Control of voltage-independent zinc inhibition of NMDA receptors by the NR1 subunit.

Zinc inhibits NMDA receptor function through both voltage-dependent and voltage-independent mechanisms. In this report we have investigated the role that the NR1 subunit plays in voltage-independent Zn2+ inhibition. Our data show that inclusion of exon 5 into the NR1 subunit increases the IC50 for voltage-independent Zn2+ inhibition from 3-fold to 10-fold when full length exon 22 is also spliced into the mature NR1 transcript and the NMDA receptor complex contains the NR2A or NR2B subunits; exon 5 has little effect on Zn2+ inhibition of receptors that contain NR2C and NR2D. Mutagenesis within exon 5 indicates that the same residues that control proton inhibition, including Lys211, also control the effects of exon 5 on Zn2+ inhibition. Amino acid exchanges within the NR1 subunit but outside exon 5 (E181Q, E339Q, E342Q, N616R, N616Q, D669N, D669E, C744A, and C798A) that are known to decrease the pH sensitivity also decrease the Zn2+ sensitivity, and concentrations of spermine that relieve tonic proton inhibition also relieve Zn2+ inhibition. In summary, our results define the subunit composition of Zn2+-sensitive NMDA receptors and provide evidence for structural convergence of three allosteric regulators of receptor function: protons, polyamines, and Zn2+.

Two novel types of L-glutamate receptors with affinities for NMDA and L-cysteine in the olfactory organ of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus.

A subset of olfactory receptor neurons of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus possesses receptors for L-glutamate that can mediate both excitatory and inhibitory responses (P.C. Daniel, M.F. Burgess, C.D. Derby, Responses of olfactory receptor neurons in the spiny lobster to binary mixtures are predictable using a non-competitive model that incorporates excitatory and inhibitory transduction pathways, J. Comp. Physiol. A 178 (1992) 523-536). In this study, we have used biochemical and electrophysiological techniques to understand the role of these receptors in olfactory transduction, and to compare these olfactory glutamate receptors with peripheral and central L-glutamate receptors in other animals. Using a radioligand-binding assay with a membrane-rich preparation from the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons, we have identified two types of binding sites for L-glutamate. Both sites showed rapid, reversible, and saturable association with radiolabeled L-glutamate, and their Kd values (1 nM and 3 microM) are effective in physiological studies of glutamate-sensitive olfactory neurons, suggesting these binding sites are receptors involved in olfactory transduction. Both sites were completely inhibited by high concentrations of NMDA and L-cysteine, and only partially inhibited by other L-glutamate analogs and odorants. Electrophysiological recordings from L-glutamate-best olfactory receptor neurons showed that NMDA and L-cysteine are both partial agonists and antagonists of glutamate receptors. Together, these results suggest the olfactory L-glutamate receptors of spiny lobsters are novel types of L-glutamate receptors that are functionally important in mediating olfactory responses.

Same-day determination of chimaeric status in the immediate period following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

The accurate and rapid determination of the origin of haemopoietic cells may provide valuable information as to the aetiology of, and most appropriate therapy for, leucopenia following allogeneic bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. We describe an approach to the analysis of chimaerism post bone marrow transplantation (BMT) based on the immunomagnetic capture of white cells combined with microsatellite polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and resolution of products by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). This non-isotopic method enables the chimaeric status to be determined from as little as 1.0 ml of profoundly leucopenic peripheral blood (WBC < or =0.1 x 10(9)/l) and has been applicable to all donor/recipient pairs tested so far. Results are available within 6 h of blood sampling and lineage-specific chimaerism is possible. Furthermore, blood transfusions do not interfere with the analysis.

Responses of olfactory receptor neurons in the spiny lobster to binary mixtures are predictable using a noncompetitive model that incorporates excitatory and inhibitory transduction pathways.

Coding of binary mixtures by a population of olfactory receptor neurons in the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) was examined. Extracellular single-unit responses of 50 neurons to seven compounds and their binary mixtures were recorded. The ability of a noncompetitive model with correction for binding inhibition to predict responses to mixtures based on responses to their components was compared with the predictive abilities of other models. This model assumes that different compounds activate different transduction processes in the same neuron leading to excitation or inhibition, and it includes a term quantifying the degree to which binding of an odorant to its receptor sites is inhibited by other compounds. The model accurately predicted the absolute response magnitude of the population of neurons for 13 of 15 mixtures assessed, which is superior to the predictive power of any of the other models. The model also accurately predicted the across neuron patterns generated by the binary mixtures, as evaluated by multidimensional scaling analysis. The results suggest that there is no emergence of unique qualities for binary mixtures relative to components of these mixtures.

Past-life identities, UFO abductions, and satanic ritual abuse: the social construction of memories.

