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Effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics on human glycine transporters.

Augmentation strategy in the treatment of schizophrenia with the NMDA receptor co-agonist glycine has demonstrated significant improvement in patient symptoms. Interestingly, the therapeutic efficacy of glycine was more consistent among patients that were not co-administered clozapine suggesting that clozapine modulates glycine levels in brain. Since cerebral glycine concentration in the vicinity of NMDA receptors is thought to be controlled by the glia expressed glycine transporter type 1 (GlyT1), the effects of several typical and atypical antipsychotics on glycine uptake were examined in human placenta choriocarcinoma (JAR) cells expressing human GlyT1a. The selectivity of these compounds was investigated by measuring their inhibitory potency at the closely related glycine transporter type 2 (GlyT2). Typical antipsychotics haloperidol, thioridazine and chlorpromazine non-selectively inhibited [(14)C]glycine uptake mediated by GlyT1a and GlyT2 with potency of 9-21 microM. The atypical antipsychotic, clozapine antagonized glycine transport by human GlyT1a with an IC(50) of 100 microM and was weaker at recombinant GlyT2. Its main metabolites, N-desmethylclozapine and clozapine N-oxide were very weak inhibitors at all glycine transporters. Similarly, olanzapine did not potently block GlyT1a- and GlyT2-mediated uptake. Detailed kinetic analysis of hGlyT1a in the presence and absence of haloperidol and clozapine revealed that both drugs were not competitive inhibitors of glycine uptake. Data also indicated that these compounds did not interact with the Na(+) and Cl(-) sites of hGlyT1a. Our results have revealed the existence of an inhibitory interaction between some antipsychotics and hGlyT1a and raise the possibility that these drugs could interact with GlyT1 function at therapeutic doses.

Amino Acid Transport Systems, Neutral↗

Differential modulation of ochratoxin A absorption across Caco-2 cells by dietary polyphenols, used at realistic intestinal concentrations.

The effect of polyphenols (PPs) on the absorption of ochratoxin A (OTA), a food-borne mycotoxin, was investigated in an in vitro model of the human intestinal barrier based on Caco-2 cells cultivated in a bicameral system. Two intraluminal concentrations of OTA approaching physiological levels were chosen (0.75 nM and 7.5 nM) through calculations based on estimated daily intakes. The transport of OTA from the apical to the basolateral side of Caco-2 cells, i.e. absorption, was directly proportional to its initial apical concentration. Very significant increase in both OTA absorption and cellular accumulation was observed upon co-incubation with certain PPs, i.e. chrysin, quercetin, genistein, biochanin A, resveratrol, at concentrations that should be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with MK571, a specific inhibitor of MRPs efflux pumps. As these PPs have been reported to be metabolized in Caco-2 cells into substrates of MRP-2, we hypothesize that PPs and/or metabolites could impair the OTA efflux, previously proposed to be mediated by the MRP-2, through competitive inhibition for the pump. These data imply that interactions between OTA and PPs may lead to a greater bioavailability of the mycotoxin in the bloodstream with possible adverse effects for human health.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Inhibitory activity of a green tea extract and some of its constituents on multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 functionality.

Green tea extracts (GTE) might modulate ABC transporter gene expression or function. This may be relevant in the treatment of cancer or in influencing intestinal drug permeability. To gain more insight on the influence of a GTE on secretory transport proteins we investigated the influence of GTE and several green tea components on the mRNA expression level of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) in human gastrointestinal epithelial LS-180 cells. Furthermore, the functional activity of MRP2, using glutathione methylfluorescein (GS-MF) or [3H]methotrexate (MTX) as substrate, was investigated in canine kidney cells stably overexpressing human MRP2 (MDCK-MRP2). GTE, at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL, did not increase mRNA expression of P-gp or MRP2 in LS-180 cells. Functional assays in MDCK-MRP2 cells using GS-MF did not show any effect of 0.01 mg/mL GTE on MRP2 activity. In the same cell line the cellular accumulation of MTX (a specific substrate of MRP2) was significantly increased with the MRP-specific inhibitor MK-571 or with 1 mg/mL GTE, but not with 0.1 mg/mL. The green tea components (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, theanine, or caffeine, each in corresponding concentrations to the respective concentration of GTE, did not show any effect on MRP2 function. These data demonstrate that the mRNA expression patterns of P-gp and MRP2 in LS-180 cells are not altered by 0.01 mg/mL of GTE. However, MRP2 function was inhibited by 1 mg/mL GTE, whereas none of the green tea components tested were responsible for this effect.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Structural requirements for the flavonoid-mediated modulation of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 and GS-X pump activity in MCF7 breast cancer cells.

