HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein disrupts the dopamine (DA) neurotransmission by inhibiting DA transporter (DAT) function, leading to increased neurocognitive impairment in HIV-1 infected individuals. Through integrated computational modeling and pharmacological studies, we have demonstrated that mutation of tyrosine470 (Y470H) of human DAT (hDAT) attenuates Tat-induced inhibition of DA uptake by changing the transporter conformational transitions. The present study examined the functional influences of other substitutions at tyrosine470 (Y470F and Y470A) and tyrosine88 (Y88F) and lysine92 (K92M), two other relevant residues for Tat binding to hDAT, in Tat-induced inhibitory effects on DA transport. Y88F, K92M and Y470A attenuated Tat-induced inhibition of DA transport, implicating the functional relevance of these residues for Tat binding to hDAT. Compared to wild type hDAT, Y470A and K92M but not Y88F reduced the maximal velocity of [3H]DA uptake without changes in the Km. Y88F and K92M enhanced IC50 values for DA inhibition of [3H]DA uptake and [3H]WIN35,428 binding but decreased IC50 for cocaine and GBR12909 inhibition of [3H]DA uptake, suggesting that these residues are critical for substrate and these inhibitors. Y470F, Y470A, Y88F and K92M attenuated zinc-induced increase of [3H]WIN35,428 binding. Moreover, only Y470A and K92M enhanced DA efflux relative to wild type hDAT, suggesting mutations of these residues differentially modulate transporter conformational transitions. These results demonstrate Tyr88 and Lys92 along with Tyr470 as functional recognition residues in hDAT for Tat-induced inhibition of DA transport and provide mechanistic insights into identifying target residues on the DAT for Tat binding.

Nearly 70% of HIV-infected individuals suffer from HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein is known to synergize with abused drugs and exacerbate the progression of central nervous system (CNS) pathology. Cumulative evidences suggest that the HIV-1 Tat protein exerts the neurotoxicity through interaction with human dopamine transporter (hDAT) in the CNS. Through computational modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we develop a three-dimensional (3D) structural model for HIV-1 Tat binding with hDAT. The model provides novel mechanistic insights concerning how HIV-1 Tat interacts with hDAT and inhibits dopamine uptake in hDAT. In particular, according to the computational modeling, Tat binds most favorably with the outward-open state of hDAT. Residues Y88, K92, and Y470 of hDAT are predicted to be key residues involved in the interaction between hDAT and Tat. The roles of these hDAT residues in the interaction with Tat are validated by experimental tests through site-directed mutagensis and DA uptake assays. The agreement between the computational and experimental data suggests that the computationally predicted hDAT-Tat binding mode and mechanistic insights are reasonable and provide a new starting point to design further pharmacological studies on the molecular mechanism of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.

Abnormal dopaminergic transmission has been implicated as a risk determinant of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders. HIV-1 Tat protein increases synaptic dopamine (DA) levels by directly inhibiting DA transporter (DAT) activity, ultimately leading to dopaminergic neuron damage. Through integrated computational modeling prediction and experimental validation, we identified that histidine547 on human DAT (hDAT) is critical for regulation of basal DA uptake and Tat-induced inhibition of DA transport. Compared to wild type hDAT (WT hDAT), mutation of histidine547 (H547A) displayed a 196% increase in DA uptake. Other substitutions of histidine547 showed that DA uptake was not altered in H547R but decreased by 99% in H547P and 60% in H547D, respectively. These mutants did not alter DAT surface expression or surface DAT binding sites. H547 mutants attenuated Tat-induced inhibition of DA transport observed in WT hDAT. H547A displays a differential sensitivity to PMA- or BIM-induced activation or inhibition of DAT function relative to WT hDAT, indicating a change in basal PKC activity in H547A. These findings demonstrate that histidine547 on hDAT plays a crucial role in stabilizing basal DA transport and Tat-DAT interaction. This study provides mechanistic insights into identifying targets on DAT for Tat binding and improving DAT-mediated dysfunction of DA transmission.

