Cell-Based Reporter Release Assay to Determine the Activity of Calcium-Dependent Neurotoxins and Neuroactive Pharmaceuticals
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Mechanisms of Acetylcholine Receptor Loss in Myasthenia Gravis
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry: first published as 10.1136/jnnp.43.7.601 on 1 July 1980. Downloaded from Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 1980, 43, 601-610 Mechanisms of acetylcholine receptor loss in myasthenia gravis DANIEL B DRACHMAN, ROBERT N ADAMS, ELIS F STANLEY, AND ALAN PESTRONK From the Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA SUMMARY The fundamental abnormality affecting the neuromuscular junctions of myasthenic patients is a reduction of available AChRs, due to an autoimmune attack directed against the receptors. Antibodies to AChR are present in most patients, and there is evidence that they have a predominant pathogenic role in the disease, aided by complement. The mechanism of antibody action involves acceleration of the rate of degradation of AChRs, attributable to cross-linking of the receptors. In addition, antibodies may block AChRs, and may participate in producing destructive changes, perhaps in conjunction with complement. The possibility that cell-mediated mechanisms may play a role in the autoimmune responses of some myasthenic patients remains to be explored. Although the target of the autoimmune attack in myasthenic patients is probably always the acetyl- Protected by copyright. choline receptors, it is not yet clear which of these immune mechanisms are most important. It is likely that the relative role of each mechanism varies from patient to patient. One of the goals of future research will be to identify the relative importance of each -
Protease Effects on the Structure of Acetylcholine Receptor Membranes from Torpedo Californica
PROTEASE EFFECTS ON THE STRUCTURE OF ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR MEMBRANES FROM TORPEDO CALIFORNICA MICHAEL W. KLYMKOWSKY, JOHN E . HEUSER, and ROBERT M. STROUD From the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143 . Dr . Klymkowsky's present address is MRC Neuroimmunology Project, Department of Zoology, University College London, London WC IE, 6BT, England ABSTRACT Protease digestion of acetylcholine receptor-rich membranes derived from Torpedo californica electroplaques by homogenization and isopycnic centrifugation results in degradation of all receptor subunits without any significant effect on the appearance in electron micrographs, the toxin binding ability, or the sedimentation value of the receptor molecule . Such treatment does produce dramatic changes in the morphology of the normally 0.5- to 2-lm-diameter spherical vesicles when observed by either negative-stain or freeze-fracture electron microscopy . Removal of peripheral, apparently nonreceptor polypeptides by alkali stripping (Neubig et al ., 1979, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 76:690-694) results in increased sensitivity of the acetylcholine receptor membranes to the protease trypsin as indicated by SDS gel electrophoretic patterns and by the extent of morphologic change observed in vesicle structure . Trypsin digestion of alkali-stripped receptor membranes results in a limit degradation pattern of all four receptor subunits, whereupon all the vesicles undergo the morphological transformation to minivesicles -
Interplay Between Gating and Block of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels
brain sciences Review Interplay between Gating and Block of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels Matthew B. Phillips 1,2, Aparna Nigam 1 and Jon W. Johnson 1,2,* 1 Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; [email protected] (M.B.P.); [email protected] (A.N.) 2 Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-(412)-624-4295 Received: 27 October 2020; Accepted: 26 November 2020; Published: 1 December 2020 Abstract: Drugs that inhibit ion channel function by binding in the channel and preventing current flow, known as channel blockers, can be used as powerful tools for analysis of channel properties. Channel blockers are used to probe both the sophisticated structure and basic biophysical properties of ion channels. Gating, the mechanism that controls the opening and closing of ion channels, can be profoundly influenced by channel blocking drugs. Channel block and gating are reciprocally connected; gating controls access of channel blockers to their binding sites, and channel-blocking drugs can have profound and diverse effects on the rates of gating transitions and on the stability of channel open and closed states. This review synthesizes knowledge of the inherent intertwining of block and gating of excitatory ligand-gated ion channels, with a focus on the utility of channel blockers as analytic probes of ionotropic glutamate receptor channel function. Keywords: ligand-gated ion channel; channel block; channel gating; nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; ionotropic glutamate receptor; AMPA receptor; kainate receptor; NMDA receptor 1. Introduction Neuronal information processing depends on the distribution and properties of the ion channels found in neuronal membranes. -
Recent Advances in Research on Widow Spider Venoms and Toxins
