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Prevention and reversal of defective axonal transport and motor nerve conduction velocity in rats with experimental diabetes by treatment with the aldose reductase inhibitor Sorbinil.

This investigation was designed to determine whether the aldose reductase inhibitor Sorbinil prevented the development of or reversed defects of nerve conduction and axonal transport in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Untreated diabetes of either 3 or 6 wk duration caused a fall in sciatic motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of 6-9 m/s (P less than 0.001) and significantly reduced the accumulation of axonally transported choline acetyltransferase activity against a 24-h sciatic nerve crush. These functional defects were associated with accumulation of sorbitol and depletion of myo-inositol in the sciatic nerve. Treatment with Sorbinil (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.) throughout the period of diabetes prevented the development of all these abnormalities in both 3- and 6-wk diabetic groups. In a second study, three groups of rats were subject to 3 wk untreated diabetes followed by Sorbinil treatment (as above) for 1, 2, or 3 wk to determine whether the abnormalities expected from 3 wk of untreated diabetes could be reversed. One week of treatment significantly elevated both MNCV and choline acetyltransferase accumulation (P less than 0.05). The longer treatments progressively ameliorated these defects such that the group that received Sorbinil for the second 3 wk of a 6-wk diabetic period gave values that were similar to controls and to diabetic rats that had been given Sorbinil throughout their diabetes. Sorbitol accumulation was markedly reduced by only 1 wk of Sorbinil treatment, but the normalization of myo-inositol levels required 2 wk of treatment. These findings indicate that Sorbinil treatment in diabetic rats prevented and reversed both Sorbitol accumulation and depletion of nerve myo-inositol in the sciatic nerve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Localization, differential expression and retrograde axonal transport suggest physiological role of FGF-2 in spinal autonomic neurons of the rat.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has marked pharmacological neurotrophic effects on lesioned spinal autonomic neurons following target removal of the adrenal medulla, yet expression and axonal transport in autonomic neurons remain to be shown. We show here FGF-2 and FGF receptor type 1 (FGFR1) protein and mRNA expression in preganglionic intermediolateral neurons of the rat thoracic spinal cord. While immunoreactivity of both FGF-2 and FGFR1 co-localize to intermediolateral neurons, mRNA transcripts of FGFR1, but not of FGF-2, are detectable in intermediolateral preparations by RNase protection analysis, suggesting protein translocation in vivo. Unilateral microinjection of 125iodinated FGF-2 into the adrenal medulla (a major target of intermediolateral neurons) results in significant accumulation of specific radioactivity in thoracic spinal cord tissue, including the intermediolateral neurons, and the ipsilateral splanchnic nerve. Emulsion autoradiography demonstrated labelling over ipsilateral intermediolateral neurons only. Neuronal co-localization of FGF-2/FGFR1 protein, differential mRNA expression, specific retrograde axonal transport and the known neurotrophic actions in vivo, strongly suggest unique physiological roles of FGF-2 in the autonomic nervous system.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Intraocular kainic acid injection suppresses fast axonal transport in the developing rat optic nerve.

A single intraocular injection of 1 or 3 nmol kainic acid (KA) into the right eye of rats aged 5 days postnatal (5 dpn) significantly reduced the incorporation of 3H-proline into retinal proteins and suppressed the amount of 3H-proline-labeled materials fast axonally transported in the optic nerve for at least 2 weeks thereafter. Intraocular KA injection within this dose range had no adverse effect on the optic axon population compared to normal nerves determined at 21 dpn; however, doses above 3 nmol (i.e., 6 nmol) caused significant axonal degeneration. Although partially recovered by 21 dpn this effect of KA on protein synthesis and axonal transport suggests that, as in the adult, retinal ganglion cells are also KA-sensitive during postnatal development.

