• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 1997

Lithium remains the most widely used therapeutic agent for bipolar affective disorder, particularly mania. Although many investigators have studied the effects of lithium on abnormalities in monoamine neuro-transmitter as a pathophysiological basis of affective disorder, the action mechanism of lithium ion remains still unknown. To explore the action mechanism of lithium in the brain, we examined the effects of lithium on the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of catecholamines and their metabolites. Synaptosomes were prepared from the rat forebrains and assays of catecholamines and metabolites were made using HPLC with an electrochemical detector. Lithium of 1mM decreased the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of NE from the control group of $3.07{\pm}1.19$ to the treated group of $0.00{\pm}0.00$ (ng/ml of synaptosomal suspension) but not that of DHPG. It can be suggested that lithium increases synaptosomal uptake of NE. Increased intraneuronal uptake of NE would decrease neurotransmission and extraneuronal metabolism of NE. Because increased brain NE metabolism and neurotransmission have been suggested as important components in the pathophysiology of bipolar affective disorder, especially mania, lithium-induced increase of intraneuronal NE uptake can be suspected as an action mechanism of therapeutic effect of lithium in manic patient, possibly in bipolar affective disorder.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.226-230
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• 1994

The characteristics of voltage-dependent ^{45}Calcium$ uptake and norepinephrine release as factors controlling neural activities in the hypothalamus which is an important regulatory site for cardiovascular function wre studied. Two groups of animals : male spontaneously hyperterisive rat (SHR) and age-matched nomotensive wistar rat (NW) were used in this study. Animals at 4, 6 and 16 weeks of age were sacrificed by decapitiation and the hypothalamus was dissected out. Voltage-dependent calcium uptake and norepinephrine release were determined from hypothalamic synaptosomes either in low potassium (5 mM) or high potassium (41 mM) stimulatory conditions by using ^{45}Ca$ isotope and HPLC-ECD techniques. Degrees of voltage-dependent ^{45}Calcium$ uptake and norepinephrine release evoked by calcium uptake in the hypothalamus of prehypertensive phase (4 weeks old) of SHR were significantly smaller than those in NW of the same age. However, in the developmental phase (6 weeks old) and the established phase (16 weeks old) of hyperrtension in SHR, degrees of voltage-dependent ^{45}Calcium$ uptake and norepinephrine release were similar to those of age-matched normotensive wistae eats. These data imply that the deficit in hypothalamic norepinephrine release might be an important underlying factor for the development of hypertension in SHR.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.722-727
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• 1999

We carried out immunoblot analyses to study expression and subcellular distribution of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NR) subunits in salmon (Chum Salmon, Oncorhynchus keta). We prepared subcellular fractions such as brain homogenates, synaptosomes, and postsynaptic density (PSD) from salmon brains, and analyzed protein compositions by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In a Coomassie-stained 6% SDS-gel, about 20 distinct major protein bands could be identified in the PSD fraction. Immunoblot analyses using antibodies against rat NR subunit 2A and 2B antigens (NR2A and NR2B, respectively) showed weak but evident signals at the 180 kDa positions in the salmon PSD fractions. However, in contrast to rat NRs, the salmon NR2A and NR2B are not recognized by a phosphotyrosine-specific antibody suggesting that the salmon NRs are regulated differently from those of the rat by protein tyrosine kinases. Our results indicate that NR2A and NR2B subunits are expressed in the salmon PSD fraction but not regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.198-207
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• 1997

To explore the action mechanism of Ijintang in the brain, the authors investigated the effects of Ijintang fractions on MgNaK ATPase and MgCa ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes prepared from cerebral cortex. The activities of MgNaK ATPase and MgCa ATPase were assayed by the level of inorganic phosphate liberated from the hydrolysis of ATP. Fraction WH-95-7 at the concentration of $10^{-2}%$ decreased the activity of MgNaK ATPase about 34.1% and also reduced the activity of MgCa ATPase about 49.3% But, other fractions (WB-95-7, WC-95-7, MB-95-7, MC-95-7, MH-95-7) did not significantly changed the activities of the MgNaK ATPase and MgCa ATPase The decreased activity of MgNaK ATPase by WH-95-7 will decrease the rate of $Ca^{2+}$ efflux, probably via an Na-Ca exchange mechanism and will increase the rate of $Ca^{2+}$ entry by the depolarization of nerve terminals. The reduced activity of MgCa ATPase by WH-95-7 will result in the decreased efflux of $Ca^{2+}$. As a conclusion, it can be speculated that lithium elevates the intrasynaptosomal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration via inhibition of the activities of MgNaK ATPase and MgCa ATPase. and this increased $[Ca^{2+}]i$ will cause the release of neurotransmitters.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1062-1066
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• 2009

N-Acetylglucosamine kinase (GlcNAc kinase or NAGK; EC 2.7.1.59) catalyzes the phosphorylation of GlcNAc to GlcNAc-6-phosphate (GlcNAc-6-P). Despite detailed characterization of the enzyme itself, there have been few studies on the expression of NAGK in mammalian tissues. In the rat hippocampal neuron in culture, NAGK-immunoreactivity (IR) formed clusters in somatodendritic domains. In this study we characterized the NAGK clusters that protrude out the long axis of dendritic shafts. By double-labeling of the neurons with antibodies against NAGK and various synaptic proteins, we show that NAGK is positioned at the base of spines, while there were no NAGK protrusions into inhibitory postsynaptic sites. Immunoblot analysis showed that NAGK was included in synaptosomes but not in PSD fractions. Our results indicate that the NAGK clusters at the dendritic periphery protrude into spines.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.14
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• 2023

