Browsing by Author "Hudmon, Andy"
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Item Assessment of Ethanol and Nicotine Interactions in the Rat Model: Pharmacotherapeutics, Adolescence, and the Mesolimbic System(2019-09) Waeiss, Robert Aaron; Truitt, William A.; Hudmon, Andy; Johnson, Philip L.; McBride, William J.; Rodd, Zachary A.Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and nicotine dependence often result in serious health problems and are top contributors to preventable deaths worldwide. Co-addiction to alcohol and nicotine is the most common form of polysubstance abuse. Epidemiological studies indicate that more than 80% of individuals diagnosed with AUD concurrently use nicotine. The prevalence of alcohol and nicotine comorbidity may stem from interconnected mechanisms underlying these disorders. A better understanding of how these drugs interact and the biological basis behind the high comorbidity rates could generate key targets for the development of more effective treatments for AUD and nicotine dependence. The following experiments utilized four similar overall groups consisting of vehicle, ethanol (EtOH), nicotine (NIC), and EtOH+NIC. Chapter Two investigated the efficacy of naltrexone and varenicline, the pharmacological ‘gold standards’ for treating AUD and nicotine dependence, on voluntary drug intake by rats selectively bred for high EtOH drinking. The results indicated that the standard treatments for AUD and nicotine dependence were effective at reducing consumption of the targeted reinforcer but neither reduced EtOH+NIC co-use/abuse. Chapter Three examined the effects of peri-adolescent EtOH drinking on the ability of NIC infused into the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) to stimulate dopamine release within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell during adulthood. The results suggest a cross-sensitization to NIC produced by peri-adolescent EtOH consumption demonstrated by a leftward and upward shift in the dose response curve. Chapter Four investigated the effects of intra-pVTA infusions on NAc shell neurochemistry, EtOH reward within the NAc shell, and the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on EtOH reward within that region. The data indicated that only EtOH+NIC significantly increased glutamate, dopamine, and BDNF in the NAc shell. Repeated pretreatment with EtOH+NIC also enhanced EtOH reward in the NAc shell and BDNF infusions were sufficient to recapitulate these findings. Collectively, the data indicate that concurrent exposure to EtOH and NIC results in unique neuroadaptations that promote future drug use. The failure to develop effective pharmacotherapeutics for AUD or nicotine dependence could be associated with examining potential targets in models that fail to reflect the impact of polydrug exposure.Item Autoregulatory and structural control of CaMKII substrate specificity(2016-09) Johnson, Derrick Ethan; Hudmon, Andy; Hurley, Thomas D.; Hoang, Quyen Q.; Gallagher, PatriciaCalcium/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multimeric holoenzyme composed of 8–14 subunits from four closely related isoforms (α, β, γ, δ). CaMKII plays a strategic, multifunctional role in coupling the universal second messenger calcium with diverse cellular processes including metabolism, cell cycle control, and synaptic plasticity. CaMKII exhibits broad substrate specificity, targeting numerous substrates with diverse phosphorylation motifs. Binding of the calcium sensor CaM to the autoregulatory domain (ARD) of CaMKII functions to couple kinase activation with calcium signaling. Important sites of autophosphorylation, namely T287 and T306/7 (δ isoform numbering), reside within the ARD and control either CaM dependence or ability to bind to CaMKII respectively, thus determining various activation states of the kinase. Because autophosphorylation is critical to the function of CaMKII in vivo, we sought to determine the relationship between the activation state of the kinase and substrate selectivity. We show that the ARD of activated CaMKII tunes substrate selectivity by competing for substrate binding to the catalytic domain, thus functioning as a selectivity filter. Specifically, in the absence of T287 autophosphorylation, substrate phosphorylation is limited to high-affinity, consensus substrates. T287 autophosphorylation restores maximal kinase activation and broad substrate selectivity by disengaging ARD filtering. The unique multimeric architecture of CaMKII is an ideal sensor which encodes calcium-spike frequency into graded levels of subunit activation/autophosphorylation within the holoenzyme. We find that differential activation states of the holoenzyme produce distinct substrate phosphorylation profiles. Maximal