze the interaction of graphene with three molecules: dopamine, pramipexole (an agonist of dopamine), and risperidone (an antagonist of dopamine). The idea is to use graphene as a simple model to analyze the charge transfer process of these three drugs. Optimized structures, atomic charges, and Density of States results indicate that global charges of dopamine and pramipexole are similar, while for risperidone, it is more than double. Pramipexole is an agonist, and the charge transfer process is similar to that of dopamine. Risperidone is an antagonist, and the charge transfer process is different from dopamine. The charge transfer is more significant with risperidone than with dopamine, and this could be related to the mechanism of action. This is in agreement with the working hypotheses that establish that it is possible to distinguish between agonists and antagonists since they have different capacity to transfer charge.     

The effect of N‐acetylcysteine on amphetamine‐mediated dopamine release in rat brain striatal slices by ion‐pair reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography

The amphetamine (AMPH)‐induced alteration in rat brain dopamine levels modified by N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) administration has been examined using isocratic ion‐pair reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The aim of the development of a novel validated evaluation scheme implying a double AMPH challenge was to enhance the efficiency of AMPH‐triggered dopamine release measurements in rat brain striatal slices by improving the reproducibility of the results. The proposed experimental protocol was tested in vivo and proved to be capable of fast and reliable drug screening for tracing the effect of NAC as a model compound in AMPH‐mediated dopaminergic response. The subcellular localization of the dopamine mobilizing effect of NAC has been established indirectly by the use of an irreversible dopamine vesicular depletor, reserpine. The antioxidant NAC at 10 mm plays an important role in the complete suppression of acute AMPH‐elicited dopamine release. The possible role of this quenching effect is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of biologically important divalent and trivalent metal cations on the cyclization step of dopamine autoxidation reaction: A quantum chemical study

Dopamine is the most essential monoaminergic neurotransmitter involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, and its autoxidation has been recognized as one of the potential trigger factors for dopaminergic neuron loss. The cyclization of dopamine o-quinone was shown to be the irreversible and rate-limiting step of the autoxidation reaction at physiologic pH values. Furthermore, various metal ions such as Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Mn²⁺ have been clinically associated with neurodegeneration, especially Parkinsonism and dementia. It has been proposed that these metal ions could increase the rate of the dopamine autoxidation reaction; however, the exact mechanism has not yet been fully understood. Using advanced quantum chemical calculations with the inclusion of solvent effects we showed that except for Mn²⁺, the studied metal cations could form complexes with dopamine o-quinone and significantly increase the dopamine o-quinone cyclization rate in aqueous solution; first, by enabling the cyclization to proceed spontaneously without the attack of the unprotonated amino group by hydroxide ion; second, by decreasing the intrinsic activation energy; and third, by decreasing the free energy of protonated amino group deprotonation. The latter also decreases the protective effect of acidic pH on dopamine autoxidation found in synaptic vesicles. The results are fully consistent with experimental data and provide deeper understanding of the effects of metal cations on the dopamine autoxidation reaction at physiologic pH values.     

The preparation of dopaminergic agonist [5,8-3H] (+/-) 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene at high specific activity

The rigid dopamine analogue (+/-) 6,7-ADTN was originally synthesized to probe the geometrical constraints of the dopamine receptor family and [³H] (+/-) 6,7-ADTN was required for receptor binding assay. The radioligands was prepared by means of catalytic tritium dehalogenation of a suitable dibromo precursor and characterized by HPLC and tritium NMR. It has proven very useful as a tool to study dopaminergic receptors.     

石墨烯修饰玻碳电极对多巴胺的电催化氧化

通过3-巯丙基三乙氧基硅烷(METMS)将氧化石墨烯(GO)固载到玻碳电极(GCE)表面, 用电化学方法还原GO制备石墨烯修饰玻碳电极(rGO-METMS-GCE). 利用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、 拉曼光谱(Raman)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和原子力显微镜(AFM)等技术对GO和rGO-METMS-GCE的结构和表面形貌进行表征. 采用循环伏安(CV)和差分脉冲溶出伏安(DPV)法研究了rGO-METMS-GCE对多巴胺(DA)的电催化氧化性能及反应机理. 结果表明, 与裸GCE相比, DA在rGO-METMS-GCE电极上的氧化还原峰电流(i_pa和i_pc) 增大4倍, 氧化峰电位负移106 mV, 氧化峰与还原峰电位差(ΔE_p)从202 mV降低至66 mV, DA电化学氧化可逆性明显改善, 表明rGO-METMS-GCE对DA电化学氧化具有显著电催化作用. DA在rGO-METMS-GCE上的反应机理为单电子转移过程.     

Theoretical study of dopamine. Application of the HSAB principle to the study of drug–receptor interactions

We present a theoretical conformational study of neutral and N-protonated form of dopamine in which we relate its pharmacological activity to the chemical hardness. We have found that the neutral form presents small fluctuations in the energy and the chemical hardness with the conformational variables, whereas the N-protonated form shows significant changes in both properties. An important result is that the Principle of Maximum Hardness is satisfied. The trans coplanar rotamers are postulated as the pharmacophoric conformation(s) because these rotamers show minimal chemical hardness. In addition, we have calculated the hardness of a model of the anionic binding site of the dopamine receptor, which is formed by a formate ion and two benzenes. We have compared the hardness calculated for this model with the hardness of the isolated formate anion, and found that the hardness of the base in the binding site is lower than that of the isolated formate group. Also, it is found that the hardness of the anionic binding site model is similar to that of both trans coplanar rotamers of protonated dopamine, in agreement with the Hard and Soft Acid and Base Principle.     

Island morphology statistics and growth mechanism for oxidation of the Al(111) surface with thermal O2 and NO

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was employed to study the mechanism for the oxidation of Al(111) with thermal O2 and NO in the 20%-40% monolayer coverage regime. Experiments show that the islands formed upon exposure to thermal O2 and NO have dramatically different shapes, which are ultimately dictated by the dynamics of the gas surface interaction. The circumference-to-area ratio and other island morphology statistics are used to quantify the average difference in the two island types. Ultrahigh-vacuum STM was employed to make the following observations: (1) Oxygen islands on the Al(111) surface, formed upon exposure to thermal oxygen, are elongated and noncompact. (2) Mixed O/N islands on the Al(111) surface, formed upon exposure to thermal nitric oxide (NO), are round and compact. (3) STM movies acquired during thermal O2 exposure indicate that a complex mechanism involving chemisorption initiated rearrangement of preexisting oxygen islands leads to the asymmetric and elongated island shapes. The overall mechanism for the oxidation of the Al(111) surface can be summarized in three regimes. Low coverage is dominated by widely isolated small oxygen features (<3 O atoms) where normal dissociative chemisorption and oxygen abstraction mechanisms are present. At 20%-40% monolayer coverage, additional oxygen chemisorption induces rearrangement of preexisting islands to form free-energy minimum island shapes. At greater than approximately 40% monolayer coverage, the apparent surface oxygen coverage asymptotes corresponding to the conversion of the 2D islands to 3D Al2O3 surface crystallites. The rearrangement of oxygen islands on the surface to form the observed islands indicates that there is a short-range oxygen-oxygen attractive potential and a long-range oxygen-oxygen repulsive potential.