Glutamate AMPA receptors change in motor neurons of SOD1G93A transgenic mice and their inhibition by a noncompetitive antagonist ameliorates the progression of amytrophic lateral sclerosis-like disease.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder involving the selective degeneration of motor neurons. In a small proportion of patients, ALS is caused by mutations in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and mice overexpressing SOD1(G93A) mutant develop a syndrome that closely resembles the human disease. Excitotoxicity mediated by glutamate AMPA receptors has been suggested to be implicated in the selective susceptibility of motor neurons occurring in ALS. In SOD1(G93A) mice, we found that levels of GluR2 AMPA subunit, which plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of calcium impermeability of AMPA receptors, are decreased in spinal motor neurons before symptom onset in concomitance with a modest increase of GluR3 expression, a calcium-permeable AMPA subunit. This effect can result in a higher number of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors on motor neurons of SOD1(G93A) mice, predisposing these cells to be injured by AMPA-mediated glutamate firing. In support of this, we showed that treatment with a new noncompetitive AMPA antagonist, ZK 187638, partially protected motor neurons, improved motor function, and prolonged the survival of SOD1(G93A) mice.
Tortarolo
Massimo
M
Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milano, Italy. totarolo@marionegri.it
Grignaschi
Giuliano
G
Calvaresi
Novella
N
Zennaro
Eleonora
E
Spaltro
Gabriella
G
Colovic
Milena
M
Fracasso
Claudia
C
Guiso
Giovanna
G
Elger
Bernd
B
Schneider
Herbert
H
Seilheimer
Bernd
B
Caccia
Silvio
S
Bendotti
Caterina
C
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004149:Dioxoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics*; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D013534:Survival
C502816:2,3-dimethyl-6-phenyl-12H-(1,3)dioxolo(4,5-h)imidazo(1,2-c)(2,3)benzodiazepine; D004149:Dioxoles; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; C104723:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 3; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C000606291:Sod1 protein, mouse; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; C104722:glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2