Neurons express hemoglobin alpha- and beta-chains in rat and human brains.

Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrier in vertebrate blood erythrocytes. Here we report that hemoglobin chains are expressed in mammalian brain neurons and are regulated by a mitochondrial toxin. Transcriptome analyses of laser-capture microdissected nigral dopaminergic neurons in rats and striatal neurons in mice revealed the presence of hemoglobin alpha, adult chain 2 (Hba-a2) and hemoglobin beta (Hbb) transcripts, whereas other erythroid markers were not detected. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the expression of Hba-a2 and Hbb in nigral dopaminergic neurons, striatal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons, and cortical pyramidal neurons in rats. Combined in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry with the neuronal marker neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) in rat brain further confirmed the presence of hemoglobin mRNAs in neurons. Immunohistochemistry identified hemoglobin alpha- and beta-chains in both rat and human brains, and hemoglobin proteins were detected by Western blotting in whole rat brain tissue as well as in cultures of mesencephalic neurons, further excluding the possibility of blood contamination. Systemic administration of the mitochondrial inhibitor rotenone (2 mg/kg/d, 7d, s.c.) induced a marked decrease in Hba-a2 and Hbb but not neuroglobin or cytoglobin mRNA in transcriptome analyses of nigral dopaminergic neurons. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the transcriptional downregulation of Hba-a2 and Hbb in nigral, striatal, and cortical neurons. Thus, hemoglobin chains are expressed in neurons and are regulated by treatments that affect mitochondria, opening up the possibility that they may play a novel role in neuronal function and response to injury.

Dopamine depletion induces distinct compensatory gene expression changes in DARPP-32 signal transduction cascades of striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons.

Functional alterations in striatal projection neurons play a critical role in the development of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), but their molecular adaptation to dopamine depletion remains poorly understood. In particular, type and extent of regulation in postsynaptic signal transduction pathways that determine the responsiveness of striatal projection neurons to incoming stimuli, are currently unknown. Using cell-type-specific transcriptome analyses in a rodent model of chronic dopamine depletion, we identified large-scale gene expression changes, including neurotransmitter receptors, signal transduction cascades, and target proteins of dopamine signaling in striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons. Within the dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 32 kDa (DARPP-32) cascade of enzymes that plays a central role in signal integration of dopaminoceptive neurons multiple catalytic and regulatory subunits change their mRNA expression levels. In addition to the number of genes the fact that the alterations occur at multiple levels stresses the biological relevance of transcriptional regulation for adaptations of postsynaptic signaling pathways. The overall pattern of changes in both striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons is compatible with homeostatic mechanisms. In accordance with the distinct biological effects of dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptor stimulation, the alterations of the transcriptional profiles most likely result in prodopaminergic phosphorylation patterns. Our data provide insight into the disease-related plasticity of functional genomic networks in vivo that might contribute to the protracted preclinical phase of PD. In addition, the data have potential implications for the symptomatic treatment of the disease.

Dopamine depletion induced up-regulation of HCN3 enhances rebound excitability of basal ganglia output neurons.

Motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) are associated with complex changes of firing properties in basal ganglia output neurons (BGON). The abnormalities are generally attributed to altered synaptic input and potential post-synaptic mechanisms are currently unknown. Our cell-type selective transcriptome analyses of BGON in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD identified the ion channel HCN3 as a likely contributor to altered neuronal excitability. Quantitative PCR experiments confirmed the HCN3 upregulation in the rat and mouse 6-OHDA models and also demonstrated selectivity of the effect for HCN3. In accordance with the mRNA expression data, in vitro whole cell patch-clamp recordings in BGON showed increased HCN3 current amplitudes and increased rebound excitability in BGON of 6-OHDA treated rats. These data establish HCN3 up-regulation as a novel candidate mechanism that might contribute to the in vivo changes of electrical activity in basal ganglia output neurons of the parkinsonian brain.

Circadian programs of transcriptional activation, signaling, and protein turnover revealed by microarray analysis of mammalian cells.

Many aspects of physiology and behavior are temporally organized into daily 24 hr rhythms, driven by an endogenous circadian clock. Studies in eukaryotes have identified a network of interacting genes forming interlocked autoregulatory feedback loops which underlie overt circadian organization in single cells. While in mammals the master oscillator resides in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, semiautonomous circadian oscillators also exist in peripheral tissues and in immortalized fibroblasts, where rhythmicity is induced following a serum shock. We used this model system in combination with high-density cDNA microarrays to examine the magnitude and quality of clock control of gene expression in mammalian cells. Supported by application of novel bioinformatics tools, we find approximately 2% of genes, including expected canonical clock genes, to show consistent rhythmic circadian expression across five independent experiments. Rhythmicity in most of these genes is novel, and they fall into diverse functional groups, highlighted by a predominance of transcription factors, ubiquitin-associated factors, proteasome components, and Ras/MAPK signaling pathway components. When grouped according to phase, 68% of the genes were found to peak during estimated subjective day, 32% during estimated subjective night, with a tendency to peak at a phase corresponding to anticipation of dawn or dusk.