Name: a high-throughput calcium-flux assay to study nmda-receptors with sensitivity to glycine/d-serine and glutamate
Uploaded: 2018-07-10T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank the Post Baccalaureate Scholars Program Office and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research as a whole for funding this study.

1. Preparation of Cells
NOTE: This protocol, including data generation, uses HEK293 cells transduced with a baculovirus encoding NR1 and NR2A cells.
<ol>
	<li>Seed the appropriate number of HEK293 cells and add the NR1 and/or NR2A virus at the appropriate final concentrations (1.00 &#181;L each). For a 384-well plate, use 10,000 cells/well in a final volume of 30 &#181;L.</li>
	<li>Alternatively, seed HEK293-NR1-NR2A cells at the appropriate cell number and volume (for a 384-well plate, use ...

<ol>
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L., Westbrook, G. L., Guthrie, P. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Voltage-dependent+block+by+Mg2++of+NMDA+responses+in+spinal+cord+neurones.">Voltage-dependent block by Mg2+ of NMDA responses in spinal cord neurones.</a> Nature. 309 (5965), 261-263 (1984).</li><li>Zhu, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanism+of+NMDA+Receptor+Inhibition+and+Activation.">Mechanism of NMDA Receptor Inhibition and Activation.</a> Cell. 165 (3), 704-714 (2016).</li><li>Yildiz-Unal, A., Korulu, S., Karabay, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuroprotective+strategies+against+calpain-mediated+neurodegeneration.">Neuroprotective strategies against calpain-mediated neurodegeneration.</a> Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 11, 297-310 (2015).</li><li>Gascon, S., Sobrado, M., Roda, J. M., Rodriguez-Pena, A., Diaz-Guerra, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excitotoxicity+and+focal+cerebral+ischemia+induce+truncation+of+the+NR2A+and+NR2B+subunits+of+the+NMDA+receptor+and+cleavage+of+the+scaffolding+protein+PSD-95.">Excitotoxicity and focal cerebral ischemia induce truncation of the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptor and cleavage of the scaffolding protein PSD-95.</a> Molecular Psychiatry. 13 (1), 99-114 (2008).</li><li>Uttara, B., Singh, A. V., Zamboni, P., Mahajan, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxidative+stress+and+neurodegenerative+diseases:+a+review+of+upstream+and+downstream+antioxidant+therapeutic+options.">Oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases: a review of upstream and downstream antioxidant therapeutic options.</a> Current Neuropharmacology. 7 (1), 65-74 (2009).</li><li>Hansen, K. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Implementation+of+a+fluorescence-based+screening+assay+identifies+histamine+H3+receptor+antagonists+clobenpropit+and+iodophenpropit+as+subunit-selective+N-methyl-D-aspartate+receptor+antagonists.">Implementation of a fluorescence-based screening assay identifies histamine H3 receptor antagonists clobenpropit and iodophenpropit as subunit-selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.</a> Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 333 (3), 650-662 (2010).</li><li>Bettini, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+characterization+of+novel+NMDA+receptor+antagonists+selective+for+NR2A-+over+NR2B-containing+receptors.">Identification and characterization of novel NMDA receptor antagonists selective for NR2A- over NR2B-containing receptors.</a> Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 335 (3), 636-644 (2010).</li><li>Feuerbach, D., Loetscher, E., Neurdin, S., Koller, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+pharmacology+of+the+human+NMDA-receptor+subtypes+R1-2A,+R1-2B,+R1-2C+and+R1-2D+using+an+inducible+expression+system.">Comparative pharmacology of the human NMDA-receptor subtypes R1-2A, R1-2B, R1-2C and R1-2D using an inducible expression system.</a> European Journal of Pharmacology. 637 (1-3), 46-54 (2010).</li><li>Hansen, K. B., Brauner-Osborne, H., Egebjerg, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pharmacological+characterization+of+ligands+at+recombinant+NMDA+receptor+subtypes+by+electrophysiological+recordings+and+intracellular+calcium+measurements.">Pharmacological characterization of ligands at recombinant NMDA receptor subtypes by electrophysiological recordings and intracellular calcium measurements.</a> Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening. 11 (4), 304-315 (2008).</li><li>Guo, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+NMDA-receptor+calcium+influx+assay+sensitive+to+stimulation+by+glutamate+and+glycine/D-serine.">A NMDA-receptor calcium influx assay sensitive to stimulation by glutamate and glycine/D-serine.</a> Scientific Reports. 7 (1), 11608 (2017).</li><li>Hackos, D. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Positive+Allosteric+Modulators+of+GluN2A-Containing+NMDARs+with+Distinct+Modes+of+Action+and+Impacts+on+Circuit+Function.">Positive Allosteric Modulators of GluN2A-Containing NMDARs with Distinct Modes of Action and Impacts on Circuit Function.</a> Neuron. 89 (5), 983-999 (2016).</li><li>Romero-Hernandez, A., Furukawa, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+Mode+of+Antagonist+Binding+in+NMDA+Receptors+Revealed+by+the+Crystal+Structure+of+the+GluN1-GluN2A+Ligand-Binding+Domain+Complexed+to+NVP-AAM077.">Novel Mode of Antagonist Binding in NMDA Receptors Revealed by the Crystal Structure of the GluN1-GluN2A Ligand-Binding Domain Complexed to NVP-AAM077.</a> Molecular Pharmacology. 92 (1), 22-29 (2017).</li><li>Auberson, Y. 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The success of this assay depends largely on the health of the HEK cells used. Cells undergoing exponential growth and with low passage number should be used. This assay involves many transfers and additions of solutions, so using caution will ensure higher accuracy in its results. Concentrations of compounds and all other reagents should be also cross-checked to minimize errors. When replacing cell media with the assay buffer for the calcium flux assay, the plate should be tilted gently so that the cells do not detach. ...