The objective of this study was to investigate the structural requirements necessary for inhibition of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) and GS-X pump (MRP1 and MRP2) activity by structurally related flavonoids, in GSTP1-1 transfected MCF7 cells (pMTG5). The results reveal that GSTP1-1 activity in MCF7 pMTG5 cells can be inhibited by some flavonoids. Especially galangin was able to inhibit almost all cellular GSTP1-1 activity upon exposure of the cells to a concentration of 25microM. Other flavonoids like kaempferol, eriodictyol and quercetin showed a moderate GSTP1-1 inhibitory potential. For GSTP1-1 inhibition, no specific structural requirements necessary for potent inhibition could be defined. Most flavonoids appeared to be potent GS-X transport inhibitors with IC(50) values ranging between 0.8 and 8microM. Luteolin and quercetin were the strongest inhibitors with IC(50) values of 0.8 and 1.3microM, respectively. Flavonoids without a C2-C3 double bond like eriodictyol, taxifolin and catechin did not inhibit GS-X pump activity. The results of this study demonstrate that the structural features necessary for high potency GS-X pump inhibition by flavonoids are (1) the presence of hydroxyl groups, especially two of them generating the 3',4'-catechol moiety; and (2) a planar molecule due to the presence of a C2-C3 double bond. Other factors, like lipophilicity and the total number of hydroxyl groups do not seem to be dominating the flavonoid-mediated GS-X pump inhibition. To identify the GS-X pump responsible for the DNP-SG efflux in MCF7 cells, the effects of three characteristic flavonoids quercetin, flavone and taxifolin on MRP1 and MRP2 activity were studied using transfected MDCKII cells. All three flavonoids as well as the typical MRP inhibitor (MK571) affected MRP1-mediated transport activity in a similar way as observed in the MCF7 cells. In addition, the most potent GS-X pump inhibitor in the MCF7 cells, quercetin, did not affect MRP2-mediated transport activity. These observations clearly indicate that the GS-X pump activity in the MCF7 cells is likely to be the result of flavonoid-mediated inhibition of MRP1 and not MRP2. Altogether, the present study reveals that a major site for flavonoid interaction with GSH-dependent toxicokinetics is the GS-X pump MRP1 rather than the conjugating GSTP1-1 activity itself. Of the flavonoids shown to be most active especially quercetin is frequently marketed in functional food supplements. Given the physiological levels expected to be reached upon supplement intake, the IC(50) values of the present study point at possible flavonoid-drug and/or flavonoid-xenobiotic interactions especially regarding transport processes involved in toxicokinetics.

Biological Transport↗

2'-substituted analogs of cocaine: synthesis and dopamine transporter binding potencies.

A series of 2'-substituted cocaine analogs (4-8) was prepared and evaluated in an in vitro dopamine transporter (DAT) binding assay. Compounds 4-7 were prepared by esterifying the 3 beta-hydroxyl group of ecgonine methyl ester (3) using the appropriate acid chloride in the presence of Et3N and benzene. Compound 3 was obtained from cocaine (1) by hydrolysis using 1N HCl to afford ecgonine.HCl which was subjected to acid catalyzed esterification using methanol saturated with HCl gas. Compound 8 was obtained by hydrogenation of 7 using H2/Pd-C. The IC50 values were calculated from displacement experiment of the radioligand [3H]WIN-35,428 (2). 2'-Aminococaine (8) showed high binding affinity to the DAT (14- and 1.3-fold more active than cocaine and the radioligand 2, respectively). These results, along with previous results, emphasize the importance of a hydrogen-bond donor group at the 2'-position of cocaine to enhance binding affinity to the DAT.

