A new strain of human coronaviruses (hCoVs), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been identified to be responsible for the current outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Though major symptoms are primarily generated from the respiratory system, neurological symptoms are being reported in some of the confirmed cases, raising concerns of its potential for intracranial invasion and neurological manifestations, both in the acute phase and in the long-term. At present, it remains unclear the extent to which SARS-CoV-2 is present in the brain, and if so, its pathogenic role in the central nervous system (CNS). Evidence for neuroinvasion and neurovirulence of hCoVs has been recognised in animal and human studies. Given that SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the same family and shares characteristics in terms of receptor binding properties, it is worthwhile exploring its potential CNS manifestations. This review summarises previous findings from hCoVs in relation to the CNS, and compares these with the new strain, aiming to provide a better understanding of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the CNS.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe neutral amino acid transporter B 0 AT1 (SLC6A19) has recently been identified as a possible target to treat type 2 diabetes and related disorders. B 0 AT1 mediates the Na + -dependent uptake of all neutral amino acids. For surface expression and catalytic activity, B 0 AT1 requires coexpression of collectrin (TMEM27). In this study, we established tools to identify and evaluate novel inhibitors of B 0 AT1. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHA CHO-based cell line was generated, stably expressing collectrin and B 0 AT1. Using this cell line, a high-throughput screening assay was developed, which uses a fluorescent dye to detect depolarisation of the cell membrane during amino acid uptake via B 0 AT1. In parallel to these functional assays, we ran a computational compound screen using AutoDock4 and a homology model of B 0 AT1 based on the high-resolution structure of the highly homologous Drosophila dopamine transporter. KEY RESULTSWe characterized a series of novel inhibitors of the B 0 AT1 transporter. Benztropine was identified as a competitive inhibitor of the transporter showing an IC 50 of 44 ± 9 μM. The compound was selective with regard to related transporters and blocked neutral amino acid uptake in inverted sections of mouse intestine. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONSThe tools established in this study can be widely used to identify new transport inhibitors. Using these tools, we were able to identify compounds that can be used to study epithelial transport, to induce protein restriction, or be developed further through medicinal chemistry. AbbreviationsCHO-BC, CHO cells stably transfected with B 0 AT1 and collectrin; FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21; GIP, gastric inhibitory peptide; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; MW, molecular weight; NMDG, N-methyl-D-glucamine

Background: Collectrin is required for membrane expression of the broad neutral amino acid transporters (B 0 AT1 and -3). Results: Collectrin activates B

Research System-L transporters and the pancreatic β-cell AbstractThe branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine and valine, are essential amino acids that play a critical role in cellular signalling and metabolism. They acutely stimulate insulin secretion and activate the regulatory serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a kinase that promotes increased β-cell mass and function. The effects of BCAA on cellular function are dependent on their active transport into the mammalian cells via amino acid transporters and thus the expression and activity of these transporters likely influence β-cell signalling and function. In this report, we show that the System-L transporters are required for BCAA uptake into clonal β-cell lines and pancreatic islets, and that these are essential for signalling to mTORC1. Further investigation revealed that the System-L amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is abundantly expressed in the islets, and that knockdown of LAT1 using siRNA inhibits mTORC1 signalling, leucine-stimulated insulin secretion and islet cell proliferation. In summary, we show that the LAT1 is required for regulating β-cell signalling and function in islets and thus may be a novel pharmacological/nutritional target for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Background and purposeSouth Western Sydney comprises of a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and lower socioeconomic status population group within the state of New South Wales. Geographic location and sociodemographic factors play important roles in access to healthcare and may be crucial in the success of time-critical acute stroke intervention. The aim of this study was to examine the trends in the delayed presentation to emergency department (ED) and identify factors associated with prehospital delay for an acute stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) at a comprehensive stroke centre.MethodsPatient health-related data were extracted for stroke/TIA discharges for the period 2009–2017. Electronic medical record data were used to determine sociodemographic characteristics and prehospital factors, and their associations with delayed presentation≥4.5 hours from stroke onset were studied.ResultsDuring the 9-year period, population-adjusted stroke/TIA discharge rates increased from 540 to 676 per 100 000. A significant reduction in the proportion of patients presenting to ED<4.5 hours (56% in 2009 versus 46% in 2017, p<0.001) was observed. Younger patients aged 55–64 and 65–74 years, those belonging to Polynesia, South Asia and Mainland Southeast Asia, and those not using state ambulance as the mode of arrival to the hospital were at increased risk of prehospital delay.ConclusionsComprehensive reappraisal of educational programmes for early stroke recognition is required in our region due to delayed ED presentations of younger and specific CALD communities of stroke/TIA patients.