People sometimes fantasize entire complex scenarios and later define these experiences as memories of actual events rather than as imaginings. This article examines research associated with three such phenomena: past-life experiences, UFO alien contact and abduction, and memory reports of childhood ritual satanic abuse. In each case, elicitation of the fantasy events is frequently associated with hypnotic procedures and structured interviews which provide strong and repeated demands for the requisite experiences, and which then legitimate the experiences as "real memories." Research associated with these phenomena supports the hypothesis that recall is reconstructive and organized in terms of current expectations and beliefs.

Neurotransmitter receptor agonists regulate growth hormone gene expression in cultured ovine pituitary cells.

The regulation of growth hormone (GH) secretion and GH mRNA content by the dopaminergic agonist, bromocriptine (BRO); the beta-adrenergic agonist; isoproterenol (ISO); the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, methoxamine (MET); the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, clonidine (CLON); the serotonergic agonist, quipazine (QUIP); somatostatin (SS) and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) were studied using cultured ovine anterior pituitary cells. Clonidine and BRO (10(-6) M) inhibited basal and GHRH (10(-10) M)-stimulated GH release. Bromocriptine enhanced GH mRNA content and potentiated the GHRH (10(-8) M)-stimulated content of GH mRNA, while CLON had no effect on GH mRNA. Quipazine had little effect on GH secretion and no effect on GH mRNA content. Methoxamine and ISO (10(-6) M) increased basal secretion of GH and both enhanced GHRH-stimulated GH secretion. Both MET and ISO increased GH mRNA content of cultured ovine pituitary cells. Somatostatin (10(-7) M) inhibited GHRH-stimulated GH secretion and GH mRNA accumulation. These results support the hypothesis that neurotransmitters may regulate or interact to further modulate pituitary hormone release. Moreover, the data indicate that neurotransmitters may not only regulate secretion but also regulate GH mRNA content and thus affect hormone synthesis.

Ultrastructural localization of 5'AMP odorant receptor sites on the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons of the spiny lobster.

A unique probe--biotinylated adenosine-5'-monophosphate (5'AMP-biotin)--was used in transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies to localize 5'AMP odorant binding sites on the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons in the aesthetasc sensilla of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus. This probe is capable of both binding to and exciting 5'AMP-sensitive olfactory receptor neurons, as revealed through biochemical and electrophysiological assays. TEM studies showed that 5'AMP-biotin binding sites are distributed along the entire dendritic region that is exposed to odorants, including the transitional zone (between the inner and outer dendritic segments, including the ciliary segment) and all of the outer dendritic segment. The density of 5'AMP binding sites per micron2 of membrane is similar along the length of the olfactory dendrite. However, the relative number of 5'AMP-biotin binding sites per micron2 of sensillar area diminishes in the distal 30% of the aesthetasc due to a decrease in the amount of dendritic membrane in that region. The distribution of these 5'AMP binding sites is therefore much more extensive than that of enzymes that inactivate 5'AMP--5'ectonucleotidase/phosphatase--which are restricted to the transitional zone (Gleeson et al., 1991). Taken together, these results suggest that 5'AMP-biotin is labeling 5'AMP-specific olfactory receptor sites that are located along the entire outer dendritic segment and that can be coupled to olfactory transduction. This study represents the first in situ localization of specific olfactory receptor sites using a specific, functionally defined ligand.

Activity of the oxidation products of oleum terebinthinae "Landes" on guinea pig airway smooth muscle in vivo and in vitro.

The oxidation products of Oleum Terebinthinae "Landes" (Ozothin; in the following briefly called Ox. O. T. L.) have been described in many studies as being of benefit in the treatment of disturbed tracheobronchial function in obstructive airways diseases. Previous literature has dealt mainly with the influence of Ox. O. T. L. on the visco-elastic properties of mucus. However, the purpose of the present work was to study the bronchospasmolytic component. Using a standard methodology for the measurement of bronchospasmolytic effects, it could be demonstrated that Ox.O.T.L., given orally or as an aerosol, protected conscious guinea pigs against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. The potency was lower than that of isoprenaline but was significant and reproducible. These results in vivo are paralleled by effects observed on guinea pig lung strips and tracheal spiral preparations. Ox.O.T.L. relaxed, in a dose-dependent fashion, guinea pig lung strip preparations contracted with histamine. Potency and efficacy was, however, less than that of isoprenaline. Similarly, in guinea pig tracheal spiral preparations, Ox.O.T.L. was less potent than isoprenaline in counteracting carbachol-elevated tone. However, efficacy equalled that of isoprenaline. Ox.O.T.L. was approximately 3 times more potent in the isolated tracheal spiral preparation than in lung strips. The activity of non-oxidised turpentine oil and terpin hydrate against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in conscious animals and in the isolated organ preparations was substantially lower than that of the oxidation products of O.T.L.