Animals↗

Sulfasalazine is a potent inhibitor of the reduced folate carrier: implications for combination therapies with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether interactions of sulfasalazine (SSZ) with reduced folate carrier (RFC), the dominant cell membrane transporter for natural folates and methotrexate (MTX), may limit the efficacy of combination therapy with MTX and SSZ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Human RFC-(over)expressing CEM cells of T cell origin were used to analyze the effect of SSZ on the RFC-mediated cellular uptake of radiolabeled MTX and the natural folate leucovorin. Moreover, both cells with and those without acquired resistance to SSZ were used to assess the antiproliferative effects of MTX in combination with SSZ. RESULTS: Transport kinetic analyses revealed that SSZ was a potent noncompetitive inhibitor of RFC-mediated cellular uptake of MTX and leucovorin, with mean +/- SD K(i) (50% inhibitory concentration) values of 36 +/- 6 microM and 74 +/- 7 microM, respectively. Consistent with the inhibitory interaction of SSZ with RFC, a marked loss of MTX efficacy was observed when MTX was coadministered with SSZ: up to 3.5-fold for CEM cells in the presence of 0.25 mM of SSZ, and >400-fold for SSZ-resistant cells in the presence of 2.5 mM of SSZ. Importantly, along with diminished efficacy of MTX, evidence for cellular folate depletion was obtained by the demonstration of an SSZ dose-dependent decrease in leucovorin accumulation. CONCLUSION: At clinically relevant plasma concentrations, interactions of SSZ with RFC provide a biochemical rationale for 2 important clinical observations: 1) the onset of (sub)clinical folate deficiency during SSZ treatment, and 2) the lack of additivity/synergism of the combination of SSZ and MTX when these disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are administered simultaneously. Thus, when considering use of these drugs in combination therapies, the present results provide a rationale both for the use of folate supplementation and for spacing administration of these drugs over time.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Blockade of the membranal GABA transporter potentiates GABAergic responses evoked in pyramidal cells by mossy fiber activation after seizures.

The presence of a neurotransmitter within a synaptic terminal is normally due to its local synthesis. However, uptake of the neurotransmitter from the extracellular milieu by a specific membranal transporter can also explain its intraterminal accumulation. A specific vesicular transporter carries the neurotransmitter into synaptic vesicles, enabling it to be released in a calcium-dependent manner when the terminal is invaded by an action potential. Under certain circumstances, a neurotransmitter can also be released by the reversal in the direction of its membranal transporter, in a calcium-independent manner. Interestingly, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can be released in this manner after epileptic activity. With intracellular recordings, in this work we show that in rats subjected to seizures, but not in naive rats, mossy fiber stimulation in the presence of glutamate receptor blockers produces bicuculline-sensitive inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in pyramidal cells. The blockade of the membranal GABA transporter (GAT-1) strongly enhances the amplitude and decay time of the IPSPs in both high and low extracellular calcium concentrations. This electrophysiological evidence, together with previous neurochemical and immunohistological data, show that GAT-1 contributes to the termination of the synaptic action of mossy fiber-released GABA and rules out its involvement in depolarization-dependent GABA release.

Animals↗

Characterization of urea transport in Bufo arenarum oocytes.

Xenopus laevis oocytes have been extensively used for expression cloning, structure/function relationships, and regulation analysis of transporter proteins. Urea transporters have been expressed in Xenopus oocytes and their properties have been described. In order to establish an alternative system in which urea transporters could be efficiently expressed and studied, we determined the urea transport properties of ovarian oocytes from Bufo arenarum, a toad species common in Argentina. Bufo oocytes presented a high urea permeability of 22.3 x 10(-6) cm/s, which was significantly inhibited by the incubation with phloretin. The urea uptake in these oocytes was also inhibited by mercurial reagents, and high-affinity urea analogues. The urea uptake was not sodium dependent. The activation energy was 3.2 Kcal/mol, suggesting that urea movement across membrane oocytes may be through a facilitated urea transporter. In contrast, Bufo oocytes showed a low permeability for mannitol and glycerol. From these results, we propose that one or several specific urea transporters are present in ovarian oocytes from Bufo arenarum. Therefore, these oocytes cannot be used in expression studies of foreign urea transporters. The importance of Bufo urea transporter is not known but could be implicated in osmotic regulation during the laying of eggs in water.

Animals↗

Transport and hydrolysis of maltose by Schwanniomyces castellii.

Hydrolysis and transport of maltose into Schwanniomyces castellii was studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Amylase and glucosidase were not synthetized in presence of maltose in anaerobic conditions. Maltose permease was synthesized in anaerobiosis and its functioning is not inhibited. Glucose strongly repressed induction. The half-saturation constant for uptake of maltose was 0.06 mM. The rate of uptake of maltose was decreased by 2,4-dinitrophenol, antimycin or sodium azide. The significance of these results in relation to the Kluyver effect is discussed.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

Ligand-induced conformational changes in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli: evidence for two binding sites.

