Biomedical subjects
R J Miller
Publications and source records attributed to R J Miller.
Bradykinin-induced modulation of calcium signals in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro.
We used combined patch-clamp-microfluorimetric recordings to examine the effects of bradykinin on [Ca2+]i transients and the Ca2+ current (ICa) in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro. Bradykinin increased [Ca2+]i in approximately 20% of dorsal root ganglion cells examined and inhibited the ICa in approximately 65% of dorsal root ganglion cells. Bradykinin also inhibited the ICa when [Ca2+]i was buffered with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or when Ba2+ was the charge carrier. When ICa's of increasing duration were elicited in these neurons, [Ca2+]i transients were produced that increased in amplitude but eventually approached an asymptote at longer voltage steps. Similarly, the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient also approached an asymptote in current-clamp recordings when cells were induced to fire a large number of action potentials. The bradykinin-induced inhibition of the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient was more pronounced at shorter voltage steps. At pulse durations that produced asymptotic [Ca2+]i signals, bradykinin no longer decreased the amplitude of the rise in [Ca2+]i, although it still reduced the ICa. In current-clamp recordings, bradykinin also reduced the [Ca2+]i signal that accompanied the generation of action potentials, but again bradykinin was more effective for shorter spike trains. Bradykinin also depolarized the majority of neurons (65%). The reduction in [Ca2+]i produced by bradykinin in sensory neurons may be an important factor contributing to bradykinin-induced excitation of primary sensory afferents.
Extraskeletal chondroma of the hand. Case report and review of the literature.
The pathogenesis, clinical features, and histology of extraskeletal chondromas, along with a review of the literature, demonstrate that extraskeletal chondromas are rare, benign cartilaginous tumors found most frequently in the hands and feet. A case of extraskeletal chondroma is described in a patient who had a volar carpal mass of long duration, with an acute inflammatory episode that subsided with antiinflammatory medication. Roentgenograms and computed tomographic scanning revealed the presence of soft-tissue calcifications. An excisional biopsy was performed, revealing a benign lobular cartilage tumor with marked cellularity and prominent calcification that are characteristic of these lesions.
CNQX (6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione) antagonizes NMDA-evoked [3H]GABA release from cultured cortical neurons via an inhibitory action at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site.
The novel glutamate antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) inhibited glutamate stimulated [3H]GABA release from cortical neurons in vitro. Kainate-induced release was blocked in a competitive fashion but N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced release was blocked non-competitively by CNQX. 7-Chlorokynurenate (7-CK) also inhibited NMDA evoked [3H]GABA release non-competitively, but had no effect on kainate induced release. The effects of both CNQX and 7-CK on NMDA-induced release were reversed by addition of exogenous glycine but the effects of CNQX on kainate-induced release were not altered by glycine. This suggests that both CNQX and 7-CK may interact with the glycine regulatory site of the NMDA receptor.
Characterization of amphiphilic secondary structures in neuropeptide Y through the design, synthesis, and study of model peptides.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has the potential to form two amphiphilic secondary structures: a polyproline II-like helix in residues 1-8, and an alpha-helix in residues 13-32. NPY dimerizes in aqueous solution and forms stable monolayers at the air-water interface, suggesting that these amphiphilic conformations are stabilized at interfaces. Furthermore, the negative molar ellipticity of monomeric NPY at 222 nm (-8500 degree cm2/dmol), suggests that hydrophobic interactions with the NH2-terminal amphiphilic structure may stabilize the alpha-helix in residues 13-32 before it binds to cell surfaces, even at physiological concentrations. In order to investigate the role of these amphiphilic structures, five NPY models with multiple substitutions in positions 13-32 have been synthesized and studied. Our data demonstrate that the surfactant properties of NPY result from its potential to form amphiphilic secondary and tertiary structures and not from specific amino acid sequences in this region. However, specific residues on the hydrophilic face of the amphiphilic alpha-helix that have been substituted in the models appear to be required to reproduce the full potency of NPY in our pharmacological assays. A possible role for the amphiphilic structures in NPY in presenting such specific determinants to cell surface receptors in the correct conformation is suggested.