With current advances in medicine, life expectancy has increased significantly; however, so has the prevalence of age-related diseases. Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer&#39;s disease, and Parkinson&#39;s disease, among others, are no exception and have been projected to increase over the next decade1,2,3. The malfunction of ionotropic glutamate receptors known as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) has been linked to Alzheimer&#39;s disease, schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, diabetes, and glaucoma among others, which warrants the need to study their biology for the development of effective, disease-modifying therapies4,5,6,7.
NMDARs are composed of four monomers or subunits4,8,9. The structural composition of the NMDAR shows developmental and regional variability within the brain7,10. NMDARs are involved in synaptic plasticity, cognition, and the generation of rhythms for breathing and locomotion11,12,13. As a voltage-gated channel, it is largely non-conducting at resting membrane potential (-70 mV) and is blocked by magnesium to prevent further permeation of ions. The channel is activated by the binding of two ligands, glutamate and glycine/D-serine, and a simultaneous depolarization at the synaptic membrane mediated by AMPA receptors, another subclass of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The depolarization removes the magnesium blockage of the NMDAR, enabling the influx of cations, particularly calcium14,15,16. Even though the activation of NMDAR is essential for cell survival, excessive activation can lead to cell death17,18,19 through excitotoxicity. This, in addition to the complex nature of the receptor, makes it challenging to perform studies necessary for developing effective therapies.
Different methods have been developed to study the NMDAR. However, each one has accompanying caveats. For example, one widely-used technique is a fluorescence-based assay that measures NMDAR-mediated changes in intracellular calcium in a stable cell line under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter (Tet-On)20. However, in this system, the supramaximal concentrations of ligands that are needed and the requirement that NMDAR inhibitors are present during the measurement makes it nearly impossible to detect activity of the competitive antagonist. In other similar systems, the expression of the functional receptor causes toxicity, requiring channel blockers such as ketamine21,22 to preserve the cell cultures. These channel blockers sit at the core of the receptor and are difficult to wash out, especially in a plate-based format, so they interfere with functional studies of the receptor. Finally, in electrophysiological measurements such as patch clamping, there is limited throughput, and large-scale studies are very expensive23. Notwithstanding, the above systems are insensitive to glycine stimulation; hence, studying glycine-dependent activity of the NMDAR becomes a challenge.
Here, we describe a novel approach for studying NMDAR that overcomes the discussed limitations. Our technique capitalizes on the baculovirus expression system to express the receptor at functional levels with an optimal ratio of the subunits in as little as 16 hours. Furthermore, the use of baculovirus allows for a simple and combinatorial approach, which provides a broad characterization of the distinct recombinant NMDAR subtypes. Unlike other assays, this protocol does not require channel blockers because of the use of weak antagonists. The method&#39;s strongest advantage is that after washout of the weak antagonist, the receptor is sensitive to modulation of the individual glycine- and glutamate-binding sites in addition to dual modulation of both glycine/D-serine and glutamate ligand-binding sites. The assay recapitulates known pharmacology of the NMDAR receptor and the effects of its known positive and negative modulators. Finally, generation of this in vitro cellular assay overcomes the cellular toxicity caused by excessive calcium influx and allows for functional studies of the receptor in a high-throughput fashion, which can accelerate discoveries of NMDAR modulators in disease states.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>HEK-293</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-1573</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human NMDA (NR1/NR2A) Receptor Cell Line</td>
			<td>ChanTest Corporation</td>
			<td>CT6120</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pFastBac Dual Expression Vector</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10712-024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning 384-well Clear Flat Bottom Microplate</td>
			<td>Corning Life Sciences</td>
			<td>3844</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FLIPR Calcium 6-QF Assay Kit</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td>R8192</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glycine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G7126</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutamate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>49621</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-serine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S4250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L701,324</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>907</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES Buffer</td>
			<td>Boston Bio Product</td>
			<td>BB-103</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnesium Chloride Solution</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>63069</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium Chloride</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>E506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HBSS</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14025-092</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Probenecid</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>P36400</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F-12, GlutaMAX media</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10565018</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MDL105,519</td>
			<td>NIBR</td>
			<td>Synthesized in house</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NVP-AAM077</td>
			<td>NIBR</td>
			<td>Synthesized in house</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CGP070667</td>
			<td>NIBR</td>
			<td>Synthesized in house</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a high-throughput calcium-flux assay to study nmda-receptors with sensitivity to glycine/d-serine and glutamate

