General anesthetics selectively modulate glutamatergic and dopaminergic signaling via site-specific phosphorylation in vivo.

TitleGeneral anesthetics selectively modulate glutamatergic and dopaminergic signaling via site-specific phosphorylation in vivo.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsSnyder GL, Galdi S, Hendrick JP, Hemmings HC
JournalNeuropharmacology
Volume53
Issue5
Pagination619-30
Date Published2007 Oct
ISSN0028-3908
KeywordsAnesthetics, Dissociative, Anesthetics, General, Anesthetics, Inhalation, Anesthetics, Intravenous, Animals, Blotting, Western, Cerebral Cortex, Dopamine, Dopamine and cAMP-Regulated Phosphoprotein 32, Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Glutamic Acid, Isoflurane, Ketamine, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microfilament Proteins, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Neuroprotective Agents, Phosphorylation, Propofol, Receptors, Glutamate, Signal Transduction, Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
Abstract

Isoflurane, propofol and ketamine are representative general anesthetics with distinct molecular mechanisms of action that have neuroprotective properties in models of excitotoxic ischemic damage. We characterized the effects of these agents on neuronal glutamate and dopamine signaling by profiling drug-induced changes in brain intracellular protein phosphorylation in vivo to test the hypothesis that they affect common downstream effectors. Anesthetic-treated and control mice were killed instantly by focused microwave irradiation, frontal cortex and striatum were removed, and the phosphorylation profile of specific neuronal signaling proteins was analyzed by immunoblotting with a panel of phospho-specific antibodies. At anesthetic doses that produced loss of righting reflex, isoflurane, propofol, and ketamine all reduced phosphorylation of the activating residue T183 of ERK2 (but not of ERK1); S897 of the NR1 NMDA receptor subunit; and S831 (but not S845) of the GluR1 AMPA receptor subunit in cerebral cortex. At sub-anesthetic doses, these drugs only reduced phosphorylation of ERK2. Isoflurane and ketamine also reduced phosphorylation of spinophilin at S94, but oppositely regulated phosphorylation of presynaptic (tyrosine hydroxylase) and postsynaptic (DARPP-32) markers of dopaminergic neurotransmission in striatum. These data reveal both shared and agent-specific actions of CNS depressant drugs on critical intracellular protein phosphorylation signaling pathways that integrate multiple second messenger systems. Reduced phosphorylation of ionotropic glutamate receptors by all three anesthetics indicates depression of normal glutamatergic synaptic transmission and reduced potential excitotoxicity. This novel approach indicates a role for phosphorylation-mediated down-regulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission by general anesthetics and identifies specific in vivo targets for focused evaluation of anesthetic mechanisms.

DOI10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.07.008
Alternate JournalNeuropharmacology
PubMed ID17826804
Grant ListR01 GM058055 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R43 MH067488-01 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States