Two different G-proteins mediate neuropeptide Y and bradykinin-stimulated phospholipid breakdown in cultured rat sensory neurons.
We have previously demonstrated that neuropeptide Y (NPY) inhibits voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and that this effect is mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive, guanyl nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein). We now demonstrate that NPY can also stimulate the synthesis of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and diacylglycerol in dorsal root ganglion neurons. The effects of NPY were compared with those of bradykinin (BK) which also stimulates phosphoinositide turnover in these cells. NPY-stimulated InsP3 synthesis could be completely blocked by treatment with pertussis toxin and significantly enhanced by cholera toxin although not by other agents which raised cellular concentrations of cyclic AMP. In contrast, the effects of BK were completely unaltered by either toxin. Furthermore the maximal effects of BK and NPY were additive. In spite of the lack of toxin effects, stimulation of InsP3 synthesis produced by BK was clearly mediated by a G-protein. Thus BK stimulated InsP3 production in digitonin-permeabilized neurons, and these effects were enhanced by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and blocked by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). The stimulatory effects of both NPY and BK were also blocked by treatment of neurons with phorbol esters. Fura-2-based microfluorimetry of single dorsal root ganglion neurons demonstrated that both BK and NPY increased cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ concentration and that both peptides could produce this effect in the same neuron. Both agents could still increase cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ concentration in Ca2+-free medium indicating that the source of the Ca2+ was an intracellular store. Thus, both NPY and BK can activate InsP3 synthesis in the same cell but seem to utilize different G-proteins. NPY utilizes a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein and BK a toxin-insensitive one.
Excitatory amino acid-evoked release of [3H]GABA from hippocampal neurons in primary culture.
We investigated the release of gamma-[2,3-3H(N)]aminobutyric acid ([3H]GABA) from hippocampal neurons in primary cell culture. [3H]GABA release was stimulated by the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate as well as by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate. Cell depolarization induced by raising [K+]o or by veratridine also stimulated [3H]GABA release. NMDA-induced release was completely blocked by 3-((+/-)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP+), Mg2+ and Zn2+ whereas the release induced by glutamate and kainate was much less susceptible to inhibition by these substances. Furthermore, removal of external Ca2+ inhibited NMDA-induced release, but not that induced by glutamate, kainate, veratridine or 50 mM K+. Removal of external Na+ reduced [3H]GABA release evoked by all stimuli, but to different extents. All of the excitatory amino acids tested increased [Ca2+]i within hippocampal neurons as assessed by fura-2 based microspectrofluorimetry. This increase in [Ca2+]i was completely dependent on the presence of external Ca2+. These results suggest that Ca2+-dependent and -independent forms of GABA release from hippocampal interneurons may occur. [3H]GABA release evoked by glutamate, kainate, veratridine or 50 mM K+, appeared to be mediated by the reversal of electrogenic, Na+-coupled GABA uptake. Release was inhibited by nipecotic acid, an inhibitor of the Na+-coupled GABA uptake system. However, release induced by NMDA may also include a Ca2+-dependent component.
NMDA receptor antagonists that bind to the strychnine-insensitive glycine site and inhibit NMDA-induced Ca2+ fluxes and [3H]GABA release.
We have examined the actions of putative antagonists of the strychnine-insensitive glycine-mediated modulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor using [3H]MK801 binding, Ca2+ influx and [3H]GABA release assays. Kynurenic acid and HA-966 inhibited [3H]MK801 binding, NMDA and glycine induced Ca2+ influx measured using fura-2 and NMDA and glycine simulated [3H]GABA release. The effects of kynurenic acid could be partially overcome by the addition of excess glutamate and glycine, indicating limited selectivity for the glycine binding site. In addition, a component of the action of kynurenic acid was insensitive to agonist concentration, indicating a third action of kynurenic acid at high concentrations. In contrast, HA-966 was 100-fold selective for the glycine compared to the NMDA site. HA-966 only partially inhibited [3H]MK801 binding (IC50 19.7 microM), NMDA-induced Ca2+ influx and neurotransmitter release. The failure of HA-966 to completely block NMDA responses, even at high concentrations, suggests that glycine may not be an absolute requirement for the activation of NMDA receptors under these experimental conditions.