Animals↗

Changes in the isotype composition of beta-tubulin delivered to regenerating sensory axons by slow axonal transport.

beta-Tubulin is encoded by a family of genes that produces at least five distinct polypeptide isotypes in neurons. Two of these isotypes (i.e., classes II and III) preferentially accumulate in axons, and the expression of one of them (i.e., class II) correlates closely with axonal outgrowth during development and regeneration. In dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, expression of the class II isotype declines to relatively low levels during early postnatal development, and increases dramatically in mature neurons during axon regeneration (i.e., to a level comparable to that in developing neurons). In contrast, expression of the class III isotype, which rises slightly during postnatal development, increases much less than the class II isotype during regeneration. We now document that these changes in gene expression are associated with an increase in the relative amount of class II as compared to class III beta-tubulin delivered to regenerating sensory axons of rat sciatic nerve by slow axonal transport. In this study, the tubulin transported in sensory axons was labeled by injecting [35S]methionine into the L5 DRG either 7 or 14 days after crushing the sciatic nerve; pulse-labeled class II and class III beta-tubulin were identified using immunoprecipitation. This change in the isotype composition of beta-tubulin transported in regenerating axons may influence outgrowth by altering the assembly and dynamic properties of axonal microtubules.

Animals↗

Axonal transport of proteoglycans to the goldfish optic tectum.

The study addressed the question of whether 35SO4 labeled molecules that have been delivered to the goldfish optic nerve terminals by rapid axonal transport include soluble proteoglycans. For analysis, tectal homogenates were subfractionated into a soluble fraction (soluble after centrifugation at 105,000 g), a lysis fraction (soluble after treatment with hypotonic buffer followed by centrifugation at 105,000 g) and a final 105,000 g pellet fraction. The soluble fraction contained 25.7% of incorporated radioactivity and upon DEAE chromatography was resolved into a fraction of sulfated glycoproteins eluting at 0-0.32 M NaCl and containing 39.5% of total soluble label and a fraction eluting at 0.32-0.60 M NaCl containing 53.9% of soluble label. This latter fraction was included on columns of Sepharose CL-6B with or without 4 M guanidine and after pronase digestion was found to have 51% of its radioactivity contained in the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) heparan sulfate and chondroitin (4 or 6) sulfate in the ratio of 70% to 30%. Mobility of both intact proteoglycans and constituent GAGs on Sepharose CL-6B indicated a size distribution that is smaller than has been observed for proteoglycans and GAGs from cultured neuronal cell lines. Similar analysis of lysis fraction, containing 11.5% of incorporated 35SO4, showed a mixture of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate containing proteoglycans, apparent free heparan sulfate and few, if any, sulfated glycoproteins. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that soluble proteoglycans are among the molecules axonally transported in the visual system.

Animals↗

Projections from the Edinger-Westphal complex of monkeys as studied by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase.

By means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase, an experimental study was made in the Japanese monkey of the projection from the anteromedian nucleus (AM) and Edinger-Westphal nucleus (EW) to the ciliary ganglon, cerebellar nuclei and spinal cord. Special attention was paid on the labeled cell forms. Neurons projecting to the cerebellar nuclei or the spinal cord were small (8-11 microns in diameter) and spindle-shaped, and they were located in almost the entire parts of both AM and EW. On the other hand, cells which gave off their axons to the ciliary ganglion were large (25-40 microns in diameter) and oval/round in shape. Their locations were confined to the medial parts of both AM and EW, except for the most caudal part of EW. In addition, a few cells in the "nucleus of Perlia" were found to project to the ciliary ganglion.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Axonal transports of Boc-Gly-Arg-Arg-MCA hydrolysing enzyme in rat sciatic nerves.

Study on neural axon transport is a very useful method to find a neuron-specific protease. In the present study, the enzyme activity (release of 7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin from t-butyloxycarbonyl-glycyl-L-arginyl-L-arginine-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide) was measured in the proximal, middle, and distal segments between 12 and 120 h after double ligations of rat sciatic nerves to find precursor processing enzyme specific for pair of basic amino acid residue. The enzyme activity was significantly increased not only in the proximal but also in the distal segments 12-120 h after the ligation, and the maximal enzyme activity was found in both segments at 72 h. The enzyme activity eluted by anion exchange chromatography of the proximal segment showed at least three peaks, and was slightly higher than the activity of the distal one. The activity in the middle segment was very low in comparison with the activity in the proximal and distal segments. These data indicate that some of the enzymes specific for pair of basic amino acid residue are transported by both anterograde and retrograde axonal flow, and may undergo a neuron-specific processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selective impairment of fast anterograde axonal transport in the peripheral nerves of asymptomatic transgenic mice with a G93A mutant SOD1 gene.

