A vital role for voltage-dependent potassium channels in dopamine transporter-mediated 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxicity.

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a neurotoxic substrate of the dopamine transporter (DAT), is widely used in Parkinson's disease models. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying 6-OHDA's selectivity for dopamine neurons and the injurious sequelae that it triggers are not well understood. We tested whether ectopic expression of DAT induces sensitivity to 6-OHDA in non-dopaminergic rat cortical neurons and evaluated the contribution of voltage-dependent potassium channel (Kv)-dependent apoptosis to the toxicity of this compound in rat cortical and midbrain dopamine neurons. Cortical neurons expressing DAT accumulated dopamine and were highly vulnerable to 6-OHDA. Pharmacological inhibition of DAT completely blocked this toxicity. We also observed a p38-dependent Kv current surge in DAT-expressing cortical neurons exposed to 6-OHDA, and p38 antagonists and Kv channel blockers were neuroprotective in this model. Thus, DAT-mediated uptake of 6-OHDA recruited the oxidant-induced Kv channel dependent cell death pathway present in cortical neurons. Finally, we report that 6-OHDA also increased Kv currents in cultured midbrain dopamine neurons and this toxicity was blocked with Kv channel antagonists. We conclude that native DAT expression accounts for the dopamine neuron specific toxicity of 6-OHDA. Following uptake, 6-OHDA triggers the oxidant-associated Kv channel-dependent cell death pathway that is conserved in non-dopaminergic cortical neurons and midbrain dopamine neurons.

Species-scanning mutagenesis of the serotonin transporter reveals residues essential in selective, high-affinity recognition of antidepressants.

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a high-affinity sodium/chloride-dependent neurotransmitter transporter responsible for reuptake of serotonin from the extracellular space. SERT is a selective target of several clinically important antidepressants. In a cross-species analysis comparing human and bovine SERTs, the kinetic parameters for serotonin uptake were found to be similar, however, the pharmacological profiles of the two transporters differ. Following transient expression in COS-1 cells, IC(50) values were determined for several antidepressants and psychostimulants. The potencies of the antidepressants citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and imipramine were several-fold higher at hSERT compared with bSERT. No species selectivity was observed for the antidepressants fluvoxamine, and sertraline or for the psychostimulants cocaine, the cocaine analogue beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane, or for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Analysis of six hSERT/bSERT chimeras and subsequent species-scanning mutagenesis of each isoform revealed methionine-180, tyrosine-495, and phenylalanine-513 to be responsible for the increase in citalopram and paroxetine potencies at hSERT and methionine-180 and phenylalanine-513 to confer species selectivity at hSERT for fluoxetine and imipramine. Results were obtained by doing the forward, bovine to human, mutations and confirmed by doing the reverse mutations. Citalopram analogues were used to define the roles of methionine-180, tyrosine-495, and phenylalanine-513 and to reveal molecular interactions with individual functional groups of citalopram. We suggest that methionine-180 interacts with the heterocyclic nucleus of citalopram or stabilizes the binding pocket and phenylalanine-513 to be a steric blocker of antidepressant recognition.

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of a bovine serotonin transporter.

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a member of a highly homologous family of sodium/chloride dependent neurotransmitter transporters responsible for reuptake of biogenic amines from the extracellular fluid. SERT constitutes the pharmacological target of several clinically important antidepressants. Here we report the molecular cloning of SERT from the bovine species. Translation of the nucleotide sequence revealed 44 amino acid differences compared to human SERT. When transiently expressed in HeLa cells and compared with rat and human SERTs the K(m) value for uptake was increased 2-fold. V(max) and B(max) were both increased about 4-fold indicating the turnover number is conserved. The pharmacological profile revealed a decreased sensitivity towards imipramine, desipramine, citalopram, fluoxetine and paroxetine compared with human SERT, while the sensitivity towards 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was mainly unchanged. RT-PCR amplification of RNA from different tissues demonstrated expression of SERT in placenta, brain stem, bone marrow, kidney, lung, heart, adrenal gland, liver, parathyroid gland, thyroid gland, small intestine and pancreas.

Functional analysis of a novel human serotonin transporter gene promoter in immortalized raphe cells.

To investigate the structural basis for genetic regulation of the human serotonin transporter gene, a 1.8 kb fragment upstream to the cap site was cloned and sequenced. The promoter possesses a polymorphic repeat region with 16 and 14 repeats, respectively. Both were cloned and characterized. The promoter sequence revealed an internal 379 bp fragment not reported in previous publications. This novel fragment contains consensus sequences for several transcription factors including SpI and GATA. DNA from 48 unrelated individuals was PCR amplified, in this region, to test for allelic variations. All were found to possess the additional 379 bp fragment. The integrity of the promoter was furthermore confirmed by genomic Southern blotting. The promoter activity was analyzed by reporter gene assays in neuronal and non-neuronal serotonergic cell lines. In immortalized serotonergic raphe neurons, RN46A, three cis-acting, cell specific, activating elements and a silencer were located. One of the activators and the silencer are located in the repeat region and one activator is positioned in the novel fragment. A fourth activating element was found to be active in both RN46A cells and in a non-neuronal serotonergic cell line, JAR. A 3.5 kb fragment from intron 1 was cloned and found to possess cell specific activity in JAR cells indicating the presence of an alternative promoter in intron 1.