Differential G protein-mediated coupling of neurotransmitter receptors to Ca2+ channels in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro.
The peptides neuropeptide Y (NPY) and bradykinin (BK) both inhibited Ca2+ currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRG) in vitro. The effects of both peptides were completely blocked by treatment of cells with pertussis toxin. Based on antigenic determinants, DRG cells contained at least two pertussis toxin substrates, alpha o (Mr, 39 kd) and alpha i2 (Mr, 40 kd). We examined the ability of three purified bovine alpha subunits (identified with antibodies as alpha o, alpha i1, and alpha i2) to reconstitute the inhibitory effects of NPY and BK. Reconstitution of NPY effects occurred according to the potency series alpha o greater than alpha i1 much greater than alpha i2. However, in the case of BK all three G proteins were approximately equally effective. Whereas complete reconstitution of NPY effects could be obtained with alpha o, no single alpha subunit produced complete reconstitution of BK. Combinations of alpha o and alpha i2, however, were able to completely reconstitute the effects of BK. Thus several G proteins can effect the regulation of Ca2+ channels in these cells. However, neurotransmitters may be selective in the G proteins or combinations of G proteins utilized to achieve this regulation.
A metabolically stable analog of 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate activates a novel K+ conductance in pyramidal cells of the rat hippocampal slice.
IP(s)3, a metabolically stable analog of 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate (IP3), inhibited action potential firing when injected into hippocampal pyramidal cells. This effect was associated with decreased input resistance, a more negative resting potential, outward rectification at depolarized potentials, and an afterhyperpolarization. The response to IP(s)3 was unaffected by antagonists of Na+, Ca2+, and Cl- conductances, but was sensitive to changes in extracellular K+ concentration. The IP(s)3-induced conductance was voltage-dependent, was activated in 10 ms with depolarization, and was blocked by extracellular Ba2+ or intracellular Ca2+ chelation. It was not suppressed by other K+ conductance antagonists. Thus, IP(s)3 may activate a novel K+ conductance in CA1 pyramidal cells. IP3 itself did not elicit this conductance, suggesting it may be rapidly metabolized in these cells.
Muscarinic agonists cause calcium influx and calcium mobilization in forebrain neurons in vitro.
We have examined the effects of the muscarinic agonist carbachol on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultures of neurons from rat forebrain using the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. Addition of carbachol increased the [Ca2+]i in approximately 60% of cells studied. Oxotremorine-M, but not pilocarpine, mimicked the effects of carbachol. The response was reduced by 60% on removal of extracellular Ca2+, a finding suggesting that muscarinic receptor activation causes Ca2+ influx in addition to intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Tetrodotoxin and nitrendipine also significantly reduced the response to carbachol. These studies suggest that the changes in [Ca2+]i produced by activation of muscarinic receptors result in part from mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and that influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels also provides a significant contribution to the net [Ca2+]i change observed.
Neuronal Ca2+ channels and their regulation by excitatory amino acids.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Voltage- and use-dependent modulation of cardiac calcium channels by the dihydropyridine (+)-202-791.