Review Recent Advances in Research on Widow Spider Venoms and Toxins Shuai Yan and Xianchun Wang * Received: 2 August 2015; Accepted: 16 November 2015; Published: 27 November 2015 Academic Editors: Richard J. Lewis and Glenn F. King Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-731-8887-2556 Abstract: Widow spiders have received much attention due to the frequently reported human and animal injures caused by them. Elucidation of the molecular composition and action mechanism of the venoms and toxins has vast implications in the treatment of latrodectism and in the neurobiology and pharmaceutical research. In recent years, the studies of the widow spider venoms and the venom toxins, particularly the α-latrotoxin, have achieved many new advances; however, the mechanism of action of the venom toxins has not been completely clear. The widow spider is different from many other venomous animals in that it has toxic components not only in the venom glands but also in other parts of the adult spider body, newborn spiderlings, and even the eggs. More recently, the molecular basis for the toxicity outside the venom glands has been systematically investigated, with four proteinaceous toxic components being purified and preliminarily characterized, which has expanded our understanding of the widow spider toxins. This review presents a glance at the recent advances in the study on the venoms and toxins from the Latrodectus species. Keywords: widow spider; venom; toxin; latrotoxin; latroeggtoxin; advance 1. Introduction Latrodectus spp. -
Cellular Trafficking of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
npg Acta Pharmacol Sin 2009 Jun; 30 (6): 656–662 Review Cellular trafficking of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors Paul A ST JOHN* Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play critical roles throughout the body. Precise regulation of the cellular loca- tion and availability of nAChRs on neurons and target cells is critical to their proper function. Dynamic, post-translational regulation of nAChRs, particularly control of their movements among the different compartments of cells, is an important aspect of that regulation. A combination of new information and new techniques has the study of nAChR trafficking poised for new breakthroughs. Keywords: membrane traffic; protein traffic; biosynthesis; endocytosis; endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2009) 30: 656–662; doi: 10.1038/aps.2009.76 Introduction ways, but two particular perturbations have been especially well studied and exert their effects at least in part by altering Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) mediate the trafficking of nAChRs: 1) denervation changes the total synaptic transmission in the CNS, in autonomic ganglia, and number, the distribution, and the turnover rate of nAChRs in at neuromuscular junctions and other peripheral synapses. skeletal muscle; 2) prolonged exposure to nicotine increases The functional properties of these synapses differ, but in each the total number of nAChRs in neurons. Several of the stud- case, properly functional signaling requires cellular control ies reviewed here addressed the mechanisms by which these of the number, type, and location of nAChRs. Trafficking treatments alter nAChR trafficking. Other authors in this of nAChRs – the movement of nAChRs between compart- special issue will address other aspects of the effects of nico- ments of a cell, including the cell's biosynthetic and degrada- tine on nAChRs. -
Non-Neuronal Functions of the M2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Genes 2013, 4, 171-197; doi:10.3390/genes4020171 OPEN ACCESS genes ISSN 2073-4425 www.mdpi.com/journal/genes Review Non-Neuronal Functions of the M2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Wymke Ockenga, Sina Kühne, Simone Bocksberger, Antje Banning and Ritva Tikkanen * Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany; E-Mails: [email protected] (W.O.); [email protected] (S.K.); [email protected] (S.B.); [email protected] (A.B.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-641-9947-420; Fax: +49-641-9947-429. Received: 31 January 2013; in revised form: 10 March 2013 / Accepted: 25 March 2013 / Published: 2 April 2013 Abstract: Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter whose effects are mediated by two classes of receptors. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are ion channels, whereas the muscarinic receptors belong to the large family of G protein coupled seven transmembrane helix receptors. Beyond its function in neuronal systems, it has become evident that acetylcholine also plays an important role in non-neuronal cells such as epithelial and immune cells. Furthermore, many cell types in the periphery are capable of synthesizing acetylcholine and express at least some of the receptors. In this review, we summarize the non-neuronal functions of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, especially those of the M2 muscarinic receptor in epithelial cells. We will review the mechanisms of signaling by the M2 receptor but also the cellular trafficking and ARF6 mediated endocytosis of this receptor, which play an important role in the regulation of signaling events. -
Α-Neurexins Together Withα2δ-1 Auxiliary Subunits Regulate Ca
The Journal of Neuroscience, September 19, 2018 • 38(38):8277–8294 • 8277 Cellular/Molecular ␣-Neurexins Together with ␣2␦-1 Auxiliary Subunits 2ϩ Regulate Ca Influx through Cav2.1 Channels X Johannes Brockhaus,1* Miriam Schreitmu¨ller,1* Daniele Repetto,1 Oliver Klatt,1,2 XCarsten Reissner,1 X Keith Elmslie,3 Martin Heine,2 and XMarkus Missler1,4 1Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfa¨lische Wilhelms-University, 48149 Mu¨nster, Germany, 2Molecular Physiology Group, Leibniz- Institute of Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany, 3Department of Pharmacology, AT Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville, Missouri 63501, and 4Cluster of Excellence EXC 1003, Cells in Motion, 48149 Mu¨nster, Germany Action potential-evoked neurotransmitter release is impaired in knock-out neurons lacking synaptic cell-adhesion molecules ␣-neurexins (␣Nrxns), the extracellularly longer variants of the three vertebrate Nrxn genes. Ca 2ϩ influx through presynaptic high- ␣ ␦ voltage gated calcium channels like the ubiquitous P/Q-type (CaV2.1) triggers release of fusion-ready vesicles at many boutons. 2 Auxiliary subunits regulate trafficking and kinetic properties of CaV2.1 pore-forming subunits but it has remained unclear if this involves ␣Nrxns. Using live cell imaging with Ca 2ϩ indicators, we report here that the total presynaptic Ca 2ϩ influx in primary hippocampal ␣ neurons of Nrxn triple knock-out mice of both sexes is reduced and involved lower CaV2.1-mediated transients. This defect is accom- ␣ ␦ panied by lower vesicle release, reduced synaptic abundance of CaV2.1 pore-forming subunits, and elevated surface mobility of 2 -1 on axons. Overexpression of Nrxn1␣ in ␣Nrxn triple knock-out neurons is sufficient to restore normal presynaptic Ca 2ϩ influx and synaptic vesicle release. -
