Biomedical subjects

D Millhorn

Publications and source records attributed to D Millhorn.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Multiple messengers in descending serotonin neurons: localization and functional implications.

In the present review article we summarize mainly histochemical work dealing with descending bulbospinal serotonin neurons which also express a number of neuropeptides, in particular substance P and thyrotropin releasing hormone. Such neurons have been observed both in rat, cat and monkey, and may preferentially innervate the ventral horns of the spinal cord, whereas the serotonin projections to the dorsal horn seem to lack these coexisting peptides. More recent studies indicate that a small population of medullary raphe serotonin neurons, especially at rostral levels, also synthesize the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Many serotonin neurons contain the glutamate synthesizing enzyme glutaminase and can be labelled with antibodies raised against glutamate, suggesting that one and the same neuron may release several signalling substances, causing a wide spectrum of post- (and pre-) synaptic actions.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase gene expression during hypoxia: role of Ca2+ and PKC.

Gene expression for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, is regulated by reductions in oxygen tension (hypoxia). Hypoxia-induced regulation of the TH gene is due to the binding of specific transcription factors to specific sites on the 5' flanking region of the gene. The purpose of this study was to identify the second messenger system(s) responsible for regulation of the TH gene during hypoxia. Fura-2 fluorescence imaging of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, an O2-sensitive cell line, revealed that there is an increase in cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) associated with exposure to hypoxia. Based on the evidence that the transcription factors that bind to the TH promoter during hypoxia can also be induced by elevations in cytosolic Ca2+, the role of Ca2+ in the hypoxic regulation of the TH gene was explored. To assay the effect of hypoxia on TH gene expression, Northern blot analyses of total RNA were performed on PC12 cells exposed to hypoxia in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors. The addition of the L-type calcium channel blockers nifedipine or verapamil caused partial inhibition of the hypoxia-induced increase in TH mRNA. The increase in cytosolic Ca2+ during hypoxia was also only partially inhibited by addition of nifedipine. Importantly, chelation of extracellular Ca2+ completely inhibited the increase in TH mRNA by hypoxia. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with BAPTA/AM, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, inhibited the hypoxic induction of TH gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of chelerythrine chloride (CHL), a protein kinase C inhibitor, to the media before exposure to hypoxia also resulted in an inhibition of TH induction by hypoxia. These results suggest that hypoxia regulates TH gene expression by a mechanism that is dependent on influx of calcium from the extracellular stores, partially but not exclusively through the L-type calcium channels. These results further suggest that a member of the PKC family is essential for this regulation.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1987

Coexistence of peptides with classical neurotransmitters.

In the present article the fact is emphasized that neuropeptides often are located in the same neurons as classical transmitters such as acetylcholine, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine, catecholamines, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) etc. This raises the possibility that neurons produce, store and release more than one messenger molecule. The exact functional role of such coexisting peptides is often difficult to evaluate, especially in the central nervous system. In the periphery some studies indicate apparently meaningful interactions of different types with the classical transmitter, but other types of actions including trophic effects have been observed. More recently it has been shown that some neurons contain more than one classical transmitter, e.g. 5-HT plus GABA, further underlining the view that transfer of information across synapses may be more complex than perhaps hitherto assumed.

Animals↗