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDAR) are classified as ionotropic glutamate receptors and have critical roles in learning and memory. NMDAR malfunction, expressed as either over- or under-activity caused by mutations, altered expression, trafficking, or localization, can contribute to numerous diseases, especially in the central nervous system. Therefore, understanding the receptor&#39;s biology as well as facilitating the discovery of compounds and small molecules is crucial in ongoing efforts to combat neurological diseases. Current approaches to studying the receptor have limitations including low throughput, high cost, and the inability to study its functional abilities due to the necessary presence of channel blockers to prevent NMDAR-mediated excitotoxicity. Additionally, the existing assay systems are sensitive to stimulation by glutamate only and lack sensitivity to stimulation by glycine, the other co-ligand of the NMDAR. Here, we present the first plate-based assay with high-throughput power to study an NMDA receptor with sensitivity to both co-ligands, glutamate and D-serine/glycine. This approach allows the study of different NMDAR subunit compositions and allows functional studies of the receptor in glycine- and/or glutamate-sensitive modes. Additionally, the method does not require the presence of inhibitors during measurements. The effects of positive and negative allosteric modulators can be detected with this assay and the known pharmacology of NMDAR has been replicated in our system. This technique overcomes the limitations of existing methods and is cost-effective. We believe that this novel technique will accelerate the discovery of therapies for NMDAR-mediated pathologies.

Before testing the effects of small molecules, one must determine the optimal expression levels of NMDARs as well as the optimal ligand concentrations. As described, HEK293 cells were seeded at 10,000 cells per well in a 384-well plate, in the presence of 5 &#181;M CGP060667, then transduced with varying amounts of NR1 and NR2A viruses. After incubation overnight, ligand-induced calcium flux was measured (Figure 1). The results of these experiments reveal the...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate at JoVE.com

A High-throughput Calcium-flux Assay to Study NMDA-receptors with Sensitivity to Glycine/D-serine and Glutamate

The goal of this protocol is to facilitate the study of NMDA-receptors (NMDAR) at a larger scale and allow the examination of modulatory effects of small molecules and their therapeutic applications.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDAR) are classified as ionotropic glutamate receptors and have critical roles in learning and memory. NMDAR ...

