No abstract

The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), activated by endogenous metabolites of amino acids like the trace amines p-tyramine and β-phenylethylamine, has proven to be an important modulator of the dopaminergic system and is considered a promising target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. To decipher the brain functions of TAAR1, a selective TAAR1 agonist, RO5166017, was engineered. RO5166017 showed high affinity and potent functional activity at mouse, rat, cynomolgus monkey, and human TAAR1 stably expressed in HEK293 cells as well as high selectivity vs. other targets. In mouse brain slices, RO5166017 inhibited the firing frequency of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in regions where Taar1 is expressed (i.e., the ventral tegmental area and dorsal raphe nucleus, respectively). In contrast, RO5166017 did not change the firing frequency of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus, an area devoid of Taar1 expression. Furthermore, modulation of TAAR1 activity altered the desensitization rate and agonist potency at 5-HT 1A receptors in the dorsal raphe, suggesting that TAAR1 modulates not only dopaminergic but also serotonergic neurotransmission. In WT but not Taar1 −/− mice, RO5166017 prevented stress-induced hyperthermia and blocked dopamine-dependent hyperlocomotion in cocaine-treated and dopamine transporter knockout mice as well as hyperactivity induced by an NMDA antagonist. These results tie TAAR1 to the control of monoamine-driven behaviors and suggest anxiolyticand antipsychotic-like properties for agonists such as RO5166017, opening treatment opportunities for psychiatric disorders.drug discovery | serotonin | depression | schizophrenia | anxiety

The influence of the antidiabetic sulphonylurea tolbutamide on K+ channels of mouse pancreatic beta-cells was investigated using different configurations of the patch clamp technique. The dominant channel in resting cells is a K+ channel with a single-channel conductance of 60 pS that is inhibited by intracellular ATP or, in intact cells, by stimulation with glucose. In isolated patches of beta-cells membrane, this channel was blocked by tolbutamide (0.1 mM) when applied to either the intracellular or extracellular side of the membrane. The dose-dependence of the tolbutamide-induced block was obtained from whole-cell experiments and revealed that 50% inhibition was attained at approximately 7 microM. In cell-attached patches low concentrations of glucose augmented the action of tolbutamide. Thus, the simultaneous presence of 5 mM glucose and 0.1 mM tolbutamide abolished channel activity and induced action potentials. These were not produced when either of these substances was added alone at these concentrations. The inhibitory action of tolbutamide or glucose on the K+ channel was counteracted by the hyperglycaemic sulphonamide diazoxide (0.4 mM). Tolbutamide (1 mM) did not affect Ca2+-dependent K+ channels. It is concluded that the hypo- and hyperglycaemic properties of tolbutamide and diazoxide reflect their ability to induce the closure or opening, respectively, of ATP-regulated K+ channels.

SUMMARY1. Pancreatic islets of NMRI mice were dissociated into single cells which were kept in tissue culture for 1-3 days. The whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to study inward and delayed outward currents of fl-cells under voltage-clamp conditions at 20-22 'C.2. Outward currents were suppressed by substituting the impermeant cation N-methyl-D-glucamine for intracellular K+. The remaining inward current had a V-shaped current-voltage relation reaching a peak value of 39 + 4 pA (mean + S.E. of mean) around -15 mV. It was identified as a Ca2+ current, because the peak amplitude was increased 1-6 times by increasing external [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]O) from 2-6 mm to 10 mM and it was blocked by Co2+ (5 mm) or nifedipine (5 gM) but not by TTX (20 /IM).3. The activation time constant of the inward current at -10 mV was 1P28 + 0-08 ms. The relation between the degree of activation (estimated from the size of the tail currents) and membrane potential V followed the sigmoidal function f =1/{1 + exp [(Vh -V)/k]} with half-maximal activation potential, Vh = 4+1 mV and slope factor, k = 14±+1 mV (for [Ca2+]o 10 mM).4. The inward current inactivated only weakly during depolarizing pulses of 0-1 -1 s duration. The delayed outward current (in experiments with 155 mm-internal [K+] ([K+]i))had a linear voltage dependence at potentials above -20 mV; its amplitude at -10 mV was 210 + 30 pA. Tail currents related to the activation of the outward current had K+-dependent reversal potentials. The current was blocked by extracellularly applied tetraethylammonium (20 mm) and 4-aminopyridine (2 mM). It was not affected by glibenclamide (3 /M), tolbutamide (0-2 mM) and alterations of intracellular [Ca2+] (1 nM-1 /tM). 6. The activation time constant of the outward current at -10 mV was 21 + 3 ms. The voltage dependence of activation could be described by the sigmoidal function (see above) with Vh = 19 + 1 mV and k = 5-6+0 4 mV.

Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is nonselectively activated by endogenous metabolites of amino acids. TAAR1 is considered a promising drug target for the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. However, no selective ligand to identify TAAR1-specific signaling mechanisms is available yet. Here we report a selective TAAR1 antagonist, EPPTB, and characterize its physiological effects at dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We show that EPPTB prevents the reduction of the firing frequency of DA neurons induced by p-tyramine (p-tyr), a nonselective TAAR1 agonist. When applied alone, EPPTB increases the firing frequency of DA neurons, suggesting that TAAR1 either exhibits constitutive activity or is tonically activated by ambient levels of endogenous agonist(s). We further show that EPPTB blocks the TAAR1-mediated activation of an inwardly rectifying K ؉ current. When applied alone, EPPTB induces an apparent inward current, suggesting the closure of tonically activated K ؉ channels. Importantly, these EPPTB effects were absent in Taar1 knockout mice, ruling out off-target effects. We additionally found that both the acute application of EPPTB and the constitutive genetic lack of TAAR1 increase the potency of DA at D2 receptors in DA neurons. In summary, our data support that TAAR1 tonically activates inwardly rectifying K ؉ channels, which reduces the basal firing frequency of DA neurons in the VTA. We hypothesize that the EPPTB-induced increase in the potency of DA at D2 receptors is part of a homeostatic feedback mechanism compensating for the lack of inhibitory TAAR1 tone.desensitization ͉ dopamine supersensitivity ͉ Kir3 ͉ trace amines ͉ VTA T race amines (TAs) such as p-tyr, ␤-phenylethylamine, octopamine, and tryptamine are metabolites of amino acids that are found at low concentrations in the brain (1). Because of their structural similarity to classical biogenic amines, TAs were for a long time believed to modulate neurotransmission by displacing biogenic amines from vesicular stores or by acting on transporters in an amphetamine-like manner. It was not until TAs were found to bind to members of a family of GPCRs, the TAassociated receptors (TAARs), that receptor-mediated mechanisms were evoked (2-5). While several TAARs were identified, only TAAR1 and, to a lesser extent, TAAR4 respond to typical TAs (5). TAs such as p-tyr and ␤-phenylethylamine activate human, mouse, and rat TAAR1 with EC 50 values of 0.2-1.7 M. Other TAs (octopamine, tryptamine), classical biogenic amines, and amphetamine-related psychostimulants have much reduced potency and efficacy at TAAR1.TA binding to TAAR1 engages G s -type G proteins that activate adenylyl cyclases (1). However, because TAs not only activate TAAR1 but also influence the activity of TAAR4, DA transporters, adrenergic, as well as serotonin receptors it was difficult to assign specific physiological functions to TAAR1 (1, 6). With the availability of Taar1 knockout mice (7,8) ...

The NMDA receptor has a number of regulatory sites, subject to modulation by both endogenous and exogenous compounds. These include binding sites for the endogenous co-agonists glutamate and glycine (Johnson & Ascher, 1987) and a site within the channel pore where Mg2+ binds to confer the well described voltage dependence of receptor activation

The data further support the potential of GABAA alpha5 receptors as a target for cognition-enhancing drugs. The dual binding and functional selectivity offers an ideal profile for cognition-enhancing effects without the unwanted side effects associated with activity at other GABAA receptor subtypes.

K+ currents through ATP-dependent channels were recorded from inside-out patches of beta-cell membrane as previously described (Rorsman and Trube 1985). Channels were opened by removing ATP from the intracellular side of the membrane. The open probability and/or the number of active channels declined spontaneously ("run-down") when ATP was absent for periods longer than about 30 s. Channels subject to the run-down could be activated again after applying a blocking concentration (greater than 0.1 mM) of ATP in presence of 1 mM MgCl2 for at least 2 min. ATP in absence of Mg and the ATP-analogues AMP-PNP, AMP-PCP and ATP gamma S were ineffective in reactivating the channels. This suggests that phosphorylation of the channels or associated proteins or hydrolysis of ATP may be necessary for keeping the channels available. In contrast to the differential effects on the run-down, ATP in presence and absence of Mg and the ATP analogues were similarly effective in blocking the channels at concentrations above 0.1 mM. Using an experimental protocol avoiding the run-down the dose-inhibition curve for ATP was found to reach 50% at 18 microM.