holoenzyme activation/autophosphorylation leads to further broadening of substrate specificity beyond the effect of autophosphorylation alone, which is consistent with multivalent avidity. Thus, the ability of calcium-spike frequency to regulate T287 autophosphorylation and holoenzyme activation permits cellular activity to dictate switch-like behavior in substrate selectivity that is required for diverse cellular responses by CaMKII.Item Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Regulation of IKs during Sustained Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation(Elsevier, 2018) Shugg, Tyler; Johnson, Derrick E.; Shao, Minghai; Lai, Xianyin; Witzmann, Frank; Cummins, Theodore R.; Rubart-Von der Lohe, Michael; Hudmon, Andy; Overholser, Brian R.; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of MedicineBackground Sustained β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation causes pathophysiological changes during heart failure (HF), including inhibition of the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs). Aberrant calcium handling, including increased activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), contributes to arrhythmia development during HF. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate CaMKII regulation of KCNQ1 (pore-forming subunit of IKs) during sustained β-AR stimulation and associated functional implications on IKs. Methods KCNQ1 phosphorylation was assessed using LCMS/MS after sustained β-AR stimulation with isoproterenol (ISO). Peptide fragments corresponding to KCNQ1 residues were synthesized to identify CaMKII phosphorylation at the identified sites. Dephosphorylated (alanine) and phosphorylated (aspartic acid) mimics were introduced at identified residues. Whole-cell, voltage-clamp experiments were performed in human endothelial kidney 293 cells coexpressing wild-type or mutant KCNQ1 and KCNE1 (auxiliary subunit) during ISO treatment or lentiviral δCaMKII overexpression. Results Novel KCNQ1 carboxy-terminal sites were identified with enhanced phosphorylation during sustained β-AR stimulation at T482 and S484. S484 peptides demonstrated the strongest δCaMKII phosphorylation. Sustained β-AR stimulation reduced IKs activation (P = .02 vs control) similar to the phosphorylated mimic (P = .62 vs sustained β-AR). Individual phosphorylated mimics at S484 (P = .04) but not at T482 (P = .17) reduced IKs function. Treatment with CN21 (CaMKII inhibitor) reversed the reductions in IKs vs CN21-Alanine control (P < .01). δCaMKII overexpression reduced IKs similar to ISO treatment in wild type (P < .01) but not in the dephosphorylated S484 mimic (P = .99). Conclusion CaMKII regulates KCNQ1 at S484 during sustained β-AR stimulation to inhibit IKs. The ability of CaMKII to inhibit IKs may contribute to arrhythmogenicity during HF.Item CaMKII Controls Whether Touch Is Painful(Society for Neuroscience, 2015-10-21) Yu, Hongwei; Pan, Bin; Weyer, Andy; Wu, Hsiang-En; Meng, Jingwei; Fischer, Gregory; Vilceanu, Daniel; Light, Alan R.; Stucky, Cheryl; Rice, Frank L.; Hudmon, Andy; Hogan, Quinn; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, IU School of MedicineThe sensation of touch is initiated when fast conducting low-threshold mechanoreceptors (Aβ-LTMRs) generate impulses at their terminals in the skin. Plasticity in this system is evident in the process of adaption, in which a period of diminished sensitivity follows prior stimulation. CaMKII is an ideal candidate for mediating activity-dependent plasticity in touch because it shifts into an enhanced activation state after neuronal depolarizations and can thereby reflect past firing history. Here we show that sensory neuron CaMKII autophosphorylation encodes the level of Aβ-LTMR activity in rat models of sensory deprivation (whisker clipping, tail suspension, casting). Blockade of CaMKII signaling limits normal adaptation of action potential generation in Aβ-LTMRs in excised skin. CaMKII activity is also required for natural filtering of impulse trains as they travel through the sensory neuron T-junction in the DRG. Blockade of CaMKII selectively in presynaptic Aβ-LTMRs removes dorsal horn inhibition that otherwise prevents Aβ-LTMR input from activating nociceptive lamina I neurons. Together, these consequences of reduced CaMKII function in Aβ-LTMRs cause low-intensity mechanical stimulation to produce pain behavior. We conclude that, without normal sensory activity to maintain adequate levels of CaMKII function, the touch pathway shifts into a pain system. In the clinical setting, sensory disuse may be a critical factor that enhances and prolongs chronic pain initiated by other conditions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The sensation of touch is served by specialized sensory neurons