Abstract
Dysfunction of the hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt/Orx) peptide system is closely linked to the sleep disorder narcolepsy, suggesting that it is also central to the normal regulation of sleep and wakefulness. Indeed, Hcrt/Orx peptides produce long-lasting excitation of arousal-related neurons, including those in the laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT) and the dorsal raphe (DR), although the mechanisms underlying these actions are not understood. Since Hcrt/Orx mobilizes intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in cells transfected with orexin receptors and since receptor-mediated Ca(2+) transients are ubiquitous signaling mechanisms, we investigated whether Hcrt/Orx regulates [Ca(2+)](i) in the LDT and DR. Changes in [Ca(2+)](i) were monitored by fluorescence changes of fura-2 AM loaded cells in young mouse brain slices. We found Hcrt/Orx (Orexin-A, 30-1,000 nM) evoked long-lasting increases in [Ca(2+)](i) with differing temporal profiles ranging from spiking to smooth plateaus. A fragment of Hcrt/Orx (16-33) failed to evoke changes in [Ca(2+)](i) and changes were not blocked by TTX or ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, suggesting they resulted from specific activation of postsynaptic orexin receptors. Unlike orexin receptor-transfected cells, Hcrt/Orx-responses were not attenuated by depletion of Ca(2+) stores with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 3-30 microM), thapsigargin (3 microM), or ryanodine (20 microM), although store-depletion by either CPA or ryanodine blocked Ca(2+) mobilization by the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (+/-)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (trans-ACPD; 30 microM). In contrast, Hcrt/Orx responses were strongly attenuated by lowering extracellular Ca(2+) ( approximately 20 microM) but were not inhibited by concentrations of KB-R7943 (10 microM) selective for blockade of sodium/calcium exchange. Nifedipine (10 microM), inhibited Hcrt/Orx responses but was more effective at abolishing spiking than plateau responses. Bay K 8644 (5-10 microM), an L-type calcium channel agonist, potentiated responses. Finally, responses were attenuated by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) but not by inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase. Collectively, our findings indicate that Hcrt/Orx signaling in the reticular activating system involves elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) by a PKC-involved influx of Ca(2+) across the plasma membrane, in part, via L-type calcium channels. Thus the physiological release of Hcrt/Orx may help regulate Ca(2+)-dependent processes such as gene expression and NO production in the LDT and DR in relation with behavioral state. Accordingly, the loss of Hcrt/Orx signaling in narcolepsy would be expected to disrupt calcium-dependent processes in these and other target structures.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Neurophysiology |
| Volume | 92 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 221-35 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| ISSN | 0022-3077 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Action Potentials
- Animals
- Arousal
- Calcium Signaling
- Carrier Proteins
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Intracellular Fluid
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Neuropeptides
- Raphe Nuclei
- Tegmentum Mesencephali