大鼠听皮质NMDA受体亚单位NR2B蛋白质的年龄-依赖性表达

目的：研究sD大鼠生后发育过程中,听皮质神经元NMDA受体亚单位NR2B蛋白质的表达规律。方法：采用免疫组织化学反应和蛋白质印迹技术,分别检测生后1、2、3周和成年动物听皮质神经元NMDA受体亚单位NR2B蛋白质的表达。结果：NR2B阳性神经元在生后第1周密度最高,随着生后周龄增长,NR2B阳性神经元密度递减．3周龄后降至成年动物的低表达水平。结论：大鼠生后发育过程巾．听皮质NR2B亚单位蛋白质呈现年龄-依赖性表达,此结果与mRNA水平上的表达趋势一致。     

幼年大鼠脑室下区内NMDA受体亚单位NR1的表达变化

目的:观察N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体亚单位1(N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit1,NR1)在幼年不同时期大鼠脑室下区(subventricular zone,SVZ)相同部位以及生后14d(表达高峰期)大鼠侧脑室不同部位旁的SVZ表达状况,为研究NR1是否在神经发生中起作用提供组织学依据。方法:生后7,14,21,28d的SD大鼠脑6μm厚石蜡切片,免疫组化ABC法显色,图像分析及统计处理。结果:NR1在生后7,14,21,28d大鼠SVZ均有表达,14d时表达至高峰;NR1在14d大鼠侧脑室不同部位旁SVZ内也均有表达,且侧脑室外侧角旁及下角旁SVZ表达最高。NR1阳性细胞有多种形态,均以胞膜着色为主,胞浆浅淡,偶可见核仁。结论:NR1在幼年不同时期大鼠SVZ及14d大鼠侧脑室不同区域旁SVZ均有表达,但表达高低因时间及部位而异,提示NR1在幼年大鼠SVZ的表达具有时空特异性,并可能在神经发生过程中发挥作用。     

Electrophysiological classification of somatostatin-positive interneurons in mouse sensorimotor cortex

Classification of inhibitory interneurons is critical in determining their role in normal information processing and pathophysiological conditions such as epilepsy. Classification schemes have relied on morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular criteria; and clear correlations have been demonstrated between firing patterns and cellular markers such as neuropeptides and calcium-binding proteins. This molecular diversity has allowed generation of transgenic mouse strains in which GFP expression is linked to the expression of one of these markers and presumably a single subtype of neuron. In the GIN mouse (EGFP-expressing Inhibitory Neurons), a subpopulation of somatostatin-containing interneurons in the hippocampus and neocortex is labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). To optimize the use of the GIN mouse, it is critical to know whether the population of somatostatin-EGFP-expressing interneurons is homogeneous. We performed unsupervised cluster analysis on 46 EGFP-expressing interneurons, based on data obtained from whole cell patch-clamp recordings. Cells were classified according to a number of electrophysiological variables related to spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs), firing behavior, and intrinsic membrane properties. EGFP-expressing interneurons were heterogeneous and at least four subgroups could be distinguished. In addition, multiple discriminant analysis was applied to data collected during whole cell recordings to develop an algorithm for predicting the group membership of newly encountered EGFP-expressing interneurons. Our data are consistent with a heterogeneous population of neurons based on electrophysiological properties and indicate that EGFP expression in the GIN mouse is not restricted to a single class of somatostatin-positive interneuron.     

The NR1 subunit of the glutamate/NMDA receptor in the superior temporal cortex in schizophrenia and affective disorders

The NMDA receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases including schizophrenia and affective disorders. We have investigated the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor in a well-defined series of psychiatric cases using radioligand binding and quantitative immunoblotting techniques. Saturable radioligand binding of [(3)H]L-689,560 to the glycine site on this subunit of the NMDA receptor was undertaken in superior temporal cortex of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and matched control subjects. A tendency towards an increased receptor density was found in schizophrenia. A significant decrease in NMDA receptor density below control value was found in both bipolar and depressive disorders. The immunoblotting technique was used to identify NR1 protein in the same series of cases of which two bands were identified consistent with NR1 splice variants. A tendency to a decrease in the density of the NR1 upper band below control values was found in bipolar and depressed patients, but not schizophrenics. Consistent with this observation, the ratio between the upper and lower NR1-immunoreactive bands showed a significant decrease in bipolar disorder, although the ratio in depression did not reach significance. No significant difference was found in the NR1 lower band in any patient group compared with control. The finding of an increase NMDA receptor density in schizophrenia is consistent with the previous reports, with a possible compensatory response to glutamatergic deficits in superior temporal cortex in schizophrenia. The findings in affective disorders are interesting in respect of reports of cortical NMDA receptor deficits in suicide victims, although antidepressant drug treatment may contribute to these changes.     

Estrogen-mediated neuroprotection in the cortex may require NMDA receptor activation

Several studies have suggested that a potential mechanism for estrogen-mediated neuroprotection following experimental stroke is a result of modulating glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Our laboratory has shown that in male rats, estrogen injection (systemic or direct intracortical injection) resulted in an immediate depolarization of cortical neurons. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether the estrogen-induced depolarization of cortical neurons was required in mediating the early events associated with this neuroprotection. We tested this hypothesis by co-injecting selective antagonists of the NMDA (MK-801) or AMPA (DNQX) glutamatergic receptors with estrogen. Systemic injection of estrogen significantly attenuated the MK-801-induced decrease in infarct volume following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Similarly, when estrogen and MK-801 were co-injected directly into the cortex, no neuroprotection was observed. However, when estrogen or MK-801 was injected centrally 10 min prior to the injection of the other drug, significant neuroprotection was observed. This led us to hypothesize that estrogen-mediated neuroprotection required an initial activation of NMDA receptors. Furthermore, our results suggest that this estrogen-mediated neuroprotection was also associated with a significant increase in m-calpain and activation of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) specific caspase-12. Finally, the results of current clamp experiments showed that estrogen significantly depolarized cortical neurons as well as enhanced NMDA-induced depolarization. Taken together, these results suggest that estrogen pretreatment may activate NMDA receptors resulting in modification of ER-associated molecular mechanisms involved in neuroprotection following MCAO.     

Influence of the NR3A subunit on NMDA receptor functions

Various combinations of subunits assemble to form the NMDA-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR), generating diversity in its functions. Here we review roles of the unique NMDAR subunit, NR3A, which acts in a dominant-negative manner to suppress receptor activity. NR3A-containing NMDARs display striking regional and temporal expression specificity, and, unlike most other NMDAR subtypes, they have a low conductance, are only modestly permeable to Ca²⁺, and pass current at hyperpolarized potentials in the presence of magnesium. While glutamate activates triheteromeric NMDARs composed of NR1/NR2/NR3A subunits, glycine is sufficient to activate diheteromeric NR1/NR3A-containing receptors. NR3A dysfunction may contribute to neurological disorders involving NMDARs, and the subunit offers an attractive therapeutic target given its distinct pharmacological and structural properties.     

Morphological changes in the cerebellar cortex of aging Macaca nemestrina

The cerebellar cortices in 4, 10 and 20 year old Macaca nemestrina have been examined for the number of Purkinje (P) and granule cells and the deposition of lipofuscin in P cells in relation to aging. Lipofuscin distribution significantly increased with age in the P cells in these animals. The number of P cells was significantly reduced, while there were no changes in the number of granule cells. It appears from this and other studies that the Purkinje cells are more prone to aging changes than the granule cells of the cerebellum both in lipofuscin formation and cell loss. Although the precise functional significance of these changes in P cells is not clear, their vulnerability may be related to changes in motor function in old age.     

Changes in NMDA receptor expression in auditory cortex after learning

Extensive practice on auditory learning tasks dramatically alters the functional organization and response properties of neurons in the auditory cortex. The cellular mechanisms responsible for this auditory learning-induced cortical plasticity are unclear; however, changes in synaptic function involving NMDA receptors have been strongly implicated. To test this hypothesis, we measured the change in gene expression of NMDA receptors and associated proteins in the auditory cortex of adult rats trained to perform an auditory identification task. NMDA receptor 2A and 2B gene expression in auditory cortex decreased significantly as auditory discrimination improved whereas expression of Arc, an immediate early gene involved in memory stabilization, increased. These results suggest that changes in NMDA receptors 2A and 2B and Arc enhance synaptic plasticity, thereby facilitating experience-dependent cortical remodeling and auditory learning.     