Transgenic mice that express a mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene have been provided a valuable model for human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We studied a possible impairment of fast axonal transport in transgenic mice carrying a Gly93-->Ala (G93A) mutant SOD1 gene found in human familial ALS (FALS). Left sciatic nerve was ligated for 6 h in transgenic (Tg) and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed for accumulations of kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein on both sides of the ligation site. Clinical function and histology in the spinal cords, sciatic nerves and gastrocnemius muscles were also assessed. The mice were examined at an early asymptomatic stage (aged 19 weeks) and a late stage (30 weeks) just before the development of the symptoms. WT mice showed an apparent increase in immunoreactivities for kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein at proximal and distal of the ligation, respectively. In contrast, the young Tg mice showed a selective decrease of kinesin accumulation in the proximal of the ligation. The mice were asymptomatic with a mild histological change only in muscles. The old Tg mice showed a marked reduction of the immunoreactivity for kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein on both sides of the ligation. They had a significant loss of spinal motor neurons, relatively small myelinated fiber densities of sciatic nerves, and severe muscular changes. These results provide direct evidence that the SOD1 mutation leads to impaired fast axonal transport, particularly in the anterograde direction at an early, asymptomatic stage preceding loss of spinal motor neurons and peripheral axons. This impairment may contribute to subsequent selective motor neuron death in the present model implicated for human FALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Reserpine and the role of axonal transport in the independent regulation of pre- and postsynaptic beta-adrenoreceptors.

The response of pre- and postsynaptic beta-adrenoreceptors to depletion of brain norepinephrine (NE) with reserpine in the rat was characterized by studying the anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of presynaptic receptors and the receptor binding changes induced in postsynaptic frontal cortex cells. Anterograde transport was shown to occur by the linear accumulation of [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding sites (by in vitro binding assay) proximal to a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion placed in the ascending pathway of the locus coeruleus and was blocked by more proximal lesions in the pathway. Retrograde transport was demonstrated by the accumulation of [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding distal to similar lesions. Autoradiograms from sections of 6-OHDA injected brains were produced with [3H]DHA binding in the presence of the beta 2-agonist, zinterol, and suggested that the anterograde accumulation of binding sites was primarily of the beta 1-subtype. A single injection of reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a long lasting (6-8 weeks), biphasic decrease in cortical NE levels with nadirs and 4 and 28 days (10% and 45% of control, respectively). Frontal cortex binding of [3H]DHA increased to a maximum at 7-14 days and again at 28 days post-reserpine (230% and 167% of control, respectively). These increases were not prevented by the destruction of presynaptic noradrenergic nerve terminals with intraventricular administration of 6-OHDA 1 day prior to sacrifice and therefore appeared to take place solely in postsynaptic cells. Presynaptic, anterograde axonal transport of beta-receptors was completely blocked from 4-14 days post-reserpine, increased to 323% of control at 21 days, was blocked again at 6 weeks and returned to control by 8 weeks. Retrograde transport of beta-receptors followed a similar pattern suggesting that the presynaptic alterations in beta-receptors in noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus take place independently from those in postsynaptic cortical beta-receptors as a response to NE depletion by reserpine.

Afferent Pathways↗

Fast axonal transport rates are unchanged in 6- and 24-month F344 rats.

The maximum rate of fast axonal transport in motor axons at 6 and 24 months was measured in F344 rats. Tritiated proline was injected near sciatic motoneurons and rats were killed after 2-5 h. Nerves were processed for liquid scintillation spectroscopy and fast transport rates calculated. The rates, in 6- and 24-month rats, were 373 +/- 12 mm/day and 368 +/- 10 mm/day, respectively. Thus, the maximum fast transport rate is unchanged with age in F344 rats.

Age Factors↗

Axonal transport of VR1 capsaicin receptor mRNA in primary afferents and its participation in inflammation-induced increase in capsaicin sensitivity.