This method can help the discovery of NMDA modulators to treat neurological diseases. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows the fissum study of NMDA-receptor activity, in response to defense concentrations or combinations of ligands in compounds. So this method can provide insight into the general capability of NMDA receptor.It can also be applied to study subtypes specific in biology and a sensitivity of NMDA receptor, in response to ligands or compounds. To measure the activity of the NMDA-receptor, prepare a 384 well plate, with HEK 293 cells, transduced with NR1, NR2, or HEK 293, NR1, NR2A cells in the presence of protective compound. Then, incubate the plate at 37 degrees Celsius, and five percent carbon dioxide for 16 hours.The next day, remove the plate from the incubator, and gently discard the cell media, by slowly flipping the plate over a compatible biowaste container. Gently tap the plate on a paper towel, to clean the media off the edges of the plate, and drain any remaining media. Subsequently, prepare the calcium 6 dye, by solubilizing one vial of calcium 6 dye, in 10 milliliters of incubation buffer.Add 30 microliters of the dye to the cells in the 384 well plate. Incubate the plate for two hours at 37 degrees Celsius, and five percent carbon dioxide. After two hours, remove the plate from the incubator, and let the cells adjust to room temperature for 10 minutes.Next, gently pour out the calcium 6 dye, and add 30 microliters of assay buffer. Repeat the wash for a total of three times, and leave 30 microliters of assay buffer on the cells, after the last wash. Then, let the cells rest for five minutes at room temperature.To prepare the ligand plate, make a four-fold stock of 400 micromolar glycine, and 400 micromolar glutamate. Transfer a minimum of 25 microliters of ligand stock into a V Bottom 384 well plate. Then transfer the ligand plate and cell plate into the FDSS.Afterward, measure the baseline fluorescence of the cell plate for 30 seconds. Transfer 10 microliters of the ligand stock into the cell plate, using the FDSS dispensing function, and measure the calcium-flux by recording calcium 6 dye fluorescence for five minutes. Afterward, calculate the maximal fluorescence ratio, by dividing the maximal fluorescence obtained by the baseline fluorescence.To test the compounds, prepare the cells, the ligand, and the compound plates. Load the ligand, compound, and cell plate into the FDSS. Next, measure the baseline fluorescence for 30 seconds.Add 10 microliters of compound stock, and measure the fluorescence for five minutes. Then, add 10 microliters of ligand stock, and measure the fluorescence for five minutes. Afterward, determine the integral of the fluorescence ratio by calculating the area under the curve of the fluorescent ratios during the last five minutes of the measurement.Using the predetermined optimal ligand and subunit expressions, the effects of a glutamate binding site antagonist, NVP-AAM077, and the glycine binding site antagonist, L701, 324, were characterized by the calcium-flux assay, for NR1, NR2A at the indicated concentrations. A concentration equal to the eZ80 of glycine or glutamate, in the presence of the saturating concentration of the other ligand, was used after addition of NVP-AAM077, and L701, 324, respectively. While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to optimize the respective various amounts for this specific cell lines, using the experiment.And to use healthy nonconfluent cells. Special occasion should be spent on the dilution of compounds and ligands. Following this procedure, other methods like electrophysiology can be performed, in order to assign additional questions about a specific mechanism of actions, or their compounds.

a-high-throughput-calcium-flux-assay-to-study-nmda-receptors-with

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

A Simple Way to Measure Ethanol Sensitivity in Flies

Low doses of ethanol cause flies to become hyperactive, while high doses are sedating. The sensitivity to ethanol-induced sedation of a given fly strain is correlated with that strain s ethanol preference, and therefore sedation is a highly relevant measure to study the genetics of alcohol responses and drinking. We demonstrate a simple way to expose flies to ethanol and measure its intoxicating effects. The assay we describe can determine acute sensitivity, as well as ethanol tolerance induced by repeat exposure. It does not require a technically involved setup, and can therefore be applied in any laboratory with basic fly culture tools.

A simple assay to measure the sedating effects of ethanol on Drosophila flies, based on the loss of righting reflex, is described.

Low doses of ethanol cause flies to become hyperactive, while high doses are sedating. The sensitivity to ethanol-induced sedation of a given fly strain ...

Light Preference Assay to Study Innate and Circadian Regulated Photobehavior in Drosophila Larvae

Light acts as environmental signal to control animal behavior at various levels. The Drosophila larval nervous system is used as a unique model to answer basic questions on how light information is processed and shared between rapid and circadian behaviors. Drosophila larvae display a stereotypical avoidance behavior when exposed to light. To investigate light dependent behaviors comparably simple light-dark preference tests can be applied. In vertebrates and arthropods the neural pathways involved in sensing and processing visual inputs partially overlap with those processing photic circadian information. The fascinating question of how the light sensing system and the circadian system interact to keep behavioral outputs coordinated remains largely unexplored. Drosophila is an impacting biological model to approach these questions, due to a small number of neurons in the brain and the availability of genetic tools for neuronal manipulation. The presented light-dark preference assay allows the investigation of a range of visual behaviors including circadian control of phototaxis.

