Activation of MT(2) melatonin receptors in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus phase advances the circadian clock.
(25/414)
The aim of this study was to identify the melatonin receptor type(s) (MT(1) or MT(2)) mediating circadian clock resetting by melatonin in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Quantitative receptor autoradiography with 2-[(125)I]iodomelatonin and in situ hybridization histochemistry, with either (33)P- or digoxigenin-labeled antisense MT(1) and MT(2) melatonin receptor mRNA oligonucleotide probes, revealed specific expression of both melatonin receptor types in the SCN of inbred Long-Evans rats. The melatonin receptor type mediating phase advances of the circadian rhythm of neuronal firing rate in the SCN slice was assessed using competitive melatonin receptor antagonists, the MT(1)/MT(2) nonselective luzindole and the MT(2)-selective 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetraline (4P-PDOT). Luzindole and 4P-PDOT (1 nM-1 microM) did not affect circadian phase on their own; however, they blocked both the phase advances (approximately 4 h) in the neuronal firing rate induced by melatonin (3 pM) at temporally distinct times of day [i.e., subjective dusk, circadian time (CT) 10; and dawn, CT 23], as well as the associated increases in protein kinase C activity. We conclude that melatonin mediates phase advances of the SCN circadian clock at both dusk and dawn via activation of MT(2) melatonin receptor signaling. (+info)
Interactions of tryptamine derivatives with serotonin transporter species variants implicate transmembrane domain I in substrate recognition.
(26/414)
The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) transporter (SERT) is responsible for the inactivation of synaptic 5-HT and is also a target for multiple psychostimulants. Despite the critical role of SERT in 5-HT inactivation and psychostimulant response, many aspects of the transporter's recognition of ligands are poorly defined. We took advantage of sequence divergence of SERT species variants to identify structural determinants of substrate recognition. Tryptamine derivatives with substitutions at the 4 and 7 positions on the phenyl ring, the indole nitrogen, and the beta position show up to 40-fold potency differences for inhibiting [(3)H]5-HT transport in cells transfected with either human or Drosophila melanogaster SERT cDNAs. Species selectivities of these derivatives were largely recapitulated in antagonist binding. Human/D. melanogaster SERT chimera studies implicated the first two SERT transmembrane domains (TMDs) in the potency of the indole nitrogen-substituted compounds N-isopropyltryptamine (NIT), 5-methoxy-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MNIT), and the 7-substituted compound 7-benzyloxytryptamine (7BT). Potency differences of analogs with substitutions at the 4 and beta positions are influenced by sequences distal to this region. Within TMD I-II, species-scanning mutagenesis implicated a single residue (Y95 in human SERT, F90 in D. melanogaster SERT) in the recognition of NIT, 5-MNIT, and 7BT. Remarkably, this is the same site we established previously in species-specific recognition of the antagonists citalopram and mazindol. These findings support a critical role for TMD I residues in defining shared aspects of SERT substrate and antagonist recognition. (+info)
pH-mediated field-amplified sample stacking of pharmaceutical cations in high-ionic strength samples.
(27/414)
Capillary electrophoretic separation of samples of physiological origin typically have both poor resolution and efficiency due to destacking. We have previously reported a stacking method for concentration of catecholamines in artificial dialysate, or Ringer's solution. However, pH-mediated sample stacking of other cations has not been investigated. In this report, pH-mediated stacking has been extended to eletripan, dofetilide, doxazosin, sildenafil, UK-103,320, UK-202,581, and CP-122,288. These compounds were chosen without prior structural screening except that they were cationic at the pH of our background electrolyte (BGE). Capillary electrophoretic behavior of samples in BGE is compared with those of samples in Ringer's solution with and without pH-mediated acid stacking. Results indicate that the peak heights and efficiencies for acid-stacked samples are increased compared to the unstacked samples in Ringer's solution or BGE. For example, the peak efficiencies for 5 s injections of eletriptan in BGE and Ringer's solution are 138,000 and 72,000 plates, respectively. In contrast, a 10 s injection of eletriptan followed by acid injection for 16 s produces a peak with 246,000 plates. Evaluation of the stacking effect was performed by comparison of the peak height at similar peak efficiencies for samples in Ringer's solution with and without stacking. Using this method, pH-mediated acid stacking provides a 10- to 27-fold sensitivity enhancement for the seven cations. (+info)
The chemistry of indoles. CIII. Simple syntheses of serotonin, N-methylserotonin, bufotenine, 5-methoxy-N-methyltryptamine, bufobutanoic acid, N-(indol-3-yl)methyl-5-methoxy-N-methyltryptamine, and lespedamine based on 1-hydroxyindole chemistry.
(28/414)
Application of regioselective nucleophilic substitution reactions of 1-hydroxytryptamines to novel and simple syntheses of serotonin (1a), N-methylserotonin (1b), bufotenine (1c), 5-methoxy-N-methyltryptamine (2a), bufobutanoic acid (3a), N-(indol-3-yl)methyl-5-methoxy-N-methyltryptamine (4), and lespedamine (5) are described. Effective syntheses of 5-benzyloxytryptamine and 1-methoxy-2-oxindoles are also reported. (+info)
A role for flavin monooxygenase-like enzymes in auxin biosynthesis.