By using a lactose permease mutant containing a single Cys residue in place of Val 331 (helix X), conformational changes induced by ligand binding were studied. With right-side-out membrane vesicles containing Val 331-->Cys permease, lactose transport is inactivated by either N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or 7-diethylamino-3-(4'-maleimidylphenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPM). Remarkably, beta,D-galactopyranosyl 1-thio-beta,D-galactopyranoside (TDG) enhances the rate of inactivation by CPM, a hydrophobic sulfhydryl reagent, whereas NEM inactivation is attenuated by the ligand. Val 331-->Cys permease was then purified and studied in dodecyl-beta,D-maltoside by site-directed fluorescence spectroscopy. The reactivity of Val 331-->Cys permease with 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)-naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (MIANS) is not changed over a low range of TDG concentrations (< 0.8 mM), but the fluorescence of the MIANS-labeled protein is quenched in a saturable manner (apparent Kd approximately equal to 0.12 mM) without a change in emission maximum. In contrast, over a higher range of TDG concentrations (1-10 mM), the reactivity of Val 331-->Cys permease with MIANS is enhanced and the emission maximum of MIANS-labeled permease is blue shifted by 3-7 nm. Furthermore, the fluorescence of MIANS-labeled Val 331 -->Cys permease is quenched by both acrylamide and iodide, but the former is considerably more effective. A low concentration of TDG (0.2 mM) does not alter quenching by either compound, whereas a higher concentration of ligand (10 mM) decreases the quenching constant for iodide by about 50% and for acrylamide by about 20%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of transmembrane domain III in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli.

Deletion of putative transmembrane helix III from the lactose permease of Escherichia coli results in complete loss of transport activity. Similarly, replacement of this region en bloc with 23 contiguous Ala, Leu, or Phe residues abolishes active lactose transport. The observations suggest that helix III may contain functionally important residues; therefore, this region was subjected to Cys-scanning mutagenesis. Using a functional mutant devoid of Cys residues (C-less permease) each residue from Tyr 75 to Leu 99 was individually replaced with Cys. Twenty-one of the 25 mutants accumulate lactose to > 70% of the steady-state exhibited by C-less permease, and an additional 3 mutants transport to lower, but significant levels (40-60% of C-less). Cys replacement for Leu 76 results in low transport activity (18% of C-less). However, when placed in the wild-type background, mutant Leu 76-->Cys exhibits highly significant rates of transport (55% of wild type) and steady-state levels of lactose accumulation (65% of wild type). Immunoblots reveal that the mutants are inserted into the membrane at concentrations comparable to wild type. Studies with N-ethylmaleimide show that mutant Gly 96-->Cys is rapidly inactivated, whereas the other single-Cys mutants are not altered significantly by the alkylating agent. Moreover, the rate of inactivation of Gly 96-->Cys permease is enhanced at least 2-fold in the presence of beta-galactopyranosyl 1-thio-beta, D-galactopyranoside. The observations demonstrate that although no residue per se appears to be essential, structural properties of helix III are important for active lactose transport.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of helix VIII in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli: I. Cys-scanning mutagenesis.

Using a functional lactose permease mutant devoid of Cys residues (C-less permease), each amino acid residue in transmembrane domain VIII and flanking hydrophilic loops (from Gln 256 to Lys 289) was replaced individually with Cys. Of the 34 single-Cys mutants, 26 accumulate lactose to > 70% of the steady state observed with C-less permease, and an additional 7 mutants (Gly 262-->Cys, Gly 268-->Cys, Asn 272-->Cys, Pro 280-->Cys, Asn 284-->Cys, Gly 287-->Cys, and Gly 288-->Cys) exhibit lower but significant levels of accumulation (30-50% of C-less). As expected (Ujwal ML, Sahin-Tóth M, Persson B, Kaback HR, 1994, Mol Membr Biol 1:9-16), Cys replacement for Glu 269 abolishes lactose transport. Immunoblot analysis reveals that the mutants are inserted into the membrane at concentrations comparable to C-less permease, with the exceptions of mutants Pro 280-->Cys, Gly 287-->Cys, and Lys 289-->Cys, which are expressed at reduced levels. The transport activity of the mutants is inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) in a highly specific manner. Most of the mutants are insensitive, but Cys replacements render the permease sensitive to inactivation by NEM at positions that cluster in manner indicating that they are on one face of an alpha-helix (Gly 262-->Cys, Val 264-->Cys, Thr 265-->Cys, Gly 268-->Cys. Asn 272-->Cys, Ala 273-->Cys, Met 276-->Cys, Phe 277-->Cys, and Ala 279-->Cys). The results indicate that transmembrane domain VIII is in alpha-helical conformation and demonstrate that, although only a single residue in this region of the permease is essential for activity (Glu 269), one face of the helix plays an important role in the transport mechanism. More direct evidence for the latter conclusion is provided in the companion paper (Frillingos S. Kaback HR, 1997, Protein Sci 6:438-443) by using site-directed sulfhydryl modification of the Cys-replacement mutants in situ.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Binding of monoclonal antibody 4B1 to homologs of the lactose permease of Escherichia coli.

