Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase)
28,390 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase improve spatial learning and memory in animal models of cognitive impairment. Here we investigate if the beneficial effects of free radical scavenger N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) on cognitive performance could be explained by its recently discovered anticholinesterase activity. Morris water maze experiment was performed to examine the effect of PBN on the impairment of spatial learning and memory induced by the antagonist of cholinergic muscarinic transmission scopolamine. In situ hybridization histochemistry experiment was performed to study its effects on the induction of immediate early gene expression (c-fos, c-jun) by dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF-82958 and on the augmentation of the SKF-82958-induced expression of these genes by scopolamine. In both experiments, the effects of PBN were compared to the effects of reversible anticholinesterase physostigmine. We found that physostigmine but not PBN significantly reversed the cognitive impairment in scopolamine-challenged rats, prevented the induction of c-fos and c-jun mRNAs by SKF-82958 and attenuated the augmentation of the SKF-82958-induced expression of these genes by scopolamine. The present experiments did not reveal a significant in vivo anticholinesterase activity of PBN.
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PMID:N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone, a free radical scavenger with anticholinesterase activity does not improve the cognitive performance of scopolamine-challenged rats. 1133 1

To study the regulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene expression in human brain tumors, 3' splice variants of AChE mRNA and potentially relevant transcription factor mRNAs were labeled in primary astrocytomas and melanomas. AChE-S and AChE-R mRNA, as well as Runx1/AML1 mRNA accumulated in astrocytomas in correlation with tumor aggressiveness, but neither HNF3beta nor c-fos mRNA was observed in melanoma and astrocytomas. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated nuclear Runx1/AML1 and cellular AChE-S and AChE-R in melanomas, however, only AChE-S, and not the secreted AChE-R variant, was retained in astrocyte tumor cells. Runx1/AML1 revealed weak linkage with ACHE promoter sequences, yet enhanced ACHE gene expression in co-transfected COS1 cells. The p300 co-activator and the ACHE promoter's distal enhancer facilitated this effect, which was independent of much of the Runx1/AML1 trans-activation domain. Surprisingly, GASP, a fusion product of green fluorescence protein (GFP) and ASP(67), a peptide composed of the 67 C-terminal amino acid residues of AChE-S, localized to COS1 cell nuclei. However, GARP, the corresponding fusion product of GFP with a peptide having the 51 C-terminal residues of AChE-E or GFP alone, remained cytoplasmic. Runx1/AML1 exhibited improved nuclear retention in GASP-expressing COS1 cells, suggesting modulated nuclear localization processes. Together, these findings reveal brain tumor-specific regulation of both expression and cellular retention of variant ACHE gene products.
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PMID:Complex regulation of acetylcholinesterase gene expression in human brain tumors. 1246 63

Lymphocytes express most of the cholinergic components found in the nervous system, including acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high affinity choline transporter, muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively), and acetylcholinesterase. Stimulation of T and B cells with ACh or another mAChR agonist elicits intracellular Ca2+ signaling, up-regulation of c-fos expression, increased nitric oxide synthesis and IL-2-induced signal transduction, probably via M3 and M5 mAChR-mediated pathways. Acute stimulation of nAChRs with ACh or nicotine causes rapid and transient Ca2+ signaling in T and B cells, probably via alpha7 nAChR subunit-mediated pathways. Chronic nicotine stimulation, by contrast, down-regulates nAChR expression and suppresses T cell activity. Activation of T cells with phytohemagglutinin or antibodies against cell surface molecules enhances lymphocytic cholinergic transmission by activating expression of ChAT and M5 mAChR, which is suggestive of local cholinergic regulation of immune system activity. This idea is supported by the facts that lymphocytic cholinergic activity reflects well the changes in immune system function seen in animal models of immune deficiency and immune acceleration. Collectively, these data provide a compelling picture in which lymphocytes constitute a cholinergic system that is independent of cholinergic nerves, and which is involved in the regulation of immune function.
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PMID:The lymphocytic cholinergic system and its contribution to the regulation of immune activity. 1465 62

Acetylcholine (ACh) is classically thought of as a neurotransmitter in mammalian species. However, lymphocytes express most of the cholinergic components found in the nervous system, including ACh, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high-affinity choline transporter, and acetylcholinesterase as well as both muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively). Activation of T cells via the T cell receptor/CD3 complex, contact of T cells with antigen presenting cells, or activation of the adenylyl cyclase pathway in T cells modulates cholinergic activity, as evidenced by up-regulation of ChAT and M(5) mAChR mRNA expression. Stimulation of mAChRs on T and B cells with ACh or another mAChR agonists elicits intracellular Ca(2+) signaling, up-regulation of c-fos expression, increased nitric oxide synthesis and interleukin-2-induced signal transduction via M(3) and M(5) mAChR-mediated pathways. Acute stimulation of nAChRs with ACh or nicotine causes rapid and transient Ca(2+) signaling in T and B cells, probably via alpha7 nAChRs subunit-mediated pathways. Chronic nicotine stimulation, by contrast, down-regulates nAChR expression and suppresses T cell activity. Abnormalities in lymphocytic cholinergic system have been seen in animal models of immune deficiency and immune acceleration. Collectively, these data provided a compelling picture in which immune function is, at least partly, under the control of an independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system in lymphocytes.
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PMID:[An independent, non-neuronal cholinergic system in lymphocytes and its roles in regulation of immune function]. 1499 30