Modulation of NMDA receptor properties and synaptic transmission by the NR3A subunit in mouse hippocampal and cerebrocortical neurons

Expression of the NR3A subunit with NR1/NR2 in Xenopus oocytes or mammalian cell lines leads to a reduction in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced currents and decreased Mg(2+) sensitivity and Ca(2+) permeability compared with NR1/NR2 receptors. Consistent with these findings, neurons from NR3A knockout (KO) mice exhibit enhanced NMDA-induced currents. Recombinant NR3A can also form excitatory glycine receptors with NR1 in the absence of NR2. However, the effects of NR3A on channel properties in neurons and synaptic transmission have not been fully elucidated. To study physiological roles of NR3A subunits, we generated NR3A transgenic (Tg) mice. Cultured NR3A Tg neurons exhibited two populations of NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channels, reduced Mg(2+) sensitivity, and decreased Ca(2+) permeability in response to NMDA/glycine, but glycine alone did not elicit excitatory currents. In addition, NMDAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in NR3A Tg hippocampal slices showed reduced Mg(2+) sensitivity, consistent with the notion that NR3A subunits incorporated into synaptic NMDARs. To study the function of endogenous NR3A subunits, we compared NMDAR-mediated EPSCs in NR3A KO and WT control mice. In NR3A KO mice, the ratio of the amplitudes of the NMDAR-mediated component to alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor-mediated component of the EPSC was significantly larger than that seen in WT littermates. This result suggests that NR3A subunits contributed to the NMDAR-mediated component of the EPSC in WT mice. Taken together, these results show that NR3A subunits contribute to NMDAR responses from both synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors, likely composed of NR1, NR2, and NR3 subunits.     

Unaltered pain-related behavior in mice lacking NMDA receptor GluRepsilon 1 subunit

Noxious afferent input following tissue damage and inflammation triggers a state of neuronal hyperexcitability-a phenomenon of central sensitization-which manifests behaviorally as allodynia and hyperalgesia. At the molecular level, maintenance of central sensitization is largely dependent on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation. NMDARs are composed of GluRzeta1 (NR1) and one of four GluRepsilon (NR2) subunits, which determine the functional properties of native NMDARs. Although there is accumulating evidence to implicate GluRepsilon 2-containing NMDARs in pain mechanisms, the functional significance of GluRepsilon 1-containing NMDARs in this setting has not been examined in detail. Here, we used hind paw injection of formalin, complete Freund's adjuvant and a nerve injury model to investigate the effects of GluRepsilon 1 subunit gene deletion on pain-related behavior in mice. In all of the models tested, GluRepsilon 1-deficient mice exhibited responses similar to wild-type controls. These results suggest that GluRepsilon 1 disruption does not result in altered nociceptive behavior in mice. Although the contribution of other nociceptive pathways cannot be ruled out, we speculate that the preserved function of GluRepsilon 2-containing NMDARs could explain unaltered nociceptive behavior in mutant mice.     

NMDA受体亚单位NR2D与MOCA相互作用的鉴定

目的:寻找N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-aspartate,NMDA)受体亚单位NR2D的结合蛋白,为探讨NR2D在视网膜兴奋性毒性损伤中的作用提供依据。方法:构建了包含NR2D细胞内C末端的cDNA片段为诱饵质粒,应用酵母双杂交技术筛选小鼠脑cDNA文库,并用免疫共沉淀实验进一步验证NR2D与其结合蛋白之间的相互作用,免疫荧光显微镜观察NR2D和目的蛋白在视网膜中的共表达。结果:酵母双杂交筛选到细胞黏附修饰因子(modifier of cell adhesion,MOCA)为NR2D可能的相互作用蛋白,两者在视网膜有共定位。结论:MOCA能特异结合谷氨酸受体NR2D,这为进一步研究谷氨酸的兴奋性毒性参与视网膜退行性变的机制奠定了实验基础。     

Taurine-transporter gene knockout-induced changes in GABAA, kainate and AMPA but not NMDA receptor binding in mouse brain