Microvilli are outer membrane organelles that contain cross-linked filamentous actin. Unlike well-characterized epithelial microvilli, T-cell microvilli are dynamic similar to those of filopodia, which grow and shrink intermittently via the alternate actin-assembly and -disassembly. T-cell microvilli are specialized for sensing Ags on the surface of Ag-presenting cells (APCs). Thus, these finger-shaped microprotrusions contain many signaling-related proteins and can serve as a signaling platforms that induce intracellular signals. However, they are not limited to sensing external information but can provide sites for parts of the cell-body to tear away from the cell. Cells are known to produce many types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, microvesicles, and membrane particles. T cells also produce EVs, but little is known about under what conditions T cells generate EVs and which types of EVs are released. We discovered that T cells produce few exosomes but release large amounsts of microvilli-derived particles during physical interaction with APCs. Although much is unanswered as to why T cells use the same organelles to sense Ags or to produce EVs, these events can significantly affect T cell fate, including clonal expansion and death. Since TCRs are localized at microvilli tips, this membrane event also raises a new question regarding long-standing paradigm in T cell biology; i.e., surface TCR downmodulation following T cell activation. Since T-cell microvilli particles carry T-cell message to their cognate partner, these particles are termed T-cell immunological synaptosomes (TISs). We discuss the potential physiological role of TISs and their application to immunotherapies.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2002

The retinae of Todarodes pacificus and Octopus minor are divided into four layers that are an outer segment, a rod base region, an inner segment, and a plexiform layer, respectively. The retina of Octopus minor is about $20{\mu}m$ thicker ($400{\sim}420{\mu}m$) than that of Todarodes pacificus ($385{\sim}400{\mu}m$). A retina is composed of visual cells and supporting cells. The microvilli of length $0.6{\sim}0.7{\mu}m$ are packed densely on top of the supporting cells of Octopus minor while they are not found in Todarodes pacificus. The visual cells and supporting cells have pigment granules that exclude light. In case of Todarodes pacificus, the pigment granules of the visual cell are larger ($2.0{\times}0.5{\mu}m$) than those of the supporting cell ($1.0{\times}0.3{\mu}m$). But, the sizes of both cells are similar in Octopus minor. In the upper portion of a visual cell, microvilli shaped like a comb are forming a rhabdome (diameter, 60 nm) of a hexagonal structure. The rhabdome consists of 4 rhabdomere and the total area of a rhabdom of Octopus minor is larger than that of Todarodes pacificus. The synaptosome constructing a plexiform layer in Todarodes pacificus are divided into two types, each of which possess electron dense-core vesicles and electron lucent vesicles, respectively. Octopus minor also has two types of synaptosomes but each type comprises a mixture of electron dense vesicles and electron lucent vesicles, and electron lucent vesicles only, respectively, which is different from the case of Todarodes pacificus.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.1 s.37
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• pp.13-25
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• 1992

This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of protective effect by sodium selenite in methylmercuric chloride neurotoxicity, increasing intracellular $Ca^{2+}$concentration of the neuron. Methylmercuric chloride of 3mg/kg of body weight was administered simultaneously with sodium selenite of 5mg/kg and pretreatment of sodium selenite via intraperitoneal injection to rats. Also, effect of methylmercuric chloride($25{\mu}M,\;50{\mu}M,\;100{\mu}M$) and sodium selenite($200{\mu}M$) on free intrasynaptosomal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration were studied using the fluorescent $Ca^{2+}$ indicator fura -2 in vitro. After the treatment, at 6, 24, and 48 hours later, mercury in the cerebral cortex, liver and kidney tissues, succlnic dehydrogenase activities, adenosin-5'-triphosphate concentration, acetylcholinesterase activities, and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the cerebral cortex were determined in vivo. Cerebral synaptosomes of rats were incubated with methylmercuric chloride and sodium selenite in Hepes buffer for 10 minutes and free intrasynaptosomal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration were measured with fura-2 in vitro. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. The combined administration of $CH_3HgCl$ and $Na_2SeO_3$ and pretreatment of $Na_2SeO_3$ according to time significantly more increased in the cerebral cortex and decreased in the liver, kidney mercury concentrations compared to the administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only. 2. The combined administration of $CH_3HgCl$ and $Na_2SeO_3$ and pretreatment of $Na_2SeO_3$ increased more succinic dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase activities compared to the administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only. Particularly pretreatment of $Na_2SeO_3$ significantly more compared to the administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only. The concentration of adenosine-5'-triphosphate in $Na_2SeO_3$ treatment groups revealed a favourable effect compared to the administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only. 3. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only was increased significantly more than control group in all test hours but was increased significantly more at 48 hours only after treatment in combined administration of $CH_3HgCl$ and $Na_2SeO_3$ and pretreatment of $Na_2SeO_3$ according to time interval more decreased significantly intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration compared to the administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only. 4. Free intrasynaptosomal $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the combined administration of $CH_3HgCl$ and $Na_2SeO_3$ was decreased ($24%{\sim}40%$) significantly more than the administration of $CH_3HgCl$ only. From the above results, the specific dosage of $Na_2SeO_3$ decreased increment of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration induced by administration of $CH_3HgCl$. These findings suggest the protective mechanism of $Na_2SeO_3$ on the neurotoxicity of $CH_3HgCl$.