Light Preference Assay to Study Innate and Circadian Regulated Photobehavior in Drosophila Larvae

Here we describe a light-dark preference test for Drosophila larva. This assay provides information about innate and circadian regulation of light sensing and processing photobehavior.

Light acts as environmental signal to control animal behavior at various levels. The Drosophila larval nervous system is used as a unique model to answer ...

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration

One of the fundamental interests in neuroscience is to understand the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs along the very complex structure of the dendritic tree, which eventually leads to neuronal output of action potentials at the axon. The influence of diverse spatial and temporal parameters of specific synaptic input on neuronal output is currently under investigation, e.g. the distance-dependent attenuation of dendritic inputs, the location-dependent interaction of spatially segregated inputs, the influence of GABAergig inhibition on excitatory integration, linear and non-linear integration modes, and many more.
With fast micro-iontophoresis of glutamate and GABA it is possible to precisely investigate the spatial and temporal integration of glutamatergic excitation and GABAergic inhibition. Critical technical requirements are either a triggered fluorescent lamp, light-emitting diode (LED), or a two-photon scanning microscope to visualize dendritic branches without introducing significant photo-damage of the tissue. Furthermore, it is very important to have a micro-iontophoresis amplifier that allows for fast capacitance compensation of high resistance pipettes. Another crucial point is that no transmitter is involuntarily released by the pipette during the experiment.
Once established, this technique will give reliable and reproducible signals with a high neurotransmitter and location specificity. Compared to glutamate and GABA uncaging, fast iontophoresis allows using both transmitters at the same time but at very distant locations without limitation to the field of view. There are also advantages compared to focal electrical stimulation of axons: with micro-iontophoresis the location of the input site is definitely known and it is sure that only the neurotransmitter of interest is released. However it has to be considered that with micro-iontophoresis only the postsynapse is activated and presynaptic aspects of neurotransmitter release are not resolved. In this article we demonstrate how to set up micro-iontophoresis in brain slice experiments.

In this article we introduce fast micro-iontophoresis of neurotransmitters as a technique to investigate integration of postsynaptic signals with high spatial and temporal precision.

One of the fundamental interests in neuroscience is to understand the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs along the very complex structure of ...

Deriving the Time Course of Glutamate Clearance with a Deconvolution Analysis of Astrocytic Transporter Currents

The highest density of glutamate transporters in the brain is found in astrocytes. Glutamate transporters couple the movement of glutamate across the membrane with the co-transport of 3 Na+ and 1 H+ and the counter-transport of 1 K+. The stoichiometric current generated by the transport process can be monitored with whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from astrocytes. The time course of the recorded current is shaped by the time course of the glutamate concentration profile to which astrocytes are exposed, the kinetics of glutamate transporters, and the passive electrotonic properties of astrocytic membranes. Here we describe the experimental and analytical methods that can be used to record glutamate transporter currents in astrocytes and isolate the time course of glutamate clearance from all other factors that shape the waveform of astrocytic transporter currents. The methods described here can be used to estimate the lifetime of flash-uncaged and synaptically-released glutamate at astrocytic membranes in any region of the central nervous system during health and disease.

We describe an analytical method to estimate the lifetime of glutamate at astrocytic membranes from electrophysiological recordings of glutamate transporter currents in astrocytes.

The highest density of glutamate transporters in the brain is found in astrocytes. Glutamate transporters couple the movement of glutamate across the ...

Functional Interrogation of Adult Hypothalamic Neurogenesis with Focal Radiological Inhibition

The functional characterization of adult-born neurons remains a significant challenge. Approaches to inhibit adult neurogenesis via invasive viral delivery or transgenic animals have potential confounds that make interpretation of results from these studies difficult. New radiological tools are emerging, however, that allow one to noninvasively investigate the function of select groups of adult-born neurons through accurate and precise anatomical targeting in small animals. Focal ionizing radiation inhibits the birth and differentiation of new neurons, and allows targeting of specific neural progenitor regions. In order to illuminate the potential functional role that adult hypothalamic neurogenesis plays in the regulation of physiological processes, we developed a noninvasive focal irradiation technique to selectively inhibit the birth of adult-born neurons in the hypothalamic median eminence. We describe a method for Computer tomography-guided focal irradiation (CFIR) delivery to enable precise and accurate anatomical targeting in small animals. CFIR uses three-dimensional volumetric image guidance for localization and targeting of the radiation dose, minimizes radiation exposure to nontargeted brain regions, and allows for conformal dose distribution with sharp beam boundaries. This protocol allows one to ask questions regarding the function of adult-born neurons, but also opens areas to questions in areas of radiobiology, tumor biology, and immunology. These radiological tools will facilitate the translation of discoveries at the bench to the bedside.