termed low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs). We examined the role of CaMKII in regulating the function of these neurons. Loss of CaMKII function, such as occurred in rats during sensory deprivation, elevated the generation and propagation of impulses by LTMRs, and altered the spinal cord circuitry in such a way that low-threshold mechanical stimuli produced pain behavior. Because limbs are protected from use during a painful condition, this sensitization of LTMRs may perpetuate pain and prevent functional rehabilitation.Item CaMKII enhances voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.6 activity and neuronal excitability(American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2020-08-14) Zybura, Agnes S.; Baucum, Anthony J., II.; Rush, Anthony M.; Cummins, Theodore R.; Hudmon, Andy; Biology, School of ScienceNav1.6 is the primary voltage-gated sodium channel isoform expressed in mature axon initial segments and nodes, making it critical for initiation and propagation of neuronal impulses. Thus, Nav1.6 modulation and dysfunction may have profound effects on input-output properties of neurons in normal and pathological conditions. Phosphorylation is a powerful and reversible mechanism regulating ion channel function. Because Nav1.6 and the multifunctional Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) are independently linked to excitability disorders, we sought to investigate modulation of Nav1.6 function by CaMKII signaling. We show that inhibition of CaMKII, a Ser/Thr protein kinase associated with excitability, synaptic plasticity, and excitability disorders, with the CaMKII-specific peptide inhibitor CN21 reduces transient and persistent currents in Nav1.6-expressing Purkinje neurons by 87%. Using whole-cell voltage clamp of Nav1.6, we show that CaMKII inhibition in ND7/23 and HEK293 cells significantly reduces transient and persistent currents by 72% and produces a 5.8-mV depolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation. Immobilized peptide arrays and nanoflow LC-electrospray ionization/MS of Nav1.6 reveal potential sites of CaMKII phosphorylation, specifically Ser-561 and Ser-641/Thr-642 within the first intracellular loop of the channel. Using site-directed mutagenesis to test multiple potential sites of phosphorylation, we show that Ala substitutions of Ser-561 and Ser-641/Thr-642 recapitulate the depolarizing shift in activation and reduction in current density. Computational simulations to model effects of CaMKII inhibition on Nav1.6 function demonstrate dramatic reductions in spontaneous and evoked action potentials in a Purkinje cell model, suggesting that CaMKII modulation of Nav1.6 may be a powerful mechanism to regulate neuronal excitability.Item CaMKII Inhibition Attenuates Distinct Gain-of-Function Effects Produced by Mutant Nav1.6 Channels and Reduces Neuronal Excitability(MDPI, 2022-07-04) Zybura, Agnes S.; Sahoo, Firoj K.; Hudmon, Andy; Cummins, Theodore R.; Biology, School of ScienceAberrant Nav1.6 activity can induce hyperexcitability associated with epilepsy. Gain-of-function mutations in the SCN8A gene encoding Nav1.6 are linked to epilepsy development; however, the molecular mechanisms mediating these changes are remarkably heterogeneous and may involve post-translational regulation of Nav1.6. Because calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a powerful modulator of Nav1.6 channels, we investigated whether CaMKII modulates disease-linked Nav1.6 mutants. Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings in ND7/23 cells show that CaMKII inhibition of the epilepsy-related mutation R850Q largely recapitulates the effects previously observed for WT Nav1.6. We also characterized a rare missense variant, R639C, located within a regulatory hotspot for CaMKII modulation of Nav1.6. Prediction software algorithms and electrophysiological recordings revealed gain-of-function effects for R639C mutant channel activity, including increased sodium currents and hyperpolarized activation compared to WT Nav1.6. Importantly, the R639C mutation ablates CaMKII phosphorylation at a key regulatory site, T642, and, in contrast to WT and R850Q channels, displays a distinct response to CaMKII inhibition. Computational simulations demonstrate that modeled neurons harboring the R639C or R850Q mutations are hyperexcitable, and simulating the effects of CaMKII inhibition on Nav1.6 activity in modeled neurons differentially reduced hyperexcitability. Acute CaMKII inhibition may represent a promising mechanism to attenuate gain-of-function effects produced by Nav1.6 mutations.Item CaMKII Phosphorylation of the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Nav1.6 Regulates Channel Function and Neuronal Excitability(2021-01) Zybura, Agnes