Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit expression in rat spiral ganglion neurons

BACKGROUND： Gamma-aminobutyric acid A （GABAA） and N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptors are significant receptors in the central nervous system. An understanding of GABAA and NMDA receptor expression in spiral ganglion neurons （SGN） provides information for the functional role of these receptors in the auditory system. OBJECTIVE： To investigate mRNA expression of GABAA receptor （GABAAR） and NMDA receptor （NMDAR） subunits in the rat SGN. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This in vitro, molecular biological study was performed at the Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Medical University, China from July 2007 to May 2008. MATERIALS： Reverse Transcriptase Kit and Taq DNA polymerase were purchased from Fermentas Burlington, ON, Canada; GABAAR and NMDAR primers were purchased from Shanghai Sangon, Shanghai, China. METHODS： SGN from 3-5 day postnatal Wistar rats was collected for primary cultures, mRNA expression of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits in the SGN was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Expression levels of GABAAR and NMDAR subunits were determined by quantitative analysis. RESULTS： GABAAR subunits （αl 6, β1 3, and y1 3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were detected in the SGN. In α subunit genes of GABAAR, α1 and α3 expression was similar （P 〉 0.05） and greater than the other subunits. Of the β subunit genes, β1 subunit mRNA levels were greater than β2 and β3. Of the y subunit genes, y2 subunit mRNA levels were greater than y1 and y3. NR1 mRNA expression was the greatest of NMDAR subunits. CONCLUSION： GABAAR subunits （α1 6, β1-3, and y1-3） and NMDAR subunits （NR1, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D, NR3A, and NR3B） were expressed in the rat SGN. Through comparison of GABAAR and NMDAR subunit expression, possible GABAAR combinations, as well as highly expressed subunit combinations, were estimated, which provided information for pharmacological and electrophysiological characteristics of GABAAR in the auditory system.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) mediates vascular relaxation via nitric oxide (NO) in rats but not in mice

Amperometric studies have indicated that substance P as well as NMDA stimulates release of NO in rat aortic rings. These data have been confirmed by functional observations of vaso-relaxant action of NMDA within noradrenaline pre-contracted aortic rings, supporting the presence of NMDA receptor in rat aortic rings. It is known that the enzyme endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mediates vasodilatation not only in rats, but also in C57BL6 mice aortic ring, indicating that in this blood vessel NO is the endogenous endothelium-derived vasodilator. In this work, amperometry together with specifically nitrites insensitive micro-biosensors have been applied to examine the effect of NMDA and substance P upon NO release in rat and in two strains of mice aortic rings. The electrochemical data monitored demonstrate that NMDA mediates vascular relaxation via NO in rats but not in mice. These results are supported by functional data, therefore they suggest that NMDA receptors are “not responding” within these experimental conditions in mice aortic rings.

Production, purification and characterization of D-aspartate oxidase from the fungus <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>SKW-36

Trichoderma harzianum Rifai SKW-36 produced two kinds of D-amino acid oxidizing enzymes. One enzyme was D-aspartate oxidase acting on acidic D-amino acids such as D-aspartate and D-glutamate and another one was D-amino acid oxidase acting on neutral D-amino acid such as D-phenylalanine and D-methionine. These enzymes in the cell-free extract were separated by DEAE-Toyopearl ion-exchange column chromatography. Casamino acids, peptone, and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources were effective for the production of the enzymes. No D-amino acid tested induced the production of the enzymes. Casamino acid (0.33%) as carbon and nitrogen source gave a highest specific activity of D-aspartate oxidase among media tested. D-Aspartate oxidase, which was purified by four-step column chromatography in addition to ammonium sulfate precipitation, exhibited a subunit molecular mass of 40 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. D-Aspartate, D-glutamate and N-methyl-D- aspartate were oxidized as substrates with the specific activities of 7.80 U/mg, 4.90 U/mg, and 4.22 U/mg, respectively. D-Asparagine, D-glutamine, D-alanine, and D-valine were slightly oxidized. No other D- amino acids tested were inert. The enzyme exhibited relatively wide substrate specificity compared to D-aspartate oxidases reported so far. The pH and temperature optima were 7.5 - 8.0 and 35°C, respectively. The enzyme was stable at pH 6.0 - 9.0. About 75% of the enzyme activity was retained even after treating the enzyme at 50°C for 10 min. The enzyme activity was inhibited not by benzoate and tartrate, but 60% and 24% by fumarate and malonate, respectively.

D-Aspartate, a Key Element for the Improvement of Sperm Quality

Introduction: D-Aspartate is an endogenous amino acid involved in LH and testosterone release in humans. In this study we investigate the impact of nutritional supplementation of sodium D-aspartate on the improvement of sperm quality in sub-fertile patients and the rate of pregnancies that occurred with their partners. Materials and Methods: A group of 30 patients affected by oligo-asthenozoospermia and a group of 30 patients affected by asthenozoospermia were treated with a daily dose of sodium D-aspartate for 90 days. After which, the change in spermatozoa concentration and their motility and the pregnancies that occurred with their partners were recorded. Results: We found that the supplementation of D-aspartate significantly increased the concentration and the motility of spermatozoa. In oligo- asthenozoospermic patients the increase of sperm concentration was found to be 2.0-fold, P Conclusions:Treatment of sub-fertile patients with sodium D-aspartate improved the number and the motility of the spermatozoa and consequently improved the rate of pregnancies of their partners.

Role of D-aspartate on biosynthesis,racemization,and potential functions:A mini-review

D-aspartate, a natural and endogenous amino acid, widely exists in animal tissues and can be synthesized through aspartate racemase and transformed by D-aspartate oxidase(DDO). D-aspartate mainly serves as a neurotransmitter and has been demonstrated to exhibit various physiological functions,including nutritional potential, regulation on reproduction and hormone biology, and neuron protection.This article mainly reviews the synthesis, racemization, and physiological functions of D-aspartate with emphasis on the potential in diseases.

Studies on the cyclization reaction of D-aspartic acid

The cyclization reaction of D-aspartic acid was studied, the carboxyl groups of D-aspartic acid were protected by benzyl alcohol to give compound D-dibenzyl aspartate. Then （4R）-benzyl azetidine-2-one-4-carboxylate and meso-3,6-disubstituted piperazine-2,5-diones were synthesized via intramolecular cyclization and intermolecular cycfization of D-dibenzyl aspartate, respectively, and their structures were confirmed by ^1 H NMR and MS. Both cyclization reaction conditions were also investigated in detail.