(29/414)
Although auxin is known to regulate many processes in plant development and has been studied for over a century, the mechanisms whereby plants produce it have remained elusive. Here we report the characterization of a dominant Arabidopsis mutant, yucca, which contains elevated levels of free auxin. YUCCA encodes a flavin monooxygenase-like enzyme and belongs to a family that includes at least nine other homologous Arabidopsis genes, a subset of which appears to have redundant functions. Results from tryptophan analog feeding experiments and biochemical assays indicate that YUCCA catalyzes hydroxylation of the amino group of tryptamine, a rate-limiting step in tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis. (+info)
Comparative effects of frovatriptan and sumatriptan on coronary and internal carotid vascular haemodynamics in conscious dogs.
(30/414)
The effects of frovatriptan and sumatriptan on internal carotid and coronary vascular haemodynamics were investigated and compared in conscious dogs. Frovatriptan and sumatriptan (0.1 - 100 microg kg(-1)) induced a transient increase in external coronary artery diameter (eCOD) of up to 2.9+/-1.2 and 1.8+/-0.6%, respectively (both P:<0.05). This was followed by a prolonged and dose-dependent decrease in eCOD of up to -5.2+/-1.2 and -5.3+/-0.9% (both P:<0.05), with ED(50) values of 86+/-21 and 489+/-113 micromol kg(-1), respectively. In contrast, only a decrease in the external diameter of the internal carotid artery was observed (-6.0+/-0.6 and -6.2+/-1.4%, both P:<0.05, and ED(50) values of 86+/-41 and 493+/-162 micromol kg(-1), respectively). Frovatriptan was thus 5.7 fold more potent than sumatriptan at the level of both large coronary and internal carotid arteries. After endothelium removal by balloon angioplasty in coronary arteries, the initial dilatation induced by the triptans was abolished and delayed constriction enhanced. The selective antagonist for the 5-HT(1B) receptors SB224289 dose-dependently blocked the effects of sumatriptan on large coronary and internal carotid arteries whereas the selective antagonist for the 5-HT(1D) receptors BRL15572 did not affect any of these effects. In conclusion, frovatriptan and sumatriptan initially dilate and subsequently constrict large coronary arteries in the conscious dog, whereas they directly constrict the internal carotid artery. The vascular endothelium modulates the effects of these triptans on large coronary arteries. Finally, 5-HT(1B) but not 5-HT(1D) receptors are primarily involved in canine coronary and internal carotid vasomotor responses to sumatriptan. (+info)
cAmp regulation of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT, EC 2.3.1.87): a new cell line (1E7) provides evidence of intracellular AANAT activation.
(31/414)
Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (serotonin N-acetyltransferase, AANAT, EC ) is the penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis. As described here, a cell line (1E7) expressing human AANAT (hAANAT) has been developed to study the human enzyme. 1E7 hAANAT is detectable in immunoblots as a 23-kDa band and is immunocytochemically visualized in the cytoplasm. The specific concentration of hAANAT in homogenates is comparable to that of the night rat pineal gland. Kinetics of AANAT extracted from 1E7 cells are the same as those of bacterially expressed hAANAT; both preparations of hAANAT are equally sensitive to the inhibitor CoA-S-N-acetyltryptamine. Studies of cAMP regulation indicate that treatment with forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP, isobutylmethylxanthine, or isoproterenol activate cellular hAANAT within intact 1E7 cells approximately 8-fold without markedly increasing the abundance of AANAT protein or the activity of AANAT in broken cell preparations; and, that forskolin, isobutylmethylxanthine and isoproterenol elevate cyclic AMP production. These observations extend our understanding of cAMP regulation of AANAT activity, because it is currently thought that this only involves changes in the steady-state levels of AANAT protein. This previously unrecognized switching mechanism could function physiologically to control melatonin production without changing AANAT protein levels. (+info)
Mechanistic studies on the alkyltransferase activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase.
(32/414)
BACKGROUND: Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AANAT) catalyzes the first, rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the circadian hormone melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) from serotonin. Our recent discovery that, in addition to catalyzing the acetyl transfer from acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoASH) to serotonin, AANAT is also a robust catalyst for the alkyl transfer reaction between CoASH and N-bromoacetyltryptamine has not only opened up a new way to develop cell-permeable AANAT acetyltransferase inhibitors that are valuable in vivo tools in helping elucidate melatonin's (patho)physiological roles, but has also raised a question - how does AANAT accelerate the alkyl transfer reaction? In this study, mechanistic aspects of the AANAT-catalyzed alkyl transfer reaction were explored by employing CoASH and a series of N-haloacetyltryptamines that were also evaluated for their AANAT acetyltransferase inhibitory activities. RESULTS: Investigation of various N-haloacetyltryptamine analogs showed a similar leaving group effect on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic reaction rates. Steady-state kinetic analyses demonstrated that AANAT alkyltransferase obeys a sequential, ternary complex mechanism, with random substrate binding. Rate versus pH profiles revealed the catalytic importance of an ionizable group with pK(a) of approximately 7. All those N-haloacetyltryptamines that serve as substrates of AANAT alkyltransferase are also potent (low micromolar) in vitro inhibitors against AANAT acetyltransferase activity. In particular, N-chloroacetyltryptamine was also shown to be a potent inhibitor of intracellular melatonin production in a pineal cell culture assay. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first detailed investigation of the alkyltransferase activity associated with an acetyltransferase. Our results indicate that AANAT does not accelerate the alkyl transfer reaction by simple approximation effect as previously proposed for the similar alkyl transfer reaction catalyzed by other acyltransferases. This study has general implications for developing novel inhibitors by taking advantage of the promiscuous alkyltransferase activity associated with several acyltransferases. (+info)