Mitochondrial Alarmins Released by Degenerating Motor Axon Terminals
Mitochondrial alarmins released by degenerating PNAS PLUS motor axon terminals activate perisynaptic Schwann cells Elisa Duregottia, Samuele Negroa, Michele Scorzetoa, Irene Zornettaa, Bryan C. Dickinsonb,c,1, Christopher J. Changb,c, Cesare Montecuccoa,d,2, and Michela Rigonia,2 aDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua 35131, Italy; bDepartment of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology and cHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720; and dItalian National Research Council Institute of Neuroscience, Padua 35131, Italy Edited by Thomas C. Südhof, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, and approved December 22, 2014 (received for review September 5, 2014) An acute and highly reproducible motor axon terminal degeneration of nerve terminal degeneration (21). Indeed, these neurotoxins followed by complete regeneration is induced by some animal cause activation of the calcium-activated calpains that contribute to presynaptic neurotoxins, representing an appropriate and controlled cytoskeleton fragmentation (22). system to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying degeneration Although clearly documented (4, 5, 20), the regeneration of and regeneration of peripheral nerve terminals. We have previously the motor axon terminals after presynaptic neurotoxins injection shown that nerve terminals exposed to spider or snake presynaptic is poorly known in its cellular and molecular aspects. Available neurotoxins degenerate as a result of calcium overload and mito- evidence indicates that, in general, regeneration of mechan- chondrial failure. Here we show that toxin-treated primary neurons ically damaged motor neuron terminals relies on all three cel- release signaling molecules derived from mitochondria: hydrogen lular components of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ): the peroxide, mitochondrial DNA, and cytochrome c. -
Modulatory Roles of ATP and Adenosine in Cholinergic Neuromuscular Transmission
International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Modulatory Roles of ATP and Adenosine in Cholinergic Neuromuscular Transmission Ayrat U. Ziganshin 1,* , Adel E. Khairullin 2, Charles H. V. Hoyle 1 and Sergey N. Grishin 3 1 Department of Pharmacology, Kazan State Medical University, 49 Butlerov Street, 420012 Kazan, Russia; [email protected] 2 Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory and Clinical Diagnostics, Kazan State Medical University, 49 Butlerov Street, 420012 Kazan, Russia; [email protected] 3 Department of Medical and Biological Physics with Computer Science and Medical Equipment, Kazan State Medical University, 49 Butlerov Street, 420012 Kazan, Russia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +7-843-236-0512 Received: 30 June 2020; Accepted: 1 September 2020; Published: 3 September 2020 Abstract: A review of the data on the modulatory action of adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP), the main co-transmitter with acetylcholine, and adenosine, the final ATP metabolite in the synaptic cleft, on neuromuscular transmission is presented. The effects of these endogenous modulators on pre- and post-synaptic processes are discussed. The contribution of purines to the processes of quantal and non- quantal secretion of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft, as well as the influence of the postsynaptic effects of ATP and adenosine on the functioning of cholinergic receptors, are evaluated. As usual, the P2-receptor-mediated influence is minimal under physiological conditions, but it becomes very important in some pathophysiological situations such as hypothermia, stress, or ischemia. There are some data demonstrating the same in neuromuscular transmission. It is suggested that the role of endogenous purines is primarily to provide a safety factor for the efficiency of cholinergic neuromuscular transmission. -
Masterarbeit / Master's Thesis
MASTERARBEIT / MASTER’S THESIS Titel der Masterarbeit / Title of the Master‘s Thesis „Circadian abnormalities in the Cav1.4 IT mouse model for congenital stationary night blindness 2” verfasst von / submitted by Daniel Üblagger, BSc angestrebter akademischer Grad / in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (MSc) Wien, 2017 / Vienna 2017 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt / A 066 834 degree programme code as it appears on the student record sheet: Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt / Masterstudium Molekulare Biologie degree programme as it appears on the student record sheet: Betreut von / Supervisor: Univ. Prof. Dr. Daniela D. Pollak-Monje Quiroga Contents 1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 2+ 1.1 Voltage-gated Ca channels ........................................................................ 1 1.1.1 L-type calcium channels ............................................................................................. 3 1.1.2 Channelopathies in CaV 1.4 channels ......................................................................... 6 1.1.2.1 Congenital stationary night blindness type 2 ....................................................... 6 1.1.2.2 Mouse model for congenital stationary night blindness type 2 .......................... 8 1.2 The circadian clock ...................................................................................... 9 1.2.1 The molecular core of the circadian clock ................................................................. -