Browsing by Author "Hudmon, Andrew"
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Item The effects of CaMKII signaling on neuronal viability(2013-12-10) Ashpole, Nicole M.; Hudmon, Andrew; Brustovetsky, Nickolay; Hurley, Thomas D., 1961-; Russell, Weihua Lee, 1956-; Oxford, G. S.Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a critical modulator of synaptic function, plasticity, and learning and memory. In neurons and astrocytes, CaMKII regulates cellular excitability, cytoskeletal structure, and cell metabolism. A rapid increase in CaMKII activity is observed within the first few minutes of ischemic stroke in vivo; this calcium-dependent process is also observed following glutamate stimulation in vitro. Activation of CaMKII during pathological conditions is immediately followed by inactivation and aggregation of the kinase. The extent of CaMKII inactivation is directly correlated with the extent of neuronal damage. The studies presented here show that these fluctuations in CaMKII activity are not correlated with neuronal death; rather, they play a causal role in neuronal death. Pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII in the time immediately surrounding glutamate insult protects cultured cortical neurons from excitotoxicity. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII during excitotoxic insult also prevents the aggregation and prolonged inactivation of the kinase, suggesting that CaMKII activity during excitotoxic glutamate signaling is detrimental to neuronal viability because it leads to a prolonged loss of CaMKII activity, culminating in neuronal death. In support of this, CaMKII inhibition in the absence of excitotoxic insult induces cortical neuron apoptosis by dysregulating intracellular calcium homeostasis and increasing excitatory glutamate signaling. Blockade of the NMDA-receptors and enzymatic degradation of the extracellular glutamate signal affords neuroprotection from CaMKII inhibition-induced toxicity. Co-cultures of neurons and glutamate-buffering astrocytes also exhibit this slow-induced excitotoxicity, as CaMKII inhibitors reduce glutamate uptake within the astrocytes. CaMKII inhibition also dysregulates calcium homeostasis in astrocytes and leads to increased ATP release, which was neurotoxic when applied to naïve cortical neurons. Together, these findings indicate that during aberrant calcium signaling, the activation of CaMKII is toxic because it supports aggregation and prolonged inactivation of the kinase. Without CaMKII activity, neurons and astrocytes release stores of transmitters that further exacerbate neuronal toxicity.Item GATING OF THE SENSORY NEURONAL VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNEL NAv1.7: ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF D3 AND D4 / S4-S5 LINKERS IN TRANSITION TO AN INACTIVATED STATE(2010-04-01T15:56:49Z) Jarecki, Brian W.; Cummins, Theodore R.; Nicol, Grant D.; Oxford, G. S.; Hudmon, Andrew; Schild, John H.Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are dynamic membrane-spanning proteins crucial for determining the electrical excitability in nerve and muscle. VGSCs transition, or gate, between opened, closed, and inactivated states, in response to changes in transmembrane potential. Altered VGSC gating can affect electrical communication and is implicated in numerous channelopathies. Nav1.7, a VGSC isoform highly expressed in the peripheral nervous system, plays a unique role in pain perception as evidenced by single point missense mutations causing a spectrum of pain syndromes (inherited erythromelalgia; IEM and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder; PEPD) and nonsense mutations resulting in human insensitivity to pain (CIP). These studies indicate Nav1.7 is critical in pain transduction and, as such, structural perturbations to Nav1.7 affecting conformational stability and response to changes in transmembrane potential have the potential to cause pain. Therefore, the aims of this dissertation were to (1) examine the effects of PEPD mutations on the voltage-dependent properties Nav1.7; (2) investigate the effects Nav1.7 alternative splicing has on the impact of IEM and PEPD mutations; (3) evaluate the effects channelopathies, resulting from slowed inactivation, have on modulating an unusual type of sodium current that flows during membrane repolarization; and (4) determine the structural components involved in stabilizing Nav1.7 inactivation. Standard patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to study changes in channel properties. Results from this dissertation demonstrate that (1) PEPD mutations significantly shift the voltage-dependent properties of Nav1.7 channels, destabilize an inactivated state in a residue specific manner, and render nociceptive neurons hyperexcitable; (2) alternative splicing can functionally impact PEPD; (3) channelopathies, resulting from slowed inactivation in neuronal and muscle VGSC isoforms, increase an unusual sodium conductance that flows during repolarization; and (4) specific residues located in distinct regions of Nav1.7 serve as docking sites to stabilize inactivation at different membrane potentials. Overall, this dissertation answers key questions regarding the molecular mechanics required during inactivation and the biophysical consequences of Nav1.7 mutations implicated in painful disorders. The results of this dissertation are important for a more