The aim of this study was to determine whether the knockout of the taurine-transporter gene in the mouse affects the densities of GABA_A, kainate, AMPA and NMDA receptors in the brain. The caudate-putamen, the hippocampus and its subregions, and the cerebellum of six homozygous taurine-transporter gene knockout mice and six wild-type (WT) animals were examined by means of quantitative receptor autoradiography. Saturation studies were carried out for all four receptor types in order to find possible intergroup differences in B _max and K _D values. Taurine-transporter gene knockout animals showed significantly higher GABA_A receptor densities in the molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus and in the cerebellum than did WT animals. The densities of kainate receptors were significantly higher in the caudate-putamen, the CA1 and hilus regions of the hippocampus and in the cerebellum of knockout animals. The caudate-putamen and cerebellum of these mice also contained significantly higher AMPA receptor densities. However, there were no significant differences between knockout and WT animals concerning the densities of NMDA receptors. Reduced brain taurine levels are associated with increased GABA_A, kainate and AMPA receptor densities in some of the regions we examined.     

Electrophysiological analysis of rhythmic jaw movements in the freely moving mouse

Although rhythmic jaw movement in feeding has been studied in mammals, such as rats, rabbits and monkeys, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying it are not well understood. Transgenic and gene-targeting technologies enable direct control of the genetic makeup of the mouse, and have led to the development of a new category of reagents that have the potential to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural networks. The present study attempts to characterize rhythmic jaw movements in the mouse and to demonstrate its relevance to rhythmic jaw movements found in higher mammals using newly developed jaw-tracking systems and electromyograms of the masticatory muscles. The masticatory sequence of the mouse during feeding was classified into two stages, incision and chewing. Small and rapid (8 Hz) open-close jaw movements were observed during incision, while large and slow (5 Hz) open-close jaw movements were observed during chewing. Integrated electromyograms of the masseteric and digastric muscles were larger during chewing than those observed during incision. Licking behavior was associated with regular (8 Hz), small open-close jaw movements with smaller masseteric activity than those observed during mastication. Grooming showed variable patterns of jaw movement and electromyograms depending on the grooming site. These results suggest that there are neuronal mechanisms producing different frequencies of rhythmic jaw movements in the mouse, and we conclude that the mouse is useful for understanding rhythmic jaw movements in higher mammals.     

衰老模型小鼠胰腺结构与功能的变化

目的探讨D-半乳糖(D-gal)致衰小鼠胰腺结构与功能变化。方法 2月龄雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为两组,每组10只。衰老组:小鼠皮下注射D-gal(120mg/kg),每天1次,共42 d;对照组:小鼠皮下注射等时与等量生理盐水。衰老模型建立完成第2天,采外周血测定空腹血糖(FBG)与空腹胰岛素(FINS)水平;称小鼠体重(g)与胰腺湿重(mg)计算胰腺脏器指数;石蜡切片,HE染色观察胰腺光学显微镜下形态;制备胰腺冷冻切片,检测衰老相关β-半乳糖苷酶(SA-β-Gal)染色阳性胰腺细胞的相对吸光度(RA);免疫组织化学法观察胰腺组织晚期糖基化终产物(AGEs)的RA;制备胰腺组织匀浆检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和丙二醛(MDA)的含量。结果衰老组小鼠FBG显著升高,FINS水平降低;胰腺湿重和胰腺脏器指数明显升高;胰腺光学显微镜下结构未见显著改变,但胰岛内单个有核细胞所占面积增加;胰腺SA-β-Gal染色阳性细胞数显著增加;AGEs阳性表达区域RA值明显升高;SOD与T-AOC含量显著降低,MDA含量显著升高。结论 D-gal复制衰老小鼠可致其胰腺损伤,其机制与D-gal致胰腺组织细胞的氧化应激损伤有密切关系。     

Electrophysiological analysis of efferent neurons of cat associative parietal cortex

We have studied in acute experiments the neurons of the associative parietal cortex in the cat, using the microelectrode take-off technique. We identified the efferent neurons sending axons to the sensomotor cortex, the red nucleus, and the pontine nuclei by antidromic stimulation. We investigated the collateral branching of axons of neurons projected simultaneously into two of the formations mentioned, using the impulse collision technique. We studied the characteristics of the spatial distribution of efferent neurons in the parietal cortex.Translated from Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 72, No. 7, pp. 865–873, July, 1986.