Sara; Cummins, Theodore R.; Hudmon, Andy; Baucum II, Anthony J.; Sheets, Patrick L.Voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) undergo remarkably complex modes of modulation to fine tune membrane excitability and neuronal firing properties. In neurons, the isoform Nav1.6 is highly enriched at the axon initial segment and nodes, making it critical for the initiation and propagation of neuronal impulses. Thus, Nav1.6 modulation and dysfunction may profoundly impact the input-output properties of neurons in normal and pathological conditions. Phosphorylation is a powerful and reversible mechanism that exquisitely modulates ion channels. To this end, the multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) can transduce neuronal activity through phosphorylation of diverse substrates to serve as a master regulator of neuronal function. Because Nav1.6 and CaMKII are independently linked to excitability disorders, I sought to investigate modulation of Nav1.6 function by CaMKII signaling to reveal an important mechanism underlying neuronal excitability. Multiple biochemical approaches show Nav1.6 is a novel substrate for CaMKII and reveal multi-site phosphorylation within the L1 domain; a hotspot for post-translational regulation in other Nav isoforms. Consistent with these findings, pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII reduces transient and persistent sodium currents in Purkinje neurons. Because Nav1.6 is the predominant sodium current observed in Purkinje neurons, these data suggest that Nav1.6 may be modulated through CaMKII signaling. In support of this, my studies demonstrate that CaMKII inhibition significantly attenuates Nav1.6 transient and persistent sodium currents and shifts the voltage-dependence of activation to more depolarizing potentials in heterologous cells. Interestingly, I show that these functional effects are likely mediated by CaMKII phosphorylation of Nav1.6 at S561 and T642, and that each phosphorylation site regulates distinct biophysical characteristics of the channel. These findings are further extended to investigate CaMKII modulation of disease-linked mutant Nav1.6 channels. I show that different Nav1.6 mutants display distinct responses to CaMKII modulation and reveal that acute CaMKII inhibition attenuates gain-of-function effects produced by mutant channels. Importantly, computational simulations modeling the effects of CaMKII inhibition on WT and mutant Nav1.6 channels demonstrate dramatic reductions in neuronal excitability in Purkinje and cortical pyramidal cell models. Together, these findings suggest that CaMKII modulation of Nav1.6 may be a powerful mechanism to regulate physiological and pathological neuronal excitability.Item CaMKII regulation of astrocytic glutamate uptake(2016-05-19) Chawla, Aarti R.; Hudmon, Andy; Cummins, Theodore; Oxford, Gerry S.; Chen, Jinhui; Hoang, QuyenGlutamate clearance by astrocytes is an essential part of physiological excitatory neurotransmission. Failure to adapt or maintain low levels of glutamate in the central nervous system is associated with multiple acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. The primary excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) in human astrocytes are EAAT1 and EAAT2 (GLAST and GLT-1 respectively in rodents). While the inhibition of a ubiquitously-expressed serine/threonine protein kinase, the calcium/calmodulindependent kinase (CaMKII) results in diminished glutamate uptake in cultured primary rodent astrocytes, the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation is unknown. In order to delineate this mechanism, we use a heterologous expression model to explore CaMKII regulation of EAAT1 and EAAT2. In transiently transfected HEK293T cells, pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII and overexpression of a dominant-negative version of CaMKII (Asp136Asn) reduces [3H]-glutamate uptake by EAAT1, without altering EAAT2 mediated glutamate uptake. Surprisingly, overexpression of a constitutively active autophosphorylation mutant (Thr287Asp) to increase autonomous CaMKII activity and a mutant incapable of autophosphorylation (Thr287Val) had no effect on either EAAT1 or EAAT2 mediated glutamate uptake. Pulldown of FLAGtagged glutamate transporters suggests CaMKII does not interact with EAAT1 or EAAT2. SPOTS peptide arrays and recombinant GST-fusion proteins of the intracellular N- and C-termini of EAAT1 identified two potential phosphorylation sites at residues Thr26 and Thr37 in the N-terminus. Introducing an Ala (a non-phospho mimetic) but not an Asp (phosphomimetic) at Thr37 diminished EAAT1-mediated glutamate uptake, suggesting that the phosphorylation state of this residue is important for constitutive EAAT1 function. In sum, this is the first report