Capsaicin receptors are expressed in primary sensory neurons and excited by heat and protons. We examined the inflammation-induced changes of the level of VR1 capsaicin receptor mRNA in sensory neurons and the sensitivity of primary afferents to capsaicin. Carrageenan treatment induced axonal transport of VR1 mRNA, but not that of preprotachykinin mRNA, from the dorsal root ganglia to central and peripheral axon terminals. The sensitivity of central terminals to capsaicin, which was estimated by measuring the capsaicin-evoked release of glutamate from the dorsal horn, was increased by peripheral inflammation, and such an increase was suppressed by inhibiting the RNA translation in the dorsal horn with cycloheximide and an intrathecal injection of VR1 antisense oligonucleotides. Thus, peripheral inflammation induces the axonal transport of VR1 mRNA, which may be involved in the hypersensitivity of primary afferents to capsaicin and the production of inflammatory hyperalgesia.

Afferent Pathways↗

A quantitative study of retrograde axonal transport in motor and sensory neurons.

We used 3H N-succinimidyl propionate to covalently label in vivo proteins of the rat sciatic nerve, and studied the accumulation of radioactively labeled proteins in the cell bodies of the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion and ventral horn of spinal cord to assess retrograde axonal transport in sensory and motor neurons respectively. In each case the early accumulation of a small amount of radioactively labeled protein is followed by the later accumulation of a larger amount, which subsequently declines to lower levels. The differences between accumulation in the motor neuron and sensory neuron are discussed. Quantitative assessment of retrograde axonal transport will allow future determination of alterations in that transport after nerve injury and in toxic states, which will help elucidate the role of retrogradely transported proteins in neuronal cell biology.

Animals↗

In vivo high-affinity uptake and axonal transport of D-[2,3-3H]aspartate in excitatory neurons.

D-[2,3-3H]aspartate ([3H]D-Asp) at microM concentrations in Krebs' solution was infused intracerebrally in rats, mice and hamsters. Neuropil sites in the hippocampal formation, septum and neostriatum, known to receive excitatory nerve inputs with glutamate and aspartate as putative transmitters, showed strong autoradiographic labeling after intraventricular infusions. There was evidence for retrograde axonal transport to pyramidal cell bodies in hippocampus CA3 and neocortex. Infusions into the hilus fasciae dentatae led to anterograde axonal transport of [3H]D-Asp in the mossy fibers.

Animals↗

Proteins of fast axonal transport in the regenerating hypoglossal nerve of the rat.

The composition of proteins conveyed by fast axonal transport in growing or regenerating axons is different from that of intact, mature axons. Consistent alterations have been observed in several different types of neurons, but adult peripheral axons (rabbit hypoglossal motoneurons) seemed to be exceptions because during their regeneration there was no increased labelling of a 23 kilodalton (kD) protein associated with the growth state. We examined the composition of fast-transported proteins, labelled by application of [35S]methionine to the hypoglossal nuclei, in intact and regenerating hypoglossal nerves of the rat. Using one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis we detected both increases and decreases in the labelling of specific polypeptides during regeneration. In particular, there was increased labelling of a 23 kD polypeptide. Changes were maximal 7 days after axotomy and subsided thereafter, coincident with reinnervation of the tongue. We conclude that hypoglossal axons show the same changes in transported protein composition which are characteristic of the growth state in other axons. Thus, we have strengthened the correlation between the growth state and changes in synthesis of a set of polypeptides of unknown function.

Animals↗

Routing of transmitter and other changes in fast axonal transport after transection of one branch of the bifurcate axon of an identified neuron.

The regulation of the quantities and types of organelles that leave the neuronal cell body destined for use in the axon and its terminals is not well understood. We had previously found that transport of transmitter undergoes a precise down regulation when most of one branch of the bifurcate axon of an identified serotonergic neuron was removed. We have now investigated further the nature of the regulatory event and the reason for its initiation by eliminating portions of the axonal tree of this neuron. We find that the down regulation is more likely to be due to the loss of synapses than of axon because transport of [3H]serotonin decreases as much when an axonal branch is transected distally as after a proximal transection. Transport of [3H]fucosyl glycoprotein, which normally is associated with the serotonergic vesicle in this axon, decreases to the same extent as transport of [3H]serotonin following proximal transection. The glycoprotein down regulation occurs much more rapidly, possibly due to an inhibition of vesicle synthesis. A secondary rise in transport of [3H] fucosyl glycoprotein 3 days to 2 weeks after axotomy suggests that the radiolabeled glycoprotein has undergone a redistribution into organelles not normally labeled and transported in intact neurons in large amounts, since [3H]serotonin transport remains stably diminished during this period. We also describe here a case of routing of rapidly transported material. When one axonal branch is cut far from the point of bifurcation (approximately 10 mm), [3H]serotonin is directed away from the ranch lacking its synaptic terminals and into the remaining intact branch even though the transected branch is physically capable of transporting its normal amount of [3H]serotonin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Axon-myelin transfer of phospholipids and phospholipid precursors. Labeling of myelin phosphoinositides through axonal transport.

Previous studies have provided evidence for axon-to-myelin transfer of intact lipids and lipid precursors for reutilization by myelin enzymes. Several of the lipid constituents of myelin showed significant contralateral/ipsilateral ratios of incorporated radioactivity, indicative of axonal origin, whereas proteins and certain other lipids did not participate in this transfer-reutilization process. The present study will examine the labeling of myelin phosphoinositides by this pathway. Both 32PO4 and [3H]inositol were injected monocularly into 7-9-wk-old rabbits and myelin was isolated 7 or 21 days later from pooled optic tracts and superior colliculi. In total lipids 32P counts of the isolated myelin samples showed significant contralateral/ipsilateral ratios as well as increasing magnitude of contralateral-ipsilateral differences during the time interval. Thin-layer chromatographic isolation of the myelin phosphoinositides revealed significant 32P-labeling of these species, with PIP and PIP2 showing time-related increases. This resembled the labeling pattern of the major phospholipids from rabbit optic system myelin in a previous study and suggested incorporation of axon-derived phosphate by myelin-associated enzymes. The 32P label in PI, on the other hand, remained constant between 7 and 21 days, suggesting transfer of intact lipid. This was supported by the labeling pattern with [3H]inositol, which also showed no increase over time for PI. These results suggest axon-myelin transfer of intact PI followed by myelin-localized incorporation of axon-derived phosphate groups into PIP and PIP2. The general topic of axon-myelin transfer of phospholipids and phospholipid precursors is reviewed.

Animals↗

Parkinson's disease alpha-synuclein mutations exhibit defective axonal transport in cultured neurons.

Alpha-synuclein is a major protein constituent of Lewy bodies and mutations in alpha-synuclein cause familial autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease. One explanation for the formation of perikaryal and neuritic aggregates of alpha-synuclein, which is a presynaptic protein, is that the mutations disrupt alpha-synuclein transport and lead to its proximal accumulation. We found that mutant forms of alpha-synuclein, either associated with Parkinson's disease (A30P or A53T) or mimicking defined serine, but not tyrosine, phosphorylation states exhibit reduced axonal transport following transfection into cultured neurons. Furthermore, transfection of A30P, but not wild-type, alpha-synuclein results in accumulation of the protein proximal to the cell body. We propose that the reduced axonal transport exhibited by the Parkinson's disease-associated alpha-synuclein mutants examined in this study might contribute to perikaryal accumulation of alpha-synuclein and hence Lewy body formation and neuritic abnormalities in diseased brain.

Animals↗

Neuropathogenic forms of huntingtin and androgen receptor inhibit fast axonal transport.

Huntington's and Kennedy's disease are autosomal dominant neurodegenerative diseases caused by pathogenic expansion of polyglutamine tracts. Expansion of glutamine repeats must in some way confer a gain of pathological function that disrupts an essential cellular process and leads to loss of affected neurons. Association of huntingtin with vesicular structures raised the possibility that axonal transport might be altered. Here we show that polypeptides containing expanded polyglutamine tracts, but not normal N-terminal huntingtin or androgen receptor, directly inhibit both fast axonal transport in isolated axoplasm and elongation of neuritic processes in intact cells. Effects were greater with truncated polypeptides and occurred without detectable morphological aggregates.

Animals↗