Lymphocytes express most components of the cholinergic system including acetylcholine (ACh), muscarinic and nicotinic ACh receptors (mAChRs and nAChRs, respectively), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), high affinity choline transporter and acetylcholinesterase. ACh and mAChR agonists elicit intracellular Ca2+ signaling, up-regulation of c-fos expression and nitric oxide synthesis within T and B cells probably via M3 and M5 mAChRs. Stimulation of nAChRs with ACh or nicotine causes a rapid and transient Ca2+ signaling in T and B cells, probably via alpha7 nAChR subunit-mediated pathways. Phytohemagglutinin- or antigen-induced T cell activation via cell surface molecules (e.g., T cell receptor/CD3 complexes) enhances lymphocytic cholinergic transmission by up-regulating ChAT and M5 mAChR expression. It is thus likely that a local lymphocytic cholinergic system is involved in regulating immune function. This idea is supported by the findings that lymphocytic cholinergic activity is altered in animal models exhibiting immunological abnormalities. In addition, it appears likely that during interactions mediated by cell surface molecules T cells communicate via ACh with thymic epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells, which also express ChAT and nAChRs or mAChRs. This interaction leads to T cell selection and maturation in the thymus and local vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Collectively, these data provide a compelling picture in which lymphocytes constitute a cholinergic system that is independent of cholinergic nerves, and which is involved in the regulation of immune function and local circulation.
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PMID:Expression of non-neuronal acetylcholine in lymphocytes and its contribution to the regulation of immune function. 1535 71

Quantitative methods of cell density, the intensities of both acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd), as well as the basal expression of c-fos, have been carried out in order to study the anatomical divisions of the medial geniculate body (MGB) and the group of nuclei located ventromedially to the MGB called the paralaminar complex (PL). The MGB was composed of the dorsal (MGd), and the ventral (MGv) divisions. We included the medial, or the magnocellular division (MGm), in the PL complex. MGd was composed of a dorsolateral (DL) core and a belt. The belt was composed of the suprageniculate (SG), the deep dorsal (DD), the caudo-medial (CM) and the caudo-dorsal (CD) nuclei. In the MGv, the basal expression of c-fos was the only way to trace a clear boundary between the ovoid (Ov) and the ventrolateral (VL) divisions. However, the marginal zone (MZ) was clearly and contrastingly different. The PL was considered to be composed of: the MGm, the posterior intralaminar nucleus (PIN), the peripeduncular nucleus (PP) and the nucleus subparafascicularis lateralis (SPFL). The MGm and the PIN share most of the chemical features, meanwhile both SPFL and PP displayed different patterns of NADPHd reactivity. The study of cell density on Giemsa stained sections confirmed main divisions of the area. AChE and NADPHd methods allowed the main MGB divisions to be discriminated. The differences between subdivisions were emphasized when cell density and c-fos activity were quantified in each nucleus. Each MGB division displayed a different pattern of c-fos activity under basal conditions. Thus, c-fos basal expression was a particular feature in each MGB or PL nucleus.
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PMID:Chemical divisions in the medial geniculate body and surrounding paralaminar nuclei of the rat: quantitative comparison of cell density, NADPH diaphorase, acetyl cholin esterase and basal expression of c-fos. 1548 1

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate widely used as an insecticide in agriculture which elicits short- and long-term neurobehavioral deficits after acute administration. Because little is known about the specific brain areas targeted by CPF, investigating for the location of its neuroanatomical targets could help to describe the brain systems involved in the neurobehavioral toxicity developed in CPF-exposed organisms. To meet this objective, in the present study we evaluated CPF-induced c-fos expression. In addition, locomotor behavior and cerebral cholinesterase level were evaluated. We found two main sets of results. First, no significant c-fos expression was found in cholinoceptive regions in CPF-treated rats 2 h or 24 h post-administration, despite the fact that 41% and 62% acetylcholinesterase inhibition, respectively, were present in brain homogenates. These results are consistent with previous reports showing CPF-induced activation of adaptive neural mechanisms re-establishing cholinergic tone. Second, 24 h post-intoxication CPF elicited c-fos expression in cytokine-related areas. Cytokines have been involved in anxiety-like responses and psychiatric stress syndromes. Taking into account that CPF triggers the synthesis of peripheral cytokines, the present data stress the need to further clarify functional relations between organophosphate-triggered peripheral cytokines and emotional disturbances reported in intoxicated organisms.
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PMID:Neuroanatomical targets of the organophosphate chlorpyrifos by c-fos immunolabeling. 1565 65

