A novel truncate of Influenza A M2 protein (residues 22-62), incorporated into a uniquely tailored proteoliposome proton uptake assay, demonstrated proton flux more characteristic of an ion transporter than a traditional ion "channel." The liposome paradigm was essential for testing the conductance activity of this M2 truncate at a range of extraphysiological pHs appropriate for channel vs. transport function determination. In addition to transporter-typical proton flux, M2(22-62) showed the key characteristics of functional integrity: selective proton uptake into liposomes and block of uptake by amantadine. Two sets of proteoliposome proton flux assays were carried out, Set 1 at pH values of 6.5, 6.0. 5.5, 5.0, and 4.5; Set 2 at pH values of 6.25, 6.0, 5.75, 5.5, 5.25, 5.0, and 4.75. Observed flux rates followed a proton transport saturation curve similar to that observed in mouse erythroleukemia cells1. Proton transport was maximal at pH 5.5 in Set 1 (139 H+/second/tetramer) and at pH 5.75 in Set 2 (43 H+/second/tetramer). Amantadine block was strongest at pH 5.5 in Set 1 and 6.25 in Set 2, and apparent desensitization of the protein severely reduced proton flux and amantadine sensitivity below pH 5.5 in both sets of experiments. Decreased external pH increased proton uptake with an apparent pKa of 6 (Set 1) or 6.5 (Set 2). These data indicate acid activation of M2(22-62) between pH 5.5-6, optimal amantadine block between pH 5.5-6.25, and a loss of peptide functionality between pH 5.9-4.7.

Der TRPC5-Ionenkanal gehört zur Familie der transienten Rezeptorpotenzial-Kanäle und wird vorwiegend im Zentralnervensystem exprimiert. Um die Funktionsweise des Kanals besser zu verstehen, wurden in dieser Arbeit im Rahmen eines Wirkstoffscreenings die folgenden Verbindungen als neue Ionenkanalmodulatoren identifiziert und charakterisiert: Mit einer EC50 um 9 μM aktiviert das Glucocorticoid Methylprednisolon den TRPC5-Kanal. Seine, für den Konzentrationsbereich gute TRPC5-Selektivität und die Erfahrung aus jahrzehntelanger Anwendung in der Medizin machen es zu einer vielversprechenden Verbindung. Das Benzothiadiazin-Derivat BTD ist mit einer EC50 von 1,3 μM nach Englerin A derzeit die Verbindung mit der zweithöchsten Potenz. BTD kennzeichnet eine hohe Selektivität und eine ausgeprägte Subtypspezifizität, denn der nächstverwandte TRPC4-Kanal reagiert nicht auf BTD-Stimulation. Gleichzeitig aktiviert BTD sämtliche heteromere Kanalkomplexe mit TRPC5-Beteiligung. In elektrophysiologischen Versuchen an Zellen mit endogener TRPC5-Expression löste eine BTD-Stimulation TRPC5-ähnliche Ströme aus. Durch Struktur-Wirkungsbeziehungen in Verbindung mit den Hits des Primär-screenings wurden Verbindungen mit Adamantan Grundstruktur als weitere TRPC5-Modulatoren identifiziert. Diese zeigen ein bimodales Verhalten, da sie TRPC5-Kanäle in nanomolarer Konzentration aktivieren, in mikromolarer Konzentration jedoch inhibieren können. Dem strukturverwandten Anti-Parkinsonmedikament Amantadin und dem Antidementivum Memantin konnten ebenfalls TRPC5-aktivierende Wirkungen nachgewiesen werden. / TRPC5 belongs to the family of transient receptor potential channels and is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. A compound screening assay was performed to identify and characterise novel TRPC5 channel modulators. Here, we present methylprednisolon as a TRPC5 channel activator with an EC50 of 9 µM. The compound shows a satisfying selectivity for TRPC5 channels. Due to years of experience in medicinal application, methylprednisolone is an interesting substance. The benzothiadiazine derivative BTD is even more potent, showing an EC50 of 1.3 µM. Thus BTD belongs to the most potent TRPC5 channel activators available. Furthermore, BTD is highly selective for TRPC5 channels. In addition, BTD activates all heteromeric channel complexes containing TRPC5 subunits. Several compounds with adamantine substituents were identified as TRPC5 channel modulators. Among them are channel activators, inhibitors and bimodal modulators, covering a potency range from nanomolar to micromolar concentrations. Interestingly, the neuroactive substances amantadine and memantine were identified as novel TRPC5 channel activators with nanomolar potency.