The function of adult-born mammalian neurons remains an active area of investigation. Ionizing radiation inhibits the birth of new neurons. Using computer tomography-guided focal irradiation (CFIR), three-dimensional anatomical targeting of specific neural progenitor populations can now be used to assess the functional role of adult neurogenesis.

The functional characterization of adult-born neurons remains a significant challenge. Approaches to inhibit adult neurogenesis via invasive viral ...

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

NG2 expressing cells (polydendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells) are the fourth major glial cell population in the central nervous system. During embryonic and postnatal development they actively proliferate and generate myelinating oligodendrocytes. These cells have commonly been studied in primary dissociated cultures, neuron cocultures, and in fixed tissue. Using newly available transgenic mouse lines slice culture systems can be used to investigate proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in both gray and white matter regions of the forebrain and cerebellum. Slice cultures are prepared from early postnatal mice and are kept in culture for up to 1 month. These slices can be imaged multiple times over the culture period to investigate cellular behavior and interactions. This method allows visualization of NG2 cell division and the steps leading to oligodendrocyte differentiation while enabling detailed analysis of region-dependent NG2 cell and oligodendrocyte functional heterogeneity. This is a powerful technique that can be used to investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic signals influencing these cells over time in a cellular environment that closely resembles that found in vivo.

A technique to study NG2 cells and oligodendrocytes using a slice culture system of the forebrain and cerebellum is described. This method allows examination of the dynamics of proliferation and differentiation of cells within the oligodendrocyte lineage where the extracellular environment can be easily manipulated while maintaining tissue cytoarchitecture.

NG2 expressing cells (polydendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursor cells) are the fourth major glial cell population in the central nervous system. During ...

High Throughput Assay to Examine Egg-Laying Preferences of Individual Drosophila melanogaster

Recently, egg-laying preference of Drosophila has emerged as a genetically tractable model to study the neural basis of simple decision-making processes. When selecting sites to deposit their eggs, female flies are capable of ranking the relative attractiveness of their options and choosing the &#34;greater of two goods.&#34; However, most egg-laying preference assays are not practical if one wants to take a systematic genetic screening approach to search for the circuit basis underlying this simple decision-making process, as they are population-based and laborious to set up. To increase the throughput of studying of egg-laying preferences of single females, we developed custom chambers that each can simultaneously assay egg-laying preferences of up to thirty individual flies as well as a protocol that ensures each female has a high egg-laying rate (so that their preference is readily discernable and more convincing). Our approach is simple to execute and produces very consistent results. Additionally, these chambers can be equipped with different attachments to allow video recording the egg-laying animals and to deliver light for optogenetics studies. This article provides the blueprints for fabricating these chambers and the procedure for preparing the flies to be assayed in these chambers.

High Throughput Assay to Examine Egg-Laying Preferences of Individual Drosophila melanogaster

This protocol describes a high throughput assay for testing egg-laying preferences of Drosophila melanogaster at single-animal resolution. This assay provides a simple, efficient, and scalable platform to identify genes and circuit components that control a simple decision-making process.

Recently, egg-laying preference of Drosophila has emerged as a genetically tractable model to study the neural basis of simple decision-making processes. ...

Stripe Assay to Study the Attractive or Repulsive Activity of a Protein Substrate Using Dissociated Hippocampal Neurons

Growing axons develop a highly motile structure at their tip, termed the growth cone. The growth cone contacts extracellular environmental cues to navigate axonal growth. Netrin, slit, semaphorin, and ephrins are known guidance molecules that can attract or repel axons upon binding to receptors and co-receptors on the axon. The activated receptors initiate various signaling molecules in the growth cone that alter the structure and movement of the neuron. Here, we describe the detailed protocol for a stripe assay to assess the ability of a guidance molecule to attract or repel neurons. In this method, dissociated hippocampal neurons from E15.5 mice are cultured on laminin-coated dishes processed with alternating stripes of ectodomain of fibronectin and leucine-rich transmembrane protein-2 (FLRT2) and control immunoglobulin G (IgG) fragment crystallizable region (Fc) protein. Both axons and cell bodies were strongly repelled from the FLRT2-coated stripe regions after 24 h of culture. Immunostaining with tau1 showed that ~90% of the neurons were distributed on the Fc-coated stripes compared to the FLRT2-Fc-coated stripes (~10%). This result indicates that FLRT2 has a strong repulsive effect on these neurons. This powerful method is applicable not only for primary cultured neurons but also for a variety of other cells, such as neuroblasts.