detailed understanding of pain perception and validate the applicability of studying Nav1.7 for discovery of therapeutic targets for treatment of pain. – Theodore R. Cummins, ChairItem Human Nav1.5 F1486 deletion associated with long-QT syndrome leads to deficiency in inactivation and reduces lidocaine sensitivity(2012-03-19) Song, Weihua; Shou, Weinian; Cummins, Theodore R.; Chen, Peng-Sheng; Hudmon, Andrew; Nass, Richard; Khanna, RajeshThe cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel α subunit Nav1.5 generates the cardiac sodium current, which is essential for the initiation and propagation of the cardiac action potentials. Mutations of SCN5A, the gene that encodes Nav1.5, have been well documented to cause long-QT syndrome (LQTs) by disrupting channel inactivation and increasing late sodium current. Previous studies have revealed the importance of the intracellular loop region between transmembrane domain III and IV of sodium channel α subunit in regulating the fast inactivation. A recent clinical case study reported an infant patient with LQTs carrying a phenylalanine (F) deletion at amino acid 1486 of the Nav1.5 channel. This study reported that the patient showed severe cardiac arrhythmia reflected as LQTs and subsequent ventricular tachycardia, which was refractory to antiarrhythmic drug lidocaine treatment. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the deletion of F1486 on Nav1.5 would substantially alter electrophysiological properties of the channel and reduce the potency of lidocaine on sodium channel. Using HEK293 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, the F1486del channel was functionally characterized by whole-cell patch clamp techniques. Studies revealed that the deletion of F1486 causes a combination of changes including a loss-of-function alteration reflected as a substantial reduction of peak current density and a number of gain-of-function alterations including reduced channel inactivation, substantial augmentation of late sodium current, and an increase in ramp current. In addition, lidocaine sensitivity was dramatically reduced. By contrast, the voltage for half maximal activation (V1/2) and the time constant for channel deactivation for the F1486del channel were identical to the wild type channels. Using neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, we were able to study the functional consequence of F1484del on action potential duration (APD). Cardiomyocytes expressing F1486del channel have substantial APD prolongation and prominent spontaneous early afterdepolarizations, which likely underlie the subsequent LQTs in the patient. Taken together, despite the reduction in peak current density, the substantial gain-of-function changes are sufficient to cause the APD prolongation, which is a prominent characteristic of LQTs. These findings provide knowledge for understanding the relationships between sodium channel structure, pharmacology and the physiological consequence of sodium channel mutations that underlie LQT3.Item An in vitro study of the mechanisms that underlie changes in neuronal sensitivity and neurite morphology following treatment with microtubule targeting agents(2014-11) Pittman, Sherry Kathleen; Fehrenbacher, Jill C.; Cummins, Theodore R.; Hingtgen, Cynthia M.; Hudmon, Andrew; Vasko, Michael R.Microtubule targeting agents (MTAs) are chemotherapeutics commonly used in the treatment of breast, ovarian, lung, and lymphoma cancers. There are two main classes of MTAs based upon their effects on microtubule stability. The two classes are the destabilizing agents, which include the drug vincristine, and the stabilizing agents, which include paclitaxel and epothilone B. These drugs are highly effective antineoplastics, but their use is often accompanied by several side effects, one of which is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can be characterized by burning pain, tingling, loss of proprioception, or numbness in the hands and feet. In some patients, the MTA-induced peripheral neuropathy is debilitating and dose-limiting; however, there are no effective prevention strategies or treatment options for peripheral neuropathy as the mechanisms mediating this side effect are unknown. The goal of this work was to investigate MTA-induced effects on neuronal activity and morphology in order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of MTA-induced peripheral neuropathy. As an indicator of sensory neuronal activity, the basal and stimulated release of the putative nociceptive peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), was measured from sensory neurons in culture after exposure to the MTAs paclitaxel, epothilone B, and vincristine. Neurite length and branching were also measured in sensory neuronal cultures after treatment with these MTAs. The results described in this thesis demonstrate that MTAs alter the stimulated release of CGRP from sensory neurons in differential ways depending on the MTA agent employed, the CGRP evoking-stimulus used, the concentration of the MTA agent, the duration of exposure to the MTA agent, and the presence of NGF. It was also observed that MTA agents decrease neurite length and branching, independent of the concentration of NGF in the culture media. Thus, this thesis describes MTA-induced alterations of sensory neuronal sensitivity and neurite morphology and begins to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in