Biomedical subjects

Ichiro Sora

Publications and source records attributed to Ichiro Sora.

57 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

MS-377, a selective sigma receptor ligand, indirectly blocks the action of PCP in the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor ion-channel complex in primary cultured rat neuronal cells.

MS-377 ((R)-(+)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-[4-(2-methoxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl-2-pyrrolidinone L-tartrate) is a antipsychotic agent that binds to sigma-1 receptor. MS-377 showed anti-dopaminergic and anti-serotonergic activities and antagonistic action against phencyclidine (PCP)-induced behaviors in an animal model. These anti-psychotic activities of MS-377 are attributable to association with sigma-1 receptor. However, the mechanism by which the sigma-1 receptor ligands exact those numerous effects remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of MS-377 on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ion-channel complex in primary cultured rat neuronal cells. First, we examined the effect of MS-377 on NMDA-induced Ca2+ influx with fura-2/ AM loaded cells. MS-377 showed no effects on the basal Ca2+ concentration and NMDA-induced Ca2+ influx by itself PCP and SKF-10047 reduced the NMDA-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Pre-incubation of 1 microM MS-377 was found to significantly block the reduction by PCP or SKF-10047 of the NMDA-induced Ca2+ influx. Second, the effect of MS-377 on [3H]MK-801 intact cell binding was examined. PCP, haloperidol and (+)-pentazocine inhibited [3H]MK-801 binding, although MS-377 showed no effect by itself Pre-treatment of MS-377 markedly reversed the inhibition of [3H]MK-801 binding by PCP in a dose-dependent manner. These effects of MS-377 may depend on its affinity for the sigma-1 receptor, because MS-377 is a selective sigma-1 receptor ligand without any affinity for NMDA receptor ion-channel complex. These observations suggest that the MS-377 indirectly modulated the NMDA receptor ion-channel complex, and the anti-psychotic activities of MS-377, in part, are attributable to such on action via sigma-1 receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Molecular mechanisms of analgesia induced by opioids and ethanol: is the GIRK channel one of the keys?

Opioids and ethanol have been used since ancient times for pain relief. Opioid signaling is mediated by various effectors, including G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels, adenylyl cyclases, voltage-dependent calcium channels, phospholipase Cbeta(PLCbeta), and mitogen-activated protein kinases, although it has been unclear which effector mediates the analgesic effects of opioids. Ethanol induces a variety of physiological phenomena via various proteins, including GIRK channels rather than via membrane lipids. GIRK channel activation by either G proteins or ethanol is impaired in weaver mutant mice. The mutant mice may therefore serve as a useful animal model for studying the role of GIRK channels in vivo. Reduced analgesia by using either opioids or ethanol in weaver mutant mice suggests that GIRK channels are important effectors in both opioid- and ethanol-induced analgesia. This hypothesis is supported by similar findings in GIRK2 knockout mice. Among the various effectors coupled with opioid receptors and various targets of ethanol, GIRK channels are the only molecules whose involvement in opioid- and ethanol-induced analgesia has been demonstrated in vivo. The GIRK channel is potentially one of the key molecules in furthering the understanding of the pain control system and in developing advanced analgesics with fewer adverse effects.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2002

Differential mechanism of G-protein activation induced by endogenous mu-opioid peptides, endomorphin and beta-endorphin.

It is well documented that the mu-opioid receptor (MOP-R) is expressed by neurons in several central nervous system regions. Its occupancy with agonist drugs modulate a variety of physiological processes including pain, reward, stress, immune responses, neuroendocrine functions, and cardiovascular control. Based on the receptor binding assay, endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 have the highest specificity and affinity for the MOP-R of any endogenous substance so far described in the mammalian nervous system. In contrast, beta-endorphin exhibits the strongest actions among endogenous opioid peptides mainly through the MOP-R; however, it also shows the distinct pharmacological actions. Recent cloning and expression studies have indicated that MOP-Rs are seven-transmembrane domain receptors whose actions are mediated through activation of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins). The activation of G-proteins by MOP-Rs can be measured by assessing agonist-induced stimulation of membrane binding of guanosine-5'-o-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS). The subject of the present review is to focus on the differential mechanism underlying G-protein activation induced by these mu-opioid peptides using the [35S]GTPgammaS binding assay.

Animals↗