The modulation of L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes by the dihydropyridine (+)-202-791 was examined with the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique with 1.8 mM Ba or Ca as the charge carrier. Striking voltage- and use-dependent effects of the dihydropyridine calcium channel "agonist" (+)-202-791 were revealed. From a holding potential of -60 mV, depolarizing test pulses in the presence of (+)-202-791 demonstrated a concentration-dependent (EC50, 177 nM) increase in the measured peak inward barium current compared to control. In contrast, more depolarized holding potentials (greater than or equal to -30 mV) (+)-202-791 caused a biphasic effect on the peak inward current resulting in a transient enhancement followed by a steady-state block. A saturable, concentration-dependent hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of current inactivation was observed in the presence of (+)-202-791 with an EC50 of 10.2 nM. The voltage dependence of current activation was also shifted in the hyperpolarizing direction in the presence of (+)-202-791. A use-dependent relative block by (+)-202-791 was observed after repetitive depolarizing test pulses at a frequency of 2 Hz. Thus, the single enantiomer (+)-202-791 can result in either an increase in the whole cell calcium channel current (favored by hyperpolarized holding potentials and low rates of stimulation) or block of calcium channel current (favored by depolarized holding potentials and high rates of stimulation). Various combinations of (-)-202-791, a reported calcium channel antagonist, and (+)-202-791 resulted in intermediate effects on voltage sensitive calcium or barium currents compared with the presence of either enantiomer alone, and no clear cooperative interactions between the enantiomers were observed in contrast to a previous single channel study (Kokuban S, Prod'ham B, Becker C, Porzig H, Reuter H: Studies on Ca channels in intact cardiac cells: Voltage-dependent effects and cooperative interaction of dihydropyridine enantiomers. Mol Pharmacol 1986;30:571-584). The results are discussed in relation to the possible presence of multiple dihydropyridine receptors associated with the voltage sensitive calcium channel.
Neuropeptide Y receptor binding sites in rat brain: differential autoradiographic localizations with 125I-peptide YY and 125I-neuropeptide Y imply receptor heterogeneity.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor binding sites have been localized in the rat brain by in vitro autoradiography using picomolar concentrations of both 125I-NPY and 125I-peptide YY (PYY) and new evidence provided for differentially localized receptor subtypes. Equilibrium binding studies using membranes indicate that rat brain contains a small population of high-affinity binding sites and a large population of moderate-affinity binding sites. 125I-PYY (10 pM) is selective for high-affinity binding sites (KD = 23 pM), whereas 10 pM 125I-NPY labels both high- and moderate-affinity sites (KD = 54 pM and 920 pM). The peptide specificity and affinity of these ligands in autoradiographic experiments match those seen in homogenates. Binding sites for 125I-PYY are most concentrated in the lateral septum, stratum oriens, and radiatum of the hippocampus, amygdala, piriform cortex, entorhinal cortex, several thalamic nuclei, including the reuniens and lateral posterior nuclei, and substantia nigra, pars compacta, and pars lateralis. In the brain stem, 125I-PYY sites are densest in a variety of nuclei on the floor of the fourth ventricle, including the pontine central grey, the supragenual nucleus, and the area postrema. 125I-NPY binding sites are found in similar areas, but relative levels of NPY binding and PYY binding differ regionally, suggesting differences in sites labeled by the two ligands. These receptor localizations resemble the distribution of endogenous NPY in some areas, but others, such as the hypothalamus, contain NPY immunoreactivity but few binding sites.
Ifenprodil is a novel type of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist: interaction with polyamines.
We have investigated the interactions of polyamines and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ifenprodil with the binding of [3H]MK801 to the NMDA receptor. Spermine and spermidine but not putrescine substantially increase [3H]MK801 binding to well washed rat brain membranes in the absence or presence of saturating concentrations of glutamate and glycine. Spermine also increased the association and dissociation of [3H]MK801 from its binding site, suggesting that polyamines activate the NMDA receptor in a similar manner to glycine. Ifenprodil inhibited the binding of [3H]MK801 in a biphasic fashion. The high affinity phase of binding (Ki of approximately 15 nM) accounted for 50-60% of total [3H]MK801 binding in the nominal absence of glutamate, glycine, and polyamines or in the presence of 100 microM glutamate. This fraction was reduced to 20% by the addition of 30 microM glycine and could be abolished by the addition of 50 microM spermine. However, ifenprodil apparently did not act by binding to the polyamine recognition site. The low affinity phase (Ki of 20-40 microM) was insensitive to the presence of positive modulators and may represent binding to the Zn2+ regulatory site. Ifenprodil decreased NMDA and glycine-induced Ca2+ influx into cultured rat brain neurons. The potency of ifenprodil suggests that spermine may activate NMDA receptors in vivo. These data indicate that ifenprodil may bind to the NMDA receptor in a state-dependent fashion and preferentially stabilize an inactivated form of the channel.