The conformationally sensitive epitope for monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4B1, which uncouples lactose from H+ translocation in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli, is localized in the periplasmic loop between helices VII and VIII (loop VII/VIII) on one face of a short helical segment (Sun J, et al., 1996, Biochemistry 35;990-998). Comparison of sequences in the region corresponding to loop VII/VIII in members of Cluster 5 of the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), which includes five homologous oligosaccharide/H+ symporters, reveals interesting variations. 4B1 binds to the Citrobacter freundii lactose permease or E. coli raffinose permease with resultant inhibition of transport activity. Because E. coli raffinose permease contains a Pro residue at position 254 rather than Gly, it is unlikely that the mAb recognizes the peptide backbone at this position. Consistently, E. coli lactose permease with Pro in place of Gly254 also binds 4B1. In contrast, 4B1 binding is not observed with either Klebsiella pneumoniae lactose permease or E. coli sucrose permease. When the epitope is transferred from E. coli lactose permease (residues 245-259) to the sucrose permease, the modified protein binds 4B1, but the mAb has no significant effect on sucrose transport. The studies provide further evidence that the 4B1 epitope is restricted to loop VII/VIII, and that 4B1 binding induces a highly specific conformational change that uncouples substrate and H+ translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Relationship between blockade of dopamine transporters by oral methylphenidate and the increases in extracellular dopamine: therapeutic implications.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is an effective drug in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the doses required therapeutically vary significantly between subjects and it is not understood what determines these differences. Since methylphenidate's therapeutic effects are in part due to increases in extracellular DA secondary to blockade of dopamine transporters (DAT), the variability could reflect differences in levels of DAT blockade. Here we used PET to assess if for a given dose of methylphenidate the differences in DAT blockade account for the variability in methylphenidate-induced increases in extracellular DA. Ten healthy adult subjects were tested before and 60 min after oral methylphenidate (60 mg) with PET to estimate DAT occupancy (with [(11)C]cocaine as the radioligand) and levels of extracellular DA (with [(11)C]raclopride as the D2 receptor radioligand that competes with endogenous DA for binding to the receptor). Methylphenidate significantly blocked DAT (60 +/- 11%) and increased extracellular DA in brain (16 +/- 8% reduction in [(11)C]raclopride binding in striatum). However, the correlation between methylphenidate-induced DAT blockade and DA increases was not significant. These results indicate that for a given dose of methylphenidate, individual differences in DAT blockade are not the main source for the intersubject variability in MP-induced increases in DA. This finding suggests that individual differences in response to MP are due in part to individual differences in DA release, so that for an equivalent level of DAT blockade, MP would induce smaller DA changes in subjects with low than with high DA cell activity.

Administration, Oral↗

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. VIII: identification of a novel partial inhibitor of dopamine uptake and dopamine transporter binding.

