Search results for "amine"
showing 10 items of 7299 documents
Arabidopsis Serine Decarboxylase 1 (SDC1) in Phospholipid and Amino Acid Metabolism
2018
Arabidopsis thaliana serine decarboxylase 1 (SDC1) catalyzes conversion of serine to ethanolamine, the first reaction step of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis. However, an involvement of SDC1 in amino acid metabolism remains elusive despite that serine is the substrate of SDC1. Here, we showed that SDC1 localizes in mitochondria although phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are known to be produced in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Moreover, we found that overexpression of SDC1 decreased levels of amino acid compounds derived from mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle. These results suggest that mitochondria-localized SDC1 plays an important role i…
Biomarkers and clinical characteristics of autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria: Results of the PURIST Study.
2019
Background: Autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria (aiCSU) is an important subtype of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in which functional IgG autoantibodies to IgE or its high-affinity receptor (FcεRI) induces mast cell degranulation and subsequent symptom development. However, it has not been tightly characterized. This study aimed to better define the clinical and immunological features and to explore potential biomarkers of aiCSU. Methods: This was a multinational, multicenter study of 182 CSU patients. The clinical features studied included: urticaria activity and impact (UAS7 and quality of life); autologous serum skin test (ASST); IgG anti-FcεRI and IgG anti-IgE; IgG-anti-thyrop…
Effects of Dopamine on the Immature Neurons of the Adult Rat Piriform Cortex
2020
The layer II of the adult piriform cortex (PCX) contains a numerous population of immature neurons. Interestingly, in both mice and rats, most, if not all, these cells have an embryonic origin. Moreover, recent studies from our laboratory have shown that they progressively mature into typical excitatory neurons of the PCX layer II. Therefore, the adult PCX is considered a “non-canonical” neurogenic niche. These immature neurons express the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), a molecule critical for different neurodevelopmental processes. Dopamine (DA) is a relevant neurotransmitter in the adult CNS, which also plays important roles in neural development and …
Melatonin reduces inflammatory response in human intestinal epithelial cells stimulated by interleukin‐1β
2019
Melatonin is the main secretory product of the pineal gland, and it is involved in the regulation of periodic events. A melatonin production independent of the photoperiod is typical of the gut. However, the local physiological role of melatonin at the intestinal tract is poorly characterized. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of melatonin in an in vitro model of inflamed intestinal epithelium. To this purpose, we assessed different parameters usually associated with intestinal inflammation using IL-1 beta-stimulated Caco-2 cells. Differentiated monolayers of Caco-2 cells were preincubated with melatonin (1 nmol/L-50 mu mol/L) and then exposed to IL-1 beta. After …
Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis of 3-Phenylcoumarin-Based Monoamine Oxidase B Inhibitors
2018
Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) catalyzes deamination of monoamines such as neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Accordingly, small-molecule MAO-B inhibitors potentially alleviate the symptoms of dopamine-linked neuropathologies such as depression or Parkinson's disease. Coumarin with a functionalized 3-phenyl ring system is a promising scaffold for building potent MAO-B inhibitors. Here, a vast set of 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives was designed using virtual combinatorial chemistry or rationally de novo and synthesized using microwave chemistry. The derivatives inhibited the MAO-B at 100 nM−1 μM. The IC50 value of the most potent derivative 1 was 56 nM. A docking-based structure-activi…
Endocannabinoid LTD in Accumbal D1 Neurons Mediates Reward-Seeking Behavior
2020
Summary The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a key role in drug-related behavior and natural reward learning. Synaptic plasticity in dopamine D1 and D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the NAc and the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system have been implicated in reward seeking. However, the precise molecular and physiological basis of reward-seeking behavior remains unknown. We found that the specific deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in D1-expressing MSNs (D1miRmGluR5 mice) abolishes eCB-mediated long-term depression (LTD) and prevents the expression of drug (cocaine and ethanol), natural reward (saccharin), and brain-stimulation-seeking behavior. In vivo enhancement…
Is there evidence for a rostral-caudal gradient in fronto-striatal loops and what role does dopamine play?
2018
Research has shown that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) may be hierarchically organized along a rostral-caudal functional gradient such that control processing becomes progressively more abstract from caudal to rostral frontal regions. Here, we briefly review the most recent functional MRI, neuropsychological, and electrophysiological evidence in support of a hierarchical LPFC organization. We extend these observations by discussing how such a rostral-caudal gradient may also exist in the striatum and how the dopaminergic system may play an important role in the hierarchical organization of fronto-striatal loops. There is evidence indicating that a rostral-caudal gradient of dopamine r…
Acetaldehyde as the first hit of addictive behaviour
2016
Unhealthy alcohol use is common in the Western society, which puts risk of health consequences, causing multiple behavioural injuries. Increasing evidence focuses on acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, as the mediator of the several behavioural actions of alcohol, including its rewarding and motivational effects. In particular, acetaldehyde induces dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens modulating primary alcohol rewarding effect, drug seeking, and relapse behaviour. Recent behavioural studies point at acetaldehyde as a drug of abuse since its oral self-administration is induced and maintained in an operant/conflict paradigm. These findings provide further evidence on the role…
Pain-induced alterations in the dynorphinergic system within the mesocorticolimbic pathway: Implication for alcohol addiction.
2020
Latest studies have revealed that pain negatively impacts on reward processing and motivation leading to negative affective states and stress. These states not only reduce quality of life of patients by increasing the appearance of psychiatric comorbidities, but also have an important impact on vulnerability to drug abuse, including alcohol. In fact, clinical, epidemiological but also preclinical studies have revealed that the presence of pain is closely related to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). All this evidence suggests that pain is a factor that increases the risk of suffering AUD, predicting heavy drinking behavior and relapse drinking in those patients with a previous history of AUD. Th…
Neurotransmitters and Behavioral Alterations Induced by Nickel Exposure.
2020
Background:: Nickel ions (Ni2+) are a heavy metal with wide industrial uses. Environmental and occupational exposures to Ni are potential risk factors for brain dysfunction and behavioral and neurological symptoms in humans. Methods: We reviewed the current evidence about neurochemical and behavioral alterations associated with Ni exposure in laboratory animals and humans. Results: Ni2+ exposure can alter (both inhibition and stimulation) dopamine release and inhibit glutamate NMDA receptors. Few reports claim an effect of Ni2+ at the level of GBA and serotonin neurotransmission. At behavioral levels, exposure to Ni2+ in rodents alters motor activity, learning and memory as well as anxiety…