The present study examined, in mice, whether regional patterns of brain monoamines concentrations (DA, 5-HT and their metabolites) and expression of c-Fos protein, that may represent a prolonged functional change in neurons, could be changed after a combined exposure to stress and the peripheral cholinesterase reversible inhibitor pyridostigmine (PYR). Animals were subjected every day to a random combination of mild unescapable electric footshocks and immobilization over a 12-day period, resulting in a significant increase of glucocorticoids levels and an activation of c-fos in hippocampus, thalamus and piriform cortex. This stress protocol induced a significant increase of 5-HT levels in striatum, hippocampus and ponto mesencephalic area (PMA) but failed to induce any DA activation. When PYR (0.2 mg/kg s.c. inducing 19-35% inhibition of the plasmatic ChE activity) was administered twice a day during the last 5 days of the stress session, 5-HIAA levels and expression of c-fos oncogene were significantly increased in the most of the brain areas studied. DA levels were also enhanced in striatum/hippocampus as a result of a possible activation of mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine systems. Taken together, these results suggest that a combined exposure to certain stress conditions and PYR leads, in mice, to functional changes in neurons and may affect centrally controlled functions. The mechanisms underlying these modifications and their behavioral implications remain to be further investigated.
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PMID:Peripheral ChE inhibition modulates brain monoamines levels and c-fos oncogene in mice subjected to a stress situation. 1601 84

Sodium selenite was used to examine whether selenium compound is able to trigger apoptotic degeneration in cultured cortical neurons in vitro and to explore the detailed changes in expression of the related genes during the apoptotic processes using molecular biological and flow cytometric examinations. The results indicated that: (1) cortical neurons treated with sodium selenite with different dosages (0.0008, 0.004, 0.0200, 0.1000, and 0.5000 microM) and different exposure times (2, 4, 24, and 48 h) exhibited dose- and time-dependent apoptotic processes as revealed by typical DNA ladder formation detected by agarose gel electrophoresis; (2) the internucleosomal DNA fragmentation detected by flow cytometric examination showed a prominent peak of hypodiploid DNA contents as early as 4h after exposure of 0.1 microM sodium selenite; (3) the DNA fragmentation induced by sodium selenite as revealed by the above two examinations could be blocked by aurintricarboxylic acid; (4) the transcriptions of mRNAs related to bcl-2, bax, c-fos, p53, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) genes, as detected by RT-PCR assays, showed down-regulation for bcl-2 and up-regulation for bax, c-fos, p53, and AChE genes after exposure of sodium selenite. This study suggests that the sodium selenite is effective for inducing apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons and that relevant changes in expression of several apoptosis-related genes might further our understanding of the mechanism(s) that initiates and maintains the apoptotic processes.
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PMID:Sodium selenite induces apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons with special concomitant changes in expression of the apoptosis-related genes. 1654 27

Intermittent or continuous exposure to a wide variety of chemically unrelated environmental pollutants might result in the development of multiple chemical intolerance and increased sensitivity to drugs of abuse. Interestingly, clinical evidence suggests that exposure to organophosphates might be linked to increased ethanol sensitivity and reduced voluntary consumption of ethanol-containing beverages in humans. The growing body of clinical and experimental evidence emerging in this new scientific field that bridges environmental health sciences, toxicology, and drug research calls for well-controlled studies aimed to analyze the nature of the neurobiological interactions of drugs and pollutants. Present study specifically evaluated neurobiological and behavioral responses to ethanol in Wistar rats that were previously exposed to the pesticide organophosphate chlorpyrifos (CPF). In agreement with clinical data, animals pretreated with a single injection of CPF showed long-lasting ethanol avoidance that was not secondary to altered gustatory processing or enhancement of the aversive properties of ethanol. Furthermore, CPF pretreatment increased ethanol-induced sedation without altering blood ethanol levels. An immunocytochemical assay revealed reduced c-fos expression in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus following CPF treatment, a critical brain area that has been implicated in ethanol intake and sedation. We hypothesize that CPF might modulate cellular mechanisms (decreased intracellular cAMP signaling, alpha-7-nicotinic receptors, and/or cerebral acetylcholinesterase inhibition) in neuronal pathways critically involved in neurobiological responses to ethanol.
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PMID:Long-lasting reductions of ethanol drinking, enhanced ethanol-induced sedation, and decreased c-fos expression in the Edinger-Westphal nucleus in Wistar rats exposed to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos. 1719 Sep 73


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