Using [125I]RTI-55 to label the dopamine transporter (DAT), our laboratory has consistently detected one binding site as well as one component of [3H]DA uptake. We report here the identification of a novel partial inhibitor of [3H]DA uptake and DAT binding (SoRI-9804). [125I]RTI-55 binding to the DAT (mouse caudate, rat caudate, HEK cells expressing the cloned DAT), the 5-HT transporter (rat brain), and [3H]DA uptake (rat caudate synaptosomes) were conducted using published procedures. 4-[(Diphenylmethyl)amino]-2-phenylquinazoline (SoRI-9804) was essentially inactive at SERT binding and resolved two DAT binding components in all three tissues, having high affinity (mean Ki of 465 nM) for about 40% of the binding sites and an essentially immeasurable Ki (> 100 microM) for the remaining 60% of the binding sites. The [3H]DA uptake experiments indicated that about 50% of uptake was SoRI-9804-sensitive. Saturation binding experiments showed that SoRI-9804 competitively inhibited [125I]RTI-55 binding to the SoRI-9804-sensitive binding component. To determine if the two binding sites discriminated by SoRI-9804 were regulated by the MAP kinase pathway, rat caudate synaptosomes were incubated in the absence or presence of 10 microM of PD98059, which inhibits activation of the MAP kinase pathway. The results indicated that inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase decreased the total B(max) of the DAT by 90%. Treatment with PD98059 increased the proportion of the SoRI-9804-sensitive binding component from 68-80% of the total B(max). The PD98059 experiments suggest that inhibition of MAP kinase cannot explain the differential interaction of SoRI-9804 with the DAT. Viewed collectively, the present results indicate that SoRI-9804 discriminates two components of the DA transporter. Further studies will be needed to determine the underlying mechanism of this effect and if partial inhibition of DA uptake results in any unique behavioral effects.

Animals↗

Dopamine transporter-dependent induction of C-Fos in HEK cells.

The psychostimulants cocaine and amphetamine increase expression of the immediate early gene (IEG) c-fos indirectly, via D1 dopamine receptor activation. To determine whether dopamine transporter substrates and inhibitors can affect c-Fos expression directly, we investigated their effects on c-Fos protein and c-fos mRNA in HEK-293 (HEK) cells transfected with the human dopamine transporter (hDAT). In untransfected HEK cells, methylphenidate and cocaine produced a small but statistically significant increase in c-Fos, whereas dopamine and amphetamine did not. In hDAT cells, DAT substrates (dopamine, amphetamine) increased c-Fos immunoreactivity 6- and 3-fold (respectively). The DAT inhibitors cocaine, methylphenidate, and bupropion also increased c-Fos approximately 3-fold in hDAT cells. If coincubated with dopamine, the inhibitors attenuated dopamine-induced c-Fos in hDAT cells. The magnitude of c-fos mRNA induction by substrates and inhibitors paralleled induction of c-Fos protein immunoreactivity. The results indicate that substrates or inhibitors of the DAT can trigger induction of IEG expression in the absence of D1 dopamine receptor. For substrates, IEG induction is DAT-dependent, but for certain DAT inhibitors the cellular response can be elicited in the absence of the DAT in HEK cells. Oxidative stress may partly, but not fully, account for the DA-induced c-Fos induction as an inhibitor of oxidative stress Trolox C, attenuated DA-induced c-Fos induction. Protein kinase C (PKC) may also partially account for c-Fos induction as a specific inhibitor of PKC Bisindolylmaleimide I (BIS) attenuated DA-induced c-Fos by 50%. DAT substrate and inhibitor effects on IEGs, other fos-related antigens, and possible mechanisms that contribute to c-Fos induction warrant investigation in presynaptic neurons as a potential contribution to the long-term effects of psychostimulants.

Amphetamine↗

S-[18F]fluoromethyl-(+)-McN5652, a PET tracer for the serotonin transporter: evaluation in rats.

The [(18)F]fluoromethyl analog of (+)-McN5652 ([(18)F]FMe-McN) for imaging serotonin transporter (SERT) with positron emission tomography (PET) has recently been synthesized. We describe here the biological evaluation of [(18)F]FMe-McN in rats. Biodistribution studies of [(18)F]FMe-McN in rat brain ex vivo after an intravenous injection showed a high accumulation of radioactivity in the regions rich in SERT, such as raphe nuclei, hypothalamus, thalamus, substantia nigra, locus coeruleus, and amygdala. Region-to-cerebellum ratios reached a maximum value of 9 in raphe nuclei within 3.5 h after administration. The specificity and selectivity of [(18)F]FMe-McN binding to SERT was studied by preinjecting blocking doses of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine transporter inhibitors. Fluoxetine, a specific inhibitor for SERT, decreased the specific binding of [(18)F]FMe-McN in raphe nuclei by 91 +/- 4%; in other regions rich in SERT, similar results were obtained. GBR12909 and nisoxetine, selective inhibitors for dopamine transporter (DAT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET), respectively, showed no significant effects on the uptake of [(18)F]FMe-McN. Our studies show that [(18)F]FMe-McN has a clear potential as a tracer for studies with PET of SERT function in humans.

Animals↗