Regulation of Ca++ influx into striatal neurons by kainic acid.
We investigated the mechanisms by which kainic acid (KA) produces increases in [Ca++]i in single striatal neurons in vitro using fura-2-based microfluorimetry. When neurons were depolarized by perfusion with high K+ or veratridine containing solutions, [Ca++]i rose rapidly to a peak and then declined to a lower sustained plateau that persisted as long as the depolarizing stimulus. The peak high K+-induced rise in [Ca++]i occurred at [K+]o greater than 50 mM and the plateau was largest at 30 mM K+. [K+]o that was greater than 70 mM caused the magnitude of the plateau to decrease. Responses to high K+ stimulation were completely dependent on [Ca++]o and presumably represented Ca++ influx. Nitrendipine partially blocked the peak of the high K+-induced response and completely blocked the sustained plateau Ca++ influx. The nitrendipine-resistant portion of the high K+ response could be completely blocked by predepolarization of the cell in Ca++-free solution. KA also produced large increases in [Ca++]i that were abolished on removal of external Ca++. Predepolarization/nitrendipine greatly reduced the effect of lower [KA] (100 microM). However, KA-induced increases in [Ca++]i became increasingly resistant to block of voltage-sensitive Ca++ channels as [KA] rose above 100 microM, indicating a second route of Ca++ entry that may be the KA receptor-gated ionophore. About one-half the responses to KA (100 microM) also displayed a large oscillation. [Ca++]i rose to a peak, fell and then rose again before finally declining to a plateau level. This oscillation was abolished when all external Na+ was replaced by Li+ and may result from alterations in the buffering of [Ca++]i as a result of KA-induced Na+ influx.
Two distinct quisqualate receptors regulate Ca2+ homeostasis in hippocampal neurons in vitro.
Addition of quisqualate to mouse hippocampal neurons in vitro elicited two types of changes in [Ca2+]i as assessed by fura-2-based microfluorimetry. The first was a transient spike or group of oscillations and the second was a long lasting "plateau" response. The long-lasting response was abolished on removal of either Ca2+ or Na+ from the external medium or by blocking voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. Furthermore, the novel glutamate antagonist 6-nitro-7-cyano-quinoxaline-2,3-dione was a competitive inhibitor of this response. In contrast, none of these manipulations abolished the transient [Ca2+]i spike. Transient [Ca2+]i spikes or oscillations could also be produced by the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine. Production of such an alpha 1-response reduced the size of a subsequently elicited quisqualate response. However production of transient [Ca2+]i spikes with caffeine did not alter the size of the quisqualate-induced spike. We conclude that hippocampal neurons possess two different types of quisqualate receptors. The first mediates quisqualate-induced depolarization and the second mediates Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores.
[3H]MK801 binding to the NMDA receptor/ionophore complex is regulated by divalent cations: evidence for multiple regulatory sites.
We have examined the ability of divalent and trivalent cations to regulate [3H]MK801 binding to the N-methyl-D-aspartate operated ionophore of rat brain membranes. In EDTA-washed membranes that are nominally free of glutamate and glycine the cations Ba2+, Ca2+, Co2+, La3+, Mn2+ and Sr2+ increased [3H]MK801 binding in the range 0.01-1.0 mM, depending on the cation studied. At higher concentrations (0.1-30 mM) these cations all inhibited binding. In contrast, Cd2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ inhibited binding at all concentrations tested. The addition of maximally effective concentrations of glutamate (100 microM) and glycine (30 microM) increased binding by some 200% above control. In the presence of glutamate and glycine all cations except Sr2+ only inhibited binding, while the stimulation produced by Sr2+ was markedly diminished. The potency of most of the divalent cations tested was increased in the presence of glutamate and glycine. In contrast, Cd2+ and Zn2+ became less potent, while the potency of Hg2+ did not change. Thus, it appears that cations regulate the function of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor/ionophore complex by interacting with at least two separate sites.