MTA-induced alterations of sensory neurons. These findings will undoubtedly be used to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying MTA-induced peripheral neuropathy.Item Increased Resurgent Sodium Currents (INaR) in Inherited and Acquired Disorders of Excitability(2012-08-07) Piekarz, Andrew D.; Cummins, Theodore R.; Nicol, Grant D.; Vasko, Michael R.; Hudmon, Andrew; Khanna, RajeshVoltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are dynamic membrane spanning proteins which mediate the rapid influx of Na+ during the upstroke of the action potential (AP). In addition to the large inward Na+ currents responsible for the upstroke of the AP, some VGSC isoforms produce smaller, subthreshold Na+ currents, which can influence the excitable properties of neurons. An example of such a subthreshold current is resurgent Na+ current (INaR). These unusual currents are active during repolarization of the membrane potential, where the channel is normally refractory to activity. INaR exhibit slow gating kinetics and unusual voltage-dependence derived from a novel mechanism of channel inactivation which allows the channel to recover through an open configuration resulting in membrane depolarization early in the falling phase of the AP, ultra-fast re-priming of channels, and multiple AP spikes. Although originally identified in fast spiking central nervous system (CNS) neurons, INaR has recently been observed in a subpopulation of peripheral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Because INaR is believed to contribute to spontaneous and high frequency firing of APs, I have hypothesized that increased INaR may contribute to ectopic AP firing associated with inherited and acquired disorders of excitability. Specifically, this dissertation explores the mechanisms which underlie the electrogenesis of INaR in DRG neurons and determines whether the biophysical properties of these unique currents were altered by mutations that cause inherited muscle and neuronal channelopathies or in an experimental model of nerve injury. The results demonstrate that (1) multiple Na+ channel isoforms are capable of producing INaR in DRG neurons, including NaV1.3, NaV1.6, and NaV1.7, (2) inherited muscle and neuronal channelopathIy mutations that slow the rate of channel inactivation increase INaR amplitude, (3) temperature sensitive INaR produced by select skeletal muscle channelopthy mutations may contribute to the triggering of cold-induced myotonia, and (4) INaR amplitude and distribution is significantly increased two weeks post contusive spinal cord injury (SCI). Taken together, results from this dissertation provide foundational knowledge of the properties and mechanism of INaR in DRG neurons and indicates that increased INaR likely contributes to the enhanced membrane excitability associated with multiple inherited and acquired disorders of excitability.Item Investigating the molecular mechanism of phospholamban regulation of the Ca²-pump of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum(2010-12) Akin, Brandy Lee; Jones, Larry R.; Field, Loren J.; Hudmon, Andrew; Hurley, Thomas D., 1961-; Roach, Peter J.The Ca2+ pump or Ca2+-ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, SERCA2a, is regulated by phospholamban (PLB), a small inhibitory phosphoprotein that decreases the apparent Ca2+ affinity of the enzyme. We propose that PLB decreases Ca2+ affinity by stabilizing the Ca2+-free, E2·ATP state of the enzyme, thus blocking the transition to E1, the high Ca2+ affinity state required for Ca2+ binding and ATP hydrolysis. The purpose of this dissertation research is to critically evaluate this idea using series of cross-linkable PLB mutants of increasing inhibitory strength (N30C-PLB < PLB3 < PLB4). Three hypotheses were tested; each specifically designed to address a fundamental point in the mechanism of PLB action. Hypothesis 1: SERCA2a with PLB bound is catalytically inactive. The catalytic activity of SERCA2a irreversibly cross-linked to PLB (PLB/SER) was assessed. Ca2+-ATPase activity, and formation of the phosphorylated intermediates were all completely inhibited. Thus, PLB/SER is entirely catalytically inactive. Hypothesis 2: PLB decreases the Ca2+ affinity of SERCA2a by competing with Ca2+ for binding to SERCA2a. The functional effects of N30C-PLB, PLB3, and PLB4 on Ca2+-ATPase activity and phosphoenzyme formation were measured, and correlated with their binding interactions with SERCA2a measured by chemical cross-linking. Successively higher Ca2+ concentrations were required to both activate the enzyme co-expressed with N30C-PLB, PLB3, and PLB4 and to dissociate N30C-PLB, PLB3, and PLB4 from SERCA2a, suggesting competition between PLB and Ca2+ for binding to SERCA2a. This was confirmed with the Ca2+ pump mutant, D351A, which is catalytically inactive but retains strong Ca2+ binding. Increasingly higher Ca2+ concentrations were also required to dissociate N30C-PLB, PLB3, and PLB4 from D351A, demonstrating directly that PLB competes with Ca2+ for binding to the Ca2+ pump. Hypothesis 3: PLB binds exclusively to the Ca2+-free E2 state with bound nucleotide (E2·ATP). Thapsigargin, vanadate, and nucleotide effects on PLB cross-linking to SERCA2a were determined. All three PLB mutants bound preferentially to E2 state with bound nucleotide (E2·ATP), and not at all to the thapsigargin or vanadate bound states. We conclude that PLB