Proton channels are essential for many of the processes of life. The influenza A viral protein M2 is responsible for sensing the conditions necessary for viral RNA release. The proton-translocating FoF1 ATPase (ATP synthase) uses a proton gradient to drive adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. We have directly measured proton uptake in vesicles containing reconstituted M2 or FO by monitoring external pH after addition of valinomycin to vesicles with 100-fold diluted external [K+]. This proton flux assay was utilized to quantify proton flux through single M2 and Fo channels. Contrary to previous reports, proton uptake by M2 was not significantly altered by acidification of the extravesicular pH. We conclude that pH only weakly affects proton flux through M2 in the pH range of 5.4 - 7.0. Theoretical analysis utilized for such vesicle uptake assays illuminates the appropriate time scale of the initial slope and an important limitation that must be placed on inferences about channel ion selectivity. The rise in pH over 10 seconds after ionophore addition yielded time-averaged single channel conductances of 0.35±0.2 aS and 0.72±0.4 aS at pH 5.4 and 7.0 respectively. Such a low time-average conductance implies that M2 is only conductive 10^-6 to 10^-4 of the time. M2 selectivity for hydrogen over potassium is ~10^7. Fo translocates protons across membranes, converting electrochemical energy to rotational inertia. Previous experiments have been partially confounded by a contaminating channel, CL, which co-purifies with Fo and leaks cations. CL activity is shown to not decrease following deletion of the previously uncharacterized yraM open reading frame of E. coli. Fo purified from a deletion strain lacking yraM is just as active as Fo purified from the wild-type strain. Using Fo from the deletion strain, the single-hit hypothesis of DCCD inhibition of passive proton flux through Fo was examined. A DCCD-induced reduction in ATP synthase activity correlates with a reduction in the total initial slope, the number of functional Fo per µg protein, and the single channel proton flux. At least 2 DCCD per Fo are required to totally inactivate passive proton flux. M2 and Fo have similar single channel conductances but different open probabilities.

Au Canada et au Québec, des dizaines de milliers d’individus sont touchés chaque année par les séquelles consécutives à un traumatisme craniocérébral (TCC) (Brain Injury Canada, 2018). Des déficits de l’attention, de la mémoire épisodique, de la mémoire de travail et des fonctions exécutives sont fréquemment observés et persistants chez cette population. Le but de cette recherche effectuée à double insu était de venir étudier si l’administration d’une médication psychostimulante en phase précoce, en l’occurrence l’Amantadine ou le Méthylphénidate, pouvait réduire la durée de l’amnésie post-traumatique (APT) chez les participants en comparaison à l’évolution naturelle suivant le TCC (groupe placebo). L’étude visait également à documenter si la continuité de cette médication pouvait possiblement avoir un impact sur l’amélioration des différentes fonctions cognitives en phase de réadaptation. Enfin, il était également visé de documenter les effets potentiels de la médication psychostimulante sur les habitudes de vie et la qualité de vie de l’individu. Initialement, une étude randomisée contrôlée à double-insu était privilégié pour la présente étude. Or, des difficultés de recrutement majeures ont mené à une révision des analyses prévues, résultant en la présentation d’études de cas multiples. En phase précoce, l’analyse de l’évolution des participants ne permet pas de soutenir un impact clair de la médication psychostimulante sur les mesures d’éveil. Un effet de l’âge est cependant observé, où les jeunes participants (£ 40 ans) présentent une durée d’APT plus courte que les participants plus âgés (> 40 ans). En phase de réadaptation, l’utilisation d’une médication psychostimulante ne permet pas d’observer une amélioration plus rapide ou marquée des fonctions cognitives. La majorité des participants, tous groupes confondus, présentent toujours des déficits cognitifs cliniquement significatifs au dernier temps de mesure de l’étude (T4 ; huit semaines post-APT). La présence d’une surcharge cognitive et affective associée à la survenue du TCC apparaît également nuire à la récupération fonctionnelle optimale des participants. Ainsi, la présente étude confirme l’hétérogénéité interindividuelle des séquelles suivant un TCC. Considérant la faisabilité limitée d’un traitement psychostimulant auprès de cette