Current psychiatric pharmacotherapy options leave much to be desired, and manipulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) by positive and negative regulators has therapeutic benefit in major psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and depression. We propose to capitalize on our recent discovery of a novel, very potent, and potentially endogenous positive modulator of NMDARs. The prototype is the major cholesterol metabolite in brain, 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OH). Oxysterols like 24OH are cellular lipids generated from oxidation of cholesterol. Prevailing views suggest 24OH is synthesized as a convenient waste disposal vehicle for the neuronal pool of cholesterol that turns over in brain, but we have discovered that 24OH modulates NMDAR function at concentrations well below those measured in brain. We will leverage innovative chemical biology and physiological approaches toward understanding the mechanisms of 24OH. Our preliminary data suggest that 24OH and a synthetic analogue, Org-1, have unusual potentiating actions at NMDARs that are antagonized by another cholesterol metabolite, 25-hydroxycholesterol. We hypothesize that 24OH has direct effects on NMDAR channel gating through a novel receptor binding site. To understand mechanisms of oxysterol neuromodulation, we exploit a longstanding interdisciplinary collaboration with a synthetic chemistry laboratory, directed by Douglas Covey. We propose to use novel chemical tagging strategies to create analogues for cell biological and physiological studies. These approaches will yield insight into subcellular domains of exogenous oxysterol actions and insight into the peculiar kinetics of oxysterol action. We will also investigate the effects of 24OH and Org-1 on synaptic plasticity and behavior in wild type mice and in mice deficient in the enzyme that produces 24OH. Preliminary data suggest that 24OH and Org-1 enhance synaptic plasticity and cognition. This work will be complemented by measurements of endogenous 24OH and Org-1 levels under varied experimental conditions by collaborators at Weill Cornell Medical College. We have a strong interdisciplinary track record that will foster rapid progress. Upon completion of these studies, we expect to have elucidated mechanisms and effects of a novel neuromodulator with broad importance.

Public Health Relevance

Current psychiatric pharmacotherapy options leave much to be desired, and NMDA receptor modulators show promise. Here we characterize the pharmacological properties and behavioral effects of novel endogenous NMDA receptor modulators. The main cholesterol metabolite in brain has potent positive modulatory actions, and another class of cholesterol metabolite inhibits the modulation. Thus, we explore a new push-pull system of interaction with a receptor class important to brain plasticity and disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01MH101874-01A1
Application #
8693215
Study Section
Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling Study Section (MNPS)
Program Officer
Nadler, Laurie S
Project Start
2014-08-21
Project End
2019-04-30
Budget Start
2014-08-21
Budget End
2015-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$397,771
Indirect Cost
$123,074
Name
Washington University
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Ishikawa, Makoto; Yoshitomi, Takeshi; Covey, Douglas F et al. (2018) Additive neuroprotective effects of 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol and allopregnanolone in an ex vivo rat glaucoma model. Sci Rep 8:12851
Sun, Min-Yu; Taylor, Amanda; Zorumski, Charles F et al. (2017) 24S-hydroxycholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol differentially impact hippocampal neuronal survival following oxygen-glucose deprivation. PLoS One 12:e0174416
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Stein, Liana R; Zorumski, Charles F; Izumi, Yukitoshi (2017) Hippocampal slice preparation in rats acutely suppresses immunoreactivity of microtubule-associated protein (Map2) and glycogen levels without affecting numbers of glia or levels of the glutamate transporter VGlut1. Brain Behav 7:e00736
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Izumi, Yukitoshi; Zorumski, Charles F (2017) Neuregulin and Dopamine D4 Receptors Contribute Independently to Depotentiation of Schaffer Collateral LTP by Temperoammonic Path Stimulation. eNeuro 4:
Chakrabarti, Sampurna; Qian, Mingxing; Krishnan, Kathiresan et al. (2016) Comparison of Steroid Modulation of Spontaneous Inhibitory Postsynaptic Currents in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons and Steady-State Single-Channel Currents from Heterologously Expressed ?1?2?2L GABA(A) Receptors. Mol Pharmacol 89:399-406
Ishikawa, Makoto; Yoshitomi, Takeshi; Covey, Douglas F et al. (2016) TSPO activation modulates the effects of high pressure in a rat ex vivo glaucoma model. Neuropharmacology 111:142-159
Jiang, Xiaoping; Shu, Hong-Jin; Krishnan, Kathiresan et al. (2016) A clickable neurosteroid photolabel reveals selective Golgi compartmentalization with preferential impact on proximal inhibition. Neuropharmacology 108:193-206
Emnett, Christine; Li, Hairong; Jiang, Xiaoping et al. (2016) A Clickable Analogue of Ketamine Retains NMDA Receptor Activity, Psychoactivity, and Accumulates in Neurons. Sci Rep 6:38808

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