inhibits SERCA2a activity by stabilizing a unique E2·ATP conformation that cannot bind Ca2+.Item Paclitaxel alters the function of the small diameter sensory neurons(2011-07-08) Gracias, Neilia; Vasko, Michael R.; Brustovetsky, Nickolay; Hingtgen, Cynthia M., 1966-; Hudmon, Andrew; Kelley, Mark Richard, 1957-Although paclitaxel is a commonly used anti-neoplastic agent for the treatment of solid tumors, therapy often results in a number of side effects, the most debilitating of which is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is defined as a pathology of peripheral nerves, and, depending on the type of nerves damaged, the neuropathy can be classified as sensory, motor, or autonomic neuropathy. In the case of peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel, the symptoms are experienced in the extremities and are sensory in nature. Patients undergoing chemotherapy with paclitaxel often report sensory disturbances such as burning, tingling, numbness, a diminished sensation to pain and temperature, loss of vibration sense, loss of proprioception, and loss of deep tendon reflexes. Electrophysiological abnormalities including decreased sensory nerve action potential amplitude and conduction confirm damage to large myelinated fibers. However, the involvement of damage to small diameter sensory neurons in the etiology of paclitaxel – induced peripheral neuropathy is still controversial. Therefore, experiments were performed to determine if paclitaxel alters the function of small diameter sensory neurons and to examine the mechanisms responsible for the change in function. vi Sensory neuron mediated vasodilatation in paclitaxel – injected animals was examined as an indirect measure of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) release and therefore of sensory neuron function. CGRP release was also directly measured from central terminals in the spinal cord. To examine mechanisms of paclitaxel – induced sensory neuron damage, CGRP release and neurite length was examined in paclitaxel – treated sensory neurons in culture. The results demonstrate that (1) paclitaxel decreases the ability of small diameter sensory neurons to produce an increase in blood flow in the skin; (2) paclitaxel alters the release of CGRP from the small diameter sensory neurons; (3) paclitaxel causes the neuronal processes of isolated sensory neurons to degenerate. This dissertation provides novel information showing that paclitaxel alters the function of small diameter sensory neurons and thus provides a better understanding of the mechanisms mediating the sensory disturbances characteristic of peripheral neuropathy resulting from chemotherapy with paclitaxel.Item Sphingosine 1-phosphate enhances excitability of sensory neurons through sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors 1 and/or 3(2014) Li, Chao; Vasko, Michael R.; Cummins, Theodore R.; Hudmon, Andrew; Nicol, Grant D.; Quilliam, Lawrence A.Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid that has proven to be an important signaling molecule both as an extracellular primary messenger and as an intracellular second messenger. Extracellular S1P acts through a family of five S1P receptors, S1PR1-5, all of which are G protein-coupled receptors associated with different G proteins. Previous work from our laboratory shows that externally applied S1P increases the excitability of small-diameter sensory neurons by enhancing the action potential firing. The increased neuronal excitability is mediated primarily, but not exclusively, through S1PR1. This raises the question as to which other S1PRs mediate the enhanced excitability in sensory neurons. To address this question, the expression of different S1PR subtypes in small-diameter sensory neurons was examined by single-cell quantitative PCR. The results show that sensory neurons express the mRNAs for all five S1PRs, with S1PR1 mRNA level significantly greater than the other subtypes. To investigate the functional contribution of other S1PRs in augmenting excitability, sensory neurons were treated with a pool of three individual siRNAs targeted to S1PR1, R2 and R3. This treatment prevented S1P from augmenting excitability, indicating that S1PR1, R2 and/or R3 are essential in mediating S1P-induced sensitization. To study the role of S1PR2 in S1P-induced sensitization, JTE-013, a selective antagonist at S1PR2, was used. Surprisingly, JTE-013 by itself enhanced neuronal excitability. Alternatively, sensory neurons were pretreated with FTY720, which is an agonist at S1PR1/R3/R4/R5 and presumably downregulates these receptors. FTY720 pretreatment prevented S1P from increasing neuronal excitability, suggesting that S1PR2 does not mediate the S1P-induced sensitization. To test the hypothesis that S1PR1 and R3 mediate S1P-induced sensitization, sensory neurons were pretreated with specific antagonists for S1PR1 and R3, or with siRNAs targeted to S1PR1 and R3. Both treatments blocked the capacity of S1P to enhance neuronal excitability. Therefore my results demonstrate that the enhanced excitability produced by S1P is mediated by S1PR1 and/or S1PR3. Additionally, my results indicate that S1P/S1PR1 elevates neuronal excitability through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. The data from antagonism at S1PR1 to regulate neuronal excitability provides insight into the importance of S1P/S1PR1 axis in modulating pain signal transduction.