of a glutamate transporter being identified as a direct CaMKII substrate. These findings indicate that CaMKII signaling is a critical driver of homeostatic glutamate uptake by EAAT1. Aberrations in basal CaMKII activity disrupt glutamate uptake, which can perpetuate glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and result in cellular death.Item Cardiac sodium channel palmitoylation regulates channel availability and myocyte excitability with implications for arrhythmia generation(Nature Publishing Group, 2016-06-23) Pei, Zifan; Xiao, Yucheng; Meng, Jingwei; Hudmon, Andy; Cummins, Theodore R.; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, IU School of MedicineCardiac voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav1.5) play an essential role in regulating cardiac electric activity by initiating and propagating action potentials in the heart. Altered Nav1.5 function is associated with multiple cardiac diseases including long-QT3 and Brugada syndrome. Here, we show that Nav1.5 is subject to palmitoylation, a reversible post-translational lipid modification. Palmitoylation increases channel availability and late sodium current activity, leading to enhanced cardiac excitability and prolonged action potential duration. In contrast, blocking palmitoylation increases closed-state channel inactivation and reduces myocyte excitability. We identify four cysteines as possible Nav1.5 palmitoylation substrates. A mutation of one of these is associated with cardiac arrhythmia (C981F), induces a significant enhancement of channel closed-state inactivation and ablates sensitivity to depalmitoylation. Our data indicate that alterations in palmitoylation can substantially control Nav1.5 function and cardiac excitability and this form of post-translational modification is likely an important contributor to acquired and congenital arrhythmias.Item Cardiac sodium channel palmitoylation regulates channel function and cardiac excitability with implications for arrhythmia generation(2016-12-09) Pei, Zifan; Cummins, Theodore R.; Oxford, Gerry S.; Hudmon, Andy; Rubart-von der Lohe, Michael; Sheets, Patrick L.The cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav1.5) play a specific and critical role in regulating cardiac electrical activity by initiating and propagating action potentials in the heart. The association between Nav1.5 dysfunctions and generation of various types of cardiac arrhythmia disease, including long-QT3 and Brugada syndrome, is well established. Many types of post-translational modifications have been shown to regulate Nav1.5 biophysical properties, including phosphorylation, glycosylation and ubiquitination. However, our understanding about how post-translational lipid modification affects sodium channel function and cellular excitability, is still lacking. The goal of this dissertation is to characterize Nav1.5 palmitoylation, one of the most common post-translational lipid modification and its role in regulating Nav1.5 function and cardiac excitability. In our studies, three lines of biochemistry evidence were shown to confirm Nav1.5 palmitoylation in both native expression background and heterologous expression system. Moreover, palmitoylation of Nav1.5 can be bidirectionally regulated using 2-Br-palmitate and palmitic acid. Our results also demonstrated that enhanced palmitoylation in both cardiomyocytes and HEK293 cells increases sodium channel availability and late sodium current activity, leading to enhanced cardiac excitability and prolonged action potential duration. In contrast, blocking palmitoylation by 2-Br-palmitiate increases closed-state channel inactivation and reduces myocyte excitability. Our computer simulation results confirmed that the observed modification in Nav1.5 gating properties by protein palmitoylation are adequate for the alterations in cardiac excitability. Mutations of potential palmitoylation sites predicted by CSS-Palm bioinformatics tool were introduced into wild-type Nav1.5 constructs using site-directed mutagenesis. Further studies revealed four cysteines (C981, C1176, C1178, C1179) as possible Nav1.5 palmitoylation sites. In particular, a mutation of one of these sites(C981) is associated with cardiac arrhythmia disease. Cysteine to phenylalanine mutation at this site largely enhances of channel closed-state inactivation and ablates sensitivity to depalmitoylation. Therefore, C981 might be the most important site that regulates Nav1.5 palmitoylation. In summary, this dissertation research identified novel post-translational modification on Nav1.5 and revealed important details behind this process. Our data provides new insights on how post-translational lipid modification alters cardiomyocyte excitability and its potential role in arrhythmogenesis.