population et l’impact mitigé de ces molécules sur l’évolution des participants, des traitements alternatifs devraient être envisagés afin de cibler les difficultés cognitives, psychologiques et sociales répertoriées et persistantes suivant le TCC. / In Canada and Quebec, thousands of individuals are affected each year by cognitive sequelae resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Brain Injury Canada, 2018). Deficits of attention, episodic memory, working memory and executive functions are frequently observed and persistent in this population. The purpose of this double-blind study was to investigate if whether the use of psychostimulant medication, i.e. Amantadine or Methylphenidate, could reduce the duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) in participants compared to the natural awakening evolution following TBI (placebo group). The study also aimed to document whether the continuity of this medication could improve cognitive recovery during the rehabilitation phase. Finally, it was also intended to document the potential impact of psychostimulant drugs on life habits and quality of life following TBI. Initially, a double-blind placebo controlled protocol was favored for this study. However, major recruitment difficulties led to present the results as multiple case studies. In the early phase, analysis of participants awakening trajectory do not support a clear impact of the medication on PTA duration. However, an effect of age is observed, where younger participants (£ 40 years old) recover faster from their PTA than older participants (> 40 years old). In the rehabilitation phase, no clear impact of psychostimulant drugs on cognitive recovery is observed. The majority of participants, regardless of allocation groups, still show clinically significant cognitive deficits at the end of the study (eight weeks post-APT). Moreover, cognitive and affective overload associated with TBI appears to hinder optimal functional recovery. Thus, the present study confirms the interindividual heterogeneity of sequelae following TBI. Considering the limited feasibility of a psychostimulant treatment with this vulnerable population and the mixed impacts of these drugs on awakening and cognitive recovery, alternative treatments should be considered in order to address the cognitive, psychological and social difficulties that could be persistent following TBI.

Parkinson's Disease affects more than 1 million people in the United States with 60,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's Disease, but there are several treatment options available. Currently the most popular surgical option is Deep Brain Stimulation. Microelectrode recording helps identify nuclei as the microelectrode passes through them. While the firing frequencies of the target nuclei are well defined, other nuclei are not. This study will attempt to characterize the Zona Incerta, which is the structure directly above the Subthalamic Nucleus, a target nucleus. Characterization of the firing frequency of the Zona Incerta will help aid Deep Brain Stimulation procedures. Looking at the Interspike Intervals for 25 files showed that the average firing frequency is 11.6Hz. A file recorded in the STN was used for comparison and to validate the methods used. This yielded an average firing frequency of 37.5Hz.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / New therapeutic strategies are needed for a diverse array of poorly understood neurological impairments. These include neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and the psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and drug dependence. Popular neuropharmacotherapies have focused on dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT), γ-aminobutric acid (GABA) and glutamate systems (Jupp & Lawrence, 2010). However recent research points to the sigma receptor (σR) as a possible neuromodulatory system. Due to its multi-receptor action, the σR can trigger several significant biological pathways. This indicates its ideal potential as a drug target to effectively minimise drug dosage and potential side effects. Currently there are a limited number of σR ligands available and few possess the selectivity to significantly show σR’s role in neurological processes. Polycyclic amines have shown notable sigma activity and provide an advantageous scaffold for drug design that can improve pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties (Banister et al., 2010; Geldenhuys et al., 2005). Aryl-heterocycle amine groups were also shown to improve σR activity (Piergentili et al., 2009).