Activation of the VPAC2 Receptor Impairs Axon Outgrowth and Decreases Dendritic Arborization in Mouse Cortical Neurons by a PKA-Dependent Mechanism.

Clinical studies have shown that microduplications at 7q36.3, containing , confer significant risk for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). gene encodes the VPAC2 receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP).

Hadronic Vacuum Polarization Contribution to the Anomalous Magnetic Moments of Leptons from First Principles.

We compute the leading, strong-interaction contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, muon, and tau using lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) simulations. Calculations include the effects of u, d, s, and c quarks and are performed directly at the physical values of the quark masses and in volumes of linear extent larger than 6 fm. All connected and disconnected Wick contractions are calculated.

Impaired extinction of cued fear memory and abnormal dendritic morphology in the prelimbic and infralimbic cortices in VPAC2 receptor (VIPR2)-deficient mice.

The structurally related neuropeptides vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been implicated in stress regulation and learning and memory. Several bodies of research have shown the impact of the PACAP specific receptor PAC1 on fear memory, but the roles of other PACAP receptors in regulating fear stress responses remain to be elucidated. Here we aimed to investigate the effects of genetic deletion of VIPR2 encoding the VPAC2 receptor, which binds both VIP and PACAP, on fear-related memory and on dendritic morphology in the brain regions of the fear circuitry.

Calculation of the axion mass based on high-temperature lattice quantum chromodynamics.

Unlike the electroweak sector of the standard model of particle physics, quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is surprisingly symmetric under time reversal. As there is no obvious reason for QCD being so symmetric, this phenomenon poses a theoretical problem, often referred to as the strong CP problem. The most attractive solution for this requires the existence of a new particle, the axion-a promising dark-matter candidate.

ARHGEF10 directs the localization of Rab8 to Rab6-positive executive vesicles.

The function of ARHGEF10, a known guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RhoA with proposed roles in various diseases, is poorly understood. To understand the precise function of this protein, we raised a monoclonal antibody against ARHGEF10 and determined its localization in HeLa cells. ARHGEF10 was found to localize to vesicles containing Rab6 (of which there are three isoforms, Rab6a, Rab6b and Rab6c), Rab8 (of which there are two isoforms, Rab8a and Rab8b), and/or the secretion marker neuropeptide Y (NPY)-Venus in a Rab6-dependent manner.

Prenatal Exposure to Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Affects Gene Expression of Autism-Related Molecules and Delays Neuronal Maturation.

Valproic acid (VPA) is a multi-target drug and an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC). We have previously demonstrated that prenatal exposure to VPA at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.

Decreased expression of hippocampal Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger isoform-1 by pentylenetetrazole kindling in mice.

Previous studies have shown that inhibitors of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) attenuate seizure activity in drug-induced epilepsy models, but the role of NCX in epilepsy is not fully understood. The present study examined the effects of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling on the mRNA expression of NCX isoforms (NCX1, NCX2 and NCX3) in mouse brain. Chronic administration of PTZ at 40mg/kg resulted in kindling seizure development.

Chronic treatment with valproic acid or sodium butyrate attenuates novel object recognition deficits and hippocampal dendritic spine loss in a mouse model of autism.

We recently showed that prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in mice causes autism-like behavioral abnormalities, including social interaction deficits, anxiety-like behavior and spatial learning disability, in male offspring. In the present study, we examined the effect of prenatal VPA on cognitive function and whether the effect is improved by chronic treatment with VPA and sodium butyrate, histone deacetylase inhibitors. In addition, we examined whether the cognitive dysfunction is associated with hippocampal dendritic morphological changes.

Methylphenidate and venlafaxine attenuate locomotion in spontaneously hypertensive rats, an animal model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, through α2-adrenoceptor activation.

Recent clinical studies have shown that serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine and duloxetine are effective against symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder such as inattention, oppositionality, and hyperactivity. We have recently found that these serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, like methylphenidate, reduced the hyperactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), an animal model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The present study investigated whether the α2-adrenoceptor and the dopamine-D1 receptor are involved in the behavioral effects of methylphenidate and venlafaxine in SHR.

Effect of overexpression of the brain-specific Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger splice variant NCX1.5 on NO cytotoxicity in HEK293 cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) induces cytotoxicity in neuronal and glial cells via activation of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX). This study examined the role of the predominant brain-specific NCX splice variant NCX1.5 in NO-induced cytotoxicity in the HEK293 cell expression system.

Yttrium decreases the intracellular Zn2+ concentration in rat thymocytes by attenuating a temperature-sensitive Zn2+ influx.

Yttrium is used in the production of various electronic devices because the alloy it contains enhances or modifies the properties of other elements. In order to study the cytotoxic action of yttrium, the effect of yttrium chloride (YCl(3)) on the intracellular Zn(2+) level was examined in rat thymocytes using a flow cytometer with FluoZin-3-AM and propidium iodide. The application of YCl(3) significantly decreased the intensity of the FluoZin-3 fluorescence, suggesting a decrease in the intracellular Zn(2+) level or quenching of the FluoZin-3 fluorescence by Y(3+).

Triclosan, an environmental pollutant from health care products, evokes charybdotoxin-sensitive hyperpolarization in rat thymocytes.

The effects of triclosan, an environmental pollutant from household items and health care products, on membrane potential and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations of rat thymocytes were examined by a flow cytometry with fluorescent probes, di-BA-C(4) and fluo-3-AM, because triclosan is often found in humans and wild animals. Triclosan at a concentration of 3 μM decreased the intensity of di-BA-C(4) fluorescence, indicating the triclosan-induced hyperpolarization. The application of charybdotoxin, a specific inhibitor of Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels, and the removal of external Ca(2+) eliminated the triclosan-attenuation of di-BA-C(4) fluorescence.