Intestinal microbial community structure is driven by host genetics in addition to environmental factors such as diet. In comparison with environmental influences, the effect of host genetics on intestinal microbiota, and how host-driven differences alter host metabolism is unclear. Additionally, the interaction between host genetics and diet, and the impact on the intestinal microbiome and possible down-stream effect on host metabolism is not fully understood, but represents another aspects of inter-individual variation in disease risk. The objectives of this study were to investigate how diet and genetic background shape microbial communities, and how these diet- and genetic-driven microbial differences relate to cardiometabolic phenotypes. To determine these effects, we used the 8 progenitor strains of the collaborative cross/diversity outbred mapping panels (C57BL/6J, A/J, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HILtJ, WSB/EiJ, CAST/EiJ, PWK/PhJ, and 129S1/SvImJ). 16s rRNA profiling of enteric microbial communities in addition to the assessment of phenotypes central to cardiometabolic health was conducted under baseline nutritional conditions and in response to diets varying in atherogenic nutrient (fat, cholesterol, cholic acid) composition. These studies revealed strain-driven differences in enteric microbial communities which were retained with dietary intervention. Diet–strain interactions were seen for a core group of cardiometabolic-related microbial taxa. In conclusion, these studies highlight diet and genetically regulated cardiometabolic-related microbial taxa. Furthermore, we demonstrate the progenitor model is useful for nutrigenomic-based studies and screens seeking to investigate the interaction between genetic background and the phenotypic and microbial response to diet.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00335-014-9540-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Inbred mice exhibit strain-specific variation in susceptibility to atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia that renders them useful in dissecting the genetic architecture of these complex diseases. Traditional quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies using inbred strains often identify large genomic regions, containing many genes, due to limited recombination and/or sample size. This hampers candidate gene identification and translation of these results into possible risk factors and therapeutic targets. An alternative approach is the use of multiparental outbred lines for genetic mapping, such as the Diversity Outbred (DO) mouse panel, which can be more informative than traditional two-parent crosses and can aid in the identification of causal genes and variants associated with QTL. We fed 292 female DO mice either a high-fat, cholesterol-containing (HFCA) diet, to induce atherosclerosis, or a low-fat, high-protein diet for 18 wk and measured plasma lipid levels before and after diet treatment. We measured markers of atherosclerosis in the mice fed the HFCA diet. The mice were genotyped on a medium-density single-nucleotide polymorphism array and founder haplotypes were reconstructed using a hidden Markov model. The reconstructed haplotypes were then used to perform linkage mapping of atherosclerotic lesion size as well as plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and glucose. Among our highly significant QTL we detected a ~100 kb QTL interval for atherosclerosis on Chromosome 6, as well as a 1.4 Mb QTL interval on Chromosome 9 for triglyceride levels at baseline and a coincident 22.2 Mb QTL interval on Chromosome 9 for total cholesterol after dietary treatment. One candidate gene within the Chromosome 6 peak region associated with atherosclerosis is Apobec1, the apolipoprotein B (ApoB) mRNA-editing enzyme, which plays a role in the regulation of ApoB, a critical component of low-density lipoprotein, by editing ApoB mRNA. This study demonstrates the value of the DO population to improve mapping resolution and to aid in the identification of potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease. Using a DO mouse population fed an HFCA diet, we were able to identify an A/J-specific isoform of Apobec1 that contributes to atherosclerosis.

Advances in the understanding of the endogenous cannabinoid system have led to several therapeutic indications for new classes of compounds that enhance cannabinergic responses. Endocannabinoid levels are elevated during pathogenic conditions, and inhibitors of endocannabinoid inactivation promote such on-demand responses. The endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol have been implicated in protective signaling against excitotoxic episodes, including seizures. To better understand modulatory pathways that can exploit such responses, we used the new generation compound AM6701 that blocks both the anandamide-deactivating enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and the 2-arachidonoyl glycerol-deactivating enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) with equal potency. Also studied was the structural isomer AM6702 which is 44-fold more potent for inhibiting FAAH versus MAGL. When applied before and during kainic acid (KA) exposure to cultured hippocampal slices, AM6701 protected against the resulting excitotoxic events of calpain-mediated cytoskeletal damage, loss of presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins, and pyknotic changes in neurons. The equipotent inhibitor was more effective than its close relative AM6702 at protecting against the neurodegenerative cascade assessed in the slice model. In vivo, AM6701 was also the more effective compound for reducing the severity of KA-induced seizures and protecting against behavioral deficits linked to seizure damage. Corresponding with the behavioral improvements, cytoskeletal and synaptic protection was elicited by AM6701, as found in the KA-treated hippocampal slice model. It is proposed that the influence of AM6701 on FAAH and MAGL exerts a synergistic action on the endocannabinoid system, thereby promoting the protective nature of cannabinergic signaling to offset excitotoxic brain injury.

Addiction to psychostimulants has been considered as a chronic psychiatric disorder, characterized by craving and compulsive drug seeking and use. Over the past two decades, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that repeated drug exposure causes long-lasting neurochemical and cellular changes that results in enduring neuroadaptation in brain circuitry and underlie compulsive drug consumption and relapse. Through intercellular signaling cascades, drugs of abuse induce remodeling in the rewarding circuitry that contributes to the neuroplasticity of learning and memory associated with addiction. Here, we review the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase, and its related intracellular signaling pathways in drug-induced neuroadaptive changes that are associated with drug-mediated psychomotor activity, rewarding properties and relapse of drug seeking behaviors. We also discuss the neurobiological and behavioral effects of pharmacological and genetic interferences with ERK-associated molecular cascades in response to abused substances. Understanding the dynamic modulation of ERK signaling in response to drugs may provide novel molecular targets for therapeutic strategies to drug addiction.

HIV-1 Tat plays an important role in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) by disrupting neurotransmission including dopamine uptake by human dopamine transporter (hDAT). Previous studies have demonstrated that HIV-1 Tat directly binds to hDAT and some amino-acid mutations that attenuate the hDAT-Tat binding also significantly decreased dopamine uptake activity of hDAT. This combined computational-experimental study demonstrates that histidine-547 (H547) of hDAT plays a crucial role in the hDAT-Tat binding and dopamine uptake by hDAT, and that the H547A mutation can not only considerably attenuate Tat-induced inhibition of dopamine uptake, but also significantly increase the Vmax of hDAT for dopamine uptake. The finding of such an unusual hDAT mutant capable of both increasing the Vmax of hDAT for dopamine uptake and disrupting the hDAT-Tat binding may provide an exciting knowledge basis for development of novel concepts for therapeutic treatment of the HAND.