Exposure of the hyperaccumulator Alyssum lesbiacum to nickel (Ni) is known to result in a dose-dependent increase in xylem sap concentrations of Ni and the chelator free histidine (His). Addition of equimolar concentrations of exogenousl-His to an Ni-amended hydroponic rooting medium enhances Ni flux into the xylem in the nonaccumulator Alyssum montanum , and, as reported here, in Brassica juncea L. cv Vitasso. In B. juncea , reducing the entry of l-His into the root by supplying d-His instead of l-His, or l-His in the presence of a 10-fold excess of l-alanine, did not affect root Ni uptake, but reduced Ni release into the xylem. Compared with B. juncea , root His concentrations were constitutively about 4.4-fold higher in A. lesbiacum , and did not increase within 9 h of exposure to Ni. Cycloheximide did not affect root His or Ni concentrations, but strongly decreased the release of His and Ni from the root into the xylem of A. lesbiacum , whereas xylem sap concentrations of Ca and Mg remained unaffected. Near-quantitative chelation of Ni with nitrilotriacetate in the rooting medium did not enhance Ni flux into the xylem of A. lesbiacum and B. juncea , suggesting the absence of a significant apoplastic pathway for Ni entry into the xylem. The data suggest that in B. juncea roots, Ni 2+ uptake is independent of simultaneous uptake of His. In both species, enhanced release of Ni into the xylem is associated with concurrent release of His from an increased root free His pool.

The role of free histidine in xylem loading of nickel in Alyssum lesbiacum and Brassica juncea

Manganese (Mn) is a required co-factor for many ubiquitous enzymes; however, chronic Mn overexposure can cause manganism, a parkinsonian-like syndrome. Previous studies showed Mn influx into brain is carrier-mediated, though the putative carrier(s) were not established. Studies conducted with cultured bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells (bBMECs), which comprise the blood-brain barrier, revealed (54)Mn (II) uptake positively correlated with pH, was temperature-dependent, and was sodium- and energy-independent. Brain (54)Mn uptake correlated inversely with calcium (Ca) concentration, but (45)Ca uptake was unaltered by high Mn concentration. Lanthanum (La), a non-selective inhibitor of several Ca channel types, as well as verapamil and amiloride, inhibitors of voltage-operated Ca channels, failed to inhibit Mn uptake into cells. Nickel (Ni), another non-selective inhibitor of several Ca channel types, inhibited Mn and Ca uptake into cells by 88 and 85%, respectively. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and thapsigargin, which activate store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs), increased (54)Mn and (45)Ca uptake into cultured bBMECs. In situ brain perfusion studies were conducted in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats to verify the cell culture results. Both nickel and verapamil produced a non-significant decrease in Mn and Ca influx. Lanthanum significantly increased Mn influx to 675 and 450% of control in parietal cortex and caudate, respectively, while producing no significant effect on Ca influx. Vanadate, which inhibits Ca-ATPase, inhibited Mn uptake into cultured blood-brain barrier cells, but not into perfused rat brain. Overall these results suggest that both Ca-dependent and Ca-independent mechanisms play a role in brain Mn influx. This work provides evidence that store-operated Ca channels, as well as another mechanism at the blood-brain barrier, likely play a role in carrier-mediated Mn influx into the brain.

Manganese distribution across the blood-brain barrier. IV. Evidence for brain influx through store-operated calcium channels.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) refers to the network of microvessels that selectively restricts the passage of substances between the circulation and the central nervous system (CNS). This microvascular network is comprised of arterioles, capillaries and venules, yet the respective contribution of each of these to the BBB awaits clarification. In this regard, it has been postulated that brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) from these different tributaries might exhibit considerable heterogeneity in form and function, with such diversity underlying unique roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Means to begin exploring such endothelial differences in situ, free from caveats associated with cell isolation and culturing procedures, are crucial to comprehending the nature and treatment of CNS diseases with vascular involvement. Here, the recently validated approach of immuno-laser capture microdissection (immuno-LCM) coupled to quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze gene expression patterns of BMEC retrieved in situ from either capillaries or venules. From profiling 87 genes known to play a role in BBB function and/or be enriched in isolated brain microvessels, results imply that most BBB properties reside in both segments, but that capillaries preferentially express some genes related to solute transport, while venules tend toward higher expression of an assortment of genes involved in inflammatory-related tasks. Fuller appreciation of such heterogeneity will be critical for efficient therapeutic targeting of the endothelium and the management of CNS disease.

Endothelial cell heterogeneity of blood-brain barrier gene expression along the cerebral microvasculature.

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Poly(propylene imine) dendrimers with histidine-maltose shell as novel type of nanoparticles for synapse and memory protection.

Increased manganese (Mn) use in manufacturing and in gasoline has raised concern about Mn-induced parkinsonism. Previous research indicated carrier-mediated brain entry but did not assess brain efflux. Using in situ rat brain perfusion, we studied influx across the blood-brain barrier (BBB*) of three predominant plasma Mn species available to enter the brain: Mn2+, Mn citrate, and Mn transferrin. Our results suggested transporter-mediated uptake of these species. The uptake rate was greatest for Mn citrate. Our results using the brain efflux index method suggested that diffusion mediates distribution from rat brain to blood. To characterize the carriers mediating brain Mn uptake, we used rat erythrocytes, an immortalized murine BBB cell line (b.End5), primary bovine brain endothelial cells (bBMECs), and Sprague Dawley and Belgrade rats. Studies with bBMECs and b.End5 cells suggested concentrative brain Mn2+ and Mn citrate uptake, respectively, consistent with carrier-mediated uptake. Mn2+ uptake positively correlated with pH, suggesting mediation by an electromotive force. Mn2+ uptake was not inhibited by iron or the absence of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) expression, suggesting an iron-transporter-independent mechanism. Mn2+ uptake inversely correlated with calcium and was affected by calcium channel modulators, suggesting a role for calcium channels. Rat erythrocyte results suggested monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and anion exchange transporters do not mediate Mn citrate brain uptake. Considering carrier-mediated brain influx (but not efflux), repeated excessive Mn exposure should produce brain accumulation. Further work is necessary to identify the specific transporter or transporters mediating Mn distribution across the BBB.

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Manganese Toxicokinetics at the Blood-Brain Barrier

Stereoselective blood-brain barrier transport of histidine in rats.

We studied the effect of selenium on the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis system in the rat liver. Significant decreases in glucose level in the serum were observed from the 4th day after daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of selenite (173 micrograms/kg, 78.9 micrograms/kg of selenium base equivalent). Selenium was also effective in reducing a precursor of gluconeogenesis, lactate, alanine or glycerol, in the serum. Moreover, there were significant decreases in the activities of pyruvate carboxylase and glucose-6-phosphatase, a rate-limiting enzyme of gluconeogenesis, in the liver of selenium-treated rates. On the contrary, the activities of glycokinase and phosphofructokinase, a rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis, in the liver of rat treated with selenium significantly increased in comparison with the control group. These data, therefore, indicated that the hypoglycemic effect of selenium might be due to the acceleration of glucose metabolism and the inhibition of glucose synthesis in the liver, suggesting a decrease in a source of precursor supply for the gluconeogenesis.

Kazumi Maeda

Papers

Stereoselective blood-brain barrier transport of histidine in rats.

Effects of selenium on the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis system in rat liver