Axon guidance molecules regulate neuronal migration and targeted growth-cone navigation. We present a powerful method, the stripe assay, to assess the ability of guidance molecules to attract or repulse neurons. In this protocol, we demonstrate the stripe assay by showing FLRT2's ability to repel cultured hippocampal neurons.

Growing axons develop a highly motile structure at their tip, termed the growth cone. The growth cone contacts extracellular environmental cues to ...

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models

Neurotransmitter disruption is often a key component of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), playing a role in the pathology underlying Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, and anxiety. Traditionally, microdialysis has been the most common (lauded) technique to examine neurotransmitter changes that occur in these disorders. But because microdialysis has the ability to measure slow 1-20 minute changes across large areas of tissue, it has the disadvantage of invasiveness, potentially destroying intrinsic connections within the brain and a slow sampling capability. A relatively newer technique, the microelectrode array (MEA), has numerous advantages for measuring specific neurotransmitter changes within discrete brain regions as they occur, making for a spatially and temporally precise approach. In addition, using MEAs is minimally invasive, allowing for measurement of neurotransmitter alterations in vivo. In our laboratory, we have been specifically interested in changes in the neurotransmitter, glutamate, related to Alzheimer's disease pathology. As such, the method described here has been used to assess potential hippocampal disruptions in glutamate in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Briefly, the method used involves coating a multi-site microelectrode with an enzyme very selective for the neurotransmitter of interest and using self-referencing sites to subtract out background noise and interferents. After plating and calibration, the MEA can be constructed with a micropipette and lowered into the brain region of interest using a stereotaxic device. Here, the method described involves anesthetizing rTg(TauP301L)4510 mice and using a stereotaxic device to precisely target sub-regions (DG, CA1, and CA3) of the hippocampus.

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer&#039;s Mouse Models

Here, we describe the setup, software navigation, and data analysis for a spatially and temporally precise method of measuring tonic and phasic extracellular glutamate changes in vivo using enzyme-linked microelectrode arrays (MEA).

Neurotransmitter disruption is often a key component of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), playing a role in the pathology underlying ...

High-throughput Analysis of Locomotor Behavior in the Drosophila Island Assay

Advances in next-generation sequencing technologies contribute to the identification of (candidate) disease genes for movement disorders and other neurological diseases at an increasing speed. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie these disorders. The genetic, molecular, and behavioral toolbox of Drosophila melanogaster makes this model organism particularly useful to characterize new disease genes and mechanisms in a high-throughput manner. Nevertheless, high-throughput screens require efficient and reliable assays that, ideally, are cost-effective and allow for the automatized quantification of traits relevant to these disorders. The island assay is a cost-effective and easily set-up method to evaluate Drosophila locomotor behavior. In this assay, flies are thrown onto a platform from a fixed height. This induces an innate motor response that enables the flies to escape from the platform within seconds. At present, quantitative analyses of filmed island assays are done manually, which is a laborious undertaking, particularly when performing large screens.
This manuscript describes the &#34;Drosophila Island Assay&#34; and &#34;Island Assay Analysis&#34; algorithms for&#160;high-throughput, automated data processing and quantification of island assay data. In the setup, a simple webcam connected to a laptop collects an image series of the platform while the assay is performed. The &#34;Drosophila Island Assay&#34; algorithm developed for the open-source software Fiji processes these image series and quantifies, for each experimental condition, the number of flies on the platform over time. The &#34;Island Assay Analysis&#34; script, compatible with the free software R, was developed to automatically process the obtained data and to calculate whether treatments/genotypes are statistically different. This greatly improves the efficiency of the island assay and makes it a powerful readout for basic locomotion and flight behavior. It can thus be applied to large screens investigating fly locomotor ability, Drosophila models of movement disorders, and drug efficacy.

High-throughput Analysis of Locomotor Behavior in the Drosophila Island Assay

The island assay is a relatively new, cost-effective assay that can be used to evaluate the basic locomotor behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. This manuscript describes algorithms for automatic data processing and objective quantification of island assay data, making this assay a sensitive, high-throughput readout for large genetic or pharmacological screens.