Interquark potential with finite quark mass from lattice QCD.

We present an investigation of the interquark potential determined from the q ̄q Bethe-Salpeter (BS) amplitude for heavy quarkonia in lattice QCD. The q ̄q potential at finite quark mass m(q) can be calculated from the equal-time and Coulomb gauge BS amplitude through the effective Schrödinger equation. The definition of the potential itself requires information about a kinetic mass of the quark.

Putative role of intracellular Zn(2+) release during oxidative stress: a trigger to restore cellular thiol content that is decreased by oxidative stress.

Although the ability of zinc to retard the oxidative process has been recognized for many years, zinc itself has been reported to induce oxidative stress. In order to give some insights into elucidating the role of intracellular Zn(2+) in cells suffering from oxidative stress, the effects of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and ZnCl(2) on cellular thiol content and intracellular Zn(2+) concentration were studied by use of 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (5-CMF-DA) and FluoZin-3 pentaacetoxymethyl ester (FluoZin-3-AM) in rat thymocytes. The treatment of cells with NEM attenuated 5-CMF fluorescence and augmented FluoZin-3 fluorescence in a dose-dependent manner.

Some characteristics of membrane Cd²+ transport in rat thymocytes: an analysis using Fluo-3.

Although cadmium-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes is one of common features in the immunotoxicity of cadmium, the membrane pathway for intracellular cadmium accumulation is not fully elucidated. To characterize membrane Cd(2+) transport of rat thymocytes, the change in intracellular Cd(2+) concentration under various conditions was examined by the use of Fluo-3, a fluorescent probe for monitoring the change in intracellular concentration of divalent metal cations. The membrane Cd(2+) transport was estimated by the augmentation of Fluo-3 fluorescence induced by bath application of CdCl(2).

Cytometric analysis on cytotoxicity of curcumin on rat thymocytes: Proapoptotic and antiapoptotic actions of curcumin.

Curcumin exhibits various pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and anticancer actions. Furthermore, the supplements containing curcumin are supplied for persons consuming alcoholic beverage. A primary criterion for an ingredient ingested by general population is that it exerts no harmful effect.

Cytotoxic action of bisabololoxide A of German chamomile on human leukemia K562 cells in combination with 5-fluorouracil.

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is a popular ingredient in herbal teas. In previous study, micromolar bisabololoxide A, one of main constituents in German chamomile, exerted cytotoxic action on rat thymocyte, a normal non-proliferative cell.

Low micromolar zinc exerts cytotoxic action under H2O2-induced oxidative stress: excessive increase in intracellular Zn2+ concentration.

The ability of zinc to retard oxidative processes has been recognized for many years. However, zinc is cytotoxic under certain oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of H2O2 on intracellular Zn2+ concentration of rat thymocytes and its relation to the cytotoxicity.

Apoptosis-inducing action of two products from oxidation of sesamol, an antioxidative constituent of sesame oil: a possible cytotoxicity of oxidized antioxidant.

Many effects of sesamol, an antioxidative constituent of sesame oil, have been reported for human health benefits due to its antioxidative action. However, we recently isolated two cytotoxic products, trimer and tetramer of sesamol, from oxidation of sesamol by an assay-guided purification. In this study, we have revealed some cytotoxic characteristics of these products in rat thymocytes and human leukemia K562 cells.

Bisabololoxide A, one of the main constituents in German chamomile extract, induces apoptosis in rat thymocytes.

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.), one of the popular ingredients in herbal teas, has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Bisabololoxide A (BSBO) is one of the main constituents in this herb.

Methylmercury elicits intracellular Zn2+ release in rat thymocytes: its relation to methylmercury-induced decrease in cellular thiol content.

We have previously revealed that thimerosal, an organomercurial preservative, increases intracellular Zn(2+) concentration in rat thymocytes. Because thimerosal contains ethylmercury that confers the toxicity, it is a possibility that methylmercury (MetHg), an environmental pollutant, also increases intracellular Zn(2+) concentration. This possibility was tested by measuring intracellular Zn(2+) level with FluoZin-3, a fluorescent probe for intracellular Zn(2+).

Tri-n-butyltin increases intracellular Zn(2+) concentration by decreasing cellular thiol content in rat thymocytes.

Effect of tri-n-butyltin (TBT), an environmental pollutant, on intracellular Zn(2+) concentration was tested in rat thymocytes to reveal one of cytotoxic profiles of TBT at nanomolar concentrations using a flow cytometer and appropriate fluorescent probes. TBT at concentrations of 30 nM or more (up to 300 nM) significantly increased the intensity of FluoZin-3 fluorescence, an indicator for intracellular Zn(2+) concentration, under external Ca(2+)- and Zn(2+)-free condition. Chelating intracellular Zn(2+) completely attenuated the TBT-induced augmentation of FluoZin-3 fluorescence.

Little or no expression of the cholecystokinin-A receptor gene in the pancreas of diabetic rats (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty = OLETF rats).

Expression of the CCK-A receptor gene in the pancreas and pancreatic exocrine function was examined in diabetic model rats (OLETF) at 5 wks of age. Little or no CCK-A receptor was detected in the pancreas of OLETF rats. Pancreatic exocrine function in response to exogenous CCK and to bile-pancreatic juice diversion (endogenous CCK) was impaired in conscious OLETF rats.