Attenuation of cocaine-induced conditioned locomotion is associated with altered expression of hippocampal glutamate receptors in mice lacking LPA1 receptors.

Rationale: Lysophosphatidic acid is a phospholipid mediator that modulates neurodevelopment and neurogenesis in the hippocampus through its actions on LPA1 receptors. Emerging evidences support LPA(1) as a mediator of learning and emotional behaviour. There are no studies addressing its role on behaviours associated to drug abuse.

Cocaine modulates both glutaminase gene expression and glutaminase activity in the brain of cocaine-sensitized mice.

Rationale: Glutaminase is considered the main glutamate (Glu)-producing enzyme. Two isoforms, liver (LGA)- and kidney (KGA)-type glutaminases, have been identified in neurons. The role of both enzymes in psychopharmacological responses to cocaine remains unknown.

Fenretinide derivatives act as disrupters of interactions of serum retinol binding protein (sRBP) with transthyretin and the sRBP receptor.

Serum retinol binding protein (sRBP) is released from the liver as a complex with transthyretin (TTR), a process under the control of dietary retinol. Elevated levels of sRBP may be involved in inhibiting cellular responses to insulin and in generating first insulin resistance and then type 2 diabetes, offering a new target for therapeutic attack for these conditions. A series of retinoid analogues were synthesized and examined for their binding to sRBP and their ability to disrupt the sRBP-TTR and sRBP-sRBP receptor interactions.

Expression and characterization of recombinant human retinol-binding protein in Pichia pastoris.

Plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP4) is the principal carrier of vitamin A in blood. Recent studies have suggested that RBP4 may have also a role in insulin resistance. To date the recombinant protein is usually produced by refolding inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli.